English for Secondary Schools (High School and Junior School Preparation)

Course Overview (High School Preparation):

With almost forty years of experience in teaching young students, Acknowledge Education (formally known as Melbourne Language Centre) is recognised as a leader in providing tailored English preparation courses in Victoria, catering to high school students.

The curriculum recognises the dual need for students to develop their general English language skills while also preparing them for future study in Australian high schools.

Morning classes prioritise English language and communication, with students grouped based on their English proficiency as determined through rigorous testing during orientation. Throughout the day, significant time is dedicated to exploring daily concepts within the English language in both classroom and educative settings, preparing students for their pathway schools. Students continue to delve into academic language relevant to the Australian curriculum in the afternoon, maintaining groupings based on their English proficiency levels. As students advance in their language learning, they will have opportunities to apply their new skills during monthly excursions around the city. 

 Specialist teachers are employed to teach mathematics and science, with students introduced to the concepts they can expect to study at their future schools. Homework is an integral part of the student program and is monitored by the classroom teacher on a daily basis. Excursions are organised regularly and include a range of cultural and social activities such as visits to museums, sightseeing tours, day hikes, sports days, and barbecues.

The course is underpinned by:

• Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), including maths, science, literature, history, geography, art and PE
• Aspects of Victorian Curriculum Foundation–10 for EAL
• Effective use of educational technology for both individual and group activities
• Regular cultural/social activities and excursions
• Excellence in teaching practice for all macro skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and enabling skills (pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation)
• Regular liaison with a broad network of both independent and government pathway schools

Teaching

The teaching and assessment methods at Acknowledge Education include:

• Traditional classroom delivery
• Online support materials
• Consideration of different learning styles, abilities and preferences
• Group work and pair work, as well as individual assignments
• Interactive educational games and activities
• Regular formal and informal assessments and reports/feedback

Course Overview (Junior School Preparation):

Acknowledge Education’s English for Junior Schools is specifically designed to prepare young children to transition into Australian schools.

This course offers comprehensive, engaging and student-centred classes with high-quality resources that enrich the learning environment and facilitate language acquisition. Classes are kept small to ensure every student gets individual support from teachers.

The course is underpinned by:

• Integration of Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE)
• Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), including maths, science, literature, history, geography, art and PE
• Aspects of Victorian Curriculum Foundation–10 for EAL
• Effective use of educational technology for both individual and group activities
• Regular cultural/social activities and excursions
• Various clubs (coding, cultural, debating, yoga, dance, music, and art)
• Excellence in teaching practice for all macro skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and enabling skills (pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation)
• Small and focused classes with support for every student
• Regular liaison with a broad network of both independent and government pathway schools

Teaching

The teaching and assessment methods at Acknowledge Education include:

• Traditional classroom delivery
• Online support materials
• Consideration of different learning styles, abilities and preferences
• Group work and pair work, as well as individual assignments
• Regular formal and informal assessments and reports/feedback

Timetable

Assessment

All new students take a placement test on their first day to determine their English proficiency and to place them in the appropriate class. Regular assessments are conducted to track students’ progress and to promote them to the appropriate class.

Students who are enrolled for more than five weeks will receive comprehensive progress reports which will also be sent to their chosen pathway schools (if we are advised of the details) every five weeks. The program manager regularly liaises with the schools’ International Student Coordinator to update them on their students’ progress at Acknowledge Education Pathway schools are also invited to meet their students at Acknowledge Education prior to mainstream course commencement. This ensures that students have a smooth transition into the school system and are confident in their new school life.

Diagnostic assessment at the beginning of the course is used to determine the proficiency level of students.

Continuous/Progress assessment is conducted to monitor and track students’ progress during the course.

Junior school preparation: 7–11 years old
High school preparation: 12–18 years old

Parents/legal custodians of students under 12 years old are required to drop children off at the classroom and sign them out.

Acknowledge Education runs classes throughout the year, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.  Saturday school can be arranged in special circumstances.

We accept new students every Monday.

View fee list here.

Click here to view 2024 ELICOS Student Handbook