Courses offered at the NBEC are designed to give students the preparation in English for early entry into either senior High School, Foundation Year or TAFE courses. Students are tested on arrival and placed in the appropriate ELICOS course. The NBEC is aiming for students to gain an IELTS of 5.5 on completion of ELICOS.
NBEC Courses
English for Secondary Study (ESS)
English for Further Study (EFS)
Outline
These programmes develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills for a high school context and has two pathways. ESS is the pathway for entry into an Australian High School from Year 7 - 10. EFS is for entry into Year 11 leading to further study in UFY.
Students learn to:
Assessment:
Students complete listening, speaking, reading and writing assessment tasks as well as ongoing in-class and homework assignments. There is a mid-term progress test and an end of term promotion test.
Entry requirements:
EFS English level: elementary - upper intermediate
ESS English level: pre-intermediate - upper intermediate
The Pittwater House Schools will assess English results as indicated on the school reports supplied with the Application Form. All students do a placement test upon arrival.
Further study options
On successful completion of the ELICOS course students receive a Certificate of Attainment and may then move into an Australian High School for further study. Students intending to study from Year 7 - 10 need to reach an intermediate level of English (equivalent to IELTS 4.5) while students intending to study in Year 11 need Upper Intermediate (equivalent to IELTS 5.0).
Academic English (AE)
Outline
This program aims to prepare students for university study. It is suitable for direct entry into UFY. UFY entry requires an IELTS score of 5.5. The Pittwater House Schools can arrange for the UNSW 573 Visa to be issued for the UFY extension package. This course is also suitable for students who wish to do academic preparation for further study at another institution. Students who have attained IELTS 5.0 and have completed Year 11 may package Academic English at NBEC and UFY as 'UFY Extension'.
Students learn to:
Assessment:
Students complete listening, speaking, reading and writing assessment tasks as well as ongoing in-class and homework assignments. There is a mid-term progress test and an end of term promotion test.
Entry requirements:
English level: intermediate - advanced (IELTS 5.0 or above)
Further study options
Academic English courses prepare students for university study in Australia. On successful completion of the course students receive a Certificate of Attainment and may then enter UFY or do further study elsewhere.
IELTS Examination Preparation (IEP)
This programme develops speaking, listening, reading and writing skills for success in the IELTS examination. Students learn the skills necessary to achieve the academic strand of the IELTS examination.
Students prepare for the test by:
Assessment:
Students complete IELTS listening, speaking, reading and writing assessment tasks. Practice IELTS tests are held every 5 weeks and students must complete on-going in-class and homework assignments.
Entry requirements:
Students must have an intermediate level of English to do this course (equivalent to IELTS 4.5)
English for Secondary Study, Academic English and IELTS examination preparation courses are taught by Pittwater House ELT teachers specifically to meet the needs of Secondary School and Foundation Year students. All students will receive a Report and a Certificate of Attainment on satisfactory completion of English for Secondary Study or Academic English.
Pittwater House can package the complete education courses for a student's pathway to university.
The Pittwater House Enrolments Office issues the Letters of Offer, Invoices and Confirmations of Enrolment.
The Pittwater House Schools Ltd delivers the Foundation Year Certificate (PTW) programme under licence agreement from the University of New South Wales.
