Secondary Introductory English Centre

English classes and courses for non English speaking secondary students newly arrived in Australia.

The SIEC is the only intensive English language learning centre in Canberra. Students in year 7 - 12 who have limited English language skills participate in a 30 week program of study that gives them the necessary language skills to participate in education.

Entry to the SIEC is managed through the SIEC Executive Teacher who can be contacted on (02) 6142 0140.

Aim

The Secondary Introductory English Centre provides newly arrived overseas students with minimal or no English, with an intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) course so that they can participate with equal access in educational and social settings.

Students are given the opportunity to develop their English language and social skills to a level that will enable them to function confidently in the secondary school environment and to live in and contribute to Australia's multicultural society.

The SIEC provides students with the opportunity for:

• Intensive, specialised instruction leading to English language proficiency in the shortest possible time.
• A supportive environment conducive to social and cultural adjustment in preparation for mainstream secondary schooling and participation in Australian society at large.

Course Content

The aim of the ESL course at the SIEC is to prepare secondary school-aged students for the English language demands of the secondary classroom. The course consists of Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced courses.

The Pre-Intermediate course (10 weeks) is organised around nine themes, including school, food and shopping, orientation to Canberra and animals. Each theme incorporates a wide range of activities covering the four macro-skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The Pre-Intermediate course includes grammatical structures and focuses on the functional and communicative demands of secondary schooling.

The Intermediate and Advanced courses (20 weeks) combine work on English structures and the features of different text types. The course incorporates the language and skills of content areas such as mathematics, science and studies of society and environment. The courses also include the use of the library for research and individual study and computers for word processing and keyboard skills. Teachers choose from a wide range of work units according to the needs, interests and language levels of their students.

Accreditation of the SIEC Post Beginners Course

Advanced level students who are in Years 11 and 12 are able to gain academic credit towards their Year 12 Certificate by successfully completing the requirements of advanced level units in the SIEC Advanced course.

Fees: Fees Apply; Concessions Available