HCLA has now been approved to offer English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)

TEQSA, a department of the Australian Government,  has now approved Health Careers Language Academy (HCLA) to run English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS). This means that we can now offer a wider range of course options to our prospective students and cater to many more prospective students. Initially HCLA will be introducing our General English program along with our English for Academic Purposes courses. The course outcomes for each level of the programs are as follows:

General English

Learning Outcomes

Elementary English Program

Upon completion of the Elementary English Program, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Can take part in a routine conversation on simple predictable topics.
2. Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
3. Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
4. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

Pre-Intermediate English Program

Upon completion of the Pre-Intermediate English Program, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (home and family), and matters encountered at work, school and leisure;
2. Deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken,
3. Produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest and;

4. Describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Intermediate English Program

Upon completion of the Intermediate English Program it is expected that students will be prepared, in terms of English Language ability, for participation in the Upper Intermediate English program or participation in some courses at the Certificate III or III level. It is expected that they will be able to:

1. Write and follow the conventions of some text types such as letters, memoranda, emails and forms that are used in everyday life and study in Australia
2. Read and comprehend a variety of texts that are written in non-industry-specific language on a variety of topics including health and illness, such as children’s literature on these topics
3. Use language to converse and communicate in common situations likely to be encountered in everyday life and educational settings in Australia
4. Be confident in the use of basic sentence and word types, but still be likely to make some errors relating to tense, voice and pluralisation
5. Understand terms for basic word types and grammar, such as noun, verb, punctuation etcetera
6. Have basic strategies in place to make use of the Australian language environment
7. Begin to learn about culture and society as part of the language learning process
8. Begin to utilise contact with English speakers, media and the language environment to actively seek out learning opportunities

Upper Intermediate English Program

Upon completion of the Upper-Intermediate English Program it is expected that students will be prepared, in terms of English Language ability, for participation in courses up to AQF – 7 and to use English vocationally in a healthcare setting. It is expected that they will be able to:

1. Write essays that include reference to a variety of source materials and that set out a structured argument
2. Demonstrate through role playing and simulation the ability to communicate around basic healthcare topics with colleagues and other stakeholders in healthcare
3. Communicate healthcare information through structured oral presentations
4. Read and understand healthcare textbooks
5. Read and understand patient communication documents such as websites and patient information pamphlets
6. Write basic content for communicating with patients
7. Utilise contact with English speakers and the language environment to actively seek out learning opportunities
8. Demonstrate an understanding of English grammar and the metalanguage of grammar

English for Academic Purposes

English for Academic Purposes 1 (EAP 1)

Upon completion of the English for Academic Purposes 1 (EAP 1) program it is expected that students will be prepared, in terms of English Language ability, for participation in postgraduate courses and to use English vocationally in an advanced healthcare setting. It is expected that they will be able to:

1. Write academic essays that include citation of a variety of source materials and that set out a structured argument
2. Demonstrate through role playing and simulation the ability to communicate around advanced healthcare topics with colleagues and other stakeholders in healthcare
3. Communicate advanced healthcare and health science information through structured oral presentations
4. Read and understand academic and scientific literature
5. Read and write documents used in healthcare practice such as care plans and reports
6. Utilise contact with English speakers and the language environment, including communication media, to actively seek out opportunities to learn and use complex language

English for Academic Purposes 2 (EAP 2)

Upon completion of the English for Academic Purposes 2 (EAP 2) program it is expected that students will be prepared, in terms of English Language ability, for participation in postgraduate courses and to use English vocationally in an advanced healthcare setting. It is expected that they will be able to:

1. Write academic essays that include citation of peer reviewed source materials and that set out a complex structured argument
2. Write exam style essays that follow a logical sequence and demonstrate effective language use
3. Demonstrate through role playing and simulation the ability to communicate confidently around advanced healthcare topics with colleagues, patients and other stakeholders in healthcare
4. Perform oral presentations in accordance with higher education conventions
5. Read, understand and synthesise written work based on academic and scientific literature
6. Implement strategies for effective independent learning in Australian educational and workplace settings
7. Utilise opportunities for interaction and dialogue with academics and professionals to benefit learning