English for Academic Purposes

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The English for Academic Preparation (EAP) course is an intensive program designed to equip students with the English language skills required for study at a tertiary institution in Australia. Classes focus on introducing students to the academic conventions, academic expectations and learning strategies required at tertiary level.

The EAP courses aim to:

  • improve language proficiency
  • sharpen academic skills in preparation for study at TAFE or University
  • enable students to gain an understanding of Australian academic culture.

The EAP stream consists of the following courses:

  • Intermediate (Preparatory)
  • Upper-Intermediate (Direct Entry 1)
  • Advanced (Direct Entry 2)

Preparatory – English for Academic Purposes (EAP1 - Intermediate)
This preparatory course introduces students to basic academic language skills. Specific General English, IELTS and EAP course material is used to develop language skills needed for further academic study e.g. notetaking, oral presentation, debating, report and essay writing skills.

  • Minimum entry requirement: IELTS 5.0. (With a minimum 4.5 in all subskills) or TOEFL 500/173, or equivalent English language entry ratings.
  • On successful completion graduates will be eligible for entry into the Direct Entry 1 – English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program, or entry to a TAFE program.
Direct Entry 1 – English for Academic Purposes (EAP2 – Upper Intermediate - Advanced)
This course further develops students’ academic language skills for entry into James Cook University courses. Successful completion of this specialised 10-week program gives direct entry (meaning they do not have to sit an IELTS test at the end) to JCU undergraduate courses that require an IELTS score of 6.0.

This 10-week course offers specialist tuition for students preparing for university or other tertiary education programs. Specific EAP course material is used to develop language skills needed to participate in degree or vocational education courses e.g. note-taking, oral presentation, debating, report and essay writing skills.

  • Minimum entry requirement: IELTS 5.5 (with a minimum 5.0 in all subskills) TOEFL 525/196 with TWE/essay rating of 4.0 or equivalent English language entry ratings.
  • On successful completion graduates will be granted direct entry into Direct Entry 2 - English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program or those JCU degree programs requiring a 6.0 IELTS entry score.
Direct Entry 2 – English for Academic Purposes (EAP3 - Advanced)
Successful completion of this specialised 10-week course gives students direct entry (meaning they do not have to sit an IELTS test at the end) to JCU degree courses which require IELTS 6.5 with no sub-test below 6.0.

Please note that for degree courses which require an IELTS score of 7.0 with no sub-tests below a 6 or a 7, you must achieve higher grades on the EAP 3 course and/or submit an IELTS score equivalent to enter the degree program.

Specific EAP course material is used to develop language skills needed to participate in degree or vocational education courses e.g. note-taking, oral presentation, debating, report and essay writing skills.

  • Minimum entry requirement: IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in all subskills) TOEFL 550/213 with TWE/essay rating of 4.5.
  • On Successful Completion Graduates will be granted direct entry into those JCU degree programs requiring a 6.5 – 7.0 IELTS entry score.
About the EAP programs

It is anticipated that most students will take 10 weeks to progress to the next level. Classes will be primarily held from 8.30 am - 3.00pm, Monday to Friday. Weekly study load is 25 hours of classroom contact.

By successfully completing these courses you will:

  • Raise your level of competence in all English language skill areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking)
  • Increase your confidence in using English within an academic context
  • Learn the academic conventions, expectations and learning strategies required to succeed at a tertiary level in Australia
  • Receive practical and effective preparation for the demands of academic life
  • Adjust to the academic and cultural conventions of English- speaking societies

Study Skills

Every assessment task in the programs covers a wide range of English skills.

The skills you will enhance include:

  • Study and learning strategies
  • Research project work
  • Report and essay writing
  • Listening skills and lecture note-taking
  • Seminar and debate presentation strategies

Assessment

To successfully complete an EAP course you must undertake a series of tasks that test your ability to use English for academic studies.

Assessment is based on satisfactory completion of tasks and satisfactory attendance and participation in class activities. All JCU-ELC students receive regular reports on their language level. When students finish their course, they will receive an End of Course Report.

Please note that in order to be granted a certificate at the end of a course, students must have completed all tasks to a satisfactory level and must have a minimum 90 percent attendance rate.

Assessment tasks reflect the coursework you will complete at James Cook University, TAFE or other higher education institutions. Tasks and assessments include:

  • research assignments
  • written reports
  • class presentations
  • class debates

Students are assessed continually throughout the course and report are generated that show their strengths and weaknesses in each skill area.

Contact JCU English Language Centre