The
English
Language
Centre’s
philosophy
is
underpinned
by the
greater
School
community’s
Christian
ethic of
service
and
concern
for
others.
The
pastoral
aspects
of The
school
experience
are of
paramount
importance
in a
context
where
International
Students
are far
from
home and
their
affective
support
systems.
International
Students’
Programme
staff
work
collegially
to
monitor
and
promote
the
wellbeing
of each
individual
student.
At the
pedagogical
level,
the
Intensive
English
Course
is
focused
on
constructivist
notions
of
student-centred
instruction
and
learning
where
individual
variables
inform
and
temper
the
teachers’
approach.
Teachers
in the
English
Language
Centre
acknowledge
that
learners
can feel
alienation
in the
process
of
learning
a second
language,
alienation
from
people
in their
home
culture,
the
target
culture,
and from
themselves.
Staff,
in
teaching
an
‘alien’
language,
are
sensitive
to the
fragility
of
students
and
adopt
techniques
and
approaches
that
promote
cultural
understanding.
The
methodological
rationale
of the
Intensive
English
Programme
is
informed
by
principles
of
language
learning
and
teaching
such as:
intrinsic
motivation
is a
powerful
incentive
for
learning;
a
moderate
to high
level of
risk-taking
behaviour
is
important;
language
and
culture
are
inextricably
intertwined;
successful
learners
make a
strategic
investment
in their
learning,
and;
self-confidence
is an
important
precursor
to
success.
The
principal
objective
of the
Intensive
English
Course
is to
prepare
students
for
classes
in the
main
school.
Students
are
taught
specific
academic
skills
such as
essay
writing,
grammar,
spoken
English
strategies
and
reading
comprehension,
all
vital to
their
success
in
mainstream
classes.
While
each of
the four
macro-skills
are
exercised
within
the
curricular
framework,
emphasis
is
placed
on
writing,
reading
and
their
attendant
analytical
aspects.
This
emphasis
acknowledges
the
important
role
taken by
these
two
skills
during
the two
years of
the
Victorian
Certificate
of
Education.
The
course
also
recognises
the need
for
students
to
function
successfully
within
an
English-speaking
community
and, to
this
end,
seeks to
develop
within
the
students
the oral
and
aural
skills
necessary
for both
academic
and
social
purposes.
Further,
study of
Australian
history
and
culture
enables
the
students
to
develop
social
and
cultural
literacy,
allowing
them to
gain a
greater
understanding
of their
own
culture
and an
appreciation
of the
cultural
differences
they
experience
here in
Australia.
Students
are
encouraged
to take
responsibility
for
their
own
learning
and
there is
an
emphasis
on
learning-how-to-learn
skills.
The
course
seeks to
enable
students
to
develop
skills
to
understand
and
express
opinions,
attitudes
and
feelings,
as well
as to
process
information
analytically
and to
think
and
respond
creatively.
