Australian Work Experience: Is It Really Worth It?

One of the reasons why Australia is the perfect place to learn English abroad is its student visa perks. Though international students will be required to get a student visa to enter the country, the perks linked to students visas set Australia apart from other study destinations. In other words, student visa holders are eligible for employment in this country. Australian work experience will help complement your study and living experience, helps you to pay for your living expenses and even more.

International students in Australia on student visas can work up to 40 hours per fortnight during their study period, and there is no limit on the number of hours an overseas student can work during holiday periods from their study. There are benefits of Australia work experience during your course.

1. Earning extra money

One of the benefits of working while your study in Australia is getting some extra money to cover your living expenses or perhaps save some money to do some travelling around Australia. Some popular part-time jobs for students include retail, hospitality and other services industries. Before seeking work, you can refer to the guide to finding Australia part-time jobs for international students.

2. Skilling up English

If you are not a native speaker, working in Australia will allow you to improve your English language skills. You will have many valuable chances to move out of your comfort zone by using English out of the academic context. Specially, if you plan to work while studying English at Scots, it will be your right choice to perfect your English. We not only provide premium quality English courses but also encourage ‘English Only on Campus’ for you to utilize English in your daily life and to learn English in a proactive manner.

3. Improving your resume

Regardless of the industry where you work, you will learn valuable skills, both hard and soft skills. They are very important to potential employers, showing that you will manage to take up your role and work effectively in the workplace.

4. Experiencing different cultures and building cultural awareness

People from over 100 countries have migrated to this country, making Australia one of the world's most culturally diverse countries. Australia’s multicultural nature means overseas students are readily accepted by others. That also means you will get to meet many people from different parts of the world. Interacting and working with such a diverse group of people will give plenty of opportunities to expand your horizons by learning different communication skills and approaches.

You may also like reading:

Top 10 Best Things about Living in Australia

5. Clarifying career goals

If you are not sure what you want to do professionally, work experience in Australia will be an ideal stepping stone to not only gain experience in a global work environment but also immerse yourself in a professional and social culture. These things help you to get ahead of the crowds and differentiate yourself.

6. Industry networking

Working during your study is a great way to meet new people, to network and to develop connections with other future professionals in the field.

7. Getting social opportunities

By working a part-time job, you have more social opportunties. This will help develop greater independence (especially if you have left home for the first time), build confidence as well as gaining insight into Australian culture.

Cr: http://scotsenglish.edu.au/the-australian-work-experience

Read More

Take This Premium Quality Cambridge English Course Right in the Heart of Sydney

Are you looking for a premium quality Cambridge English course that gives you all you need to become fully prepared and confident for the exam? While there are many choices, you have not yet found one thing that fits your need and comes up with a good price? Then you should consider this premium quality Cambridge English course!

Cambridge English overview and its huge benefits

Cambridge English (also known as ESOL) is a department of Cambridge University, London. Cambridge English has been providing English language assessments and qualifications for over 100 years.

Cambridge English is recognised as the leader in English language education and assessment. Their approach is driven by world-class research and a profound commitment to delivering educational excellence by: 

• Providing increased opportunities for learners and teachers
• Offering value to teachers, educational institutions and employers
• Promoting language learning to benefit society as a whole.

Cambridge English offers a range of examinations all of which are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) – the international standard for describing language ability.

Many Cambridge examinations are accepted for work, immigration and study globally:

• 20,000 universities, employers and governments around the world accept Cambridge English exams.
• Cambridge examinations open doors to higher education, improve employment opportunities and increase choice for study or work.
• Many Cambridge English exams are also accepted for visa and study purposes in the UK, Australia, USA and Canada.

Scots English College (Scots) offers three Cambridge Examination Preparation Courses:

1. Cambridge Preliminary (PET) Preparation Course
2. Cambridge First (FCE) Preparation Course 
3. Cambridge Advanced (CAE) Preparation Course 

Students may choose to complete one, two or all three levels of the Cambridge Examination Preparation Course. For example, a student who wishes to take the Cambridge First Certificate in English may decide to complete the Cambridge Preliminary (PET) Preparation Course before taking the Cambridge First (FCE) Preparation Course

Why choose Cambridge course at Scots English College? 

Scots English College is a government registered ELICOS provider that provides premium premium quality ELICOS courses right in the heart of Sydney's CBD. Its mission is to provide students the best language training and the opportunity to learn, develop and grow. 

Scots aims to provide students with an effective teaching and learning environment designed to raise education standards, enhance employment opportunities and enrich personal lives. We are committed to becoming one of the top ELICOS providers in the Sydney CBD, offering students the best student support services, the highest quality ELICOS teaching and learning environment, and the latest technology.

You may also be interested in:

ELICOS Course in Sydney: Why Choose Scots English College

There are many reasons why you should choose Scots for your Cambridge course!

• Learn about the structure of the Cambridge test
• Learn what the examiner is looking for
• Learn useful examination tips from experienced teachers
• Complete practice Cambridge tests
• Learn strategies to manage your time and answer questions under pressure 
• Focus on your language skills that need most work to help you get the score you need in the Cambridge examination.

To find out more about taking the Cambridge preparation course at Scots, visit here.

Read More

Do You Want an Effective Way to Improve Your 4 English Skills?

You want an effective way to improve your English language proficiency level across all four macro-skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing)? The General English course at Scots English College will help you improve your English skills effectively!

GENERAL ENGLISH

CRICOS Course Code: 093611C

Levels: Starter to Advanced 

Duration: 10 weeks per level; Full time: 20 hours per week 

The General English (GE) course consists of 6 levels.

Level 1 :	Starter
Level 2:	Elementary (10 weeks)
Level 3:	Pre-intermediate (10 weeks)
Level 4:	Intermediate (10 weeks)
Level 5:	Upper-Intermediate (10 weeks)
Level 6:	Advanced (10 weeks)

All levels require 20 hours face-to-face study per week. It is recommended that students should also complete homework and self-study activities of at least 10-15 hours per week in addition to the scheduled 20 hours course hours. 

The purpose of this course is to assist students with a wide range of language learning needs to improve their English language proficiency level across all four macro-skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing). This General English course is particularly useful for two main categories of learners:

Learners with non-specific aims, such as “to improve my English”, “because English is useful”, “to help me meet people from other countries”, “because English might be useful in a job” or due to an interest in the language and culture of Australia.

Learners with more specific aims, such as to study English for Academic Purposes (EAP) before going to university, or to prepare for external exams, but these students have not yet reached the English language proficiency level necessary for the more specialised English course. For these students, the GE course aims to help them reach a general, non-specialist level of English sufficient to begin a course in academic English.

Students at lower levels also take part in weekly skills development electives to improve their areas of weakness in either reading and writing or speaking and listening, while students at higher levels may choose special interest focus electives in areas such as Test Preparation, Grammar and Writing, Business English, Australian Studies in Culture and Sport, English for Health Fitness and Wellbeing.

For details of this course's 6 levels, please see here.

Read More

ELICOS Course in Sydney: Why Choose Scots English College?

While there are many ELICOS course providers for international students in Australia, what make Scots English College (Scots) one of your best choices?

Scots is short is Student Centered and provides ongoing teaching support. For these reasons, you should consider this school for your ELICOS course.

1. Student-centered English education

Student-centered means our teaching is all about you, from your learning needs, the things that interest you, the things you plan for – for example, future study, a job, etc., to the ways you like to learn.

Also, our student services are all about you. It helps you with all the other things outside, from information about living in Sydney and Australia, accommodation, finding a part-time job, to all the other things you need in a new country.

2. Premium quality ELICOS courses

As a prestigious college in Sydney, Scots English College provides premium quality ELICOS courses, from General English, IELTS Examination Preparation, Cambridge Examination Preparation, to PTE Academic Preparation. Our mission is to provide students the best language training and the opportunity to learn, develop and grow. We are committed to becoming one of the top ELICOS providers in the Sydney CBD, offering students the best student support services, the highest quality ELICOS teaching and learning environment, and the latest technology.

3. Quality teachers

Scots teachers are experienced and well-qualified. They know about the latest teaching English methodologies and research. They are happy to do extra work with you. They will get to know you inside and outside the classroom. As a Scots student, you will have great memories of our teachers, knowing full well what it means to be a dedicated teacher.

4. Scots’ location & campus

99 York Street is located right in the middle of Sydney’s CBD. This phenomenal location for education, business and tourism will give you unforgettable memories while studying here. From Scots English College, you can walk to many interesting places: three minutes’ walk to Town Hall train station, one minute’s walk to shopping at famous Queen Victoria Building, cafes restaurant bars and shopping all on your doorstep.

Our ultra-modern campus gives you comfortable and modern classrooms with interactive teaching technology, free high-speed Wi-Fi. You also can enjoy to the max at our luxurious Common Area with free tea and coffee facilities.

5. Professional results oriented English teaching

At Scots, students are facilitated to learn practical, applied English. They can practise as much as they want to, so that they have an in-depth understanding of how to utilize English in their daily lives. Up-to-date innovative teaching techniques are assisted by modern technology in classrooms to enhance student learning skills. ‘English Only on Campus’ reinforces English learning in a safe and proactive manner so that students can learn to speak English and think in English. 

6. Supportive study environment

Our commitment to you does not stop when your class finishes. We also give you many chances to study more. You can take an extra class each day on topics such as Australian Studies and Job-Seeking Skills. We also offer you additional classes on Fridays if you wish a teacher to help you with more work on your skills development. We have a well-resourced student library where you can borrow books or you can use our computer labs to do some extra study.

7. Your bright future

At Scots, students are given unique opportunities to sharpen not only their English but also important skills so that you can become fully confident in whatever you choose to do, for example, critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, to name a few.

Cr: http://scotsenglish.edu.au/elicos-english-course-sydney

Read More

Three Simple Chrome Extensions to Learn English More Easily

These three simple learning English Chrome extensions will help you learn the English language.

Google Dictionary – Look up new words

Install here

Instead of using a heavy dictionary or a dictionary on the Internet every time you find new words, why not use Google Dictionary extension? Oxford Dictionary Search is also another good choice. You can choose to install other dictionary extensions by clicking ‘Dictionary’ on ‘Search The Store'.






Look up words using Google Dictionary



Looking up words using Oxford Dictionary

Quick Note – The quickest way to take notes in Chrome

Install here

After reading English articles or watching videos, is there anytime you feel helpfless because you want to take a note of new words or structures but there is no pen and paper around. Word takes quite a long time to open documents. Why not try using Quick Note?

After your installation, the Quick Note logo will appear on the toolbar.



If you want to take note of any word or structure, just make it bold and click the right mouse button to see ‘Add selection to note’. Click on it and you will see a small window appear on the right corner of the screen. To save the note, click on the first icon in the right corner of the note.



If you want to review your notes, choose the Quick Note logo on the toolbar and your notes will come up like this:

FlashTabs – Flashcard appears each time you open a new tab

Install here

After identifying the meaning words, you will need to remember them. One of effective ways to do so is using FlashTabs. This extension will help you to learn vocabulary each time you open a new tab on Chrome.

After the installation, click on the ‘FT’ on the right corner of the toolbar to add new words and meanings on the ‘Question and Answer’ part. Specifically, add new words on the Question part and meanings on the Answer part, and vice versa if you want to guess the word through meaning.

The word will appear each time you open a new tab.



Then choose ‘Show’ to review the exact meaning of the word.



After reviewing the answer, you choose one of 3 emotion icons to rate each flashcard as good, Ok or hard. Based on your rating, this extension will show the more challenging flashcards more often.

Cr: http://scotsenglish.edu.au/learn-english-chrome-extension

Read More

Premium Quality ELICOS Courses - Don't miss them!

Planning to study English abroad this year?

As a government registered ELICOS provider, Scots English College offers various premium quality ELICOS courses right in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Our courses, from General English, IELTS Examination Preparation, English for Academic Purposes, Cambridge Examination Preparation, to PTE Academic Preparation, are quality designed, and in line with learner needs and requirements of training packages. 

We are known for our student-centered English education, quality teaching staff, great location, professional results-oriented English teaching and supportive approach to learning English.

For any information, please do not hesitate to contact:

SCOTS ENGLISH COLLEGE PTY LTD T/A SCOTS ENGLISH COLLEGE

ABN: 91 605 117 575 | CRICOS Provider Code: 03497A

Campus: Level 11, 99 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Website: scotsenglish.edu.au

Phone: +61 2 9119 6086   

Email: admissions@scotsenglish.edu.au

Read More

Top 5 Best English Grammar Books for Any Competitive Exam

Learning English grammar can be much easier with these recommended books.

A good grammar book can help you to practice more and to become better at English grammar. The list below includes some popular books that will help you complement your class grammar work.

1. Essential Grammar in Use with Answers: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for Elementary Learners of English (By Raymond Murphy)

Clarity and ease of use have made this book one of the world’s best seller grammar books for English learners. Intended for Elementary-level learners (A1), the book covers all the grammar areas that you will need at this level, with clear examples, easy-to-follow exercises and answer key.

2. Advanced Grammar in Use with Answers: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for Advanced Learners of English (By Martin Hewings)

Illustrated in full colour and with a user-friendly layout, this popular grammar book contains 100 units of grammar reference and practice materials. It is ideal for learners gearing up for the Cambridge Advanced, Proficiency or IELTS Examination. Informed by the Cambridge International Corpus, the book is credited to the authentic and up-to-date language.

3. Basic English Grammar with Audio CD, with Answer Key (By Betty Schrampfer Azar, Stacy Hagen)

The book uses a grammar-based approach integrated with communicative methods to boost the development of all language skills. It engages students in meaningful communication about real actions and things, and their own lives in classroom context. The fourth edition comes with new features, including information in the grammar charts shedding light on differences between spoken and written English, easy-to-follow writing activities, innovative warm-up exercises introducing points to be taught and followed by the grammar charts, newly created exercises for more incremental grammar practice, and structure-based listening exercises for students’ relaxed, reduced speech.

4. Practice Makes Perfect Advanced English Grammar for ESL Learners: Advance ESL Grammar (By Mark Lester)

Authored by Mark Lester, an ESL grammar expert and the founder of the highly respected ESP department at the University of Hawaii, the book covers most popular college classroom grammar, including noun plurals, possessive nouns, personal pronouns, adjectives, articles and quantifiers, verb forms and tenses, causative verbs, the passive, adjective clauses, noun clauses, etc. Over 700 exercises will give you highly effective practices.

5. English Grammar in Use: A Self-study Reference and Practice Book for Intermediate Students of English - With Answers (By Raymond Murphy)

The fourth edition comes with fresh, attractive new design, clear layout and revised and updated examples while retaining the key features of clarity and accessibility that have made the book one of the most popular English grammar books among learners and teachers around the world.

Cr: http://scotsenglish.edu.au/best-english-grammar-books

Read More

'Me Before You' Film: Inspirational Quotes on Love, Life and Even More!

Based on the 'Me Before You' best-seller, the film is a love story, a family story, and a story of the bravery and sustained effort needed to redirect the path of a life once it’s been pushed off course. Positive messages are expressed through the nice quotes in the film. Let's read and learn from them. Also, don't forget to learn English from this film's quotes.

Based on the 'Me Before You' best-seller, the film is a love story, a family story, and a story of the bravery and sustained effort needed to redirect the path of a life once it’s been pushed off course. Positive messages are expressed through the nice quotes in the film. Let's read and learn from them. Also, don't forget to learn English from this film's quotes.

Image Cr: Original authors

Content collected by: Scots English College

Read More

5 Films about Destiny that You Absolutely Can’t Miss This Valentine

Love is always the eternal inspiration in movies. And through movies, many stories about fate & destiny are developed and thereby strengthen our trust that destiny does exist.

You may also love reading:

How to Learn English Effectively and Effortlessly through Movies

There are some things that scientists can’t explain. And fate or destiny is among them. The idea of destiny is often used for finding love. It is about the inevitable fate between two persons that are destined to meet.

Though different films about destiny tell different stories, they share the same concept; that is, destiny is tied to time. There is a saying, “Man fears time; time fears the Pyramids”. Time must also fear the destiny of man.

1. Serendipity (2001)

Johnathan and Sara, by chance, find one another at Chrismas. Still, being suspicious of the feeling that develops quickly, the two decide to break up and await the answer of fate. They put their names and phone numbers out to the universe, her written in the front of a book, his written on the back of a $5 bill. If they are meant to be together, they will find the items and contact each other.

"You don't have to understand. You just have to have faith". Image Cr: assets.nydailynews.com

Seven year later, it is revealed that the couple are getting married to other people. As their respective wedding dates approach, they find the items. Are they going to grasp this second chance for love or let is pass them by?

2. The Lake House (2006)

Image Cr: viewerscommentary.files.wordpress.com

This is a love story that disregards time and space. As a remake of the South Korean film Il Mare (2000), ‘The Lake House’ centers on an architect living in 2004 and a doctor living in 2006. The two meet via letters left in the mailbox at the Lake House that they have both lived in at separate time points. It is destiny that brings them together, but to be together, they must race against time.

3. I Origins (2014)

I Origins is one of few films that deals with destiny and the after-life. The film suggests that people keep the memories of their past lives in their eyes. Wherever they are reborn and in whatever body, the eyes are the source that retains all the memories.

Image Cr: ww2.hdnux.com

To make the film more interesting, the romantic and ‘rebirth’ are intertwined. The story revolves around a scientist and a girl with very beautiful eyes. Though ‘I Origins’ doesn’t dig too much into destined love, its ending still leaves people asking“are we reincarnated? Can memories and love remain after reincarnation?”

4. Somewhere in Time (1980)

This is a popular American romantic science fiction drama set in in the 1980s. On May 19, 1972, Richard Collier, a college theatre student, is celebrating the debut of a play he has written. During the celebration, he is approaced by an elderly woman who places a pocket watch in his hands and pleads “Come back to me”.

Captivated by the beauty in the picture - Image Cr: claratsi.files.wordpress.com

That woman turns out to be Elise McKenna. She is an actress that lived in the early 1900s. Being obsessed with her image, Richard decides to find her by traveling back to the past, and finally finds her after many obstacles.

Image Cr: gannett-cdn.com

5. In Your Eyes

Image Cr: anamorphosis-and-isolate.tumblr.com

For anyone who has ever wondered whether their ‘right one’ may be somewhere out there waiting for them, ‘In Your Eyes’ has the answer in the form of a supernatural soap opera. In the film, two complete strangers on opposite sides of the country discover that they can see and feel whatever the other is experiencing, which naturally makes them conclude that they are meant to each other.

Cr: http://scotsenglish.edu.au/films-about-destiny

Read More

Karaoke: A Fun and Easy Way to Learn English for ELICOS Learners

The key to learning English well is to make it enjoyable through the right tools and habits. And one of the best tools is Karaoke. It is indeed a fun and easy way to learn English for ELICOS learners.

Karaoke means ‘empty (kara) orchestra (oke)’. In other words, Karaoke removes the singer’s voice, letting you sing along to the songs with the music video. It can improve your English in a fun and easy way.

Why Karaoke?

Practising Karaoke is a fascinating way to improve your English in these areas:

1. Listening

You can improve your English listening skills by listening to songs you like and writing down as many words as you can. After that, check what you heard with the lyrics. Indeed, it is difficult to hear the lyrics, even for native English speakers. But once you figure out what the singer is saying, it will get stuck in your head and you can remember it for a long time.

2. Reading Comprehension

Karaoke is related to reading the song lyrics in a rather challenging pace. Singing Karaoke songs means overcoming that challenge. The eventual result is your huge improvement in the reading speed. Most song tells a story. Listen to the song and try to understand the meaning. Then read the lyrics to see if they match.

3. Pronunciation

Like learning English through movies, practising Karaoke is an amazing way to improve your accent and how you sound in English. Simply listen to the song and mimic the singer’s pronunciation.

4. Grammar

Songs are an entertaining, effective way to learn grammar and how they are used in real life. For example, if you want to practise the 2ndconditional, ‘If I were a boy’ by Beyonce is a good song.

5. Vocabulary

Songs always contain lots of useful vocabulary, phrases and expressions. Intended for native speaking audiences, they include up-to-date words and colloquialisms. Also, since the lyrics are used in a catchy tune, you will find it easy to remember the vocabulary.

6. Culture

Songs, from their topics to the words used, say a lot about English-speaking culture and how native speakers think and feel. Also, if you are familiar with popular songs and artists, you will have more to talk with your English-speaking friends.

Where to practice Karaoke

These are nice options for you to practise Karaoke.

1. Karaoke booths

If you want to get the realistic feel for Karaoke and relax to the max with your friends, this is a good option.

2. YouTube Karaoke

Search for the title of your favorite song with lyrics in YouTube, and practice Karaoke for free. You can practice by yourself or sing with your friends.

3. Karaoke sites

There are sites available free of charge and easy to use. Some sites also allow students to record themselves singing.

SMS Tunes

Sing Snap

Kara Songs

Red Karaoke

The Karaoke Channel

Karaoke Songs

Red Karaoke

Cr: http://scotsenglish.edu.au/learn-english-through-karaoke

Read More

Love, Rosie: Melting Quotes About Choosing the Person You Want to Share Your Life with, and Even More

Have you watched ‘Love, Rosie’ film? If not, enjoy it in this Valentine season. ‘Love, Rosie’ is like a dairy of youth, love, failures, opportunities and hopes that anyone can see themselves in this story. Based on the novel ‘Where Rainbows End’, the film is about 2 best friends, after many attempts, get out of the friend zone, becoming in love and very happy together. Let’s enjoy the romantic film quotes that will melt your heart!

Image Cr: Original authors

Quotes collected by Scots English College

Read More

What Are the Keys to Learning English as a Second Language?

You can go a long way with learning English with these keys.

English is one of the most important languages in the world. This beautiful language is everywhere as it is estimated that over 1 billion people are learning English worldwide at any one time. To study English well, there are key things you should consider.

1. Know why you want to learn English

Before you start or go back to studying English, ask yourself why you want to learn English. Is it because you want to? For the best outcomes, studying English should be something you want to do.

2. Set goals and create an agenda

If you know why you want to study, it is easy to set goals. For example, perhaps you want to travel and work in an English speaking country. Then your goal might be to choose an ELICOS course like General English (GE). General English focuses on developing the English language and communicative skills needed in a range of everyday contexts. Whatever your goals, write them down and make an agenda to achieve them.

3. Make a commitment

Learning English needs a lot of motivation. Once you are ready to begin studying, stick by it until the end.

4. Realize that you can be good at English

Anyone can be good at English, and you can, too. Race does not matter. Gender does not matter. Age does not matter. As long as you maintain motivation and take English easily, English is easy indeed.

5. Don’t mind what other people think

Some people are shy to speak English because others think of them as being a show off or because others say their English is not good. Don’t let what others think stop you achieving your potential. Take every chance you have. Speak up and be proud to speak English. At Scots English College, we encourage ‘English Only On Campus’ to reinforce English learning in a safe and proactive manner. That way our students can learn to speak English and think in English.

6. Have fun learning English

“The secret of joy in work is contained in one word – excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.” (Pearl S. Buck). If you are not having fun studying English, you are not learning the right way. You can be a serious student while having fun at the same time.

7. Take your holidays abroad

Save money, create your abroad travel itinerary and go to your favorite country. Enjoy the trip and utilize this chance to speak and perfect your English. One of the most preferred options is to travel to Australia and attend a premium quality ELICOS course. ELICOS courses are open to all international students, or those on working holiday or visitor visas.

Cr: http://scotsenglish.edu.au/the-key-to-learning-english

Read More