Course Information

High School Preparation Course (HSPC)

This special course aims to enhance the students’ academic potential and language ability by gradually integrating them into the Australian high school context.

Students who enrol to do intensive English in the College are therefore placed in selected mainstream classes as they reach an intermediate level (2.3/2.4), rather than at the completion of the course. This allows students to slowly integrate within the school and familiarize themselves with the mainstream subjects in Australia.

The range of mainstream subjects offered to them may vary from student to student depending on their interests, subject availability, and their English proficiency.

Students enrolling in the Adventist College of English are professionally tested by our highly experienced and qualified teachers and placed in a class according to their level of English.  Levels range from elementary to upper intermediate and each requires one school term (10 weeks) to complete.

ACE Curriculum

The ACE Curriculum includes four levels, grouped into two Stages (1 and 2).

In Stage 1 the focus is on language and gradually moves towards a content-based approach in Stage 2. This allows enough time for students to adapt to the approach primarily used in mainstream learning environments.

Subjects for Stage 1 (levels 1.1 - 1.2)

• Core Language Work: Introduces students to the four macro-skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). It covers a variety of school-based situations allowing students to start integrating successfully at school.
• Reading and Writing Skills: Introduces students to basic reading and writing skills essential for successful participation in everyday situations and in the classroom. Additionally, there is a different Grammar textbook to be used in both levels to complement the program.
• Listening and Speaking: This subjects aims to equip students to adequately interact in a variety of everyday and school situations by choosing the correct type of language and pronunciation. This subject uses a textbook.
• Self-Study: Introduces students to an important aspect of the Australian educational system, which aims for the students to become independent learners. They learn to plan their study time in order to achieve goals.
• Subjects for Stage 2 (2.3 - 2.4)
• Core language work: This is a very specific language component. It covers a variety of relevant high school topics. Each one of them focuses on grammar, pronunciation, cultural matters, reading, writing, listening, speaking and vocabulary development.

Students receive two textbooks for this subject. Homework is given on a daily basis as they prepare for a weekly evaluation.

• Australian studies: This subject has been designed to enable students to become familiar with important areas of the Australian curriculum. Main topics include: Major events of Australian history; General geography of Australia; Major Australian figures, past/present; Australian literature; Australian public institutions/government; Issues of current concern within Australia; Australian customs, and Educational issues. Additionally, students learn skills needed to succeed in high school such as: Note-taking, Summarising, Oral Presentations, and Research Skills.
• Exploring Subject Areas: Students learn specific content, vocabulary, and skills relevant to integrate into Science, Maths, and Computer Studies in mainstream high school. The subject is a combination of Science topics chosen according to mainstream content, and the use of two textbooks for the language of Mathematics.

Years 7 & 8 use “Literacy in Maths” books 1 & 2; years 9 & 10 “The Language of Mathematics”.

• Writing Skills: This subject develops the students’ ability to extend their writing skills in order to attempt academic tasks with confidence.

They learn all the relevant text types (Essays) required to succeed in the Australian high school context: Explanations; Procedures; Information Reports; Narrative writing; Expositions; Discussions; Reviews and other relevant types of Essays.

• Self-study: This subject provides students with the opportunity to practise an important skill for integrating into the Australian high school system which is learning to be autonomous. Writing goals, planning how to achieve them, and evaluating the process are essential steps to becoming a successful learner.

Learning English in our College provides students with an exciting and is unique experience. We teach the relevant language in a real-school context and gradually immerse our students in the Sydney Adventist College experience. We extend their language learning and cultural skills by:

• placing them in a range of mainstream classes every week
• encouraging participation in the sport of their choice
• organising their attendance at a variety of educational and enjoyable school excursions and camps
• placing them in a Pastoral Care Group