Language Schools in Australia

Language schools are institutions where one can study a foreign language and are geared towards communicative competence in that foreign language. Language learning is usually done in preparation for moving to a country with a different language, for business dealings, or for supplementing existing knowledge of a particular foreign language. Students who take language learning vary by age, educational background and work experience as well as language proficiency.
There are also instructional materials available in print or recorded in CDs or software; however, the rate of learning is usually slower because there is almost no interaction with someone who speaks a foreign language.
Universities also offer foreign language classes to students depending on the program they take. However, these classes are not usually sufficient enough to train students to speak in a foreign language proficiently.
Language schools commonly offer programs for those who wish to prepare for internationally recognized language exams such as:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)
• University of Cambridge ESOL examinations

Other recognized language exams include:

• DELE (Spanish)
• DELF/DALF (French)
• DLI/DILI/DALI (Italian)
• HSK (Chinese Mandarin)
• JLPT (Japanese)
• KLPT (Korean)
• TestDaF (German)

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations is the government agency that leads the country's education and workplace training as well as transition to work. It collaborates with the different government agencies with the states and territories to provide easy access to educational services and support programs to the Australian people. It also aims to increase workforce participation and promote fair work practices in Australia.

Tips on choosing the best language schools

• Language schools present themselves differently. Visit the websites of the schools in your area and look for important information such as the number of years the school has been in business and contact information. A good web design is not necessarily an indication of the professionalism of the school.
• Check the school's teaching methods and try to understand if it appeals to you. A variety of methods can mean that the school is not necessarily bound to one method of teaching. If you are not sure about the school's method, check first and consider carefully.
• Many language schools work with temporary teachers and this is not necessarily a negative factor. Check if the school says anything about their qualifications and if what they are teaching is their mother tongue.
• It is always easier to find people with similar interests if the school is large. Check the number of people enrolled in the school by going there yourself. While you're there, check the facilities of the school if they appeal to you as well.
• One of the best ways to learn a foreign language is by speaking it with other people at school. If the language school has more English speakers than foreign, you may end up speaking English and not learn anything from the lectures.
• The smaller the size of the class, the more you will learn from your language teacher. This would allow the instructor to monitor your progress well and conduct one on one coaching sessions as well. Check the rules of the school regarding the number of people in each class and determine if this fits you well.