Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. There is a high percentage of the population for whom English is not their first, or sometimes even their second language. Significant numbers arrive in Australia with no English at all. Indigenous people may also have a different first language.

All systems work to provide English language skills so that everyone is able to access all areas of life and participate fully, irrespective of age, previous nationality, wealth or any other factor.

This page looks at English as a Second Language studies in all states & territories. This includes programs, New Arrivals, interpreting & translation, funding, guidelines and more. Commonwealth support is also covered. Other information covers English Language schools, ESL jobs, journals and further information.

Also check the ESL Resources page for further information.

This page can be expanded. Any suggestions or additions are welcome and will be given consideration.

States & Territories

Australian Capital Territory

• English as a Second Language [ACT]
  Overview, contacts, links, program, available services [e.g. translation].
• English as an Additional Language or Dialect [EALD]
• Introductory English Centres
  ‘For students who are newly arrived in the ACT with a language and cultural background other than English and who have limited English language.’
• ESL Services and Information
  Covers Translation and Interpreting services.
• The ESL Program
  ‘Supports the provision of Introductory English Centres, Mainstream School Programs for ESL students, including support within classrooms and direct instruction in ESL and Preschool Support.’

New South Wales

• English as a Second Language [ESL]
  HSC Syllabus. Syllabus and support documentation. For Years 7-10 see the English Syllabus. Go here for Years K-6.
• English as a Second Language : Guidelines for Schools
• English as a Second Language Programs
  Covers all aspects.
• Information for Parents
  Information Brochure translated into over 40 languages.
• Interpreter and Translation Services
  Provision of Free services to assist parents of children requiring ESL assistance. Government schools.

Northern Territory

• English as a Second Language Curriculum
  T - 9, secondary area, coordinators, ESL for Indigenous Language Speaking Students, New Arrivals.
  You now have to be able to log in to access this site.
• English as a Second Language FundameNTals
• ESL, An Introduction
• ESL, Early Childhood and Primary Learners
• ESL, Secondary Learners

Queensland

• English as a Second Language Grants and Funding. Also information at this site for school-aged dependants of international students.
• English as a Second Language Support in Schools
  One of a number of areas which receive special support at all levels.
• English for ESL Learners [2007 extended trial]
  Queensland Studies Authority. Syllabus, Work Programs, Assessment tasks.
• Guidelines For Students With English as a Second Language
  Includes a number of documents available in Word format.
• Using Interpreters in Schools
  Guidelines.

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South Australia

• English as a Second Language [SA]
  Home page with links to information on all aspects. These include :

• Intensive English Language Program [IELP]
• Aboriginal, Multicultural, Languages & Learning Resource Centre
  ‘It is a specialist education resource centre providing a library service to educators state-wide across all levels and sectors’.
• Interpreting and Translating
  There is also access to a range of Translated Documents about everyday school activities.

• English as a Second Language
  From the Catholic Education Office. Contact details are available.
• ESL Professional Development Course
  Teaching ESL New Arrivals.
• ESL Strategies
  ‘Strategies designed to enable ESL Learners to develop their English language skills in both social and academic contexts.’
• Targeted Programs
  Association of Independent Schools. ESL/LBOTE [Language background other than English], EALD [English as an additional Language or Dialect] Program.
• Information for Parents and Caregivers
  Brochure in English or community languages.
• Languages and Multicultural Resource Centre
  ‘Specialist education resource centre which provides a free, state-wide library service to schools across all levels and sectors to support programs and professional development in a range of areas’ including ESL.
• Unlocking the World
  ‘Professional development programs for classroom teachers. All Unlocking the World programs are developed by, and delivered by, the Department of Education and Children’s Services. Each program is completely self-contained and provides professional development that is immediately applicable in the classroom. The programs are based on a train-the-trainer model that provides a flexible, in-house, professional development resource.’ Highly recommended. Used by other states.

Tasmania

• English as an Additional Language Program
  ‘Intensive English language teaching support for Prep to Year 12 students for whom English is a second or further language.’
• English as an Additional Language, Program Guidelines
  
• English as an Additional Language Students
  ‘Description of students who have English as a second, or further, language.’ Scroll down to EAL Program Ongoing Support section.
• Enrolment Procedures
  ‘Specific procedures for early childhood and primary, secondary, and college students. Link to an EAL New Arrivals Form.’
• ESL Library
  ‘Statewide lending and research service to Department of Education ESL teachers, mainstream teachers of ESL students and ESL students. Includes details on resources, library opening hours and contact details and link to the ESL catalogue.’
• Interpreters
  Role, use, booking, translations, payment. This only covers government schools.

Victoria

• Accessing Interpreting and Translating Services
  ‘The Department provides schools with access to qualified/accredited interpreters, in line with Victorian government policy to help Victorians from culturally and linguistically diverse communities deal with government departments and agencies. All schools have been provided with the guidelines and booking forms.’
• ESL in Schools
  Lists the range of services provided with details of each.
• ESL Reports
  Access reports covering several years.
• ESL - Victoria
  Home page for all ESL services in government schools.
• Interpreting & Translating Services for Parents

Western Australia

• Aboriginal English
  Ways of Being, Ways of Talk. ‘Information on Aboriginal English and its use within the wider community. Providing a better understanding of how Aboriginal English and Australian English differ, on the basis of their differing histories and associated underlying conceptualisations’. Download the document here.
• ESL and English as a Second Dialect
  Home page, Western Australian Department of Education and Training.
• ESL Resource Centre
  contact details, brief description Resources Recommended for Teacher in Remote Communities document.
• Intensive English Centres
  Covers centres and programs.
• Resourcing the Curriculum
  ‘To support ESL/ESD students to attain English language proficiency necessary for successful participation in mainstream schooling’.

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Other Information

Australian Sites

• AMEP Fact Sheets - AMEP Research Centre
  ‘The following Fact Sheets have been developed by the Adult Migrant English Program [AMEP] Research Centre to provide [AMEP] teachers with information on areas of professional concern’.
• AMEP - Reviews of Australian Resources
  AMEP Research Centre, Macquarie University.
• Australian Links for ESL Students and Teachers
  Culture & Lifestyle, language, internet resources, study & education, recommended Australian links.

English Language Schools Listings

• Australia, English Schools and ELICOS Programs
  Directory.
• Directory of English Language Schools in Australia
  Search by location or name, use the drop-down menu to access specific areas.
• English Australia
  ‘The national association for accredited public and private English language colleges in Australia.’ Search for courses in specific locations.
• English Cafe
  ‘The premiere English learning community for the global professional’.
• University English Language Centres Australia
  ‘A network of 30 Australian universities offering English Australia Language courses for overseas students, ELICOS, and IELTS preparation of the highest international standard.’

• ESL Australia Network
  Services, employment information, student help and more.
• ESL/Indigenous Project
  ‘Theoretical articles that outline the policy debates surrounding Aboriginal English, such as how literacy should be valued and understood in Australia, and practical articles that state what Aboriginal English is, or provide some practical examples or personal experience of its use and influence.’

ESL Jobs

• ESL Jobs in Australia
• ESL Jobs World
  ‘Jobs for teachers of English to speakers of other languages’. Covers the world and provides email newsletters covering vacancies.
• Teaching ESL Australia

• Language and Academic Skills [ESL]
  Latrobe University. Covers university level study.
• Professional Development Resources - AMEP Research Centre
  ‘The AMEP RC produces a wide range of Professional Development Resources for teachers within AMEP. Under the eBook resources it is possible to sort our library by title, author/s and series. The publications on this site are available for download inclusive of the multimedia resources under the conditions of copyright detailed below’ Macquarie University.
• Web Pages of Australian ESL Teachers
  Hosted by the University of Queensland. Links for other areas.
• Writing for ESL Students
  Covers essay writing skills at the tertiary level. From LaTrobe University.

Federal Government Support

• Adult Migrant English Program
  ‘Provides English lessons to eligible adult migrants. Participants can also make new friends and learn about Australia, its people and customs. The AMEP is free for most eligible adult migrants.’
• ESL - New Arrivals Programme
  Details of support for this program. See also the Eligibility Checksheet which provides a Visa checklist. There is also a List of Visa Subclasses for Validation of ESL-NA Claims. The Frequently Asked Questions page may assist.
• NEAS
  ‘The National ELT [English Language Teaching] Accreditation Scheme is a body operating independently of government and of industry ELT centres, but with strong cooperative links with government agencies and industry representative bodies. NEAS operates with the same set of standards and criteria and applies the same operating principles to all ELT centres. NEAS also monitors the delivery of the Adult Migrant English Program across Australia through contract with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.’
• Workplace English Language and Literacy Program
  ‘The main aim of the WELL Program is to assist organisations to train workers in English language, literacy and numeracy skills.’

General Sites

• Adults Only : Literacy On-line in Australia
  ‘Exploring adult education ESL on the web.’ Australia and the USA.
• Learning English [AMES]
  ‘Learning English opens a world of opportunities and is essential for making the most of your life in Australia’. Information on Free English classes, English for Work and English for Overseas students. Victoria and Sydney.
• Bilingualism Database
  ‘Intended for use by those interested or involved in the field of bilingualism, regardless of whether they are professionals, researchers, students or parents of bilingual children.’ Search by keyword for title or author. University of Birmingham.
• Developing Teachers
  ‘A web site for the developing language teacher.’
• English Baby !
  ‘Visit every day for a new, Free English lesson ! Our online English lessons feature real English conversations about popular culture’.
• International English Language Testing System
  ‘Measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking - for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.’
• Professional Development Resources
  eBook resources, multimedia resources, a Kit for Assessment Task Development. ‘Available for download inclusive of the multimedia resources under the conditions of copyright detailed [on the main page].’ AMEP Research Centre.
• TESall.com’s Useful Links for ESL/EFL Teachers
  Employment, blogs, lesson plans, news, school directories.
• Thor’s ESL Sitemap
  ‘A master index to a great deal of language learning material for both students and teachers.’ Lesson content, links, advice, analysis, lectures & resources.
• Time4English
  ‘Learn English on the Internet. It’s easy. It’s fast. It’s fun. 6 levels with over 60 lessons each. Speaking, listening, reading, writing & grammar.’ Fee-based.

Journals & Other Publications

• Essential Teacher
  ‘A magazine for language teachers and administrators in varied ESL and EFL workplaces, including pre-K-12, 2- and 4-year institutions of higher learning, and adult education.’ You can also access Compleat Links, a linked journal of articles and other information.
• TESL-EJ
  ‘A Freely-distributed electronic academic journal.’ Access an RSS Feed.
• TESOL Quarterly
  Access current articles, many in PDF format. Continuous access requires a subscription.
• The Internet TESL Journal
  ‘Articles, Research Papers, Lessons Plans, Classroom Handouts, Teaching Ideas & Links. A monthly web journal.’ Access an RSS Feed.

Test of English as a Foreign Language™

• Good Luck TOEFL
  ‘Studying for the TOEFL exam can be scary, difficult, and confusing. Like thousands of other students around the world, you probably have so many questions. Good Luck TOEFL gives you the answers.’
• The TOEFL Test
  ‘More than 6 000 institutions and agencies in 110 countries rely on TOEFL scores to select students with the English skills needed to succeed. The TOEFL test covers all facets of English proficiency, including a test of spoken English and grammar exercises.’ Now able to be done online.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language
  Format and contents, criticisms, related links. From Wikipedia.
• TOEFL Practice Test
  A sample test from the UK.

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