English Language Company (ELC) Sydney
THE DESTINATION | THE SCHOOL | MAP | RACHEL’S TAKE | WHY THIS SCHOOL? | FACILITIES | THE COURSES | FROM OUR CLIENTS | HOUSING | SOCIAL LIFE | INSURANCE AND PRICING | REQUEST AN ESTIMATE | OTHER PROGRAMS | SIMILAR PROGRAMS
Located in Sydney, one of the world’s “coolest” cities and best destinations for international students, the English Language Company is the most awarded English language school in the Southern Hemisphere. As such, and with the school’s unique study system and a range of academic and vocational programs, students will be able to appreciate one of the finest English language training centers in all of Australia.
Sydney, (the “Harbour City”) the capital of New South Wales, is Australia’s oldest and largest city with a population of around 4 million. It is the most cosmopolitan metropolis in Australia and has an enviable reputation of being one of the world’s most beautiful and livable cities. Brimming with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine, design, Sydney is built around a huge harbor and located next to miles of ocean coastline and sandy surf beaches. Long-term immigration has led to the city’s reputation as one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse in Australia and the world. The city is also home to a number of bays, two national parks, and the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, two of the most iconic structures on this planet.
ELC SYDNEY AT A GLANCE
- Year of foundation: 2003
- City: Sydney, Australia
- Position in the city: Center
- Minimum age in adult school: 18
- Number of students in school: 280
- Main type of public transport: Train
- Approximate number of nationalities in school each year: 50
English Language Company: 495 Kent St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
“I became familiar with ELC Sydney after it joined IALC a few years ago. Sydney is one of the world’s most popular cities for English language learning (most Asians prefer Australia and New Zealand to other destinations for their proximity to their own continent, so these two continents are absolutely full of language schools). As a result, I was compelled to look very closely at which schools to work with in Sydney. What struck me about ELC was first of all, the very wide range courses and accommodation options it has. Secondly, I was impressed by its excellent nationality mix, which includes an unusually high percentage of students from continents far from Australia, like Europe and South America. Thirdly, since the Working Holiday visa in Australia has been so popular, and is one of the main reasons that many students go there, ELC Sydney also has an exceptional program to help students prepare and look for a job after their English language courses are over. ELC also happens to be the most-awarded language school in Sydney, or the Southern Hemisphere, for that matter—for one, every year, Study Travel Magazine offers awards for language schools in categories like Best English language school in North America, Europe, etc.); these awards are nominated and voted upon by agencies around the world, and are like the “Oscars” for language schools, presented at an awards ceremony in London. ELC Sydney is one of the only language schools in the world to not only have won the “Best English Language School in the Southern Hemisphere”, but also to have done so 5 years in a row, the most number of times that the prize can be given. After I became familiar with this school, the reason for its recognition became apparent to me. I was preparing a bid for a company who had requested English language training in Australia for its employees, and I had emailed my request to many language schools there. ELC Sydney was the only school to phone me for their offer, and to ask me questions about what I needed. The calls came during the workday for me in Europe, meaning it was the middle of the night for them. It is that sort of extra step and attention that I have always valued in schools—if they will go that far for me as agent, they will do it for their students.”
English Language Company (ELC) Sydney
Why study English at this school?
There are many English language schools in Sydney, which is one of the world’s top destinations for English language learning. The English Language Company in Sydney distinguishes itself in the following ways:
- ELC Sydney was voted by language travel agents around the world as the best English Language School in the Southern Hemisphere for 5 consecutive years (the most possible for that award), and in 2013 the school won the coveted STM “Superstar” award.
- ELC Sydney is located in a modern building right in the heart of Sydney, close to Darling Harbour and Sydney’s major transport, tourist, shopping and entertainment districts.
- ELC Sydney is fully accredited by the Australian Government and is a member of the prestigious IALC association.
- ELC Sydney is able to offer a unique study system that allows students to customize their English courses depending on individual needs and interests.
- ELC Sydney offers a variety of Pathway programs for pursuing a degree, and has partnerships with numerous Australian universities and colleges.
- ELC Sydney is able to offer quality homestays, its own student apartments and a variety of student residences.
- ELC Sydney has a fantastic nationality mix, with students from over 50 different countries every year.
- The English courses offer exceptionally good value for money in the Australian English language school market.
- ELC Sydney is an official Cambridge Examination center.
The facilities
ELC SYDNEY’S FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- 24 large well-equipped classrooms
- 3 comfortable student lounges
- Language study center
- Computer room
- Free Wi-Fi
- Kitchen and dining area
MORE ABOUT ELC SYDNEY’S FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Student Welfare
ELC Sydney has dedicated professional and friendly staff who are there to support students with academic matters, accommodation, transport, medical care, travel and everyday life in Sydney.
Student Work Assistance Program (SWAP)
SWAP is a free program designed to help student visa holders look for a part-time job. It also includes free workshops and seminars to prepare students for the workforce.
Work and Travel Program
The Work and Travel program lasts 12 months and is exclusive to Working Holiday visa holders. Participants take English lessons at ELC until they reach an upper-intermediate level of English in order to join the job service with access to paid work.
Conservation Volunteering
For pre-intermediate + students, the Conservation Volunteer program allows students to have a volunteer experience after the end of their English course by working on various projects in differing project locations every week.
Professional Internships
For upper-intermediate + students, ELC Sydney can organize internships with over 1,700 Host Organizations and Government Departments in all academic disciplines.
The courses
ELC Sydney allows each student to customize their own course by choosing a Major Course (daytime or evening class), a Specific Focus Module (daytime or evening class) and English Extra (daytime class).
Specific Focus Modules are elective classes students can choose every four weeks depending on their specific English language learning goals.
Specific Focus Modules include:
- Speaking, Listening and Vocabulary (SLV)
- Real English
- Business English
- English for Further Studies
- Writing Skills
- Grammar
- IELTS Test Preparation
- Cambridge Test Preparation
- Cambridge Writing
- Cambridge Grammar and Vocabulary
- Cambridge Speaking and Listening
English Extras are a range of special interest classes, teacher-led clubs and activities available every day.
English Extras include:
- Pronunciation
- Conversation
- Exam skills
- Work Readiness
- Exam Reading
- Exam Listening
- Exam Speaking
- Anecdote
- Australian Studies
- Excursions
- Presentations
- English for Film
- Soft skills
- Sport
- Guided Independent Study
GENERAL ENGLISH, BUSINESS ENGLISH AND EXAMINATION COURSES
- Minimum Age: 18
- Duration of each major course lesson: 90 minutes
- Number of students in class: average 13, maximum 15
- Timetable: (depending on English level) Daytime classes: 8:30 – 15:15, 9:30 – 16:15 or 9:15 – 16:15, Evening classes: 17:00 – 21:20
Intensive General English
The Intensive General English course offers daytime or evening classes. The daytime classes include 15 hours of General English lessons, 5 hours of specific focus modules and 5 hours of English extras per week. The evening classes include 16 hours of General English lessons and 4 hours of specific focus modules per week.
- English levels: all
- Course duration: 2 – 52 weeks
- Number of hours per week: 25 (daytime) or 20 (evening)
- Start dates: Any Monday
Semi-Intensive General English
The Semi-Intensive General English course offers 15 hours of General English lessons per week.
- English levels: all
- Course duration: 2 – 17 weeks
- Number of hours per week: 15
- Start dates: Any Monday
Premium General English
The Premium course combines 15 hours of Intensive General English group lessons with 5 hours of one-to-one lessons and 5 hours of English extras per week.
- English levels: all
- Course duration: 2 – 20 weeks
- Number of hours per week: 25
- Start dates: Any Monday
General and Business English
This course is ideal for students who wish to improve their all-around English combined with a specific focus on business. The course includes 15 hours of General English lessons, 5 hours of Business English and 5 hours of English extras per week.
- English levels: B1+
- Course duration: 2 – 36 weeks
- Number of hours per week: 25
- Start dates: Any Monday
Premium Business English
This course includes 15 hours of General English lessons, 5 hours of Business English and 5 hours of one-to-one lessons per week.
- English levels: B1 +
- Course duration: 2 – 20 weeks
- Number of hours per week: 25
- Start dates: Any Monday
Cambridge Exam Preparation
The Cambridge Exam Preparation course offers daytime (PET, FCE, CAE, CPE) or evening (PET, FCE, CAE) classes. The daytime classes include 15 hours of exam preparation lessons, 5 hours of specific focus modules and 5 hours of English extras per week. The evening classes include 16 hours of exam preparation lessons and 4 hours of specific focus modules per week. Free Cambridge exam skills workshops are offered every week.
- English levels: B1 – C2
- Course duration: 9, 11 or 12 weeks
- Number of hours per week: 25 (daytime) or 20 (evening)
- Start dates: see below
IELTS Exam Preparation
The IELTS Exam Preparation course includes 16 hours of exam preparation and 4 hours of specific focus modules per week.
- English levels: B1+
- Course duration: 2 – 36 weeks
- Number of hours per week: 20
- Start dates: Every Monday
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Intensive Academic English
This course combines IELTS preparation and important academic skills and is ideal for students wishing to study at an Australian university or college. The Intensive Academic English course offers daytime or evening classes. The daytime classes include 15 hours of Academic English lessons, 5 hours of specific focus modules and 5 hours of English extras per week. The evening classes include 16 hours of Academic English lessons and 4 hours of specific focus modules per week.
- English levels: B1+
- Course duration: 2 – 40 weeks (daytime), 2 – 20 weeks (evening)
- Number of hours per week: 25 (daytime) or 20 (evening)
- Start dates: Any Monday
Premium Academic English
The Premium course combines 15 hours of Intensive Academic English group lessons with 5 hours one-to-one lessons and 5 hours of English extras per week.
- English levels: B1+
- Course duration: 2 – 40 weeks
- Number of hours per week: 25
- Start dates: Any Monday
Academic Pathway Program
ELC Sydney has agreements with major universities and colleges that allow ELC students to enter directly into certificate, diploma, graduate and postgraduate programs without an IELTS test. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 10 weeks of classwork and assignments and complete all progress tests and a final test in order to gain direct entry.
Academic Semester or Year Abroad
ELC Sydney offer students the possibility to study English at ELC for a semester or a year. The program lasts for 36 or 48 weeks and students take their choice of courses depending on their entry level. Students will receive a personalized study plan and every 12 weeks they will meet their advisor to readjust their plans and monitor their progress.
HOST FAMILY
One of the best ways to experience the Australian way of life is to choose homestay accommodation. All homestays are carefully selected and visited regularly to ensure consistently high standards. Homestays are in fact the accommodation of choice for the majority of students. The school and Marshall Language Services recommend this form of accommodation the most for language learning. Family life is informal and the people are welcoming, friendly and talkative, so students will have plenty of opportunities to practice their English with native speakers. By booking homestay accommodation, students will also not have to worry about shopping for food and preparing meals every day. Mealtimes are often the occasions in which families converse most with the students.
Additional homestay provisions and information
- Homestay accommodation includes a single or double bedroom
- Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner every day, lunch on weekends
- Internet is available upon request
- Bed linens are provided
- Homestays are located 30 – 60 minutes by public transportation from the school
- Accommodation is from Sunday to Saturday. It is possible to book extra nights at an additional cost.
APARTMENTS
ELC Premium Apartments
Located in the city center, and only a 10-minute walk to the school, these apartments are shared by 6 ELC students and offer single rooms with private bathrooms.
ELC Premium Apartments also offer:
- A king size single bed with bed linens
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Free Wi-Fi
- TV Lounge
- Large common social area
- Cinema and game rooms
- Desktop computer areas
- Weekly cleaning service
- Laundry facilities
- 24 hour security
STUDENT HOUSE
StudyHouse Student Houses
StudyHouse is located near beautiful Darling Harbour, and only a 10-minute walk to ELC and the city center. StudyHouse offers 3 adjacent student houses, for 8-10 students per house in single or twin rooms.
StudyHouse Student Houses also offer:
- Shared bathrooms
- Bed linens
- Fully equipped kitchen
- 1 computer per house
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
Link2 Student Houses
Link2 student houses are located on George Street in the city center and a 10-minute walk to ELC. Link 2 offers 3 residences each welcoming 10 – 14 students in single or twin rooms.
Link2 Student Houses also offer:
- Bathrooms shared by a maximum of 5 students
- Bed linens
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Lounge area with TV
- Cleaning service
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
CozzyStay Student Houses
The CozzyStay offers numerous fully furnished student shared houses in Kingsford and North Sydney, located within 30 minutes of the school. Each house hosts 4 – 12 students in twin rooms.
CozzyStay Student Houses also offer:
- Bathrooms shared by a maximum of 5 students
- Bed linens
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Lounge area with TV
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
HOTEL
Glebe-YHA Hostel
The Glebe YHA youth hostel is located a 15 minute bus ride from the school. Glebe-YHA offers single, twin or 4-share rooms with shared bathrooms.
Glebe-YHA Hostel also offers:
- Bed linen are provided
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Study room
- Free Wi-Fi
- Games area
- TV lounge
- Laundry facilities
Insurance
Insurance covering medical and travel assistance, personal liability and trip cancellation is not included in the price of the program. Marshall Language Services has a policy available through Guard.Me that covers these elements, as well as an additional policy through CareMed that covers cancellation under a wider range of circumstances, including the need to repeat school exams. A summary of these policies may be downloaded below.
Dates and Fees
Calculate your own approximate quote
The following tool will help you to get a good idea of the cost of a language course and accommodation, if requested, at this school. It may not include all the courses and accommodation options available or take into account promotional offers or costs associated with student visas, insurance, study materials or exam fees. For these reasons, the availability of any course, accommodation option (especially in the high season) and the final price of a package will always have to be verified with Marshall Language Services prior to enrolment.
Contact us for information about dates & prices
Other Programs by this School
ELC Malaysia
English Language Company Malaysia, located in downtown Kuala Lumpur follows the ELC model, methodology and quality standards and offers General, Academic, Business and Premium English courses. Students can also combine courses in both Kuala Lumpur and Sydney with ELC’s World Experience Program. Please contact us for more information.
ELC Sydney Junior Program
ELC Syndey offers a junior program designed for teenagers aged 14-17 featuring English language lessons, a unique Global Citizen program as well as cultural visits and fun activities. Please contact us for more information.
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