English Language and Conversation Skills

If you are looking for opportunities to improve your English language skills and meet new people there are many language and conversation programs, courses and groups that can help you to do just that.

28 Strategies for improving your English

It’s best to embed strategies for improving your English into your everyday activities. Choose at least three suggestions from this checklist to see if you can implement them on a daily basis. Try them for a few weeks and see if you notice a difference.

Language Exchange Program

• What is it all about? Meet up with others to exchange language skills and cultural insights in a fun and relaxed environment. You will be matched with people who speak the language you wish to practice who in return would like to learn or practice your language.
• Who is it for? All students
• Do I need to book or register? Yes
• Cost? Free

International Student Development Discussion Groups

• What is it all about? Improve your English skills, learn more about Australian culture and make new friends at these informal language and culture classes led by student volunteers. There are a variety of topics discussed, including news, popular culture and Australian slang.
• Who is it open to? International students
• Do I need to book or register? Discussion Groups are held in The Hub Monday-Friday, Weeks 1-12. No booking required.

Learning Centre Conversation Cafe

• What is it all about? Practice your 'everyday' English speaking and social language and build social networks outside your academic studies in these small, informal classes. Group size is limited to 5 students and groups run for 4 consecutive weeks.
• Who is it open to? All students
• Do I need to book or register? Yes
• Cost? Free

SDI English Language Conversation Classes

• What is it all about Develop your general fluency and improve your classroom participation in an informal and supportive environment. Classes include role plays, debates and topic discussions.
• Who is it open to? International students
• Do I need to book or register? Yes
• Cost? Free

Successful communication in Australia

This is a series of workshops that will help you become an effective and confident communicator in a range of Australian settings. You will learn how to seek help effectively, how to initiate social contact whether for academic or social reasons and how to successfully participate in a group or team setting. Learning culturally appropriate ways of participating is an essential skill for academic and social success.

UNSW Institute of Languages

The UNSW Institute of Languages offers a comprehensive suite of courses, testing services and corporate and teacher training programs designed for students, teachers, government and corporate clients from around the world. It is the oldest and one of the largest and most prestigious language centres in Australia. English language programs are available at various levels and lengths and may be packaged with the UNSW Foundation Studies or a UNSW degree.

Useful resources

• Writing skills support
  Support at the UNSW Learning Centre.
• Education First
  An online service operated by the Digital Education Network which provides a range of Internet-based services, links and resources for education.
• Dave's ESL Cafè
  This site provides a useful starting point with links to resources to practise and improve your English.
• Learning English
  A great site from the BBC World Service which includes sections on News and Business English, opportunities to develop listening skills and quizzes on grammar and vocabulary. The site includes fun features like an interactive online soap opera.
• EnglishClub.com
  Lessons, games, quizzes & more for ESL learners.
• Interesting Things for ESL Students
  A fun study site for students of English as a Second Language, featuring word games, puzzles, quizzes, exercises, slang, and proverbs.
• Non-stop English
  Some fun exercises for students who need to practise their language.
• Virtual Language Centre
  From Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Resources, Handouts and Exercises
  Purdue's Online Writing Lab offers handouts and exercises on grammar, spelling, and punctuation for both ESL students and students whose first language is English.