English Language College Brisbane

English Proficiency Testing – On the first day and prior to arrival

Prior to your arrival at Shafston, we can send you a test that will accurately assess your current level of English. This is a good way of determining how long you should aim to study. It is also useful for students planning to take exam preparation programs such as the Cambridge Certificates, IELTS, TOEIC or TOEFL. Please ask us to send a pre-entry test to you. Also you may access our on-line English test here:  

On your first day at Shafston you will undertake orientation followed by testing in all core skills to ensure you are placed in the class that matches your level of English.

Free Afternoon Clubs

Shafston offers a range of free and optional clubs, and afternoon activities to all Shafston

Students!

Cooking Club

Expand your vocabulary and practise your cooking skills using Shafston’s prime cooking facilities. Try cooking real Aussie food and learn authentic Aussie recipes. Eat it all at the end!

Music Club

This is a popular club – come join our talented teacher musicians and join in the musical journey singing some of your favourite English songs. Learn popular sound track lyrics and sing them along with you favourite artists.

Pronunciation Club

This is a session for all levels and nationalities. Specialised practice exercises are designed to target specific pronunciation problems. It’s fun and a great way for you to meet other students.

Cambridge Club (during Cambridge sessions)

Students are able to receive more assistance as the countdown towards the examination draws closer. There will be additional grammar and writing workshops and time for you to seek more assistance if you need it.

Sports Club (three times a week)

Play soccer, volleyball, basketball and other team sports with fellow Shafston students. Join ongoing competitions and be part of the winning team. Access Shafston’s Facebook and Youtube accounts for photos of past sport and other events. 

Film Club

Students all meet with a Shafston teacher to watch all types of films...New films, classics, Australian films and more. Students can request films they would like to see by talking to the teacher running the club.

Me@Shafston Individually-tailored Intensive General English

Me@Shafston Student Portal

Duration: 1-50 weeks (CRICOS 021673G)

Shafston’s unique Me@Shafston Program focuses on creating a unique learner profile.

Me@Shafston is an exciting new program allowing students  to choose the best way to improve and grow their English and to focus on the areas of English that they really want to activate. With our dynamic new FOCUS classes, we will activate your language ability by providing you with an intensive focus on the skill area you nominate as your area of need (in conjunction with our assessment team)

Your unique learner profile will allow the English professionals at Shafston to tailor an English program to best meet your unique profile – we will look at your strengths and discuss with you which skill areas you would like to develop more.

Me@Shafston Program is more than learning English. It is a unique partnership between you, your teachers and the whole Shafston team! We can map for you a course of study, we can show you how to access many extra language activities and student services on our Me@Shafston Student Online Portal, we will introduce you to an exciting new and Dynamic Electives afternoon program that focuses on production and increased interaction every afternoon.

Me@Shafston Program – Individually Tailored Intensive General English Sample Timetable

Me@Shafston Program allows you to study specific skill areas you may want to improve in, such as Grammar, Speaking, Writing, Reading or Listening, through our one-hour Focus session.  With Shafston staff you can choose the Focus session that suits Your Language needs and stay in this Intensive Focus class  for a minimum of a week, with a maximum as long as you’d like!  In addition, our extensive afternoon program offers you a great chance to choose electives that you are interested in like Pre-Cambridge, Pre-IELTS, TOEIC, Pre-Hospitality (VET) English, Academic English, Business, Media or Communication.

You will experience the unique SHAFSTON SPEAKING test (placing you with learners at a similar proficiency level) and the SEPT (enabling the academic team to ascertain your proficiency level in other vital skill areas).  From here we will discuss with you the best program for you to progress and take control of your learning. We can tailor a course specifically to assist you with your English, as it’s all about focussing on you in ME@SHAFSTON and WE are here to help you.

In addition our unique SPF (Shafston Proficiency Framework) is backed up by an extensive curriculum network and ‘I am able to’ statements.  You will be able to self-assess and take ownership of your learning. 

Another great aspect of the Me@Shafston  Program is that you will be able to log into Shafston’s student portal Me@Shafston, which is a gateway into another exclusive interface of student learning and on-line support.  This is for the exclusive use of Shafston students. 

Through the Me@Shafston Portal, you will be able to extend your learning potential through completing extra English exercises and activities which are there to extend and support learning beyond the classroom.  

Learn what YOU need to learn, study the areas that will help YOU progress and improve, choose the classes that will help shape YOUR English at Shafston.

‘Level Up’ tests are conducted regularly. Students can monitor their own progress and elect to take the test when they choose. Students must pass in order to graduate to the next level. Usually five weeks of concentrated study is recommended before attempting the test. It is expected that all students attend at least 85% or more of their classes, complete all homework and gain a thorough knowledge of the curriculum.

Cambridge Exam Preparation Programs

Shafston – The only place to study Cambridge!

Shafston is one of Australia’s largest providers of preparation programs for the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. They are highly valued by employers in many countries, especially Europe. Of the highly-trained Shafston Cambridge teachers many are also Cambridge Examiners, which enables students in the program to get firsthand information regarding the examination process.

Shafston offers a very wide range of Cambridge preparation programs including all levels of the main suite exam preparation programs (PET, FCE, CAE and CPE) as well as the full suite of Cambridge Business Certificate (BEC Vantage and Higher) exam preparation programs.

Nationality Mix in Shafston Cambridge Programs:

European  45% (pie graph)

Latin American 30%

South East Asia 10%

North East Asia 10%

South Pacific  3%

Middle East 2%

We guarantee to offer every Cambridge program that we advertise!

Specialised Cambridge Teachers

Among the specialist teaching staff are a number of Cambridge examiners, who teach on the programs and give individual feedback and advice to students throughout their program.

Shafston students consistently score highly on Cambridge examinations. Preparation is rigorous. Included in every program is a full day of mock practice exams once every month for all papers.

There are three classes of passing grade available for the main-suite exams: A, B and C, and two classes of failing grade, D and E. All candidates are provided with a Statement of Results which includes a graphical display of the candidate’s performance in each paper. These are shown against the scale Exceptional – Good – Borderline – Weak and indicate the candidate’s relative performance in each paper. Passing candidates are awarded a certificate.

New Computer-Based Cambridge Examination Preparation courses and Computer-Based Cambridge Exams at Shafston! – The same exam, the same Cambridge Certificate!

As one of the first colleges in the world to do so, Shafston has been hosting Computer-Based Examinations since 2008. Students enrolling in any of our Cambridge Exam Preparation Programs in 2010 will have the option of sitting the Computer-Based Exam at Shafston.

Through our intensive 6 week CB Exam Courses Shafston students will be given preparation and practice in the computer lab to become familiar with the components of the computer-based exam. The traditional face-to face speaking format still exists.