FACILITIES
Students are welcome to make use of our classrooms, Student Library, student lounge and computer rooms with free internet access (including wireless).
Student Lounge
There is a student lounge where you can relax to have lunch and to chat with your friends during your breaks. The student lounge has tables and chairs for eating lunch and comfortable couches for relaxing. The student lounge is equipped with a refrigerator, urn and microwave ovens. Students can also use the common areas on levels 1, 2 and 3.

Student Library
Our Student Library is equipped with a wide range of books and resources for students to use. All the computers have access to the internet and many CD ROMs which can help you to improve you language skills. Students will be supplied with a headset during allocated Student Library Classes, however if students wish to use headsets outside of class time they may purchase as set from reception. A variety of magazines and newspapers are provided and are updated on a regular basis.
Computers
In addition to computers in the Student Library, we have computers in the Student Lounge available for students to use the internet and email.
Wireless Internet
We offer free wireless internet for our students throughout the building. Log on details can be obtained at reception on level 1.

TV
A TV is available for students who wish to watch DVDs, to assist develop their listening skills. Please visit the Student Library for more information.
COURSES
General English
The General English program develops students‟ English language communication skills with a focus on building confidence and fluency. Through a communicative approach, students practice listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in a variety of „real life‟ situations whilst integrating grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. The program has been designed around the New Cutting Edge Course Books with supplementary materials provided by the classroom teacher.
The General English program is available at six levels from Beginner to Advanced. Students undertake placement testing to determine their entry point and undertake weekly unit assessments based on the material covered. Based on assessment results and class performance, students may level up any week. There is no minimum entry level requirement.
Part time General English courses are not available to students on student visas as their principal course of study.
English for Academic Purposes
The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program familiarises students with English-medium academic conventions and develops skills specific to an academic environment. The EAP program prepares students for the transition from studying in their native language and home country to studying in English at an Australian University or College. The EAP program teaches students to consider texts, discourses and issues in a critical light and supports them in becoming independent learners.
The EAP program is offered at three levels: Intermediate, Upper Intermediate and Advanced. Students undertake weekly assessments in relation to the course material they have studied. Minimum entry requirement for EAP is IELTS Band 5.0 or PTE Academic Score 36.
IELTS Preparation
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Preparation program focuses on developing exam techniques and preparing students for the listening, speaking, reading and writing tasks they will undertake in the IELTS exam. The program is intensive and is designed for students who wish to maximise their scoring potential on the IELTS exam within a short time frame.
The course provides practice and guidance in both general and academic test modes and aims to improve the student‟s test taking techniques and their knowledge about the IELTS test format. Students undertake weekly tests based on IELTS past papers. Minimum entry level requirement for IELTS Preparation is IELTS Band 5.0 or PTE Academic Score 36.
Part time IELTS courses are not available to students on student visas as their principal course of study.

Business English
The Business English program equips students with English language skills specific to the corporate environment. English is an essential skill both for companies seeking to trade overseas and for employees wishing to develop careers in global industries. The Business English program develops students‟ confidence and ability to communicate effectively in English in a business context by providing them with the necessary linguistic and cultural knowledge to do so. The program is designed around the Market Leader Course Books and covers a range of business related topics including retailing, marketing, careers, international trade and communications.
The Business English program is offered at two levels: Intermediate and Upper Intermediate. Students undertake pre-testing to determine their entry point and undertake weekly mini assessments in relation to the course material they have studied over the preceding weeks. Minimum entry level requirement for Business English is IELTS Band 5.0 or PTE Academic Score 36.
English Excel
The English Excel program is an advanced level course designed to meet the needs of students who have a high level of English understanding but are looking for a challenging course to consolidate, refine and expand their command of the English language. The English Excel program develops students‟ English language communication skills to enable confidence and fluency in a range of English language contexts at a near native level. The program focuses on advanced level communication skills and grammar awareness delivered through the mediums of current affairs, world issues, Australian English and culture and English for the workplace. The course content is dynamic and varies in response to current trends and students‟ interests.
Students have weekly review tests in relation to the course material they have studied. Minimum entry level requirement for English Excel is IELTS Band 6.5 or PTE Academic Score 58.
Custom-designed Short Courses
Courses are designed in consultation with clients for business executives and corporate groups providing a unique opportunity to provide one to one, small intensive programs or larger group programs including a combination of group activities and classes. The courses enable you to focus on your specific language needs, whether you need to prepare for a presentation, conference or meeting or learn English in the context of a specific industry, such as accounting, aviation, banking, engineering, finance, sales & marketing, human resources, law or medicine.
Study Tours
Let Discover English tailor your experience! We deliver an unforgettable educational experience for international groups providing a unique combination of custom-designed English language classes and fun and exciting activities and excursions.
We will take care of all your needs including meet and greet service, accommodation, meals, transfers, transport, activities, excursions and welcome and farewell functions.

CLASSES
Discover English works in 2 groups of 20 hours per week. Classes can run at the following times:
Session 1
Break
Session 2
Morning Group
8:30am -10:30am
10:30am – 11:00am
11:00am – 1:00pm
Afternoon Group
1:30pm – 3:30pm
3:30pm – 4:00pm
4:00pm - 6:00pm
These times will depend on the class and level students are assessed at. Students cannot choose their class times.
In addition, students have access to our Student Library, where our teachers can assist in guiding students to activities for further improving their English skills. There are scheduled times when a teacher is available to assist students. The library hours are 8.00am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday.
ASSESSMENT METHODS & PROMOTIONS
At Discover English, ongoing assessment procedures are utilized to enable our academic staff to assess students‟ skill development throughout the duration of their studies and to ensure students are always in a class best suited to their current competencies.
Students undertake placement testing prior to being placed in a class suitable to their demonstrated proficiency. Students then undertake weekly assessments and review assessments based on the course content studied. These assessments, in conjunction with class work, homework, presentations and participation form the basis of determining eligibility for all level ups.
A student may be eligible to level up in any given week but the level up will be dependent upon:
- The student‟s ability across all language skill areas
- Receipt of a teacher recommendation
- The student having completed a minimum of 8 weeks at the current level if they had previously levelled up from the preceding level
- The student undertaking and passing a level up test
- Availability of space in the next level at the student‟s preferred time
CERTIFICATES
All students graduating from a Discover English course will receive a Certificate showing the period of study and the class level. A statement of attendance will also be received with the certificate.
- If a student‟s attendance is below 80% they will receive an unsatisfactory attendance certificate.
- If a certificate is lost $5 is payable for a replacement.
PRE TESTING AND PLACEMENT TESTING
Any student wishing to enroll in a Specialist English course (Business English, EAP, IELTS Preparation or English Excel) who does not hold IELTS 5 (6.5 for Excel) or PTE Academic 36 or above is required to undertake a Pre- Entry Test prior to enrolment in order to demonstrate the prerequisite level of English proficiency.
In addition, all students are required to complete a placement test on or prior to their commencement day to determine the class into which they will be placed.

FURTHER STUDIES
If you need advice on TAFE, university or vocational courses, Discover English can help. Ask your teacher or the Director of Studies, for information on courses available, pre-requisites and how to apply. Staff at Discover English can assist you with the process.
FEES
- Student visa holders at Discover English are required to pay an Application Fee, Tuition Fees, and Health Insurance Fees (OSHC – Overseas Student Health Cover). Students who are not on student visas are not required to pay the Health Insurance Fee through Discover English, but are advised to arrange their own private travel insurance.
- Airport transfer, accommodation and accommodation placement fees are charged if these services are requested.
- A book fee of $60 is a compulsory payment for all students studying at Discover English.
- Discover English reserves the right to alter these fees at any time.
STAFF
All our teachers are fully qualified and have been carefully selected based on their level of experience teaching in the ESL industry. Our teachers have a breadth of experience teaching in Australia and overseas and offer a range of teaching styles and methodologies.
Our academic team is involved in regular professional development workshops to ensure we use the most up-to-date teaching methodology, techniques and practices in the classrooms.
The team of staff at Discover English is available to help you with any questions you may have about accommodation, visas, further studies, travel in Australia or personal matters. Our staff is aware of the challenges that international students may face with many having lived, worked and studied abroad themselves. Whilst the college is an English Only environment, support in your own language can be arranged if necessary.
Managing Director - Gary Cobbledick
Gary has worked in a range of industries and countries over the past 15 years. He began his teaching career as a university lecturer, before embarking on a career in law and business. He has worked in New York, California, South Africa, London, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia.
Gary has a deep commitment to the education sector and a strong belief that an investment in one‟s education is the best investment a person can make.
He has BA, LLB & LLM degrees and is admitted as a barrister and solicitor in New York and Australia (Victoria). He has studied in Australia, South Africa and the USA, so he understands the challenges faced by students studying in foreign countries.
General Manager - Natalie Reddy
Natalie has an extensive background in teaching and general management. With over a decade experience at international private institutions, universities and private colleges in Australia, Natalie moved into marketing then general management.
Natalie is a passionate practitioner in the industry and has excellent peer and global business relationships. Her strong working ties with partner colleges, universities and agents, both locally and internationally brings global connectivity to Discover English. Natalie graduated with a degree in Business, post-graduate qualifications in TESOL and CELTA.

Marketing & Communications Manager - Tim Field
Tim has been working in the ELICOS industry since 1999. He has extensive experience in education and marketing both abroad and in Australia. He has led both large and small teams and excels at creating and maintaining strategic relationships in an international environment.
Tim holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science, Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Masters of Communications and is CELTA certified. Tim has worked in Australia, Japan, England, China, Korea and Taiwan in a variety of roles. Tim speaks Japanese.
Administration Manager - Samantha Webster
Samantha has worked in the TESOL industry since 2000 with experience in Australia, Japan, the UK and France. She has taught and managed English language programs in both the public and private sectors and has coordinated international exchange and homestay programs.
Samantha holds a BA/BBus in Asian Studies and International Trade and post-graduate qualifications in TESOL and Education. Samantha is passionate about teaching English language and learning other languages; she speaks Japanese and has studied French and Spanish so understands the challenges students face with language acquisition.
Director of Studies - Pat Grimsley
Pat has been working in the ELICOS sector since 2004 and has taught general, academic and business English classes in Australia and Malta. She is a respected manager with a proven ability to develop and implement management strategies. Pat likes to keep up-to-date with changes in the industry through continuing professional development and is a founding member of the DOS Networking Group in Melbourne.
Pat holds accreditation as an IELTS examiner and has a Masters of Education (TESOL).
ORIENTATION AND TESTING PROCEDURE – YOUR FIRST DAY
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL STUDENTS ARE AT DISCOVER ENGLISH FOR ORIENTATION BY 8:30AM ON THEIR FIRST DAY.
All students must bring: A passport sized photo of themselves (for student card), Passport, Visa (print out if electronic visa), eCOE (if on a student visa), pen and current address in Australia.
Following placement testing you will be issued with your class timetable and textbook and participate in the school‟s orientation program and first day class sessions as per the table below:

GROUP ONE
(have not completed placement test)

GROUP TWO
(completed placement test prior to first day)

8:30am – 10:30am

GROUP ONE SESSION ONE (placement testing)

GROUP TWO SESSION ONE
10:30am – 11:00am
GROUP ONE BREAK
GROUP TWO BREAK
11:00am – 1:00pm

GROUP ONE SESSION TWO

GROUP TWO SESSION TWO
1:15pm – 2:00pm

GROUP ONE ORIENTATION

GROUP TWO ORIENTATION

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Discover English provides an enriching and supportive environment. Our student support services will help you adjust to study life and provides you with the continuing support that enhances learning. Our reception is your first point of contact for advice regarding courses, accommodation, and activities, our student services staff can assist you with queries.
For academic counselling including meeting course requirements, course progress, attendance issues please make an appointment to talk with the Director of Studies.
For welfare counselling on accommodation, adjusting to life in Australia or other non-academic matters, please make an appointment with Student Support Services.
MONITORING ATTENDANCE
- Discover English records the attendance and absences of each student for all scheduled course hours in which they are enrolled.
- Attendance is recorded by the teacher for every 2 hour session
- The minimum satisfactory attendance requirement is 80% for student visa holders.
- If you are more than 15 minutes late for the commencement of a class or if you leave early, this will be recorded and you will lose attendance for the session (please refer to our Monitoring Attendance policy for more details).
- If you are sick, please notify the college. If you are sick for more than 1 day, it is important you get a doctor‟s certificate to support your absence. Please note that medical certificates do not increase your attendance percentage. They are only used as supporting documentation in the decision to report students to immigration for breach of attendance while on a student visa.

All absences, regardless of the reason, will affect your attendance percentage.
- If you are studying on a student visa and are absent for more than 5 consecutive days without prior approval, you will be contacted and counselled in relation to reasons preventing your attendance.
- If you are studying on a student visa and your overall attendance falls below 88%, we will send you one Attendance Warning Letter, reminding you of your attendance requirements and you will have to attend a counselling session with the DoS/Academic Manager.
- If you are studying on a student visa and your attendance falls below 80%, we will send you a letter advising of intention to report you to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). You must continue to attend classes but have the opportunity to provide evidence to appeal against the college reporting you. If you choose to appeal, you will have 20 working days (plus 5 days for postage and handling) to appeal from the date you received the intent to report letter (please refer to Discover English‟s Complaints and Appeals procedure at www.discoverenglish.com.au )
- If your appeal is successful, you must continue to attend all your remaining classes.
- If your appeal is not successful after following all the steps in the Complaints and Appeals Procedure, you will be reported to DIAC and this may be result in your visa cancellation.
- Discover English can only decide not to report a student for breach of the 80% requirement where:
- the student produces documentary evidence clearly demonstrating compassionate or compelling circumstances preventing them from attending (eg: a medical certificate)
AND
- the student has attended at least 70% of the scheduled course contact hours for the course in which they are enrolled
- If your attendance is below 80% at the end of your course, you may not eligible to extend your course at Discover English.
MONITORING COURSE PROGRESS
- Your progress will be monitored informally by your class teacher on a daily basis and assessed formally on a weekly basis.
- Informal assessment includes class participation, in class tasks and homework activities.
- Formal assessments include weekly progress assessments, weekly oral presentations and review assessments.
- Your progress is recorded throughout the duration of your course and feedback provided by your teacher on a regular basis.
- You will receive formal feedback from a written student progress report.
- You will receive informal feedback through one-to-one teacher-student consultations.
- In addition, you may make an appointment to meet with the DoS/Academic Manager to discuss your progress at any time.
- If your teacher has concerns about your progress or if you achieve a result of 50% or less on two consecutive review assessments, you will be referred to meet with the DoS/Academic Manger to implement a strategy to assist you in progressing.

- Some examples of strategies that might be used to help you to progress include:
- additional homework
- supervised individual study sessions before or after class in student library
- follow up counselling sessions with the DoS/Academic Manager
- pairing with a class buddy for peer support
Pathway Progress Guarantee
- Students must have completed all homework assessments provided by teachers.
- Student overall attendance must be no less than 95% at any point during their preparation course for articulation into their vocational or higher education program.
- Current Discover English students must notify Discover English by completing a Notification of Further Study form no later than 2 days following an acceptance into the approved vocational or higher education program.
- The Pathway Progress Guarantee doesn‟t apply until the student commences the course that has been approved as a preparation course for articulation into the approved vocational or higher education program.
DEFERRING, SUSPENDING OR CANCELING A STUDENT’S ENROLMENT
- A student‟s enrolment may only be deferred or temporarily suspended on the grounds of:
- Compassionate or compelling circumstances
- Student misbehaviour
- Compassionate or compelling circumstances include but are not limited to:
- serious illness or injury (where a medical certificate states that the student was unable to attend classes)
- bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents (where possible a death certificate should be provided)
- major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel and this has impacted on the student's studies
- involvement in, or witnessing of a serious accident
- witnessing or being the victim of a serious crime.
- Student misbehaviour includes but is not limited to:
- acts of discrimination
- sexual harassment
- vilification or bullying
- violence
- vandalism
- cheating or plagiarism
- A student‟s enrolment may be cancelled as a result of:
- student completed course early
- student transferred to another provider
- student notifies of cessation of study
- non payment of fees
- disciplinary reasons
- student has died
- student no longer holds a student visa
- the college is unable to deliver the course
- non compliance with student visa conditions
- In cases where the suspension or cancellation is not initiated by the student, Discover English will inform the student of its intention to suspend or cancel their enrolment and allow 20 working days for the student to access the Complaints and Appeals process.

- Where a student accesses the Complaints and Appeals process, the suspension or cancellation will not take effect until the internal process is complete, except in cases where extenuating circumstances relating to the welfare of the student apply
- Students who apply to defer, suspend or cancel their enrolment or who have been informed of the college‟s intent to suspend or cancel their enrolment will be informed that deferring, suspending or cancelling their enrolment may affect their student visa.
- The college will inform the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) of any deferment, suspension or cancellation of a student‟s enrolment.
REFUND POLICY
Accommodation & Application Placement Fees

- Accommodation & Application Placement Fees are non-refundable.
Homestay Fees
If written cancellation is received 14 days prior the homestay commencement date, a full refund of Homestay fees paid (the first 4 weeks) is available (excluding the Accommodation Placement Fee).
If written cancellation is received less than 14 days prior to the homestay commencement date, a refund is available less a cancellation fee of 2 weeks‟ Homestay fees.
If written cancellation is received on or after the homestay commencement date, no refund is available.
If a visa application is not granted, a full refund of homestay fees will be made, provided that sufficient evidence of visa refusal is given to the college by the refusing Australian Authority.
Student Lodge Fees
Refunds of any monies received by Discover English Pty Ltd on behalf of the student for services other than tuition fees must be requested from the company delivering the service and will be subject to the respective company‟s refund policies.
Airport Transfer Fees
- If written notification of cancellation is received 7 days prior to airport transfer, a full refund is available.
- If a visa application is not granted, a full refund of the airport transfer fee will be made, provided that sufficient evidence of visa refusal is given to the college by the refusing Australian Authority.
Enrolment Fees, Tuition Fees and Materials Fees
Discover English Pty Ltd reserves the right to cancel or postpone any courses prior to their scheduled commencement dates, should it be necessary. In such circumstances, if the course is postponed by more than four weeks, and if a student is unable to enrol in a similar course at Discover English Pty Ltd, all fees will be refunded. A refund of the fees will only be granted in accordance with the refund policy set out below.

Full Fee Refund
Discover English Pty Ltd will make a full refund of course fees paid in the following circumstances:
• Application for a student visa is unsuccessful. In this case, Discover English Pty Ltd reserves the right to retain a registration charge of A$200. A request for refund in writing and proof of visa refusal from the Australian Government must be sent to Discover English Pty Ltd upon visa refusal. In this case, a full refund of course tuition fees will be made within 14 days.
• If for any reason Discover English Pty Ltd is unable to start delivery of the course on the agreed starting date or ceases to deliver the course before it is completed, in this case, a full refund of refundable course tuition fees paid. Payment of the refund will be made within 14 days of the specified starting date or from the time the course ceases to be delivered in accordance with the refund requirements of the ESOS Act 2000.
Partial Fee Refund
Discover English Pty Ltd will make a partial refund of tuition fees in the following circumstances.
• If written notice of withdrawal is received from a student at least 28 days prior to the initial course commencement, 50% of the tuition fees are refundable, less a registration charge of A$200. All refunds if approved, will be made within 28 days of date of withdrawal.