English as an Additional Language (EAL)

When Serena arrived in Australia in 2012, she came alone. A teenage girl in a new country, barely speaking a word of English. She still remembers her first day at Avalon College, the language school she attended. Everyone was given burgers for lunch. She wanted to say no, but couldn't find the words. That moment, standing there, stomach grumbling, hands trembling, and voice caught somewhere in her throat.

Later that year, in year nine English, her class was asked to analyse Shakespeare's language in Romeo and Juliet. Serena had no idea what it meant but gave it her best shot. When she stood up in front of the whole class with her 'Wikipedia' language analysis, read it out with a thick accent but the tiniest voice. The world fell silent. Her teacher removed her glasses, looked straight at her, and asked:

"What are you talking about?"

It was one of the most humiliating moments in her life, and yet, it became the starting point of her journey towards finding her voice.

Improve pronunciation in spoken English

Learning how to correctly produce the individual sounds of English and practising how words are formed in natural speech through different speech exercises, targeting various vowel and consonant sounds.

Outcomes:

Improve clarity of speech
Express feelings and ideas clearly, confidently, and concisely
Others can understand you clearly

Develop accurate word stress and intonation

Word stress and intonation are the two key elements in natural-sounding English. Word stress refers to emphasising the correct syllabus in a word (e.g. PREsent vs. preSENT). Intonation is the rise and fall of your voice in a sentence.

Outcomes:

Improve rhythm and clarity of speech
Make your speech more accurate and natural

Develop confidence and fluency in spoken English

Fluency in spoken English means speaking smoothly without frequent pauses or hesitation. Students will participate in a variety of speaking activities, such as presentations, creative drama, speech exercises, conversation, impromptu talks, reading aloud, to develop their speaking fluency and confidence.

Outcomes:

Overcome shyness and anxiety
Gain self confidence
Become more comfortable with social/business situations

Soften your accent

Our accent is not a problem or a flaw! It is a natural part of who we are that carries our cultural background and personal experience. The aim is not to erase our accent, but to adjust certain speech habits so it does not affect how we are clearly understood.

A softened accent helps:

to make speech clearer and more neutral to a wider audience
to improve communication
to ensure we are not misunderstood

* Research, prepare and deliver oral presentations as part of assessed tasks for both VCE EAL Units 3&4 and university presentations