General English Beginner to Advanced (20hrs + 10)

Discover English

Q&A
Price
school-reference
detail

Course description

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 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.

On the top of standard 20 hrs per week, students can attend additional 10 hrs of free classes - 5 hrs of supervised library with a teacher and 5 hrs of extras - different electives each day.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
1-52 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
20 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 60 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
23 Dec 2024 - 03 Jan 2025

Discover English does not hold classes on the holiday dates above. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Class times

Morning session
08:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Afternoon session
01:30 PM - 05:45 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Melbourne.

Class size

Average 14 students
Maximum 18 students

Student age

Age range 18 years old and older
Average 27 years old
(24 in the summer)

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
Read more...
school
photos

Photos

  • Activities offered at Discover English 1/8
  • Library at Discover English 2/8
  • Computer room at Discover English 3/8
  • Activities offered at Discover English 4/8
  • Teachers and Staff at Discover English 5/8
  • Classes at Discover English 6/8
  • Discover English 7/8
  • Discover English 8/8
reviews

Reviews

77% recommend

based on 13 reviews
5 stars
4
4 stars
7
3 stars
2
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"Good english learning and much fun"

Niklas H, student from Australia

I liked to study english with people from all over the world and the classes were very varied. Furthermore, I liked that you don’t have the same teacher every day. If you like you could do every day activities.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
20 Nov 2023 - 15 Dec 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"It was a good experience to improve my English level."

Leisan Valieva, student from Russia

It was a good experience to improve my English level. During one month of study, I felt improvements in my spoken English, confidence when talking.The study is very interesting and fun. Teachers explain the topic very clearly, use various techniques, games. There are many things that I didn't understand before, now I understand better. The school is located in the center, which is very convenient, there are many attractions nearby. You can take a walk after school. Many thanks to the teachers and the whole Discover English team.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
17 Jul 2023 - 11 Aug 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Fun lessons at a wonderful place in Melbourne!"

Carolin Lueckel, student from Australia

The teachers are absolutely wonderful, kind, interested, funny and the lesson methods are very varied. The location is perfect with one of the nicest bars and restaurants around. The facility is very clean and everything is fine. There is only one negative thing in my mind: unfortunately most of the students just don’t meet the needs compared to the outstanding abilities of the teachers. 80 percent are not punctual at all, extremely lazy, not participating in discussions and they simply cannot speak English very well, even when they are sitting in a upper intermediate class. This has a huge negative impact on the learning capacity and the learning success. In the end ambitious and diligent students are disappointed, because they have to slow down a lot. Could be more pressure, more homework’s and higher expectations regarding the students’ performance. I think the excellent teachers deserve it. I would recommend this school, but only for a ,fun/relaxed’ holiday learning, not for business or academic purposes.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
25 Feb 2019 - 8 Mar 2019
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Wish I could spend more time with you guys."

Yvonne Fu, student from Australia

Was a short 3 days experience so could not really say too much. The school likes great and has multi language speakers work there. Location was convenient.

Tam was great. However, I do not think he had much time to prepare my lessons. We could not go through everything in details.
I am still bit confused with infinitive and gerund. It would be great if I could be provided with some learning materials.

Students were very noisy after their classes and were sitting outside my classroom and talking loudly.
One student even asked Tam to go out and speak with him during my class. I was not very happy with that because my lessons are all one on one.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Date of study
14 Aug 2017 - 18 Aug 2017
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"I could improve my English skills in a good group and with good teachers."

Verena Kaelin, student from Switzerland

I liked the nice people in class and I was welcomed even though I was much older. Chris was a very good teacher and crazy (in a good way) man. We had a lot of fun. The staff at the reception area were very nice and helpful. It's good to have strong rules.
About the activities I can't comment on it, because I didn't participate in any of it. The location was good as well as the housing.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
30 Jan 2017 - 24 Feb 2017
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Friendly classmates and teachers. I can get used to speaking English."

Hwain Kim, student from South Korea

First of all, if you feel that the class is too easy for you, do not hesitate to take the level-up test. You can get more opportunity to learn English. I was in the upper-intermediate class in general English. There were about 18 students in class. Use your opportunity to speak English in classes. Participate in every class. Also, there were extra classes everyday.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
23 Jan 2017 - 17 Feb 2017
Would you recommend this school?
No
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"It was a great experience! Thank you so much! I recommend this school without hesitation!"

Nathalie Dion, student from Canada

Teachers are competent and engaged! They gave me sincere feedback and it was stimulating. They ensured that I was assigned to the proper group that best suited my level. The location is perfect at Bourke Street!

Also, they gave me a great opportunity to practice. They organized an activity that allowed me to make a two-hour presentation. After my presentation, they offered me flowers to celebrate!

They are attentive to their students and they provide an excellent customer service.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Date of study
3 Aug 2015 - 7 Aug 2015
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"What does fox say?"

CHANG,CHIA CHANG

Everything is good.
I have the best experience in classes.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
9 weeks
Date of study
30 Sep 2013 - 8 Dec 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes

"Better experience to study and learn English"

Alexandre

I had a very good experience at Discover English.
The school location in CBD Melbourne is excellent for taking the transport or visiting Melbourne.
The atmosphere in courses is excellent for studying and the classmates are friendly.
The teachers and the teaching is good; I think it is a great idea to have two teachers in a week per class, because the teaching is different and if you don't understand a teacher you can understand the second teacher.
The activities are good because they are different.
The housing and the family are very different and it is difficult to give an answer but in general this is good.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
18 weeks
Date of study
2 Sep 2013 - 10 Jan 2014
Would you recommend this school?
No

"Not too bad!!"

Erick Duque Barragan

When I arrived here, I was in expectation of how could the course be? But I was disappointed as far as how the course was developed; I found teachers without structure, not respectful and boring classes. In my experience as a teacher, I found some classes without pedagogy and lacking in didactic. Only one person provided me with feedback about mistakes I made in the language.
The course did not satisfy my expectations. I found some strict rules for students but not for workers.
One thing must be said in favor of the institute: you provide us a huge quantity of photocopies, this was good.
You need to improve the integration between all members of the institute; I think relations are cold and they do not get to know each other, even workers themselves.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
17 weeks
Date of study
24 Sep 2013 - 24 Jan 2014
Would you recommend this school?
No

"It was precious."

Fumika Iwai

Teachers were really sophisticated. When I took Cambridge classes, I felt that a lot. The staff were very helpful and supportive. They were friendly, so I could enjoy school life. I think the number of toilets were not enough.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
41 weeks
Date of study
11 Feb 2013 - 29 Nov 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes

"Great time!"

Sylviane DALLE

I spent two weeks at your school for my job. I did appreciate the teachers; Claire was fantastic! I preferred the second week as the students were a bit older and it was better for me.
I will come back within 3 years as I have to take an English course for my job every three years!!
In fact, I know that for most of the students, the teacher had to use the book. But for me I really preferred when we didn't use the book - except for grammar!

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
School location
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
25 Nov 2013 - 6 Dec 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes

"I had a pleasure to mix enjoyment and work at Discover English."

Romain Bonnet

The overall experience in Discover English was clearly positive! The teachers are motivated, competent, and undeniably friendly. The "on-the-side offers" like the STS tours are a clear addition to the value of the school and the help about the booking of an accommodation was really appreciated. The staff is always available and happy to help. Thanks for your hard work!

The only few minor negative points I have are:

IELTS Class. The level is sometimes too different (aiming to a 5 for some and a 7.5 for others) between classmates, making some of them unable to work at their real level of skill. Moreover, the class appears sometimes slightly simpler than the real exam, which may cause some unfortunate surprises.

EAP adv/Excel. The first weeks in the class were absolutely delightful, but recently the class become a little bit disappointing. IMO, a class with 15 to 20 people, is maybe too crowded for a proper Excel teaching which requires a lot of personal coaching by the teacher. Moreover, expecting Excel and not EAP, I was kind of sad to have to comply to EAP/pathways "requirements", focused more on academic English than really trying to reach the more native level achievable like displayed in the presentation of the lesson.
This having been said, El is definitely one of the best teachers I have ever had the chance to meet. She is clearly working hard for this class and does an outstanding job! Thanks and congratulations to her!

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
8 weeks
Date of study
14 Oct 2013 - 13 Dec 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
housing

Housing

Discover English offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - No meals

NZ$ 448
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Melbourne
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Distance to school: 20 - 45 minutes by train or subway
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
NZ$ 448
Discover English carefully selects homestay families ensuring that students are provided with a positive experience of Australian home life. The homestay experience is offered as a rewarding learning experience to develop cross cultural understanding and enhance the student’s English language development.

Australia is a multicultural society and as such the lifestyle of your homestay family may be different from the culture and lifestyle you are used to at home. Homestay should be a rewarding learning experience and your homestay family will help you to adjust to life in Melbourne. You should make an effort to fit in with your family’s routine, even though it may seem strange to you at times and you can share your own culture and way of doing things with your family so they can gain an understanding of where you come from, your cuisine, pastimes and lifestyle back home.

Homestay - 2-person shared room - Breakfast and dinner on weekdays, 3 meals on weekends - 2 students must book together

NZ$ 448
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Melbourne
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner on weekdays, 3 meals on weekends (16 meals per week)
Distance to school: 20 - 45 minutes
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Restriction: 2 students must book together
NZ$ 448
Discover English carefully selects homestay families ensuring that students are provided with a positive experience of Australian home life. The homestay experience is offered as a rewarding learning experience to develop cross cultural understanding and enhance the student’s English language development.

Australia is a multicultural society and as such the lifestyle of your homestay family may be different from the culture and lifestyle you are used to at home. Homestay should be a rewarding learning experience and your homestay family will help you to adjust to life in Melbourne. You should make an effort to fit in with your family’s routine, even though it may seem strange to you at times and you can share your own culture and way of doing things with your family so they can gain an understanding of where you come from, your cuisine, pastimes and lifestyle back home.

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner on weekdays, 3 meals on weekends

NZ$ 472
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Melbourne
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner on weekdays, 3 meals on weekends (16 meals per week)
Distance to school: 20 - 50 minutes by train or subway
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
NZ$ 472
Discover English carefully selects homestay families ensuring that students are provided with a positive experience of Australian home life. The homestay experience is offered as a rewarding learning experience to develop cross cultural understanding and enhance the student’s English language development.

Australia is a multicultural society and as such the lifestyle of your homestay family may be different from the culture and lifestyle you are used to at home. Homestay should be a rewarding learning experience and your homestay family will help you to adjust to life in Melbourne. You should make an effort to fit in with your family’s routine, even though it may seem strange to you at times and you can share your own culture and way of doing things with your family so they can gain an understanding of where you come from, your cuisine, pastimes and lifestyle back home.
student-residence

Student residence (off-campus) - Single-person room - No meals

NZ$ 537
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: 205 Bell Street, Preston, Australia
Location: Outside the city center of Melbourne
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, laundry, telephone, tV room, carpet, air conditioning, heating, sports facilities, and other
Distance to school: 45 minutes by train or subway
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
NZ$ 537
If you would like a little more independence, Together Co-Living provides quality campus-style accommodation with everything you could want for making friends, having fun, and successful study. The lodge offers many great facilities including table tennis, billiards, student bar and restaurant, resort-style swimming pool and barbecue area.
The rooms for students include a microwave oven for heating up meals and there are also fully equipped kitchens where you can cook with other students and share costs. The lodge also offers mix of free and cheap social activities like movie nights and barbecues so you can enjoy a great social life at a very low cost.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged A$ 15 when you register.

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Melbourne based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

Read more...
questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Discover English staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

Ask a question
Show prices