Phuket Thailand

sishow · #1 22-05-2008, 19:35

I had no idea where to put this question, as it doesn't really fit in to any catagory. So if you cant help than just ignore it!

A Thai friend of mine that I have been emailing over the past couple of years now, has asked me my opnions on the above instituation/course. THe website that I have found using the name and course details she has given me was this one......... Study and Learn English Courses in Australia Sydney - Study ELICOS, IELTS,University Preparation, Cambridge Course: Specialty Language Centre

So do any of you had any dealings with this 'school' or know anything about them, as a quick look through the website I sense something is wrong but can't as yet put my finger on it!

Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

(No, im not funding any of it. Far as I know she is the lot!)

sishow · #2 22-05-2008, 19:43

THink this is what she means though................ Australian Academy of English t/a Specialty Language Centre, Sydney, Australia. e-mail: info@specialty-language.com.au tel: (61 2) 9267 7747 fax: (61 2) 9267 2612

HAve to enroll in a language course for 12 weeks before an interview. THen the student MUST except the terms offered by the consultant.........

SOunds more than a little dodgy to me! But I dont know that much about Aus. So would be grateful for any better qualified people's comments!

faultytowers · #3 23-05-2008, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by sishow

THink this is what she means though................ Australian Academy of English t/a Specialty Language Centre, Sydney, Australia. e-mail: info@specialty-language.com.au tel: (61 2) 9267 7747 fax: (61 2) 9267 2612

HAve to enroll in a language course for 12 weeks before an interview. THen the student MUST except the terms offered by the consultant.........

SOunds more than a little dodgy to me! But I dont know that much about Aus. So would be grateful for any better qualified people's comments!

Checked out their website and a few things struck me !!!!

Quote:

To receive internship/work experience introduction, the student must first enrol in an English language (General English) programme at Specialty Language Centre for a minimum of 12 weeks (on a full-time basis).

Looked at the fees they charge :

12 week full time course = Aus $ 3960

So , you pay for and do their "language course" and then have an interview with one of their consultants.

Quote:

The students and the Consultant will discuss the type of work which may be available to the student. Based on their professional experience, the Consultant will decide whether they can help the student in finding a job.

Looks like no guarantee of them finding work , and also worth noting :

Quote:

Introductions to possible employers are limited to one. Students should be aware that due to current employment conditions, employment is difficult to find, so students are advised not to be too particular with regard to the types of jobs they are offered.

And finally the one that matters most !!!!

Quote:

There will be no payment to students from the employer.

Sounds like it's just another language school looking to make money , you do their course , pay them lots of money and then end up (possibly !!!) working for nothing !!!!!

Crustasian · #4 23-05-2008, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by sishow

I had no idea where to put this question, as it doesn't really fit in to any catagory. So if you cant help than just ignore it!

(No, im not funding any of it. Far as I know she is the lot!)

OK - I have ignored it for you.

sishow · #5 23-05-2008, 20:41

Cheers Mike and Pads!

Came to the same conclusion as you Mike, just needed some experienced back up! Just sent an email saying what we found. She is quite good at reading English anyway, so she hopefully can understand what im try to say.

Told her to come to England and I'll put 'her up in the spare room' if she wants to do a language course. But she reckons my GF in Patong will beat her up!

No. I have no idea who she is talking about either!

Mac · #6 26-05-2008, 23:41

When I was at Cambridge (Uk) the language schools were very good and generally attracted pretty girls anxious to acquire the english language and hopefully a rich boyfriend. Accomodation was included and by and large the standard was good. The students enrolled for three months and got academic visas. Some of them had some affiliation with the University and were regulated.

Google "Cambridge Language Schools" and you will get the idea.

Best as always

Mac

sishow · #7 27-05-2008, 02:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac

When I was at Cambridge (Uk) the language schools were very good and generally attracted pretty girls anxious to acquire the english language and hopefully a rich boyfriend. Accomodation was included and by and large the standard was good. The students enrolled for three months and got academic visas. Some of them had some affiliation with the University and were regulated.

Google "Cambridge Language Schools" and you will get the idea.

Best as always

Mac

Cheers, but I used to live Cambridge!

She just wanted to know about that one course!

sishow · #8 28-08-2008, 21:12

UPDATE:

Just recieved an email and Yi has decided to change the course she is doing, which mean she heading to Oz at the end of next month.

This new course to me seems a lot more 'reasonable' than the previous one and appears to based at an actual university in Sydney. From the infomation she gave me, it seems to be a MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY ENGLISH COURSE.

So any infomation on this place? Good or bad! Would be very welcome. Also any bm's with a Thai partner in the Sydney area, willing to met her, to help her settle in or for advice. As she is very nervous about moving abroad for the first time.

Thanks!

likeitalot · #9 29-08-2008, 05:38

Can't see how she could go wrong with Macquarie Uni, a genuine institution. Although the way all unis here give out degrees to full fee paying OS students, especially post grad you may as well buy one from a degree mill. Thats just me b1tching.

eur11 · #10 29-08-2008, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by sishow

UPDATE:

Just recieved an email and Yi has decided to change the course she is doing, which mean she heading to Oz at the end of next month.

This new course to me seems a lot more 'reasonable' than the previous one and appears to based at an actual university in Sydney. From the infomation she gave me, it seems to be a MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY ENGLISH COURSE.

So any infomation on this place? Good or bad! Would be very welcome. Also any bm's with a Thai partner in the Sydney area, willing to met her, to help her settle in or for advice. As she is very nervous about moving abroad for the first time.

Thanks!

Macquarie is good and a real institution.
Now, your homework is to find out what ELICOS course they offer. Do a bit of research Macquarie University - Australia’s Innovative University. Universities like Macquarie have CRICOS Provider Number and normally are professional - they will list all fees associated with the course, plus possible additional fees (books, etc).

sishow · #11 29-08-2008, 23:10

Thanks for the info you two.

Looks like she has picked a proper course this time, like I thought. Now she tells me she has to find somewhere to rent herself! So she is spending two days off work looking online.

This is stressing me out, and she is only just a friend. I hate to be in the position of some of you with actual Thai partners!

likeitalot · #12 30-08-2008, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by sishow

Thanks for the info you two.

Looks like she has picked a proper course this time, like I thought. Now she tells me she has to find somewhere to rent herself! So she is spending two days off work looking online.

This is stressing me out, and she is only just a friend. I hate to be in the position of some of you with actual Thai partners!

Thats a tough one! Macquarie is not easy to get too via public transport if you don't live nearby and it is not in a cheaper area of Sydney (not that there really is one). Maybe she should try the uni services to assist in finding digs. Accommodation @ Macquarie University

Maverick351 · #13 30-08-2008, 21:53

Hi Sishow,
I know Macquarie well, there are plenty of places around the university that accommodation can be found, areas like Marsfield, Epping, Eastwood and Nth Ryde and Ryde have plenty of unit blocks. The University web site has a student portal, and if she has access, she will find postings of accommodation offers etc. There are also live on accommodation on campus, but fills up quickly.

Happy to help, if you want to know more, drop me a PM.

sishow · #14 26-09-2008, 21:05

UPDATE

Well she is in Sydney as I type. She starts her course in a couple of weeks.

Now she is looking for a job there to fit around her course. Although I don't know anything about working in Oz on student visa's, Im assuming she will have to keep her head under the radar. So I have told her to ask at any Thai food places in Sydney.

So does anyone there know of any jobs that could be suitable, even if its just cleaning your apartment. Or agencys or Restaraunts looking for staff?

Sorry to be a pain but she is feeling very lost and a little scared as she is so far away from home on her first trip away from los.

Any advice or opps will be very much welcome.

Si

easyrider_au · #15 26-09-2008, 21:14

Age & pics thanks Si

sishow · #16 26-09-2008, 21:56

She is younger than you Craig, like most of the worlds population..... 28 or 29. Picture I did have but my hard-drive went bang a few months back. But I have been in Nicke's and Geir's bars with her on previous trips, so maybe you were there. She wanted to go to Seduction, I didn't, lots of bm's were there joining in the arguement I seem to remember!

Why do you need a new dodgy car dealer Craig?

likeitalot · #17 27-09-2008, 04:31

Not so sure she has to keep 'under the radar', according to the link her visa automatically entitles her to work a certain number of hours if she applied after a certain date. Working While Studying. What area of Sydney is she in?

sishow · #18 27-09-2008, 04:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by likeitalot

Not so sure she has to keep 'under the radar', according to the link her visa automatically entitles her to work a certain number of hours if she applied after a certain date. Working While Studying. What area of Sydney is she in?

I dont know the Oz laws on this or anything. I have asked her what her visa is for, but I don't think she understands. So it was just me assuming. As far as I know she is able to work anytime etc.

As for the area, I think its Haymarket. (If thats an area!)

likeitalot · #19 27-09-2008, 05:19

Haymarket is basically Chinatown but right in the middle of the CBD. Lots of restaurants and shops. I assume because of where she is living she is not at Macquarie University as mentioned previously in the thread, as Haymarket is a reasonable distance from there. This link may not help with employment but it is a service for Thais and is very close to where she is.

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