discover Languages classes in sydney

Frequently Asked Questions

• What specific textbooks are required for the beginner language levels?

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  Textbook requirements depend on the language and course provider. Italian for Beginners (Avalon) requires students to purchase 'DIECI A1' by Alma Edizioni. Spanish Beginners levels 1 through 4 utilize 'Aula Internacional 1-New Edition', while Spanish Lower Intermediate courses use 'Aula Internacional 3'. Conversely, the semi-intensive French Beginner A1 and the Italian 'Ready To Go' sessions provide all study materials in class at no additional cost.

• What are the prerequisites for entering intermediate or advanced language streams?

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  Italian for Post Beginners requires three terms of previous tuition, while Italian for Intermediates is designed for those who can express themselves in all tenses. The Spanish Grammar and English Communication Skills courses require approximately 40 hours of prior learning. Upper Intermediate Spanish (B2.2) is intended for independent users capable of understanding complex texts and relating to native speakers with natural fluency.

• What is the curriculum for the Auslan (Sign Language) online courses?

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  The Auslan Level 1 online course consists of 27 videos covering over 500 signs across 19 categories and includes 80 practice sentences. The Level 2 intermediate course expands to 22 videos featuring over 600 signs and 150 set sentences. Both levels include a two-part assessment of receptive and expressive skills to qualify for a certificate.

• What are the scheduling and financial details for children's language holiday camps?

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  Holiday camps for languages such as Japanese, Thai, and German run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm for a total of 5.5 hours per day. The daily fee is $143, and early drop-off is available from 8:30 am. As registered providers of the Creative Kids Program, these camps allow for the redemption of $100 vouchers, which can reduce the cost of a full term to $800 if paid two weeks in advance.

• What are the completion and cancellation policies for private tutoring blocks?

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  Solo private Spanish lesson blocks of 10 hours must be completed within 20 weeks, while 20-hour blocks must be completed within 30 weeks. For private lessons for two people, a 5-hour block must be finished within 10 weeks. All private bookings are non-refundable, and any rescheduling or cancellation requires 48 hours' notice to avoid being charged the full session fee.

• How do the introductory Asian language courses handle scripts and tones?

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  Thai Beginners Level 1 focuses on recognizing and using the five tones of conversational Thai from the first lesson. Mandarin Chinese Beginners Level 1 uses the Pinyin phonetic system to teach pronunciation and tones while gradually building recognition of commonly used Chinese characters. Both courses emphasize speaking and listening skills over complex grammar in the initial stages.