The Foundation Year 2010-2011 THE FOUNDATION YEAR

SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FOUNDATION YEAR
STUDENTS
SUPPORT SERVICES
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
INSTRUCTION
The compulsory subject Academic English
for University Studies (AE) is specifically
designed to develop students’ academic
English while increasing their knowledge
of Australian culture. English Language
Assistance (ELA) provides extra tuition for
students who are either having difficulties
with English in their studies or require IELTS
test preparation classes, especially those who
need an IELTS score of more than 6.5 for
their undergraduate program at UQ. All ELA
teachers are fully trained TESOL teachers.
STUDENT COUNSELLING
Foundation Year counsellors provide caring,
experienced counselling and advice. Their
assistance is readily available throughout the
year for any problems whether they be of an
academic nature, English language related
or just issues relating to adjusting to life in
another country.
ACADEMIC CAREER AND
STUDY GUIDANCE
Student counsellors provide a range of
programs and support to help students
settle into their new academic and living
situations. Workshops are available for
students at the start of the year in areas
such as living on a budget, signing contracts
and accommodation options. There are also
sessions on presentation skills, assignment
writing and coping with exam nerves.
Counsellors play an important role in assisting
students to make sound decisions about
choices for undergraduate study as well as
their future career.
EXTRA TUTORIALS
If students experience difficulties in a
particular subject, the Student Counsellor
can arrange for extra tutorial support. These
are small group sessions that revise work
already covered but do not involve any extra
assessment. There is no charge for these
tutorials. In addition the Student Counsellor
can help locate an appropriate non-IES tutor
at a reasonable rate. IES does not charge for
this service.
INDIVIDUAL STUDY PLANS
The teachers and student counsellors work
together to identify students experiencing
academic difficulties which require greater
intervention strategies than is available in
the extra tutorials. These students are closely
monitored and assisted and their progress
is recorded via Individual Study Plans. These
plans are continued for the duration of the
Foundation Year or until the teachers are
confident the student no longer requires this
level of assistance.
GUIDANCE WITH UNIVERSITY
PLACEMENT
Our student counsellors provide course and
career advice to assist students to make
informed choices about their future and
select the right undergraduate subjects for
their chosen career path.
24 HOUR CONTACT
All students are given a mobile phone contact
number so they can call IES staff at any time
in case of emergencies.
SUPPORTING UNDER 18
STUDENTS
IES provides guardianship and a range
of services including 24 hour emergency
telephone number plus a regular contact
regime. Students aged under 18 at program
commencement will be required to live in
IES approved accommodation such as Acacia
Cottages or homestay. Details can be viewed
on our website www.foundationyear.com
along with the detailed description of the
guardianship policy. Students who are aged
under 18 at completion of their Foundation
Year studies can continue to access this
support during their undergraduate studies
at UQ.
ORIENTATION
At the commencement of each intake a full
orientation program will provide students
with an introduction to the program and
to meet their fellow classmates. Students
are provided with important information
regarding visa regulations, general advice on
accommodation and living with a homestay
family. During this time each student will
have an individual appointment with a senior
academic staff member to discuss their
subject selections and undergraduate aims.
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