English Language Bridging (ELB)
If you are from a non-English speaking background, English Language Bridging (ELB) is an accelerated academic English program that will prepare you for study at Curtin University.
ELB provides entry into most Curtin degree programs if you successfully complete the course and meet your required exit score. You should choose this course if you want to develop your academic English skills or if you have a conditional offer from Curtin requiring you to attend ELB and obtain a satisfactory English Language Assessment and Academic Language Report.
What the course involves
Depending on your current level of English, you can undertake the 17-week or 10-week ELB program.
You will learn strategies to improve your personal study skills and general academic language, to organise academic essays effectively, and to communicate effectively in discussions, seminars and presentations. You will also develop your academic reading and listening strategies and learn to use complex grammatical constructions with greater accuracy.
Assessments
You will be assessed with the following: a research essay, a critical response task, a seminar discussion, a group presentation, a listening and note-taking test, and a grammar and vocabulary test.
Course essentials
Entry into ELB is dependent on the language requirements for your mainstream program. The minimum English level required for entry are:
- 17-week ELB – Advanced (IELTS 5.5 overall or equivalent, with a minimum of 5.0 in each subskill)
- 10-week ELB – Advanced (IELTS 6.0 overall or equivalent, with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill)
Sample ELB timetable
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AM |
Unit 3 - identifying main ideas | Sentence structures and linkers |
Using databases to research academic papers | Unit 3 - discourse markers and lexis |
Handbook of spoken grammar activities Vocabulary review Learner journal activity |
|
PM |
Stages in discussions Conclusions |
Research project outlines NOW note taking technique |
Study techniques - 'Recitation' MP4 Short answer Ws Summary writing |
In-class assessment - summary from NOW notes |
Teacher feedback and student feed forward Grammar workshop |
| Homework | Vocabulary - prefixes |
Grammar - punctuation Take NOW notes from source texts |
Project outline and NOW source text notes |
Complete text book tasks Online activity - avoiding and identifying plagiarism |
Grammar - articles Preview and annotate Week 4 reading texts |
