Adelaide - Australia's learning city

The South Australian capital of Adelaide has always been a trailblazer when it comes to education.

The University of Adelaide was one of the first campuses in the world to open its doors to women (some 50 years before Cambridge and Oxford).

The city has produced three Nobel Prize winners – more than any other Australian capital.
And in 2006, Australia’s first foreign university, the prestigious Pittsburg-based Carnegie Mellon University, opened its doors in the centre of the city.

For the past four years, Adelaide has also been setting the pace in terms of international education, outstripping the national average with the growth of its overseas student population.
Last year, the city’s international student numbers rose 14.1 per cent to 20,580 – and Indian students showed their love of the city by increasing their numbers by 42 per cent (to almost 2100).

So why are an increasing number of Indian students choosing Adelaide?
Undoubtedly, a major factor is the longstanding tradition of excellence forged by renowned institutions including The University of Adelaide and Finders University, and continued by relative newcomer the University of South Australia, which leads the pack in terms of international student numbers and its direct links with the Australian business community.
Five bonus migration points are also offered to graduates who complete more than two years of study in Adelaide.

Adelaide’s schools sector (both government and private) punches well above its weight in attracting international students, and it’s also the fastest growing city in the world (outside Canada) for the International Baccalaureate program.

If the culinary world is your oyster, Adelaide is also the perfect study destination, establishing itself as the only place in the world offering French, Swiss and Australian hospitality/culinary undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, through Regency TAFE, the International College of Hotel Management and Le Cordon Bleu.

But the Adelaide experience is must more than simply study.
As a student, you’ll get so much more out of life by living in South Australia.
For starters, figures from the Economist Intelligence Unit show that its much cheaper to live in Adelaide than much of the rest of the nation (actually, it’s 18 per cent cheaper than Sydney, 17 per cent cheaper than Melbourne and six per cent cheaper than Perth or Brisbane).

You’ll also receive a warm welcome in Adelaide. The city’s 1.1 million residents hail from more than 200 nations, and around 12 per cent speak a language other than English at home. So they are many layers to Adelaide’s multicultural mix – and the locals are very used to welcoming newcomers.

And students are made to feel welcome in more ways than one: every year, StudyAdelaide plans a year-long program of social activities and events that begins with a huge welcome party in the Adelaide Town Hall hosted by The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Adelaide Michael Harbison.

In Adelaide (and unlike Sydney and Melbourne), international students receive the same public transport concessions as students, and have access to free buses that loop around the city.

In 2007, more than 11,000 new international students will receive a StudyAdelaide welcome backpack, complete with a 60-page Survival Guide to Adelaide detailing everything from how to rent accommodation and where to go on holiday, to finding part-time work and where to find the best shopping bargains.

As part of a StudyAdelaide Letters Home competition organised last year, hundreds of students shared their letters home with the South Australian community – and the overwhelming theme was the friendliness of locals.

As one Indian student wrote: “Here, every individual is valued. I feel valued here. Everyone is so helpful and friendly. No one differentiates whether you’re Asian or African, Black or White. Everyone is treated the same.

Adelaide’s study options
Whether you want to gain an internationally-respected degree or vocational qualification, engage in post-grad research or send your young children to school, Adelaide has an option to suit. There are a range of internationally-recognised universities (see the nearby panel for more on education options), an extensive Vocational Education and Training (VET) system and a highly regarded primary and secondary school sector. There’s also a range of flexible foundation studies and English language programs – and learning English is made even easier in a small(ish) friendly city like Adelaide. And because our academic institutions enjoy a high level of integration, it’s easy for you to move (or graduate) from one to another.

How to get there
A number of major airlines fly directly into Adelaide from Asia, including Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines. And because Adelaide is located halfway between Sydney in the east and Perth in the west, you are never too far from other Australian cities. A flight from Adelaide to Sydney, for instance, is around two hours and can cost less than AUD$100.

Adelaide at a glance

• State capital of South Australia, founded in 1836
• Population: 1.2 million (1.52 million in South Australia)
• Climate: Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters, typically ranging from 16°C in July to 28°C in February.
• One of the least expensive cities in the world, according to global economics consultants Mercer Consulting Group
• Rated by KPMG as Australia’s most competitive business city
• Tagged as ‘possibly the last well-planned and contented Metropolis on earth’ by The New Yorker magazine.
• Renowned for its easy lifestyle: great food & wine; and a series of festivals & events that celebrate everything from the arts and car racing to outback cattle drives and cycling.

Learning Italian in Rome

Rome, birthplace of one of the world's most ancient civilizations, is an ideal location to immerse yourself in Italian language, culture and society. Here is a detailed account of provision at one teaching academy

Home to 4 million inhabitants, Rome has over 84 theatres, 70 museums and 75 cinemas, giving truth to the saying: 'Rome - a lifetime is not enough'.

You can study in the heart of this historical city, just a short walk from the central railway station Stazione Termini. Discover the array of monuments, palaces and museums with over 2000 years of history. Marvel at the works of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci or the splendour of Vatican City.

The Italian language programmes in Rome are designed to immerse participants in Italian. You will gain valuable information about modern-day Italian culture and society and improve your overall communication skills.

These programmes are designed to focus on all aspects of the language, developing reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, phonetics and vocabulary.

For further immersion in language and culture, a wide range of free guided excursions and social activities are held. These activities are designed to provide participants with ample opportunity to learn and use Italian and be apart of a comprehensive learning experience. The overall aim of the programme is to instil the linguistic, practical, and cultural aspects of the language as well as the Italian way of life.

Features

• Total immersion in the Italian language
  
• Total beginner to advanced classes available
  
• Semi-Intensive, Intensive, or Super-Intensive programs offered
  
• Study from minimum of 2 weeks
  
• Total beginners start every month
  
• All other levels may start on any Monday
  
• Small classes: average 8 students per class
  
• Free weekly guided tours, excursions, and activities
  
• Free activities with native Italian speakers
  
• Wide range of optional courses available

Placement Test & Proficiency Levels
There are 5 main proficiency levels that are further subdivided. Firstly, participants are placed according to the level indicated on the application form. At the start of the programme, non-beginners take a written and oral placement test. Second placements are made according to the results of the placement tests. Each level lasts for a period of four weeks.

TOTAL BEGINNER
This level is for those who have never learned Italian or who have learned a few words but cannot express themselves in complete sentences. Classes focus on introducing everyday vocabulary and basic grammar. The curriculum is designed to provide knowledge of basic Italian focusing on simple topics related to daily life, from introductions, starting and concluding conversations, asking for information to understanding and filling out basic forms. Phonetics exercises and drills ensure that participants quickly learn correct pronunciation and intonation.

POST BEGINNERS
This level is for those who have learned Italian and have a grasp of simple sentence structures. Classes focus on building everyday vocabulary, simple texts and grammar. Participants learn how to read and understand simple texts, express preferences, describe places and situations and understand simple conversation between native speakers. Writing exercises include composing brief letters and messages. Phonetics exercises and drills ensure that participants quickly learn correct pronunciation and intonation. At the end of the programme, participants should be able to converse on simple daily topics and express themselves using basic sentence structures.

ELEMENTARY
This level is for those who have learned Italian, have a grasp of simple sentence structures and have learned basic grammar systematically. The curriculum is specially designed to improve vocabulary, sentence structures, listening, reading and speaking skills. Participants learn how to express their opinions, describe past events, understand written instructions and read newspaper articles (facts and brief commentary). Writing exercises include composing personal letters and short essays. The phonetics exercises and drills ensure that participants quickly learn correct pronunciation and intonation. Class work includes topics on Italian culture and society and participants are encouraged to converse on daily topics and express themselves using elementary sentence structures.

INTERMEDIATE (Lower Intermediate, Intermediate and Upper Intermediate)
These levels are for those who are able to converse on general topics and express themselves in complete sentences. Classes improve grammar and vocabulary, which enable participants to express themselves functionally in different contexts. Class work focuses on current Italian events, civilization and literature to build vocabulary while at the same time developing a greater awareness of Italian culture and society. Emphasis is placed on participants' grammar, syntax, writing, oral expression, and listening comprehension skills. Oral expression classes include discussions of current events. Exercises to improve writing, speaking, and grammar skills include writing reports, letters, narratives and essays. Phonetics exercises and drills ensure that participants quickly master correct pronunciation.

ADVANCED
This level is for those who can discuss general topics, raise complex questions and express their viewpoints clearly using correct pronunciation. Participants can express themselves systematically using appropriate expressions and language norms. The curriculum is focused on enabling participants to express themselves proficiently at an abstract level. Programme literature includes Italian non-fiction, articles and financial texts. To improve participants' fluency, class work includes advanced exercises in writing and oral expression. These include commentaries, essays, speeches and debates.

Teachers & Teaching Materials
Teachers are native Italian and have degrees in teaching Italian as a Foreign Language. Up-to-date, carefully selected materials are used in class, giving participants valuable information on modern-day Italian culture and society while at the same time developing their language and communication skills.

Optional Programmes
These optional programs are ideal for participants who wish to learn about Italian history, cooking and culture. These optional courses are to be combined with Italian Language studies. Participants must have at least an intermediate level in Italian. Classes are held in Italian.

Courses: Business Italian, Italian Cooking and Wine, Photography, Roman Archaeology, CILS Preparatory Examination*.
Classes: 6 per week
Duration: 4 weeks long (*CILS option is 5 weeks long)
Start-dates: Same as Italian Language programs

Excursions & Activities
To ensure a comprehensive learning experience, excursions and activities are provided as part of the programme. Admission, transportation, and participation are included at no additional cost. The program of scheduled activities varies. These excursions and activities are held on weekday afternoons or weekends and may include the following:

Guided Visits: To Rome's major historical sites, museums, palaces, opera, theatre, concerts, and exhibitions.
Activities: From 'spagettata' evenings with pasta and wine to 'festas' and workshops with local Italian students.
Excursions: Monthly excursion to nearby cities such as Naples, Pompeii, Siena, Assisi.
Italian cinema: Films are shown three times a week, from the old classics to contemporary movies by Italy's renowned directors such as Federico Fellini and Bernardo Bertolucci.

Self-Access Study Centre
Participants are able to practise after class and further their knowledge of Italian by using the self-access language study centre. This facility is equipped with a language laboratory (with audio booths & computers), a listening room (with audio and video booths) and a reading room equipped with reading, writing and grammar-practice materials. The centre is open on Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 7.30pm.

Italian Culture, Art & Cooking Seminars
These weekly free seminars are designed to immerse participants in Italian culture, art and history. The seminars focus on a wide range of topics from Italian Cooking, Italian Wine, Regions and Towns in Italy to the History of Art. Seminars vary from week to week, providing a selection of topics designed to further improve linguistic skills while deepening one's knowledge of Italy.

Workshops With Native Italian Speakers
Knowing the locals on a personal level is an important aspect of this programme. Not only does it facilitate the use of Italian, it also encourages cultural and social exchange. Workshops with Italian students are held regularly in order to achieve this goal.

Assessment
Participants' progress is assessed through continuous homework assignments and tests throughout the programmes. On successful completion, a Certificate is awarded specifying the type of programme, the number of hours studied and the achieved level of proficiency.

Accommodation
To cater to participants' varying needs, a range of accommodation options located close to school is offered to those enrolled on the programmes. These options include: Home stay with Half Board, Home stay with Use of Kitchen, Shared Flat with or without meals or Hotel.

Participants are given details of the accommodation pre-departure. These include a description of the accommodation, the address, phone number, distance from school and other useful information.

Fees And Dates
Total Program Fees include Tuition, Accommodation, Textbooks, Registration and Enrolment, Placement Test, Certificate and Transcript, Visa Support Documentation, Airport Pickup to Accommodation, Orientation, Welcome Pack, Medical Insurance, email and Internet access and more. Free after class seminars, workshops, social activities and guided tours are held throughout the programme. International Programme Advisers provide information and assistance pre-departure and throughout the program.

Tuition Fees only are available for those who do not require accommodation or other programme features and wish to participate only in the classes.

Requirements
There are no special requirements. The programme is open to participants from all over the world, who are at least 16 years old.

Learning Italian in Italy

If you want to study in Italy, you'll need to learn the language. How do you set about finding an affordable, accredited Italian language programme? Ken Reynolds investigates and suggests three steps to success

Step One
A good starting point in the search for an accredited course is the A.S.I.L.S. (Associazione delle Scuole di Italiano come Lingua Seconda) The Association of Schools of Italian as a Second Language, with member schools well represented in the various regions of Italy, is designed to guarantee the quality of instruction and professional level of services offered to students.

A.S.I.L.S. is a founding member of ELITE (Excellent Language Institution Teaching in Europe), a European federation of national associations of native language instruction. ELITE, consisting of six associations, aims to set standards for the quality of instruction, services and accommodation provided by language schools throughout the continent.

The A.S.I.L.S. Quality Guarantee

• A.S.I.L.S. member schools are required to adhere to strict didactic and professional requirements.
  
• Each school has a permanent study centre where Italian language courses are held.
  
• The prospectus published by the schools contains a detailed description of the courses and the various services offered.
  
• All instructors, chosen for their professional and personal skills, hold university degrees and have experience of teaching Italian to foreign students.

Before departure
- Students receive detailed information about the courses and the necessary prerequisites for enrolment.
- All course prices, number of lessons and services included are clearly indicated.
- Students requiring help in locating accommodation are given a selection of addresses to choose from according to their needs.
- Prior to departure, students are provided with their assigned address and a description of the accommodation.

During the course
- Students take a placement exam to determine their language level.
- Students are placed into classes with a set maximum number. This maximum number of students is determined by each institution.
- The school's director is available to assist students regarding the academic programme and can help resolve didactic problems that may arise.
- Progress in the student's language proficiency is carefully monitored throughout the duration of the programme.
- The school organises recreational, social and cultural events. Students are welcome to participate in these events during their leisure time.
- The school provides information about their city and region in Italy. Information is available to encourage students to participate in local activities.

After the course is completed
- Students receive a certificate of attendance and/or description of the course attended.
- After completing the assigned level, students can choose to take an exam to verify progress and receive a certificate of proficiency according to the level.

Step Two
Having found an accredited school, you need to decide on a suitable level of qualification. Before long you will come across mention of the poetic-sounding Deli, Dili, Dali and Dalc, the standard abbreviations for the 'Firenze' diplomas offered by the A.I.L. (Accademia Italiana di Lingua) at elementary, intermediate, advanced and commercial levels.

Step Three
You should now gather as much information as you can about a range of schools and compare what they have to offer in relation to your specific needs.

Here is an example of provision at one academy in Rome:

Rome, the birthplace of one of the most ancient civilizations, is an ideal location to immerse yourself in Italian language, culture and society. Study in the heart of this historical city, just a short walk from the central railway station Stazione Termini. Discover the array of monuments, palaces and museums with over 2000 years of history. Marvel at the works of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci or the splendour of Vatican City.

Home to 4 million inhabitants, Rome has over 84 theatres, 70 museums and 75 cinemas, giving truth to the saying: 'Rome - a lifetime is not enough'.

The Italian language programmes in Rome are designed to immerse participants in Italian. You will gain valuable information about modern-day Italian culture and society and improve your overall communication skills.

These programmes are designed to focus on all aspects of the language, developing reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, phonetics and vocabulary.

For further immersion in language and culture, a wide range of free guided excursions and social activities are held. These activities are designed to provide participants with ample opportunity to learn and use Italian and be apart of a comprehensive learning experience. The overall aim of the programme is to instil the linguistic, practical, and cultural aspects of the language as well as the Italian way of life.

Features

• Total immersion in the Italian language
  
• Total beginner to advanced classes available
  
• Semi-Intensive, Intensive, or Super-Intensive programs offered
  
• Study from minimum of 2 weeks
  
• Total beginners start every month
  
• All other levels may start on any Monday
  
• Small classes: average 8 students per class
  
• Free weekly guided tours, excursions, and activities
  
• Free activities with native Italian speakers
  
• Wide range of optional courses available

Placement Test & Proficiency Levels
There are 5 main proficiency levels that are further subdivided. Firstly, participants are placed according to the level indicated on the application form. At the start of the programme, non-beginners take a written and oral placement test. Second placements are made according to the results of the placement tests. Each level lasts for a period of four weeks.

TOTAL BEGINNER
This level is for those who have never learned Italian or who have learned a few words but cannot express themselves in complete sentences. Classes focus on introducing everyday vocabulary and basic grammar. The curriculum is designed to provide knowledge of basic Italian focusing on simple topics related to daily life, from introductions, starting and concluding conversations, asking for information to understanding and filling out basic forms. Phonetics exercises and drills ensure that participants quickly learn correct pronunciation and intonation.

POST BEGINNERS
This level is for those who have learned Italian and have a grasp of simple sentence structures. Classes focus on building everyday vocabulary, simple texts and grammar. Participants learn how to read and understand simple texts, express preferences, describe places and situations and understand simple conversation between native speakers. Writing exercises include composing brief letters and messages. Phonetics exercises and drills ensure that participants quickly learn correct pronunciation and intonation. At the end of the programme, participants should be able to converse on simple daily topics and express themselves using basic sentence structures.

ELEMENTARY
This level is for those who have learned Italian, have a grasp of simple sentence structures and have learned basic grammar systematically. The curriculum is specially designed to improve vocabulary, sentence structures, listening, reading and speaking skills. Participants learn how to express their opinions, describe past events, understand written instructions and read newspaper articles (facts and brief commentary). Writing exercises include composing personal letters and short essays. The phonetics exercises and drills ensure that participants quickly learn correct pronunciation and intonation. Class work includes topics on Italian culture and society and participants are encouraged to converse on daily topics and express themselves using elementary sentence structures.

INTERMEDIATE (Lower Intermediate, Intermediate and Upper Intermediate)
These levels are for those who are able to converse on general topics and express themselves in complete sentences. Classes improve grammar and vocabulary, which enable participants to express themselves functionally in different contexts. Class work focuses on current Italian events, civilization and literature to build vocabulary while at the same time developing a greater awareness of Italian culture and society. Emphasis is placed on participants' grammar, syntax, writing, oral expression, and listening comprehension skills. Oral expression classes include discussions of current events. Exercises to improve writing, speaking, and grammar skills include writing reports, letters, narratives and essays. Phonetics exercises and drills ensure that participants quickly master correct pronunciation.

ADVANCED
This level is for those who can discuss general topics, raise complex questions and express their viewpoints clearly using correct pronunciation. Participants can express themselves systematically using appropriate expressions and language norms. The curriculum is focused on enabling participants to express themselves proficiently at an abstract level. Programme literature includes Italian non-fiction, articles and financial texts. To improve participants' fluency, class work includes advanced exercises in writing and oral expression. These include commentaries, essays, speeches and debates.

Teachers & Teaching Materials
Teachers are native Italian and have degrees in teaching Italian as a Foreign Language. Up-to-date, carefully selected materials are used in class, giving participants valuable information on modern-day Italian culture and society while at the same time developing their language and communication skills.

Optional Programmes
These optional programs are ideal for participants who wish to learn about Italian history, cooking and culture. These optional courses are to be combined with Italian Language studies. Participants must have at least an intermediate level in Italian. Classes are held in Italian.

Courses: Business Italian, Italian Cooking and Wine, Photography, Roman Archaeology, CILS Preparatory Examination*.
Classes: 6 per week
Duration: 4 weeks long (*CILS option is 5 weeks long)
Start-dates: Same as Italian Language programs

Excursions & Activities
To ensure a comprehensive learning experience, excursions and activities are provided as part of the programme. Admission, transportation, and participation are included at no additional cost. The program of scheduled activities varies. These excursions and activities are held on weekday afternoons or weekends and may include the following:

Guided Visits: To Rome's major historical sites, museums, palaces, opera, theatre, concerts, and exhibitions.
Activities: From 'spagettata' evenings with pasta and wine to 'festas' and workshops with local Italian students.
Excursions: Monthly excursion to nearby cities such as Naples, Pompeii, Siena, Assisi.
Italian cinema: Films are shown three times a week, from the old classics to contemporary movies by Italy's renowned directors such as Federico Fellini and Bernardo Bertolucci.

Self-Access Study Centre
Participants are able to practise after class and further their knowledge of Italian by using the self-access language study centre. This facility is equipped with a language laboratory (with audio booths & computers), a listening room (with audio and video booths) and a reading room equipped with reading, writing and grammar-practice materials. The centre is open on Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 7.30pm.

Italian Culture, Art & Cooking Seminars
These weekly free seminars are designed to immerse participants in Italian culture, art and history. The seminars focus on a wide range of topics from Italian Cooking, Italian Wine, Regions and Towns in Italy to the History of Art. Seminars vary from week to week, providing a selection of topics designed to further improve linguistic skills while deepening one's knowledge of Italy.

Workshops With Native Italian Speakers
Knowing the locals on a personal level is an important aspect of this programme. Not only does it facilitate the use of Italian, it also encourages cultural and social exchange. Workshops with Italian students are held regularly in order to achieve this goal.

Assessment
Participants' progress is assessed through continuous homework assignments and tests throughout the programmes. On successful completion, a Certificate is awarded specifying the type of programme, the number of hours studied and the achieved level of proficiency.

Accommodation
To cater to participants' varying needs, a range of accommodation options located close to school is offered to those enrolled on the programmes. These options include: Home stay with Half Board, Home stay with Use of Kitchen, Shared Flat with or without meals or Hotel.

Participants are given details of the accommodation pre-departure. These include a description of the accommodation, the address, phone number, distance from school and other useful information.

Fees And Dates
Total Program Fees include Tuition, Accommodation, Textbooks, Registration and Enrolment, Placement Test, Certificate and Transcript, Visa Support Documentation, Airport Pickup to Accommodation, Orientation, Welcome Pack, Medical Insurance, email and Internet access and more. Free after class seminars, workshops, social activities and guided tours are held throughout the programme. International Programme Advisers provide information and assistance pre-departure and throughout the program.

Tuition Fees only are available for those who do not require accommodation or other programme features and wish to participate only in the classes.

Requirements
There are no special requirements. The programme is open to participants from all over the world, who are at least 16 years old.
Not all roads lead to Rome!
If you don't fancy the bustling capital city, you can find similar courses in cities such as Milan, Venice and Florence or you can choose a Mediterranean seaside resort such as Otranto.You may need a very specific, higher-level course such as the one necessary if you apply to study Medicine. The Scuola Leonardo da Vinci, for example, has a preparation course for medical studies in Italy. This is intended for those students who, due to the "Numerus Clausus" in their own country, are unable to enter the faculty of medicine.To be admitted to an Italian university as a foreign student, you must pass an entrance exam (Italian language, scientific subjects). This is usually held at the end of September at the faculty you have chosen. To pass the entrance exam the following are indispensable

• Recognised school leaving examination
• Good knowledge of the following subjects in Italian:
  
• biology, anatomy, chemistry, mathematics and physics.
• Ability to express yourself in the Italian language verbally and in writing.

Internet heralds Distance Learning Boom - Set to change the way students study

In 1998, 60 percent of US educational institutions provided Distance Learning courses according to figures released last month by the U.S. Education Department's national Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This is a drastic increase on the figure of 28% from 1995 and makes distance learning courses the fastest growing area in the education industry today. Although video is still the most popular method of distance learning, at least 25% of the courses used the internet as the method of communication, a large increase on the 1995 figures.

In total, almost 80% of public 4-year institutions in the U.S. now offer distance learning courses and enrolments almost doubled in the period between 1994-1998.

"Distance learning brings postsecondary education closer to more students," said Acting Commissioner of NCES Gary W. Phillips. "It not only provides greater access, it also provides alternative ways of delivering new educational opportunities."

According to the survey, approximately 54,000 different distance education courses were offered in 1997-98 across the USA, of which 1,230 were degree programmes with over 1.6 million students attending.

While the number and range of courses flourishes, the costs of taking such courses are not always lower. Seven percent of postsecondary institutions that offered distance education charged the same tuition for these courses as for comparable on-campus courses.

The figures suggest a gradual move away from traditional methods of study and a change in the very nature of higher education all over the world, especially if the Internet increases in popularity. Although fees may not decrease drastically, the opportunities for international students to receive a degree from an accredited US university while staying at home raises endless possibilities. Huge financial savings can be made by students living in their home country yet studying abroad. Students from close-knit families may not need to be separated from them; students with their own families need not uproot husbands and children in order to further their career; those that dislike the idea of moving to a strange place need not actually do so but graduate from the comfort of their bedrooms.

However, the benefits of attending a campus-based course should also not be forgotten. The Internet does not provide for the human contact of classroom courses, making friends, the debate with peers, the social life, the bonding and all of the other aspects of traditional learning that cannot be achieved sitting at a computer screen. The drastic learning curve of existing in a foreign country and important cross-cultural understanding will begin to decrease, perhaps to the detriment of students and their home nations.

Acting U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Marshall Smith agrees. "Distance learning has great potential to expand educational opportunities but, at the same time, it is important that we use the technology in responsible ways to complement traditional campus-based instruction and ensure the quality and integrity of the educational offerings."

Learning about Nursing

Nursing today is concerned with providing care which promotes and maintains health, prevents, detects and treats disease and disability and restores health following illness or injury. In order to achieve this nurses require knowledge and skills which are developed both in a wide variety of clinical areas such as hospital wards, community centres, patients homes and within the University.

As a student you will be studying alongside other students who will have interesting backgrounds and come from many different cultures. All of these students will share a common interest with you in wanting to become nurses and be involved in ‘taking care’ of and ‘helping’ patients, their families and significant others. Your experience in learning to become a nurse will be filled with opportunities for you to develop caring techniques that will make a difference in patients’ lives and their ability to care for themselves.

Your day may begin at the University. Perhaps you will start with a session in the biology laboratory where you will look at cells through a microscope or undertake an experiment. These classes will prepare you for the anatomy and physiology you need to learn so that you can nurse patients with the knowledge of why they become ill and how you can help them to recover. By learning how cells work and muscles move, you learn how the body can best be positioned so that rest is promoted, muscles don’t tire, and skin is not damaged.

As your day moves on, you may have practice sessions in nursing caring skills. You may learn how to move patients from different positions when they can’t move themselves or you may learn about how to give special medicines, most importantly you will learn how to teach patients about the medicines so that the patients take them properly at home. Your afternoon may include classes in learning about different aspects of health and illness and how nurses care for patients in hospital, at home or in other places.

There are days when you will be working with patients. You may be working with your clinical nurse lecturer in a public health centre teaching patients about healthy eating and caring techniques that promote health. You may be working with a Public Health Nurse (Health Visitor) caring for families and children under five. On the other hand, you may find yourself in an Accident and Emergency Department of one of the local National Health Service trust hospitals caring for patients who have been involved in a road traffic accident. Your experiences will be active and challenging and will help you develop the skills you need to provide care independently as a professional nurse.

It is important for you to remember, as a student, that a personal tutor from the School is there to support and listen to you. As you study and practice your tutor will be there to explain things about nursing practice when you think you do not understand. Your days will be full of new and interesting experiences, all carefully planned to help you develop into the best professional nurse possible. It will mean studying regularly on your part, and being prepared for those times when the unexpected can and does happen.

Each day you experience as a student nurse will be different than the day before and your knowledge will grow and your confidence will expand. By the conclusion of your education and training you will be ready to face the challenge of working with patients as a qualified nurse within a care team.

An MBA by Distance Learning

There are various approaches to learning. Full time programmes at all levels require a career break of some sort. This may be acceptable especially for short courses or where you get leave of absence but you also have to consider access, location, timing, the quality of the group and of the deliverer. Local courses may be of restricted quality and you may not be able to afford overseas courses.

Distance learning provides a number of alternative approaches. One form, often described as Distance Learning, is effectively a type of part-time programme. Infrequent but regular attendance is required and there are time schedules and group involvement. The content and quality of these programmes is dependent upon the local delivery and the quality of the local student group. Whoever is offering the course and however prestigious they are, this is a critical aspect to probe. True Distance Learning basically involves conventional home study, supported by a variety of aids and Tutorial support. High quality Distance Learning programmes, although sometimes dismissed as correspondence courses offer a lot of advantages.

Most programmes offer a realistic level of time flexibility and can be studied in remote locations and even if you move during the course. They provide access to acknowledged centres of excellence and one of the features you should look for is that the same course is delivered in the home territory. Distance Learning is available for all levels of skill and knowledge, whether training or education. Distance Teaching is probably the best for practical skills, when detailed feedback on performance and performance improvement is required. Distance Learning is very effective for courses leading to professional qualification or degrees. It is most relevant when you require access to a large body of knowledge and feedback on assignments, presented as written reports, is appropriate. There are a wide variety of Distance Learning courses, of both types, offered by UK institutions.

A critical question if how you can assess the quality of Distance Learning programmes. Where possible look first for equivalence. Some UK Universities, like Durham, offer their MBA programmes through a variety of routes. Although the process is different the end result is the same. For a Distance Learning programme the course offered is defined by the course material and is therefore open to inspection. All students should get the same experience so check most carefully that the same programme is offered in the institution’s home territory, this is one of the strongest indicators of a quality programme. Access to these programmes is probably more realistic for relatively isolated students. Independent guidance can also be given by professional institutions or organisations such as AMBA or professional institutions, who represent the participants view impartially.

Strategies for Successful English Language Learning

Once you’ve decided to enrol in an intensive English program in the United States, take some time to consider ways to maximise the experience. Examining the skills and attitudes of successful language learners will give you insight into strategies for successful English language learning.

Research in the field of language indicates that there are many things you can do to become a successful learner. Some people may have special abilities linguistically, but most of us can "learn to learn" language effectively. Curiosity about language and culture, daily study, and the commitment to use English in every possible situation while in an English-speaking environment, are very important conditions for success.

Motivation and attitude play a significant role in successful language learning. Listed here are some useful hints to encourage success in your new experiences. Combined with the expert assistance of knowledgeable instructors and reliable intensive English programs, attention to these ideas will help you gain focus in your studies so that you can learn English more effectively.

Be clear and realistic about your goals. Your sense of success will depend on your needs for English and whether or not you meet your needs. It is not just a question of measured progress. If you need conversational fluency, note-taking skills will not meet your needs. If you must learn to write effective business letters, informal conversation with current slang will not help you achieve your goal. Know what your goals are. Do you need English for occasional speaking situations, for travel or entertaining English-speaking visitors? Do you want to improve comprehension in both written and spoken English? Do your need to write English for professional purposed? Are you preparing for a university career in English? If so, your goals must include proficiency in all skill areas.

Learning a foreign language is an inexact process. Very few people learn to use a foreign language as well as a native speaker does. Fortunately, very few people need to learn English like a native English speaker in every skill area. Be realistic and aware of your goals.. There are many reasons to learn English, and your reasons are your own goals. Administrators and instructors in intensive English programs are aware of the wide range of approaches and curricula available. Be sure to select an intensive English program which accommodates your language goals.

Be realistic about the length of time it takes to learn a language. Programs which promise overnight success are simply not being honest. Language learning is a cumulative process. You will experience bursts of accomplishment as well blocks and delays in progress. You will notice improvement at different speeds in each skill area. Many students progress more quickly in passive skill areas (reading and grammar analysis) than in active and complex skill areas (speaking, notetaking during a lecture). If you are beginning level student whose goal is proficiency, a typical program may include at least nine months of intensive English study. If your study program is short-term and your goals include improvement and review rather than proficiency, you may realise some progress in two or more weeks.

Be aware of your learning style. If you know that you learn more quickly when you listen to an English statement a few times before writing it, or if you know that seeing a picture or graphic representation of a word or expression helps you to remember the word, the develop study habits which use the most effective techniques for you. Excellent instructors who know that students must be involved in active learning will created active learning experiences to connect you with the language.

When you have determined your best learning style. Talk with your English instructor(s) about additional opportunities to practice English and to make progress. Instructors will design class activities and assignments to match the preferred learning styles of students.

Learn something about ‘language learning’. Remember that language is a complex system of meaningful sounds organised with a series of rules (grammar). Every student has studies enough pronunciation, grammar and sentence structure to understand this! It is also true that language is a form of behaviour involving the human need to communicate and to be understood. Language learning involves motivation, emotion, a sense of self, and a set of cultural beliefs. Language is much more than sound and words and grammar. As you learn a new language, you will produce a ‘series of successive approximations’, meaning that each attempt at a new language will bring closer to effective communication. Language learning requires that you make mistakes. Do not be afraid of a language or afraid of making errors. Develop an ability to relax; ‘playing’ with a new language is an important part of learning.

There is a significant research on the nature of language acquisition. It is important to know about the process you are involved in, so that you will understand the challenges of your study, your feelings and responses, and your progress.

Take responsibility for your own learning. A good instructor is half the equation for successful language learning. Take charge of your learning. Take charge of your learning; participate actively in your program. Look for opportunities to use your new language in any of many new environments. Be willing to make mistakes and learn from these mistakes. Focus on your goals, your study habits, and your willingness to ‘learn to learn’. Enjoy the process! Find inside yourself the reasons you want to learn, and determine ways to evaluate your success for yourself.

Your instructors and program administrators will appreciated that you have clear and realistic goals. They will respect your commitment to learning. They will respond to your efforts and encourage an open and positive student-instructor relationship. And they will applaud your progress. Your success is your reward!

Biographical Information: Cindy Barnes Ochoa is Director of Executive English Program for the Intensive English Institute, a Portland, Oregon based organisation which offers intensive English for students and business people at 10 locations throughout the United States. She is president of the American Association of Intensive English Programs.

Learning German in Austria

The number of students learning German as a foreign language has increased substantially over the last few years. People in Europe and overseas have become aware of the fact that more than 110 million people speak German as their first language. They also know that German is an important language for business and research, and that German-speaking tourists can be found across the globe.

We in Austria have always had a problem explaining two things: first, that German is spoken in our country, and secondly that it is the same as that spoken in Germany. Fortunately, the days are over when people thought that Austrians conversed in an alpine dialect that nobody could understand, much less learn. With the help of Austrian educational organisations, the number of students coming to Austria to learn German has increased, and with good reason.

This is because a language course in Austria combines two things: Language learning and cultural learning. In Austria, students learn to speak German and at the same time they have the opportunity to be immersed in the rich cultural heritage of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is a heritage that produced artists such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele; great thinkers such as Sigmund Freud and Ludwig Wittgenstein, and a host of great classical composers such as Wolfgang Mozart, Franz Schubert, Gustav Mahler and Arnold Schoenberg. Students in Vienna can see some of the world’s great masterpieces in the Fine Arts Museum or in the Belvedere. They can also spend the evening in the acclaimed Opera House, Concert House or the Musikverein, home of the world renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Students will also be sure to spend time in Vienna’s world famous coffee-houses as well as in its equally enjoyable wine taverns, or heurigen.

But there is more to Vienna than just its past. Students will also have the opportunity to l earn about the country’s present and future role, one that will only be heightened when Austria hosts the presidency of the European Union in 1998. The Vienna of today is an international city which can boast of being a headquarters of the United Nations as well as home to a number of international businesses. Vienna is once again what it was under the Habsburgs - a city at the heart of Europe with strong ties connecting the West and East. This is reflected in the type of people attracted to studying German in Vienna. Executives of Vienna-based international companies study along side of those of companies from across the world who have chosen to send their employees to study German in an intensive language program in Vienna, rather than in any city in Germany.

During the summer, the language schools are filled with young people who want to learn German, but more quickly than they can at their school or university at home. A four weeks’ intensive course in Vienna will often bring them much further than an entire school year in their own country. Many are also aware that being able to speak only one foreign language is no longer enough, and that a good command of German will certainly increase their chances on the job market.

Fortunately, the erroneous but long-held belief that German is a difficult language to learn has finally been laid to rest. Modern Teaching methods such as total immersion, confidence building, and making language learning fun are just some of the ways students learn German today. The environment of learning also contributes a lot. Vienna is one of the safest cities of the world, and it is also the home of the famous Viennese "Gemütlichkeit". It is a word that cannot be fully translated into English, but means a "comfortable-ness". This includes enjoying life as well as making foreign guests feel at home and taking the time to learn about their lives. All these things make Austria an ideal place to learn German.

The German courses offered range from short-term immersion courses for students and business people, to longer courses which can last an entire year. The latter prepare a student to study in Austria, and end with an official examination, the "Österreichisches Sprachdiplom," which not only provides an entrance ticket to university, but also an internationally-recognised examination comparable to the Cambridge Proficiency Certificate.

The summer courses are most filled with younger people, and combine intensive language learning with activities for everyone’s taste: music, sport, culture and plenty of social activities where young people from all over the world get a chance to meet and develop friendships. These friendships help promote multicultural awareness and cross-cultural understanding, both of which are imperative for the future.

The quality of the teaching is guaranteed by the language school’s membership in CAMPUS AUSTRIA, an association of private language school teaching German as a foreign language. This association requires a high level of quality, which is ensured by a frequent inspection schedule for every school.