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Enhancing your English at Deakin

May 1, 2024 - 3 min read

Have you successfully completed your IELTS but still don’t feel confident about speaking English? Or maybe you need some formal training to get into the university program you want. Either way, Deakin University is the ideal place for you.

Learning with friends

Studying at Deakin in Australia is more than an opportunity to prepare for your ideal career. It is an opportunity to meet new people from around the world. Some will be fluent in English while others will be in the same situation as you.

‘As an international student, language barriers and cultural differences are common issues,’ says Ha, who came from Vietnam to study communications at Deakin. She points out that as someone who speaks English as a second language, ‘When I first came here, there were grammar errors because I did not have many opportunities to practice amid the pandemic.’ Over time, she says, through speaking with other students and her lecturers, ‘I learnt new vocabulary and fixed my mistakes.’

Selina

Yusuke

Anuradha had a similar experience of not thinking her English was good enough. ‘Being from a non-English speaking background,’ says the Sri Lankan student, ‘I initially felt apprehensive about communicating and writing academically.’ Anuradha says that ‘Deakin provided me with a safe and supportive environment to develop my language skills and boost my confidence in interacting with others.’

Selina took advantage of Deakin’s support services to overcome her challenges with communicating. ‘I am a very shy person, the language barrier was the most challenging thing I found,’ she tells us. ‘Deakin has a very good service. It is like an English communication corner. This helped me a lot.’

DUELI

If you think you need more formal help with your English, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) is the place to get it. DUELI programs are designed to prepare you for success at Deakin University.

‘Studying at DUELI gave me the English and academic skills to begin my university studies,’ says Yusuke. ‘My teachers were always supportive. I met people from different countries. It was a fantastic opportunity to make new friends, practice English and learn about diverse cultures.’ After completing his courses at DUELI, Yusuke is now studying film and television at Deakin.

DUELI offers general programs such as English for Academic Purposes for students who want to excel in their studies. But there are also specialised programs that focus on your study area, such as commerce and teaching.

Deakin and DUELI also have many online study resources for people who want to improve their English skills. Modules include topics such as increasing your vocabulary and improving your written and spoken grammar.

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Why study at Deakin?

As one of Australia's leading tertiary education providers, Deakin offers a personalised experience enhanced by world-class programs and innovative digital engagement. We lead by creating opportunities to live and work in a connected, evolving world.

#1 university in Australia for educational experience*
Top 1% of universities worldwide**
#1 university careers service in Australia^
Victoria's #1 university for teaching quality^^
#1 university in Victoria for student satisfaction#

* 2022 Student Experience Survey, based on undergraduate students, UA benchmark group Victorian universities.
** ARWU Rankings 2023
^^ 2022 Student Experience Survey, UA benchmark group Victorian universities.
# Australian Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016–2022 (GOS), Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT).

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