A: 40 minutes from Gold Coast airport and one hour from Brisbane airport.
A: We have an airport pick-up service. To find our more, please click here, or check public transportation: http://www.translink.com.au/
A: We have an airport pick-up service. To find out more, please click here, or check public transportation: www.translink.com.au
A: Please check: www.translink.com.au
A: Please check: www.translink.com.au
A: One hour by car or 1.5 hours by bus and train (from Helensvale station).
A: Southport (Australia Fair bus stop) is one of the busiest bus stops on the Gold Coast. The majority of buses on the Gold Coast come to Southport therefore it is very convenient. However, some suburbs don’t have such good services. It is a 2-minute walk from the main bus stop to the school.
A: Most buses go through Surfers Paradise and can be caught next to Inforum. It is 7 minutes (three stops) by bus.
A: It is depending on zones you are travelling. Please click here to see the zone and price.
A: See our Location.
A: Library, free BBQs in the park next to the water, shopping centre, banks, cheap restaurants, two major supermarkets, many small Asian supermarkets, Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, two major hospitals and many medical specialists.
A: Yes, most are available. There are many supermarkets which sell multi-cultural food.
A: Unlike Surfers Paradise, there aren’t many tourists in Southport so it is an excellent location for studying.
A: The library is quiet and close to school and is free. Also after your lessons, some Inforum classrooms are available for self studying till 5pm.
A: Please relax, rest and catch up with some sleep. If you are with a host family, they will show you the nearest bus stop to catch a bus from and take you to school. If you want to do some shopping, ask your host mother to take you to the local super market. If you are staying at the residence, please ask your roommate to show you the school and supermarket.
A: There is an orientation program, placement test and Southport tour. There is a detailed schedule on your acceptance letter.
A: Passport, pencils, an eraser and your acceptance letter.
A: You will need to go to one of six local banks with your passport and one more ID with a photo (e.g. driver’s license). Some banks have, “Student Accounts”, where you don’t have to pay monthly fees.
A: There will be a placement test on your first day to check your level. If you have to know your level first, please contact us.
A: Between 80 – 110 students.
A:Its depending on month or your class. This is just an indication.
Brazil 8%
Colombia 4%
Chile 3%
China 1%
Czech 4%
France 4%
Hungary 4%
Japan 29%
Saudi Arabia 3%
South Korea 27%
Swiss 3%
Taiwan 4%
Thai 3%
Venezuela 3%
A: For General English, the average is 12 students per class and the maximum is 18; for Cambridge FCE the maximum size is 12 students.
A: General English and IELTS Exam Preparation: 20 hours per week but if you join the afternoon Workshops, this could be up to 23 hours per week; for Cambridge FCE, 25 hours per week plus Workshops.
A: No, usually you have the same teacher but a maximum of 2 different teachers, which is good for your listening practice.
A: About seven.
A: Five levels: Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Advanced (IELTS).
A: 1 week for General English, 12 weeks for FCE, 5 for IELTS.
A: General English: 50 weeks, FCE: 12 week, IELTS: 20 weeks
A: 10 weeks
A: Yes, it’s possible but you have to be very good. You can take a level-up test any Friday afternoon with our Academic Manager but you need your teacher’s recommendation first.
A: The majority of people are in their mid-late 20s but we have hosted a 75-year old student and there are always some who are in their 40s – 50s.
A: Yes. The fee will be shown in your invoice.
A: Yes the school has desktop computers and Wi-Fi available for your laptop.
A: You can change the language on the computers to almost anything (Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Czech and many others).
A: Not as common as some other countries, but most people have it.
A: It is quick as long as users don’t download large items e.g. movies, as this will cause it to slow down.
A: Usually not. But you can request a Quality host family. The usage is limited so you can only use it to check your emails and call home.
A: Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available for your computer. There are no computers at the residence so please bring your own. The usage is limited so you can only use the internet for emailing, browsing the net and contacting your family.
A: We have 44 different activities throughout the year, including BBQs, visiting natural areas, playing sports and games, kangaroo walks, and much more. Please check our Activities page.
A: Activities are run every Friday afternoon or sometimes during weekends.
A: Yes any student that has studied at Inforum is welcome.
A: We have many free activities, and very low cost ones for students with limited funds. For example, wild kangaroo watch is free ($0.00), BBQ is $5.00, and Movies in the Park evenings are free.
A: $40 with Inforum Student ID. We have a discount card for you at school.
A: Australian water is safe to drink and Gold Coast water is nice to drink. There is also a water filter at Inforum.
A: You can buy a basic mobile from the shopping centre for $29 - $39. Students often use pre-paid phones.
A: Between $5 and $10.
A: Yes, both are available at the cheapest price in Southport.
A: You can ask for help about anything and we will do our best to assist you.
A: These items can be left at reception while you are away from the school if for a short period of time.
A: Printing is direct from the computers at a cost of 20 cents per page (Black & White) or $1 (Colour).
A: Yes, Inforum can help you apply for this.
A: You can apply at www.responsibleservice.com.au or ask for assistance at Inforum’s reception.
A: Inforum provides free Workshops about jobs, resume writing and Hospitality English.
A: Yes, there is a Japanese Medical Centre in Surfers Paradise. The phone number is 5538 6355. You can come to Reception and we’ll help you to book an appointment.
A: Extension is possible and subject to availability. Please ask Diana when you come to school.
A: No, just let your host family know what time so they don’t worry. If you don’t need dinner, please tell your family by the morning.
A: By bus or taxi.
A: Yes, but you must give two weeks’ notice and pay 1 week’s cancellation fee.
A: Phones can be used with an international phone card. We give you the first card.
A: All accommodation is in the surrounding suburbs of Southport. The closest is 10 minutes on foot but the majority is 20-30 minutes by bus.
A: No, all accommodation is to be through Inforum.
A: The cost of the internet is expensive in Australia.
A: No, you must take the bus or taxi.
A: You will share with only one other person.
A: You must clean up after yourself when cooking and tidy your own room; cleaning of common areas is done by a cleaner twice a week.
A: Yes, it is free and you will be given the password when you arrive.
A: Yes, there are shops a few meters down the street. These include: Asian grocery, restaurant, pharmacy, convenience store, café, laundry and pizza shop.
A: We have a lot of accommodation listed on our Inforum notice board, also local papers and internet sites.
A: As little as $80 but an average of $100-$160 depending on location and quality.
A: Most students find what they are looking for within 2-4 weeks.
A: Some students have found work in the first 2 weeks, but usually 4 - 6 weeks; this will depend on your skill, English level and dedication to job hunting.
A: You will have to have a Tax File Number (TFN) to get a job. So, applying for your TFN is the first thing you will have to do. Then resume making, interview practice and then take the resume to as many employers as possible!! Our free Work Ready workshop will help you to apply for the TFN, make a resume and have you ready for the interview.
A: Share house: $100~$160 per week, food and living supplies: $50~$100 per week, leisure: $30 ~
A: This is the price at a local super market in October 2010
Vegetables
Onion: $2.99 per kg; Garlic:$1 (4 pieces); Potatoes: $1.90 per kg; Carrots: $1.99 per kg; Cabbage:$1.98 each; Spring Onions: $2.48 a bunch; Lettuce: $2.48 each; Tomatoes: $4.00 per kg; Avocado: $1.50 each.
Meat
Chicken: $8.50 per kg; Chicken Drumsticks: $4.60 per kg; Chicken Wings: $4.00 per kg; Beef $6.98 per kg; Beef sausage: $3.30 560g; Bacon: $8.00 per kg.
Others
Eggs: $1.99 (12 eggs); Milk: $3.09 (3 L); Margarine: $1.09 (500g); Ice cream: $5 ~ (4L); Cola: $3.30 (2L); Beer: $13 (6 bottles); Chips: $2.60 (175g); Tim Tams: $2.89 per packet; Rice: $22.95 (10kg); Noodles: $1 to $2 (6 packets); Coffee: $3 to $11 (200g); Water: $1 to $2 (1.5 L); Oil: $2 to $3 (750g) Bread: $1.09 per loaf.
Toiletries
Washing Powder: $5 (1 kg); Softener: $6 (1L): Toilet paper: $4 (12 rolls); Sun cream: $3 to $8 (125ml) Toothpaste: $2 to $5 (110g); Pantene shampoo: $15 (750ml); Dove: $4.50 (300ml)
Cigarettes
Marlboro: $14 to $18 (pack of 20). Yes, they’re expensive so it’s a really good time to quit smoking!
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