International students complete their English bridging course.

Mr Tan (right) and Ms Tobing on the last day of their ELBP course.

It was yet another round of smiles recently, when a group of 15 students completed their English Language Bridging Programme organised by the Monash University English Language Centre.

The students who graduate from the course this year came from several countries, including Indonesia, Bangladesh and even Norway.

The course, which was held over a 10-week period, saw the students undergoing a programme designed to enhance their English speaking and writing skills, as well as provide them with some basic learning skills for their undergraduate courses.

“The ELBP course is an English bridging programme designed to allow students who fall short of the language requirements an entry pathway to Monash University programmes,” said MUELC Director Mr Graham Down.

He said the programme’s been primarily designed to improve their English skills.

“However, we also provide the students with some basic learning and presentation skills that they can apply during their undergraduate courses,” said Mr Down.

One of the students, Mr Harris Hertanto Tan said he found the course a very useful preparation for his undergraduate studies.

Students of the ELBP course during their outing to Genting Highlands.  Standing at the back, second from left, is MUELC Director Mr Graham Down.

He said because the number of students was small, they benefited from almost personalised attention.

“It was great that the lecturer was able to remember all our names and provide individual feedback on our strengths and areas we needed to look at,” said Mr Tan, an Indonesian student from Medan.

Mr Tan said the assignments given out to the students also provided with the opportunity to carry out research and interact with fellow students in the programme.

Another student Ms Putri Tobing said going through the programme has given her greater confidence in taking up her Bachelor of Business and Commerce programme.

MsTobing, who is also from Medan, Indonesia, said the class was also conducted in a very friendly environment, which made it very conducive for the students to interact with each other and the lecturer.

During the course, the students also went on a sight-seeing trip to Genting Highlands.