[originaltext]Denis: Hi, there, Fiona.Fiona: Hi, Denis.Denis: This semester i

Denis: Hi, there, Fiona.
Fiona: Hi, Denis.
Denis: This semester is coming to the end at last. After a semester of hard study, I really need a good rest.
Fiona: Have you got any idea of your holiday?
Denis: Yes, I’m going to join an Italian tour.
Fiona: Great.
Denis: How about you?
Fiona: I will go to Australia to study English.
Denis: Why to Australia?
Fiona: Because it is the closest English speaking country to Thailand.
Denis: And I heard there are many choices for students.
Fiona: Yes, there, I can either study English separately, along with other subjects, or combined with fun and relaxation. And English language tuition is available across a vast range of levels which caters to all abilities. Over 160 institutions offer specialist English language tuition for international students.
Denis: Sounds good. I have thought of studying English abroad, too. Maybe next year. So I have made some investigations. I found that all Australian universities have their own English language centres or have links with English language colleges.
Fiona: Yes. Those English language colleges that are not part of a university may be privately or government operated or part of government technical and business colleges. These colleges also provide English as part of their other courses.
Denis: I believe that these arrangements ensure that all international students have access to English language tuition. So they can either successfully complete their academic studies or drastically improve their level of spoken and written English...mmmm...I forget to ask, when will you leave and how long will you study there?
Fiona: I’m going to leave next Monday and spend the whole holiday there.
Denis: So, that is to say, you are going to study in a summer school.
Fiona: Not exactly a summer school. It is only a more relaxed way to study English in Australia -- as part of a vacation. Visitors on a tourist visa can undertake English study for up to three months. Many visitors take advantage of their holiday to upgrade their English. This informal English language tuition offers endless flexibility with courses specially designed for individuals or groups. Many colleges cater for specialist sports and hobbies by running English courses combined with pastimes such as scuba diving, golf, sailing, horse riding or wine appreciation. These are known as "study tours". I’ m just in one of them.
Denis: Besides studying in class, is there any out-of-class activities?
Fiona: Certainly there are. One particularly popular option is called Foundation Studies. It combines preparation for under- graduate university studies with improving one’s ability to speak, read, understand and listen to English. Another popular option is a "farmstay" where visitors are able to learn English while experiencing life on a cattle or sheep station.
Denis: It must be very interesting. Have you registered a "farmstay"?
Fiona: Yes, I will stay in a sheep station for two weeks.
Denis: It’s so attractive. You make me make up my mind to go to Australia next vacation. What suggestion would you like to give me?
Fiona: Mmm...I think you should first think of what to learn there.
Denis: To improve my English, of course.
Fiona: No, no... mmm... I mean you want to study general English or English for academic purposes.
Denis: What’s the difference?
Fiona: General English is designed for people who wish to improve their practical English skills for work or travel. The course focuses on the active use of English for effective communication in a wide range of formal and informal situations. General English courses can be undertaken at any level from beginner through to advanced levels. And English for academic purposes is designed to prepare overseas students for further studies in which English is the language of instruction. Incorporating reading and writing skills for academic purposes, presentation skills and an introduction to research skills, this is one of the most popular courses amongst those continuing on to higher education.
Denis: Terrific. There are so many choices. You have given me a lot of help.
Fiona: That’s my pleasure.
Denis: I should have talked to you earlier. Then maybe we can go to Australia this vacation together.
Fiona: It’s a pity. But I am going first and then I can tell you my experience there. So you may have a better preparation.