Frequently Asked Questions

The minimum enrolment period is 1 week.

The average number is 12 students, with a maximum of 18.

The average age is 24 years old.

Most students choose to study Intensive General English (full-time).

BROWNS is open Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. The school is open all year round, but closed on public holidays and for the school Christmas holiday.

You can take the free BROWNS Online Placement Test (BOPT) anytime. You will also take the Placement Test on your first day at BROWNS. This test will evaluate your reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities. The results will determine what level you will be placed in.

Tourist and Working Holiday visa holders can study part-time.

Most students choose to study Intensive General English (full-time).

There are levels of English at BROWNS, from Beginner to Advanced.

The number of weeks you need depends on your current level of English, the level you wish to reach and how quickly you progress. You may wish to learn English for further study, for an exam, for professional development, for work or for travel.

We believe that students gain most from their English studies through a system of continuous assessment and monitoring. You will be expected to do homework each night, and you will sit a revision quiz each week to check your progress is on track. Your teacher will also check your BROWNS Passport weekly to monitor your progress in BROWNS Accelerate Further Learning Programme. Your teacher will then have a one-to-one consultation with you to discuss your progress and agree on strategies for further improvement.

We test students on an ongoing basis. If you have performed well and reached the appropriate level of English required, your teacher will inform you that you are ready to move up a class or level. Each level at BROWNS is based on 10 weeks’ full-time study.

Yes.

Yes. All students who satisfactorily complete their course will receive a BROWNS certificate. It states name, course studied, dates and length of study, listening, speaking, reading and writing marks, overall performance and attendance.

All of our teachers are experienced and professional and hold specialist TESOL qualifications. They receive ongoing teacher development training to keep up to date with the latest teaching methodology and materials.

BROWNS Active8 Programme has been carefully designed to be wide-ranging, comprehensive and very practical. We cover the core language learning skills in the morning and give you extra time in the afternoons to focus on specific areas such as grammar, speaking, vocabulary expansion, listening and pronunciation, as well as covering English for your daily life to help you manage in a variety of social situations. By enrolling in Active8, you benefit from a focused, integrated course covering the 8 skills and systems that lead to English fluency.

For every hour in the classroom, you can achieve clear learning outcomes that help you fulfill your learning goals. Students enrolled in an IELTS Preparation Course receive a free Coursebook – “Step up to IELTS” or “IELTS Masterclass”. The Coursebooks are for students to write in, take home and keep after they graduate! Condition: Student must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 weeks.

Yes! Students enrolled in a BROWNS course will receive course materials according to the Resource Fee Policy. For example, if a student enrols for 60 weeks and starts their Intensive General English course at Beginner Level (level 1) and finishes at Advanced Level (level 6), they will receive a total of six (6) coursebooks. The coursebook is for students to write in, take home and keep. Condition: Student must be enrolled for a minimum of 4 weeks.

We carefully select the best textbooks available to complement our high-quality curriculum. We also use other materials, including audio and video, to cater for the needs of learners. Classes include task-based activities, work in pair or small groups, use of video and internet resources, stories, songs, debates, discussions and writing activities. Our lessons are based on real-life tasks, which aim to increase interest and therefore maximize your potential!

Please contact BROWNS for study pathway information.

At BROWNS we have an Academic Counsellor who can help you with your further study options. They can advise you on what is the best course for you, how to enrol at a university and can also write you a letter of recommendation once you have reached the required level of English.

You are issued with a BROWNS student card when you begin. It can be used for borrowing books from the library, as well as getting student discounts on meals at cafés/restaurants and movie tickets.

Our high-speed Internet and email access is free! The Language Software installed on our computers allows students to receive and send emails in any text. Students are also able to surf websites in any language.

Students can connect their laptops to the BROWNS WiFi network during school hours. Devices should be charged and it is recommended that students bring a portable charger.

Computer facilities can be used before class, during breaks and after class.

BROWNS is open until 5:30pm, Monday to Friday. After class you can use computers, borrow books, watch videos and do your own study/homework. There is a teacher available to help you if you have any questions. BROWNS also offers free student activities. You can view, and register for activities on the myBROWNS app.

Please refer to the BROWNS conditions of enrolment.

Visit the Study Australia website to use their ‘Cost of Living Calculator’:https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/life-in-australia/living-and-education-costs

BROWNS can help you do all these things. All you need from us is an Acceptance Letter. This states that you are enrolled at BROWNS and includes your name, address, date of birth and dates/length of study. You just need to take this with any other documents required.

There are lots of good doctors and dentists close to BROWNS. If you want a doctor or dentist who speaks your own language, our Student Services team can help refer you to the appropriate person.

The South East Queensland region (Brisbane and Gold Coast) is sub-tropical and averages 300 days of sunshine a year. “Beautiful one day, perfect the next!” Daytime temperatures range from around 30°C in the Summer to around 20°C in the Winter. Even during mid-winter people go to the beach for a surf and a barbecue. Victoria (Melbourne) experiences a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm, with average daytime temperatures around 25°C, while winters are cooler, averaging 14°C during the day. Melbourne is also known for its variable weather, so it’s often said you can experience “four seasons in one day!”

Standard Time: Brisbane and Gold Coast operate on GMT +10 year-round. Melbourne also operates on GMT +10, but observes daylight saving time, advancing to GMT +11 from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April.

BROWNS Brisbane Campus is a 1 minute walk to Queen Street Mall (Brisbane’s central shopping and eating district), 2 minute walk to banks and the post office, 5 minute walk to Central Railway station, 5 minute walk to Brisbane City Library, 6 minute walk to Brisbane River, 15 minute walk to South Bank (Brisbane’s cultural and arts precinct) and 10 minutes by bus to Fortitude Valley (Brisbane’s music and nightlife scene).

BROWNS Gold Coast Campus is a 3 minute walk to Australia Fair Shopping Centre (shops, food outlets and supermarkets), 3 minute walk to the cinemas, 4 minutes walk to banks and the post office, 4 minute walk to the Southport Library, 1 minute walk to IELTS Testing Centre, 6 minutes walk to the Southport Broadwater Parklands, 13 minutes by bus to Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast’s shopping precinct and nightlife scene).

BROWNS Melbourne Campus is centrally located in the heart of the city. It’s a short walk to major attractions such as Federation Square, the Yarra River, and the State Library Victoria. The campus is also well-served by public transport, with multiple tram stops and train stations nearby, providing easy access to all parts of the city.

All homestays are located within 50 minutes travel time to/from BROWNS’ Brisbane or Gold Coast campus, and within 1 hour and 15 minutes travel time to/from BROWNS’ Melbourne Campus.

At BROWNS we will place you with a friendly homestay family that has been carefully selected to suit your requirements (eg. a family with young children or a family with no pets, etc).

Our Homestay Coordinator is available to help you if you have any homestay questions or problems

BROWNS Airport Pick Up and Drop Off services is available in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne. Brisbane International airport is approximately a 20 minute drive to Brisbane city or a 50 minute drive to the Gold Coast (depending on traffic). If you wish, a BROWNS representative can meet your flight at Brisbane International airport and drive you directly to your accommodation. There is also a bus coach service and train line linking Brisbane International Airport to Brisbane City and the Gold Coast. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is approximately 30 minutes drive to the city. There is also a bus service that links the airport to Melbourne’s city centre.