Looking for a Berlitz/Callan/other aural-method school in Australia

[hypertokyo]

My Japanese friend is looking to study English in Australia this summer for 3 to 4 months. He would like to drastically improve his speaking skills.
He is looking for places which offer intensive spoken English courses based on the 'direct' or 'aural' method (similar to the Berlitz Method, the Callan Method et al), as opposed to a to an ordinary 'General English' course.
Does anyone know of a school (besides Berlitz, of course) which offers this type of program? Perhaps your institution offers one? Thanks for any pointers

[Margy]

Hello hypertokyo.

I'm confused as to what you mean by the 'direct' or 'aural' method. Can you explain?

When ESL students study English abroad, it's common that there is more than 1 nationality in the classroom. Hence the teacher can only speak English.

Do you mean listening to tapes and CD's in a lab style environment?

[hypertokyo]

Originally Posted by Margy

Hello hypertokyo.

I'm confused as to what you mean by the 'direct' or 'aural' method. Can you explain?

In the "Direct" or "Aural" method students learn English in a similar way that children acquire their native tongue. At first a student masters understanding and then, by means of repeating, speaking. The moment the correct pronunciation is learned, the reading and writing follow.

Teachers talk to students at a rate of 200-240 words per minute. It prevents from fatigue during classes and makes students concentrate on each single minute of a lesson. Thanks to it he will be able to understand real everyday speech (usually one utters 160 words a minute).

The above differs from General English classes not only in the way of teaching but also the greatly increased speed that students can start speaking the language. The disadvantage is that grammar, reading and writing skills do not develop at the same pace.

The Berlitz Method and the Callan Method are two proprietary programs established using the above principles.

My friend is looking for schools in Australia which employ a form of the Direct or Aural method in their classes. Can you help?

[Margy]

Interesting concept. I think it will be hard to find such a school. I like the idea though of the aural and direct method.

Why don't more schools use this then?

If your friend cannot find a school that deals with this method, then I suggest he hang out with native English speakers. Problem with many international students is that they learn English overseas, and then outside the classroom hang around with non-native English speakers.

Tell him go to a pub or something and make friends with native English speakers. This would be the aural or direct method to a tea.

Thanks for your explanation. Was great!