Learn to Live!

BBELS Agent Handbook

Last update 15.11.11

Byron Bay

Byron Bay

☼ One of Australia’s most popular tourist and

backpacker destinations

☼ Town Population 10,000

☼ Region Population 30,000

☼ Brisbane International Airport 168 km

☼ Gold Coast Airport 80 km

☼ Average temperatures:

Summer - 28 C

Winter - 21 C

Byron Bay

Byron Bay Market

Byron Bay

Beautiful sandy beaches

Friendly people

Interesting shopping

Warm climate

Surfing waves

Diving – top 10 dive location

Whales

Dolphins

Relaxed cosmopolitan atmosphere

No traffic lights or pollution

Mountains

Rainforests

Restaurants, cafes, live music

Beauty and healing activities

Very Australian experience

Byron Bay is a safe town!

Tallow Beach

Interesting facts…

1. Crocodile Dundee - producer and actors made $’s and came to Byron Bay in

1989. Created the Beach Hotel and bought land. Brought attention to Byron Bay

2. Grease - Olivia Newton John has a health resort 15 minutes behind Byron Bay

3. 1996 Byron Bay Council (Greens) stopped most development.

4. 1997 Club Med was denied the right to operate in Byron Bay

5. 1998 McDonalds was denied the right to operate in Byron Bay

6. 2007 - NSW government decided to restrict development in Byron Bay to protect

its natural assets and prevent another Gold Coast.

Local people are trying to protect the natural charm that Byron Bay offers!

Byron Bay

Homestay Families School and CBD Homestay Families

“Byron Bay - one of the most attractive location on the whole East Coast!”

Lonely Planet Travel Guide

BBELS - the school

Established March 1998

Ownership Byron Bay English Language School Pty Ltd

100% by Mr Michael and Mrs Alena O’Grady

Accreditation NEAS Australia July 2002

ACPET Australian Council of Private Educators and Trainers

IALC International Association of Language Centres

Our Philosophy “Learn to Live!”

Mission To provide high quality English language tuition in a

beautiful and natural environment and to compliment this

educational experience with a range of activity options.

Teachers University Degree, ESL teaching qualification, teaching

experienced and friendly

School capacity: 200 students

Nationalities EU: Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany,

Czech, Spain etc

ASIA: Japan, Korea, Taiwan

SOUTH AMERICA: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Argentina

Subject to seasonal v ariations

BBELS - School Building

☼ 2 storey building

☼ Byron Bay CBD

☼ bus stop 1 minute walk

☼ 14 air-conditioned classrooms

☼ 2 x large balconies

☼ school capacity: 200 students

Facilities Ground Floor

☼ 6 x air-conditioned classrooms

☼ Reception

☼ Academic staff room

☼ Cafe Oska - coffee, juices and lunches

☼ 8 x computers / internet

☼ Wireless internet facilities Wi-Fi

☼ Activities desk

Café Oska

☼ Student special lunch every day

☼ Best coffee in Byron Bay

☼ Free Wi Fi

☼ Located on ground floor of our building

Facilities - First Floor

☼ 1 x covered outdoor balcony

☼ 1 x sun deck

☼ 8 x air-conditioned classrooms

☼ semi commercial kitchen - lunches and cooking classes

☼ 14 x lap top computers

☼ wireless internet Wi-Fi

☼ accommodation services and management

Student Lounge

Balcony - First Floor

is

On campus from 8.30am – 3.30pm

☼ General English – Full Time

☼ General English – Part Time

☼ Cambridge Exam Preparation – FCE, CAE + CPE

☼ IELTS exam Preparation

☼ English Plus Surfing, Diving or Music

☼ English Plus Yoga Teacher Training

☼ Teen Programs – July and August

☼ Group study Tours

☼ Private Tuition

☼ Primary or High School Placements

Courses

TIME TABLE - Full Time

Session1: 9am* – 10.30am

Session2: 11am – 12.30pm

Session3: 1.30pm – 3pm

Contact: 22.5 hours

Class size: 12 average

15 maximum

* Summer classes may also start at

8.30am or 9.30am

The IELTS examination is an internationally recognised measure of English Language proficiency for university entry in English speaking countries (Academic module) and general purposes (General Training module). This course focuses on the four components of the examination: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

Start Dates: January, March June, September

Duration: 6 or 12 weeks

Levels required - Intermediate +

Books Focus on IELTS

Timetable Session 1: 9*am – 10.30am

Session 2: 11am – 12.30pm

Session 3 1.30pm – 3.00pm *Summer classes also start at 08.30 or 09.30

Contact: 22.5 hours

Class Size: 14 students maximum 11 students average

Students enrolling for General English may move to IELTS with the consent of the academic director, and if place exist in the class.

Exams 2 x per month at either Gold Coast or Brisbane

Provides 1.entrance to tertiary institutions in Australia 2. residency applications

Cambridge examinations provide successful students with an internationally recognised certificate of English language proficiency. Focus is speaking, reading, listening and writing and includes regular practice exams.

Start Dates: January, March, September

Duration: 10 or 12 weeks

Levels required:

FCE – Intermediate

CAE– upper intermediate

CPE - advanced

Books – FCE Results

Timetable Session 1: 9*am – 10.30am Session 2: 11am – 12.30pm Session 3 1.30pm – 3.00pm

*Summer classes also start at 08.30 or 09.30

Contact: 22.5 hours

Class Size: 14 max, 11 average Qualifying tests Students must complete a pre-test before acceptance to a Cambridge course is confirmed. Our pre-test is available by email. The Cambridge coordinator may suggest to a student that the exam course is not suitable for them. In this case, the student must join General English. Students starting CAE who display insufficient English language ability during week 1 must join FCE. The Cambridge course coordinator has the final

decision and students must accept this decision.

General English Cambridge IELTS

Classes focus on effective communication in English. Teachers use modern texts, audio / videotapes, local newspapers and magazines to improve your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

Afternoon Electives –weeks 1 – 4 vocabulary & speaking, Australian studies, cinema studies, grammar, hospitality / tourism / work in Australia

Start Dates - Any Monday but see prefered start dates. A new General English course starts every 4 weeks.

Assessment test every 4 weeks

Duration: 2 – 52 weeks

Levels 1 Elementary 2 Pre-Intermediate 3 Intermediate 4 Upper Intermediate 5 Advanced Beginners require private tuition before joining elementary class Books Cutting Edge series

Contact: Full Time 22.5 hours

Part time 15 hours

Timetable 9am* – 3pm or 1.30 – 6.30pm

Class Size: 15 students maximum 11 students average

*Summer classes also start at 08.30 or 09.30

☼ Graduation Ceremony

BBELS School Life

Electives - General English

ELECTIVE CLASSES - GENERAL ENGLISH

Elective classes offer full time General English (GE) students

an opportunity to focus on their own special needs and interests.

It is a very popular part of our GE program. Student feedback

indicates a high level of satisfaction with this component of our

GE course.

Topics include:

Vocabulary & Speaking Australian Studies

English Structure Work in Australia - Hospitality, Tourism

Listening & Pronunciation IELTS Preparation

International Business English Reading & Writing Skills

Cinema Studies Wellness

DETAILS

•classes are mixed levels classes

•classes are for intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced students

•classes run every Wed, Thu & Friday afternoon, 1.30pm – 3pm

•electives are only available for full t ime GE students

•students have a different class and teacher for their electives

•classes run for 4 weeks then students can change class

•students indicate their elective preferences in Week 1

•a minimum of 6 students is required for a particular elective to run

•elective subjects are changed every 4 weeks

•new elective classes are added every 4 weeks

☼ Graduation

Faces of Success

English plus Surfing

Part-time English

+

2 week learn to surf program

The course focuses on:

☼ progressing a student's ability to

master a surfboard

☼ knowledge of the ocean

☼ fitness for surfing

☼ equipment and surf safety

Our professional surfing school provides:

☼ qualified instructors

☼ surfboard or body-board

☼ wetsuit or rash vest

☼ Sunscreen

☼ transport

Start Dates first Monday of each

month ONLY

Duration: 2 weeks (surf 8 afternoons)

Levels suitable for beginners

Timetable 1.30pm – 3.30pm

4 days per week

2 weeks

Class Size: 8 students maximum

6 students average

Closed class for BBELS student only!

Part-time English

+

3 surf lessons per week

Our professional surfing school provides:

☼ qualified instructors

☼ surfboard or body-board

☼ wetsuit or rash vest

☼ Sunscreen

☼ transport

Start Dates any Monday

Duration: 2 weeks

Levels suitable for beginners

Timetable 1.30pm – 3.30pm

3 days per week

Class Size: 8 students maximum

6 students average

Class is open to other tourists and backpackers

Learn to Surf Surfing 2

Group Study Tours

English language tuition + local cultural tours and

activities including:

•Horse Riding and farm stay

•Surfing lessons

•Currumbin Wildlife Sancturary

•Whale and dolphin watching

•Diving and snorkeling

•High School + kindergarten visits

•Country excursions

•Beach volleyball

•Soccer, tennis, basketball

•Salsa dancing

•Didjeridoo lessons

•Aboriginal culture display

•Golf lessons

•Sea kayaking

•Yoga, Massage and beauty

Visas

12 weeks or less: TOURIST VISA

STUDENT VISA

with work

Up to 17 weeks : WORKING

HOLIDAY VISA

13 weeks or more

See immi.gov.au for

details or ask us!

Internships Working Holiday Job Club

Web designers

Hospitality

Local Businesses

Placements are mostly in local

restaurants and resorts

Subject to applicants submission of

their related studies and work

history listed in a current Résumé.

Most internships are unpaid.

4 weeks minimum wage internship

in restaurant and further work

depends on their performance.

There are also resorts in Ballina

and Tweed, which are just 20

minutes from Byron Bay.

Minimum requirement

upper - intermediate English or

IELTS 6.0 and 21 years of age.

All applicants must attend a

minimum of 4 weeks English

language course at BBELS

Fee for placement and support is

$770.

Guaranteed* Job opportunities

for after their English studies !

Byron Bay Chicken Factory

or

Casino Meat Factory

or

Booyong Pig Factory

or

Fruit picking in NSW + QLD

or

Ski Field work NSW and VIC

Most work is general laboring

* guarantee is for farm work only

and may mean travelling away from

Byron Bay to access this work.

Minimum requirement:

intermediate English or IELTS 5.0

and 18 years of age.

All applicants must attend a

minimum of 10 weeks English

language course at BBELS.

Our fee for placement is $200.

Refund $100 if unsuccessful

We offer assistance to find paid

work in Byron Bay while

students study English!

Cleaning

Bar and Restaurants

Baby sitting

Manufacturing

Pay is $15 – 18 per hour

Most work is night and weekends

Minimum requirement

intermediate English or IELTS 5.0

and 18 years of age.

All applicants must attend a

minimum of 10 weeks English

language course at BBELS.

Our fee for placement is $200.

Refund $100 if not successful

Effective Language Program for Long Term Students

Example :

September to December 3 months study work possible 20 per week

Dec to mid February 2 months work / travel work possible no limit

February 1 month GE refresh work possible 20 per week

March to April 1 month work work possible no limit

The courses and length of program can be varied. Students can start at any time of the year.

Important - For long enrolments (4 – 7 months), students benefit from a break in their studies, enabling language

“experiences” via work and/or travel. They often realize during their break that they have more to learn and thus

become motivated for their remaining “refresh” study months. Thus all of their study months become effective months.

Positions available:

Work opportunities in Byron Bay are greatest during the summer season = December to February.

Byron Bay chefs, cafes, restaurants (dishwashing, catering), factories

Web design, video, development – pay from $17.50 per hour

Farms guaranteed placement in several locations in NSW, QLD,

TAS - pay rates vary in each location

Requirements

•full t ime General English, IELTS or Cambridge courses only

•student visa (SV) or working holiday maker (WHM) status

•immigration attendance – 80% attendance minimum for SV

•minimum intermediate level of English 4 weeks prior to job placement

Placement + Support fee $200 - one job arrangement either in Byron Bay or in any other location.

This fee can be refunded if student find a job without our assistance.

work + travel GE Refresh FCE / CAE / CPE / IELTS / GE

Study – Work - Refresh

3 months

work + travel

2 months 1 month 1 month

You can live with a local Byron Bay family.

☼ Local "Aussie" hospitality

☼ Use your English in a day to day environment

Homestay accommodation includes:

☼ single/ twin*/ double* room with study desk

☼ 2 meals per day on week days

☼ 3 meals per day on the weekends

* Twin/ double homestay is offered for couples or friends traveling together

Travel To School

average travel time = 10 minutes by bike or bus

longest homestay distance= 5 kilometres or 20 minutes by bike

flat bike track = no hills!

2012 Prices

Single homestay 18 years and over $240 per week Single Homestay under 18 years $270 per week

Extra nights: $35 Placement fee under 18 years $300

Twin/ Double homestay: $190 per week Single homestay – breakfast only $170 per week

Extra nights: $30

Homestay Placement fee: $200 Christmas week surcharge: $40 per person

22.12 – 29.12.12

Accommodation - Homestay

Accommodation – Student houses

Live with other international students!

☼ Single, twin and double rooms (some with own bathroom)

☼ Shared bathroom and kitchen facilities.

☼ Bed linen and all bills are included. Towels not included

☼ Wi-Fi in all houses - free.

☼ Location is less than 10 minutes bicycle ride to school and town.

☼ Student houses are only for BBELS students of 18 years and over.

PRICES 2012

Placement fee $200 per person

Single rooms $200 per week pp

Twin share rooms $150 per week pp

Double room $300 per week per couple

Double room with en-suite bathroom $320 per week per couple

Bond $200 and maintenance fee $30 $230

Please check our website for updates to this style of accommodation.

BBELS Student Houses

BBELS Student Houses Locations

5 minutes walk

2 minutes bike

School 10 minutes walk

5 minutes bike

Accommodation and Transfers

BBELS has 3 dormitory style rooms in the school building.

There are 4 and 6 bed dormitories. Students have full use of

the kitchen cooking and bathrooms facilities plus

computers and free wireless internet.

Hostel price: $27 per night or $180 per week

Perfect for student who want to find some accommodation

by themselves!

Private rooms and apartments are available on request.

Students can rent a room provided by local people. Students

have shared use of kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities.

Single Room price: from $150 -200 per week

Shared Room price: from $120 per week.

Placement fee: $200

Brisbane International Gold Coast Ballina

100 minutes $220 45 minutes $110 20 minutes $88

BBELS Service or www.byronbayshuttle.com.au

Hostel

Private Rooms

AIRPORT

TRANSFERS

Further studies - Pathways

We currently have agreements with the following education providers in Australia for direct

entry into their degree and vocation programs, subject to a satisfactory result in BBELS IELTS

course:

Lismore, Gold Coast and Tweed Heads scu.edu.au

Kingscliffe nci.tafensw.edu.au

Byron Bay sae.edu

• Beach Volleyball / Beach Tennis

• Football / Soccer / Basketball

• Table tennis

• Card games – poker nights

• Trivia Nights at school

• Bingo

Activities

Surfing Courses

Shopping Trips – Gold CoastDiving Courses

Snorkelling

Mountain Biking

Sea Kayaking

Hinterland Tours

Tennis

Theme Parks

Horse riding

Camping – Frazer Island

Sky Diving

Salsa Dancing

Drumming Classes

Learn Guitar, piano

Plus many more………

Activities in Byron Bay

New friends

Drinks

Music

Fun

BBELS Live Music Nights

BBQ Party

BBQ Party

BBQ Party

Buddie BarBQ

Nightlife in Byron Bay

• 4 pubs

• 5 nightclubs

• 2 Cinemas

• Regular music and film festivals

Our Team

Kenny Paula

Ali

Anna

☼ Reception & Japanese national

☼ Director of Studies

☼ Director

☼Activities

☼Student House

☼

☼Homestay

☼ Reception & Brazilian national

☼Accounting

☼ Reception & Korean national

☼ General Manager

New Friendships

Lifestyle

w w w . b b e l s . c o m . a u

… learn to live!