Unit rationale, description and aim

International students studying health sciences or education in Australia may require an external English language proficiency test result for entry into undergraduate studies, professional registration, or employment. To perform competently in such tests, candidates need appropriate language proficiency, test-taking strategies, and task experience. Reflecting on and developing language and communicative competencies will also underpin success in tertiary studies, professional interactions, and adapting to academic and workplace environments. This unit supports students in developing the skills needed to achieve the required proficiency in an external English language test. The focus is on improving language accuracy, fluency, flexibility, and the ability to respond to various topic and task types effectively. It provides test-taking strategies, detailed feedback, and opportunities to apply skills in timed, controlled practice tasks designed to replicate real test conditions. Students must reflect on feedback, identify strengths and weaknesses, and implement targeted approaches to enhance their language learning, skills development, and task fulfillment. The unit aims to build students' English language proficiency while equipping them with strategies, practical experience, and confidence to succeed in the various tasks and macro-skill components of an external English language proficiency test.

2026 10

Campus offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.

Incompatible

ACOM121 Proficiency Test Preparation

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Complete a practice external English language prof...

Learning Outcome 01

Complete a practice external English language proficiency test
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC3, GC11

Identify areas for improvement post practice profi...

Learning Outcome 02

Identify areas for improvement post practice proficiency test and propose strategies and goals for further improvement
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC7, GC9, GC11, GC12

Content

Topics will include:

  • A variety of general knowledge and academic topics
  • Understanding external test requirements, strategies and time management
  • Reflecting on personal learning plans and skills development
  • Interpreting test questions
  • Predicting, skimming and scanning
  • Reading and listening for opinions, main ideas and details
  • Reading and listening to understand purpose, value, inference and organisation of texts
  • Pronunciation and fluency
  • Building grammatical accuracy and extending vocabulary
  • Paragraph and essay structure, content and organisation
  • Interpreting and describing graphic information and processes
  • Online and paper test taking
  • Timed practice tasks

Assessment strategy and rationale

To fulfill the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing program, students are required to undergo an approved English language proficiency test. For other students, scores from such tests might be necessary for professional registration or employment. Within this program, students receive comprehensive support, including diagnostics, strategies, and assistance for proficiency development. This includes guidance through the process of completing a fully scored official practice English language proficiency test. Following the completion of the test and the receipt of results, students are tasked with creating a reflective action plan. This plan focuses on identifying any skills that may require further development before undertaking the primary external English proficiency test.

This is a pass/fail unit. Students must complete both the hurdle tasks to pass the unit. This involves attempting a practice test and submitting the results to TPP administration and submitting a Reflective Action Plan based on these results. Students must attempt the Hurdle Tasks once.

Overview of assessments

Assessment 1: Full practice test Completion of a...

Assessment 1: Full practice test

Completion of and submission of results from an authorised suitable practice test of a language proficiency test accepted for entry into the Bachelor of Nursing at ACU

Weighting

Ungraded Hurdle Task

Learning Outcomes LO1
Graduate Capabilities GC3, GC11

Assessment 2: Reflective action plan A brief sum...

Assessment 2: Reflective action plan

A brief summary of learnings from the practice test result and a plan to address deficits in language proficiency 

Weighting

Ungraded Hurdle Task

Learning Outcomes LO2
Graduate Capabilities GC7, GC9, GC11, GC12

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

In order to promote independent learning and the development of language proficiency, active learning is a focus of the learning and teaching strategy. Students are encouraged to reflect on their language learning needs and be inquisitive and active in pursuing strategies to promote proficiency. In this unit there is also a focus on cooperative learning, utilising small and large group discussions, and peer teaching and learning. This supports the understanding of tasks, broadening of general knowledge, interpersonal interaction, and the development of communication skills.

This unit is delivered face-to-face on campus in 3-hour workshops. The workshop format is designed to allow students to explore content and language and subsequently engage with content and apply skills in a classroom setting. It is aimed at maximising the students’ opportunities for interaction and communication with the teacher and with their peers and provides practice and feedback on impromptu language use. Face-to-face mode is supported by online resources and activities available on the Learning Management System.

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Cambridge University Press & Assessment. (2023). IELTS 18 academic student's book with answers with audio with resource bank: Authentic practice tests. Cambridge University Press.

Cullen, P. (2021). IELTS vocabulary for bands 6.5 and above with answers and downloadable audio. Cambridge University Press.

Hill, D. A., & Hill, D. (2014). Expert Pearson test of English academic B2 standalone coursebook: Industrial ecology (1st ed.). Pearson.

Hopkins, D., & Cullen, P. (2021). IELTS Grammar For Bands 6.5 and above with answers and downloadable audio. Cambridge University Press.

Jakeman, V., & McDowell, C. (2008). New insight into IELTS student's book pack (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Rogers, B., & Kenny, N. (2015). The complete guide to IELTS with DVD-ROM and intensive revision guide access code (1st ed.). National Geographic Learning.

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