Welcome to our October Newsletter!

Mid-spring is one of the best seasons to visit Melbourne. This is the time when you can see the beautiful flowers in bloom and the weather is just perfect for sightseeing.

October is one of the months when the city draws attention from culture seekers, sports fanatics as well as nature lovers. During spring the city is proud of its different festivals and events, the enthusiasm of its locals for wine and foods and the great art scenes. There are wonderful October events and festivals in Melbourne that provides a continuous source of fun to both locals and tourist coming from everywhere.

Dont forget to check out the Spring Racing Carnival which starts October 6th. Visit www.springracingcarnival.com.au/ for more details.

Footy Day - Congratulations Taoufik!

A big congratulations to Taoufik Hachim from France on winning the best dressed student competition on our dress up Footy Friday. Taoufik has received a trip to the Yarra Valley as well as a whole bag of goodies. We would like to thank Adelaide, Geelong, Essendon, Brisbane and in particular North Melbourne and Carlton Football Clubs for their sponsorship for this day. Thank you for your generosity!

Social Activities - Please come to Reception Level 1

A notice to all students - please sign up for the activities on Level 1 with Glaucia and Elaine.

Social Activities Survey - Well Done Licelia!

Congratulations to Licelia De Lima Mendonca, the winner of the winter 2009 Activities Survey. Licelia wrote honest and thoughtful responses and provided us with some great student feedback! Thank you to all the students who participated, we are taking your suggestions onboard and will work to integrate as many as possible over the coming months.

Timetables at GEOS Melbourne

GEOS Melbourne has three different schedules for students, depending on their English level. Please note that students cannot choose their timetable. Student timeables depend on English Level.

Please contact us should you require a copy of the schedule.

Class times are based on the levels. Classes are 20 hours per weeks plus an additional 5 hours of optional supervised independent learning in our ILC (Independent Learning Centre).

The additional one hour per day of independent learning is allocated before or after the class.

New Free Observation Class - starting October 7th!

We are very excited to introduce our new observation classes. These will replace our Free Lesson from now on and start on October 7th.


We have 3 observation classes:




Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Upper-Intermediate levels. Maximum 3 students can observe each class at one time so it is therefore essential that you book in advance. Each student can join the observation class for a period of 30 minutes. We encourage all students, who are interested in joining an observation class to come to GEOS and complete a free level check beforehand. This will allow us to place you in the most appropriate level. We can take bookings up until 1pm on the Monday prior to the observation class. It is very important that you arrive on time for these classes, if you are late - you cannot join. Below are the starting times for each level:


Elementary&Pre-Intermediate Level - Please be at GEOS, Reception level 1 at 2pm

Intermediate Level - Please be at GEOS, Reception level 1 at 12pm.

Upper-Intermediate&Advanced Level- Please be at GEOS, Reception level 1 at 1pm


If you have any questions at all or you would like to book your place - please feel free to call us on 03 9650 0710 and ask for Junka, Tim or Anne or email info@geosmelbourne.com.au.


We look forward to seeing you here!

New Course coming to GEOS - "GEOS Challenge"!

A new exciting course has been written and designed by our highly experienced academic team. The aim of this course is to give students a taste of what they may like to focus on in the future by introducing them to IELTS, Business English and English For Further Studies (EFS).

The course is aimed at students with a strong Pre-Intermediate Level. All students will need to complete an entry test to enter this course - you can come every Tusday at 3pm and every Thursday at 9.30am to do your free test. Please call us on 9650 0710 and ask for Junka, Tim or Anne or send us and email at info@geosmelbourne.com.au for more information about this course and for a sample timetable.

Student of the Month - October

Congratulations to Patricia Garcia from Peru on becoming our student of the month for October! Staff have described her as "friendly, outgoing, active, welcoming and helps staff and other students". Well done Patricia. Patricia will receive a dictionary and GEOS Melbourne T-shirt and we will display her photo at reception here on level 1.

Student Testimonial - Tugba Becmezci from Turkey

1. What course are you currently studying?


I joined the FCE course on September 14th and it's such a good course. I have learn so much already and I am continuing to learn everyday. It is a very organized course, there is alot of Homework but I like it because it forces me to learn alot of vocabulary. We practice speaking alot too. I also like that the class is small.

2. Do you like your teacher and class mates?

Oh yes - they're all great!


3. What do you like about Melbourne?


It is clean and organised. I dont come from a very organised city so it is nice to experience. People, who live in Melbourne are kind and loving. Strangers say hi to me - in my country they dont.


4. What plans do you have for when you finish GEOS?



I was planning to go back to Turkey but now I want to stay in Melbourne and study more. Time has gone so quickly and I think I will miss Melbourne if I leave.


5. Have you travelled around Australia much?


I went to Sydney a month ago and I would like to go to Queensland after my FCE course.


6. What adivice would give to other students, who are planning to come to Australia?


They must study FCE. Start with General English then move to FCE. I started in Intermediate General English and after 4 weeks I moved to Upper-Intermediate level. I think you need to study about 50 weeks if you start from Elementary Level.


7. Would you recommend GEOS?


Yes, definitely!

Staff Update

It is with great sadness we say farewell to Glaucia Baldi. Glaucia has been a fantastic help in all areas of the school. She will be missed by all of us - students and staff. Thank you Glaucia and we wish you all the very best in the new challenges you face. We have no doubt you will embrace them with enthusiasm.

We would like to welcome Elaine Chan, our new student services officer, who will take over from Glaucia. She will start with us on October 5th.

Endeavour Natural Wellness Club

We would like to thank staff from Endeavour College of Medicine for conducting a second and very successful health club here at GEOS Melbourne. The turn out of students has been fantastic and students have learnt how to make their own scrubs and beauty products as well as many others.

Our Current Nationality Mix

Please visit
http://www.geosmelbourne.com.au/files/GEOS_MCE_Nationality_Mix_October_2009.pdf

Staff Contact Details:

Natalie Reddy, General Manager: manager@geosmelbourne.com.au
Okkyoung Hong (Okky), Office Manager: okkyoung@geosmelbourne.com.au
Cameron Winton, Director of Studies: cameron@geosmelbourne.com.au
Anne Tinkler, Marketing Coordinator: anne@geosmelbourne.com.au
Junka Nikahara, Marketing Coordinator: junka@geosmelbourne.com.au

Tim Field, Student Services Coordinator: tim@geosmelbourne.com.au

Nadiya Grubrina, Accounts Administrator: accounts@geosmelbourne.com.au
Janelle Park, Enrolments Officer: enrolments@geosmelbourne.com.au
Mara Micheloni, Homestay Coordinator: homestay@geosmelbourne.com.au

Elaine Chan & Glaucia Baldi Student Services: reception@geosmelbourne.com.au

Derly Rodriguez, Academic Administration: academic@geosmelbourne.com.au

General Enquiries info@geosmelbourne.com.au

Contact us

Level 1, 277 Flinders Lane,
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Telephone +61 3 9650 0710
Facsimile +61 3 9654 1886

CRICOS 01698G