English and Volunteer Placements
Some of our university-level groups choose social or academic English and include a volunteer component in the program. Participating in volunteer work is an excellent way to become involved in the community and provides great opportunities to meet people and learn new skills.

For some years now, students in group programs at Hawthorn-Melbourne have participated in volunteer work for a variety of charity organisations in Melbourne. Students are briefed on the background and purpose of each charity organisation and then participate in a volunteer activity for that organisation. Pre and post teaching activities supplement these activities.

Environmental Projects are also an option. Previous environmental activities have included caring for native plants and grasses in river reserves and national park areas and planting trees in season. Students have also joined in local community activities such as 'Clean Up Australia Day' which, amongst other activities, includes beach and foreshore cleaning.


Intensive English and Volunteer Work Placements
We can also offer group programs that are a mix of Intensive English and volunteer work placements. The students are tested and placed in the ELICOS Intensive English stream according to their language level. The ELICOS classes are full-time, 9.00am–3.30pm and run for 5 or 10 week blocks.

The volunteer work placements are generally conducted during break weeks from the ELICOS classes. Students have previously been placed in charity, environmental and educational settings.

This type of program is suitable for students with an equivalent of 5.0 IELTS or higher.