The UNE Business School has a significant intake of English Second Language (ESL) international students every year. Building on a pilot project from 2016 and in conjunction with the UNE English Language Centre (ELC), activities to support ESL students have proven very successful, both before they commence their courses in the Business School and during their studies.

A familiarisation visit to the Business School was again organised in May for English Language Centre students who are still completing their language studies in preparation to enrol in Business courses for Trimester 2. During this visit, they learned more about the UNE Business School, met their future Course Coordinators and other School staff, and toured the building where they would soon be ‘UNE Business School students’. This has proven to ease the transition for international students into their main Business course of study as it removes the ‘future unknown’ and they feel more familiar and engaged, not only with the physical environment where they will be studying, but with the people of the UNE Business School.

To support ESL students during their Business studies, English Language workshops are provided in the Business School building by a teacher from the English Language Centre. These sessions are offered at targeted times prior to assignments, exams, and with additional focus on the core Law Service Units in Business courses. The identified need for developed, ongoing assistance of this type throughout an ESL student’s course of study is reinforced by the improved academic results achieved and positive feedback from students and academics.

These initiatives to support our international students at different stages of their UNE Business School experience, and coordinated by the Business School’s First Year Advisor Nola Holmes, are meeting with great success.