General English (GE) is sometimes called ‘English for General Purposes’. Most overseas students who commence their English studies for the first time will take the GE course. It is really a ‘stepping stone’ to more specialised or academic courses that students may study when their English skills have improved.

Just like EAP, the IELTS Preparation course at Australian Centre of English is an example of a group of English courses called English for Specific Purposes (ESP). ESP courses are designed because students are studying them for a specific reason. Students are not learning English just to be good at it; instead they study the ESP course because of some need. So what are the needs of students who decide to study an IELTS Preparation course?