The ELLIS desk and Conversation Groups are provided by competent volunteer tutors who are happy to assist customers who want to learn. They will:

• Familiarise users with the collection's independent learning resources and equipment
• provide assistance with various aspects of English language
• assist with advice on pronunciation and understanding Australian idiom
• provide assistance in editing essays and writing letters, to a limit of two pages
• refer customers to other organisations where needs cannot be met by ELLIS.

Please note that the service is staffed part-time, and not on Public Holidays.
Refer to the current ELLIS Monthly Information Sheet for times.

ELLIS Desk

Desk tutors can:

• Provide one to one conversation practice
• Assist with correct pronunciation
• Assist with selection of English learning and IELTS materials from SLSA collection.
• Assist with editing* up to two pages of writing such as letters, journals or other work
• Give basic guidance on study and test taking techniques

*Notes on editing:

• ELLIS tutors will not edit secondary or undergraduate assignments before they have been handed up and graded by course tutors or teachers.
• Prior to grading, tutors can look at two to three opening paragraphs only and advise on sentence construction, grammar and spelling. After grading they can discuss an assignment more fully but only up to a maximum length of two pages, depending on available time.

Conversation Groups

Several free Conversation Groups are available each week. The Conversation Groups are provided for small groups to practise English in a non-threatening environment with other like-minded people. The ELLIS Monthly Information Sheet is available from the Information Desk or the ELLIS tutor desk.

Session times may change so please make sure that you read the current February ELLIS Monthly Information Sheet.
If you want to check out the February Monthly Information Sheet, you can read it here.

Advanced Medical English Program

The Advanced Medical English Program is currently taking registrations and will begin in February 2010.
For further information about this please see the Advanced Medical English Program Information Sheet

Materials and Equipment

ELLIS is a self-help collection consisting of books, audio cassette kits, CD ROMs and Audio CDs. Many of the materials are labelled with coloured dots to make them easier to use for learners.

Materials for Beginners are marked with a blue dot, Intermediate with a green and Advanced with a yellow dot.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT WRITE IN THE BOOKS. NOT EVEN IN PENCIL.

Materials cannot be borrowed from the State Library. ELLIS materials are to be used inside the main library area. Audio cassette players, CD, DVD, video players and special ELLIS computers are available for you to use with the electronic materials. Headphones are provided and these are cleaned after each use. Earphones can be purchased from the Copy Centre.

One resource may be used at a time for up to 2 hours. Ask at the main Information Desk. Issued materials must be returned to the Information Desk at the end of two hours or earlier.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) materials

Books and learning kits are available from the BD (Behind Desk) Collection. Highest use IELTS materials are issued by staff for use within the library. Many IELTS materials are now also available on the general ELLIS shelves in the main library reference area. Ask at the main Information Desk for the IELTS List or browse the ELLIS shelf marked 'Test".

CD ROMs: English language learning software programs on CD ROM are available for use on the ELLIS computers. To use these, go to the main Information Desk and book an ELLIS computer and headphones. Then choose the CDROM you want from the shelves or ask staff for the ELLIS CD ROM List. If you have not used a computer learning program before, please ask for assistance. Library staff or ELLIS tutors will help you to get started. Tutors can help you to choose an appropriate computer program and level.

Ask at the main Information Desk for the IELTS Audio CD List and also check the general ELLIS shelves for IELTS, language kits, grammar, spelling, pronunciation and other materials.