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Plan your visit

The ELIS program will be taking a break over Christmas. The last day for tutors is Friday 13 December and they are back on Monday 13 January 2025.

The English Language Improvement Service (ELIS) supplements other English language and literacy programs within South Australia by providing opportunities to improve your conversation.

Keep up to date with ELIS news

Follow the ELIS Facebook group to keep up to date with the latest in tutor and conversation group updates.

Conversation groups

Conversation Groups vary in size. Some tutors work with groups of up to 10 and others accept up to 19 participants. Once the tutor's maximum group size has been reached, no further students can join that session. Tutors will:

  • provide assistance with various aspects of the English language
  • assist with advice on pronunciation and understanding of Australian idiom
  • refer customers to other organisations as required.
Monday 2:30 to 3:55pm: Sen 
Tuesday 10:15 to 12pm: Indrani 
Wednesday 2:30 to 3:55pm: No tutor until further notice
Thursday 2:30 to 3:55pm: Virginia - Maximum 10 students
Friday 2:30 to 3:55pm: Coming soon

Desk Tutors

Desk tutors will:

  • provide one on one conversation practice
  • assist with correct pronunciation
  • 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
  • refer customers to other organisations as required.
Monday 10:30am to 1pm: Mary 1 to 4pm: Grace 
1 to 4pm: Phil
Tuesday 10:30am to 1pm: Meredith   1:30 to 4:30pm:  Des
 
Wednesday

10:30am to 1pm: Marilyn 

** N/A 4 Dec

 1:30 to 4:30pm: Des 
Thursday

10:30am to 12:30pm: Rodger
10:30am to 12:30pm: Susie

 

 1:30 to 4:30pm: Rodger
Friday 10:30am to 1:00pm: Rodger 1:00pm to 2:30pm: Rodger

Keep informed with our ELIS DESK and conversation group updates

Find more help

English language improvement in public libraries

Some public libraries in South Australia offer similar English language improvement services, so if you can't make it into the State Library, locate your nearest local library and see what they can offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Things to know about conversation groups

  • The conversation group tutor wears a red lanyard.
  • Conversations groups are mixed level.
  • There may be a different topic addressed each week.
  • There is a maximum of 19 participants per group.
  • These groups are not offered on weekends or public holidays.
  • Check the State Library of SA's Facebook page to stay informed of any changes.

Things to know about desk tutors

  • Each appointment is for 25 minutes.
  • Desk tutors are not available on weekends or public holidays.
  • There are occasional late cancellations to tutor services due to circumstances beyond our control.
  • Check the State Library of SA's facebook page to stay informed of any changes.
  • If you arrive late, your appointment will still end at the time indicated on the Appointment Sheet. If you are more than ten minutes late, your appointment may be cancelled and the remaining time given to someone else.

What do I need to do before I meet with a desk tutor?

  • It is useful to plan what you would like to concentrate on with a Desk Tutor.
  • You might want to practise conversation, discuss a piece of writing or get help with studying.
  • If you would like to practise conversation, try to think of a topic you would like to discuss, such as interesting places to travel in Australia, or something you have read in a newspaper.
  • Another suggestion is to write down things that puzzle you and bring that to your session with the tutor to discuss.
  • If you would like to discuss a piece of your writing, it will be easier for a tutor to help you if you leave room for them to write on your work.
  • Use wide margins and double spacing so they can write comments. Remember that a tutor cannot help you with your assignments unless they have already been marked.
  • Tutors can also suggest resources in the library which are appropriate to your needs.