Questions & Answers

Hello, my name is Larissa. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Languages International, New Zealand, visas and further studies.

Please send me a message if there is anything specific you would
like to know.

Click here for some useful links.

Can I attend this school?

• Yes, if you are at least 18 years old, and want to learn English.

What is the school's location like?

• Our Auckland school's location is exceptional. We occupy five historic buildings. Four are large houses inside Albert Park, opposite the clock tower of the University of Auckland. The fifth is 'Chancery Chambers', located in an attractive city square just across a corner of the park.
• It is surrounded by beautiful lawns, flower gardens and large trees.
• It is 3 to 4 minutes walk to the main shopping street.
• The Christchurch school is located in one single building (the building is actually larger than it looks!) The location is really quite special, as it is both very central and yet surprisingly green; the road outside our building has little traffic.
• Shops, cafes and restaurants are just across the river.
• It is about 5 minutes’ walk from all the main places of interest.

What is the nationality mix at the school?

• In Auckland, we have students from over 30 countries and a yearly average of no more than 20% from any one nationality. In Christchurch, our nationality mix is becoming more varied all the time.

How can I meet New Zealanders?

• In Auckland, you can have lunch with Auckland University students across the road at the Student Cafeteria. You can also join the University of Auckland Gym at a special student rate. In Christchurch, we can help you join one of the local clubs or sports groups.
• Living in a homestay family is a good way to improve your English and experience the Kiwi lifestyle.

How good is the teaching?

• Our teaching staff are highly qualified and experienced and we are a teacher training centre. This means we consistently offer top quality instruction.
• Meetings for staff professional development and for materials development are held weekly.
• Teachers have access to a very large selection of source material for classroom use.
• The Languages International Teacher Education Centre (LITEC) trains people for internationally-recognised qualifications (from Cambridge ESOL) in teaching English as a Foreign Language.

How big is the school?

• Typically, depending on the time of year, the student roll in Auckland is between 300 and 400 students. Christchurch is smaller: we are expecting around 150 students by 2007. Average class size is 10 students, with a maximum of 12 students.

How many levels are there?

• In Auckland, we have 8 levels, ranging from beginners to post-advanced, and exam preparation classes are also held regularly throughout the year. In Christchurch we have up to 8 levels.
• You will be given an interview and written test on your first day to find out your level.

How many students are there per class?

• A maximum of 12 students and an average of 10 students per class.

When can I start?

• You can start a General English course each week on Monday. Please refer to your chosen course to see specific start dates.

What extra costs are there?

• Transfer from the airport to your homestay family or other accommodation is invoiced with your enrolment if requested.
• Bus fares
• Lunches during the week (if you are in homestay)
• Some materials for afternoon classes. 
• Optional trips at weekends and certain activities on weekdays

The following are free:

• textbooks for morning classes (in Christchurch from 2007)
• e-mail access
• Use of Independent Learning Centre with English language learning software.
• A guide to approximate living costs is listed here.

Where can I stay?

• Nearly all our students stay with a New Zealand family at first. We offer the opportunity for students to experience New Zealand culture with typical Kiwi host families.
• The families are carefully selected by our accommodation staff. All our families are friendly and welcoming, and live in: pleasant homes within easy reach of the city centre
• New Zealand houses are generally quite big, with comfortable bedrooms and large gardens.
• Usually there are one or two students in each home. When there is more than one student, they are never of the same nationality, unless this is requested. We can place you as the only student in the family if you request this.
• Alternatively, we have self-catering student accommodation for more independent students. We offer student residential accommodation and serviced apartments in Auckland, and student residential accommodation in Christchurch.

What sort of family will I have?

• Please tell us what sort of family you would like, and our staff will try to find a family that fits. We have a lot of families to choose from, including:
• families with young children
• families with older children
• families with older adults, children left home
• families with or without a dog or cat

Will I have to travel far to school?

• Most students catch the bus to school. The majority of our homestay families live between 20 and 40 minutes by bus from the school.

Can I sit exams while at Languages International?

The following English language tests are available:

• the Cambridge exams around March, June and December
• the IELTS test every two weeks
• the TOEIC test at Languages International
• the TOEFL test (Auckland only)

Do I get a Certificate at the end of my course?

• Yes. For courses over 12 weeks, you will receive a detailed report on your ability in different areas of language use.

Can I re-enrol in the school and get a new student permit?

• Yes, if you have good attendance.

Can I move on to a high school, polytechnic or university?

• If you join our English for University or IELTS courses, we will help you enrol at a polytechnic or university.
• To begin studying at a polytechnic or university in New Zealand, you will need a score of between 5 and 7 in IELTS, depending on the course you want to take. The equivalent TOEFL scores are between 500 and 600.
• It is usually possible to extend your student permit for further study at another institution.

What happens when I first arrive in New Zealand?

• If you request an airport transfer, your host family and/or a school representative will be waiting at the airport with your name on a Languages International sign as you come into the arrival hall. They will take you directly to your new home. If your plane arrives at a difficult time for the family or you are in other accommodation, we may arrange a transfer service for you.
• Your homestay family will show you how to catch the bus to and from school on the first day.

Can I get help in my own language?

• We have foreign language counsellors available to help ensure you can explain your needs.

How expensive is it to live in New Zealand?

• New Zealand is cheaper than many other countries. Bus tickets generally cost about NZ$20 per week. Lunch is $5 to $10. A cinema visit is around $12.50. Please see our Living Costs page.

Does the school organise any activities?

• Most weekdays we have activities and trips outside school hours. See the Activities page for details.

What will I do at weekends?

• We organise weekend trips on a regular basis. In Auckland, we use a tour operator; in Christchurch we do them ourselves.
• There is plenty to do in New Zealand. Many students go sightseeing with friends they have made at school or join one of our organised tours. It is easy to hire a car if you want to travel further.
• Learn a new sport - lessons are available in scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, tennis, golf etc.

What can you tell me about Auckland and Christchurch?

Auckland is...

• not too hot or too cold throughout the year
• within 3 hours drive of the main tourist spots of the North Island: Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Taupo and the Coromandel Peninsula.
• not too big or too small. There are 1.4 million people, spread over a large area. Most homes have their own garden
• scenically attractive, with many volcanic hills and two beautiful harbours

Auckland has...

• good swimming beaches only minutes from the city centre
• a good range of shops, restaurants and places of entertainment
• plenty of cheap sports facilities
• forest walks and exciting surf beaches within 40 minutes of the centre
• clean air

Christchurch is...

• green and spacious, with 350,000 people living in a city spread 20 kilometres from east to west, and 15 kilometres from north to south
• an attractive city, with the Pacific Ocean to one side and the Canterbury Plains, followed by the Southern Alps, to the other.
• less than three hours’ drive from some of the best skiing in the Southern Hemisphere
• a great centre from which to explore the South Island

Christchurch has...

• four distinct seasons
• a lively shopping and cultural centre
• great opportunities for indoor or outdoor sports and activities
• beaches and hill walks just half an hour’s bus ride from the city centre

What about a visa for New Zealand?

• See the New Zealand Immigration site for more details concerning your country. Generally, if you are studying more than 3 months, you will require a student visa.

How do I enrol?

• Get help from one of many authorised language travel consultants worldwide;
  (e-mail us at info@languages.ac.nz for contacts in your country)
  or
• Download an application form. Complete and send by email, fax or post to the address below;
  or
• E-mail us for a copy of our brochure and application form. Complete and return by post, fax or email to:
  
  Languages International Ltd.
  PO Box 5293
  AUCKLAND 1141
  NEW ZEALAND
  Tel: +64-9-309 0615
  Fax: +64-9-377 2806
  E-mail: info@languages.ac.nz