News – Languages International https://www.languages.ac.nz English Courses in Auckland New Zealand Thu, 26 Aug 2021 05:19:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.languages.ac.nz/wp-content/uploads/cropped-li-favicon-32x32.png News – Languages International https://www.languages.ac.nz 32 32 A new pathway to access NZ university study from LI https://www.languages.ac.nz/a-new-pathway-to-access-nz-university-study-from-li/ https://www.languages.ac.nz/a-new-pathway-to-access-nz-university-study-from-li/#respond Thu, 26 Aug 2021 05:10:00 +0000 https://www.languages.ac.nz/?p=33746 Read more » -->]]> With New Zealand’s border still closed to most arrivals, Languages International is now offering a way that international students can start on their NZ university study pathway while they’re waiting to come here. Our English for University – Access course uses a blended format, with online and on-site components leading to the English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment (APA):

  • The 12-week (120-hour) online component is focused on developing language and study skills;
  • The 4-week intensive on-site component takes place, when border restrictions allow, at Languages International in Auckland and is focused on the formally assessed parts of the course.

Successful students will achieve the APA and fulfil English-language entry requirements for courses at NZ universities.

For more details, check out https://www.languages.ac.nz/li-online/english-courses-online/#eu-access or email us with your questions at info@languages.ac.nz.

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Teaching during Lockdown https://www.languages.ac.nz/teaching-during-lockdown/ https://www.languages.ac.nz/teaching-during-lockdown/#respond Fri, 24 Jul 2020 05:38:03 +0000 https://www.languages.ac.nz/?p=33293 Read more » -->]]> One of our teachers, Sally, shares her experience of teaching during lockdown.

Did you have much time to prepare for teaching online?

The NZ Government introduced the 4 level alert system for Coronavirus on Saturday 21st March. We were immediately in level 2. Then two days later, on Monday 22nd, we told students this was their last day of face to face teaching. There would be one day of preparation and then we would have online classes from Wednesday. Monday night we went to level 3 and level 4 (total lockdown) Wednesday night. A lot of changes happened very quickly. Meanwhile staff had to learn how to use “Zoom”. There was a great deal to understand in a short amount of time, but we survived!!

Was teaching the same?

Although the material was the same, and we continued using the class books, teaching on-line felt quite different. I couldn’t look over anyone’s shoulder to see who was having problems, so I asked a lot of questions!! Some students were living alone, so coming on-line each day as a class was a good chance for everyone to connect and see their friends. We had plenty of laughs. People look different, wearing pyjamas! I would start online a few minutes earlier each day, so I could speak individually to students and find out how there were feeling. I’d send “how are you?” emails, when someone didn’t come to class.Just like any major thing happening around the world, I tried to keep everyone up to date with the situation with Coronavirus in NZ. As time went on and numbers of cases of Covid 19 went down, there were lots of hand punches into the air and clapping! We did have one new student in class. A student living with family, would do her lessons with the family dog sitting next to her! We all wanted to play with it!! The presence of a dog made our strange life seem more normal! The dog graduated with a strong on its progress report but needs to improve its’ writing!

Were there many problems?

Some students had problems with wifi . Maybe they were sharing one wifi account with others or maybe they were in a building that came with free wifi. These building managers probably never imagined everyone would be wanting to use wifi at the same time! Others didn’t have a lap-top and were doing lessons using their phone which is not so easy. One person had a birthday and it was disappointing not being able to give them a card and share a cake. We DID sing them “Happy Birthday” though but it’s hard to sing in time together, on zoom!

Did you manage to relax?

The NZ Government encouraged us to all do some exercise and the weather was beautiful. We were blessed with long, still, sunny days. It just made lock down so much easier! I know some of my students went walking. I managed a bike ride most days. We had to remember social distancing but people were quite relaxed, smiled at you, said “hello”. We talked to people in our neighbourhoods. We had to be careful of the bears though!

Bears! You have bears in NZ?

To encourage children to go for a walk with their family, people put a teddy bear in the window of their house. In fact sometimes there was a whole family of bears. My students noticed this too, even in the city. Bear spotting was fun for all of us, not only the children. I don’t have a teddy bear so I put out a blue elephant. I bet you didn’t know we have elephants in NZ!!

Were some days more significant than others, during lockdown?

Three significant events happened during lockdown. Firstly Easter. Two extra public holidays but no one could go anywhere! Then Anzac Day, when we remember the contribution that Australian and NZ soldiers made in World War 1 and finally Mothers Day in May. For Anzac Day people usually buy and wear a red poppy. My artistic neighbour made poppies and planted them in the grass. They looked like they were growing in her lawn. With many mothers being older, a lot of people couldn’t visit their mothers on the day. As a result, people had to become creative. My friend sent a video clip to her Mum, with each family member, saying something. For some reason these three events seemed more significant this year.

And what’s it like in NZ now?

The only new cases of Coronavirus we have, come from New Zealanders returning back to NZ. We are at level 1 which means that everything is almost normal. We have sports, school, people around for a meal, go to movies, concerts, have weddings. The only difference is our border is not yet open to non New Zealanders, but we hope that will happen soon. Everyone who comes to NZ will still have to spend two weeks in isolation but then they can come and learn English with us again and enjoy the NZ experience! We look forward to seeing you all soon. But remember we have bears!

Author: Sally M, a teacher at Languages International

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Languages International welcoming students back to classes at school in beautiful Albert Park https://www.languages.ac.nz/welcome-back/ https://www.languages.ac.nz/welcome-back/#respond Tue, 12 May 2020 21:42:55 +0000 https://www.languages.ac.nz/?p=32508 Read more » -->]]> We’re really happy to announce that Languages International is getting ready to welcome students back to classes at our school in beautiful Albert Park! We’ll be making sure we ‘play it safe’, as our Prime minister has encouraged us to do, taking precautions like social distancing, spacing in classrooms and practising good hand hygiene – but we just can’t wait to see our students and colleagues again for real, rather than on a screen. Go well out there, everybody 😊

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LI Zoom backgrounds for you ❤️ https://www.languages.ac.nz/zoom-backgrounds/ https://www.languages.ac.nz/zoom-backgrounds/#respond Thu, 30 Apr 2020 05:03:31 +0000 https://www.languages.ac.nz/?p=32339 Read more » -->]]> If you are a current student at Languages International, you will have been using Zoom a lot recently, and we suspect that many of our former students and other friends around the world have been using Zoom a fair bit too. So, here are some photos you can use as your Zoom background to give your Zoom calls a Languages International / New Zealand flavour. In our last post, we gave you some Kiwi music to listen to so that you could have a New Zealand experience wherever you are. With these Zoom backgrounds, your classmates or other conversation partners get the joy of seeing (what we feel is 😊) a particularly beautiful bit of New Zealand.

These photos are the right size for your Zoom background. You just need to right-click and save the image to your computer. Then you can upload the image to Zoom as your virtual background. Enjoy!

Languages International’s buildings 23 and 27 | Photo by Kurt Langer for Languages International
Languages International’s building 29 | Photo by Kurt Langer for Languages International
Languages International’s building 27 | Photo by Kurt Langer for Languages International
Albert Park | Photo by Hannah Robinson
Albert Park | Photo by Hannah Robinson
Classic photo of Albert Park | Languages International
Volleyball in Albert Park | Photo by Kurt Langer for Languages International
Languages International’s Student Café | Languages International
Languages International’s Learning Centre | Languages International
Languages International’s Learning Centre | Photo by Kurt Langer for Languages International

Author: Hannah Robinson

Hannah Robinson is Languages International’s Digital Marketing Manager & Web Developer / Latin American Market Manager. You can read more articles by Hannah here.
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New Zealand music for you to listen to at home https://www.languages.ac.nz/new-zealand-music/ https://www.languages.ac.nz/new-zealand-music/#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2020 02:50:48 +0000 https://www.languages.ac.nz/?p=32256 Read more » -->]]> Right now, many of our students around the world are staying home and saving lives. Our current students here in Auckland and all our staff are doing the same. While you are doing your bit by staying at home, you might want to relive your New Zealand experience or perhaps you are looking forward to an upcoming New Zealand experience. So, in our next few posts, we’ll give you some ways to to enjoy New Zealand no matter where you are in the world.

First up is some Kiwi music for you to enjoy at home. Here is a playlist of some of Languages International‘s students’ and staff’s favourite New Zealand songs. There’s a real mixture on the list: old songs and new songs, pop, reggae and rock songs, a few songs in Māori and even a tribute to New Zealand’s much-loved Director General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

And, here are a few stay-at-home-themed music videos made – at home, of course – by New Zealand artists over the last few weeks. We hope you enjoy them!

UPDATED: Our Director of Teacher Training, Michael Gask, has given us this humorous lockdown song to add to the list.

What are some of your favourite New Zealand songs?

Can you recommend a song from your country that other students might like?

Have you seen any other cool songs or videos related to #stayhome?

Tell us in the comments and share the links if you can so that we can enjoy listening to your recommendations too!

Kia kaha! ❤

Author: Hannah Robinson

Hannah Robinson is Languages International’s Digital Marketing Manager & Web Developer / Latin American Market Manager. You can read more articles by Hannah here.
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New university pathway at Languages International for admission to any of New Zealand’s 8 universities https://www.languages.ac.nz/approved-pathway-assessment/ https://www.languages.ac.nz/approved-pathway-assessment/#respond Wed, 15 Apr 2020 05:18:57 +0000 https://www.languages.ac.nz/?p=32071 Read more » -->]]> Languages International is one of just three schools officially approved to offer a pathway programme – an Approved Pathway Assessment – for admission to any of New Zealand’s eight universities. This is the result of an agreement that English New Zealand and Universities New Zealand signed in 2019.

A student who completes our English for University – Higher course to the required standard will have fulfilled the English language entry requirements for university study, avoiding the need to take an exam like IELTS, TOEFL or PTE (note that students will also have to meet the academic entry requirements for their chosen course and university).

At Languages International, we already have many years of experience in delivering this course and helping students to get ready for their university study – see what our students think – and we’re excited to welcome students onto their new study pathway from 29 June!

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Farewell to our Teacher / Teacher Trainer Liz https://www.languages.ac.nz/liz/ https://www.languages.ac.nz/liz/#comments Thu, 20 Feb 2020 21:55:05 +0000 https://www.languages.ac.nz/?p=31876 Read more » -->]]> At the end of 2019 we had another sad farewell at Languages International. Our teacher Liz has moved on to new role as Auckland University’s DELNA Language Advisor. Liz made an enormous contribution to LI over the years, taking on lots of different roles at the school. She started her career at LI in 2005 in our Student Services team. Inspired to start teaching, in 2006 Liz completed her Cambridge CELTA teacher training course here at LI. She showed a great talent for teaching, getting a very rare ‘A’ pass for the CELTA. Later Liz went on to do the Cambridge Delta at LI and then went on to become a teacher trainer, teaching Cambridge CELTA courses.

Liz and other LI Teacher Trainees together at LI's 40th Anniversary party
Some of LI’s Teacher Trainers at LI’s 40th Anniversary party

Liz was also a leader in introducing more technology in teaching into LI’s classrooms. She researched and selected tools, set up systems and provided related professional development to colleagues.

During her time at LI, Liz was also published in academic journals and spoke at industry conferences.

As our Director of Studies, Nick Moore says, “Liz has been with us a long time and has made a huge impact on the school, our teachers and our learners. She brought a sense of wisdom to her work and increasingly provided leadership amongst our teachers in English for University and also in terms of technology in teaching.”

LIz and EU students gaving a picnic in Albert Park
Liz and our teacher Fiona’s English for University classes having a Christmas picnic at school

Liz says, “I loved working at LI and will miss my colleagues and students! The amazing people truly make it a great school. Thank you for all the opportunities and good times!”

We will miss Liz, but are happy to know she is just across the road.

All the best in your new role, Liz and thank you for all your hard work at Languages International!

LIz and students at LI EU picnic
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Farewell to our teacher Rhonda https://www.languages.ac.nz/rhonda/ https://www.languages.ac.nz/rhonda/#comments Thu, 13 Feb 2020 01:26:51 +0000 https://www.languages.ac.nz/?p=31729 As 2019 came to a close, we were very sad to say good bye to our teacher Rhonda who retired in December after 14 years at Languages International. Rhonda is a much-loved and highly flexible member of the LI team. In addition to teaching all kinds of different English classes at different levels at LI, she also taught OET exam preparation workshops and Workplace Literacy for The Literacy Professionals at Languages International and joined our admin team taking over as Accommodation and Student Welfare Co-ordinator when our usual co-ordinator was on was on leave.

Rhonda having coffee with one of her classes

LI’s Director of Studies, Nick Moore, says, “It’s been great working with Rhonda over the years. She has been the true professional with all the different roles she has had in the school. She coped with everything we threw at her – classes at lots of levels, filling in with homestay and accommodation and some quite tricky workplace classes off site. She has a great sense of humour and a calmness that we all appreciate hugely.”

Rhonda and students at LI Halloween party

Rhonda says, “Although I am really looking forward to spending more time at home on Waiheke Island, I am going to miss the amazing friends that I have made at LI; teachers, admin staff and students. I have learned a great deal during my time there and have many wonderful memories. I will definitely be keeping in touch.”

Rhonda on her last day at LI

Rhonda will be deeply missed at Languages International by staff and students alike, but we look forward to staying in contact with her and hearing about her new adventures.

Thank you, Rhonda for your huge contribution to Languages International over the years! We hope you enjoy your well-earned retirement.

Rhonda’s farewell morning tea
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Are you ready to take your English Language Teaching career to the next level? https://www.languages.ac.nz/cambridge-delta-2020/ https://www.languages.ac.nz/cambridge-delta-2020/#respond Tue, 11 Feb 2020 23:52:32 +0000 https://www.languages.ac.nz/?p=31757 Read more » -->]]> Languages International in Auckland is offering the Cambridge Delta (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Module 2 as a face-to-face, part-time course from late February to November 2020.

Cambridge Delta is an advanced blend of theory and practice that provides professional development for teachers with at least one year’s experience. It gives you skills and techniques that will help you throughout your career, allowing you to progress into more senior roles, such as academic management or teacher training.

For more information about the Cambridge Delta at Languages International and to apply, click the buttons below. Applications close February 21st, 2020.

Download Delta Course Information 2020 Download Delta Application form 2020 ]]>
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What makes a New Zealand Christmas special? https://www.languages.ac.nz/christmas-new-zealand/ https://www.languages.ac.nz/christmas-new-zealand/#respond Tue, 24 Dec 2019 08:49:47 +0000 https://www.languages.ac.nz/?p=31585 Read more » -->]]> I was talking to one of our former Swiss students on Instagram the other day, and she was telling me all about the wonders of a winter Christmas in Switzerland. That got me to thinking about what the iconic elements of a New Zealand Christmas are that make it so special.

To find out what makes a New Zealand Christmas so great, I asked Languages International staff what they love about a Kiwi Christmas. As our name suggests, we are an international bunch here at LI. Many of us are originally from other countries and the rest of us have lived abroad at some point, so we are in a good position to appreciate the idiosyncrasies of Christmas in New Zealand.

Below you can read what some of our staff associate with a Kiwi Christmas. I hope you get to enjoy some of these things during your Christmas in New Zealand too.

You’ll notice most of us mention pōhutukawa trees. This beautiful tree is known as the “New Zealand Christmas tree” because its bright red flowers bloom at Christmas time.

“I associate a Kiwi Christmas with hot sunny days, wearing jandals, the beach or park, swimming, playing cricket or throwing a frisbee, eating and drinking far too much yummy food and wine, having fun with family and friends, especially seeing the excitement on children’s faces with their new toys, beautiful pōhutukawa trees in flower, listening to infamous Christmas tunes 😊 What more could you want?”
– Kate

Cathedral Cove

“Pōhutukawa along the beach in brilliant red colours! And picnics on the beach.”
– Dérene

“I have to agree with Dérene on the pōhutukawa – very iconic and beautiful. Also, sunshine and warmth – feeling the warmth of summer, enjoying blue skies and the sound of splashing water, BBQs, beaches, long days and beautiful sunsets over the sea 🤗
– Andrea

A game of cricket on the beach

“1. Beach cricket with the brothers
2. Running in the Waitaks followed by Xmas lunch then an evening swim.
3. Heading off under full sail to Great Barrier Island on Boxing Day.
4. Looking after waifs and strays on Xmas Day (we usually have odd travellers, lost students, homeless runners etc.) join us.
5. The fact that it isn’t freezing cold.”
– Nick

Pavlova: 71% of New Zealanders will have pavlova for dessert on Christmas day

“Pōhutukawa tree blossoms, BBQs on the beach, pavlova for dessert and kayaking on the water.”
– Tracy

Pōhutukawa blossom

“Christmas in NZ for me equals pōhutukawa trees! I am obsessed with them – I have always been ever since I arrived here all those years ago (14!). I stop and take photos whenever I can. I have a dwarf pōhutukawa on my balcony and I get really excited when it blossoms! I’ve only had three flowers max, but it does make me really happy! I also love all the swims, fish and chips and picnics on the beach.”
– Melissa

What do you love about Christmas in New Zealand?

What do you love about Christmas (or another important holiday celebration) in another country where you have lived?

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