News & Updates | 51��

Seeking adventure after study?

51�� — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 00:17:17 +0000

After all your studying efforts you may want to reward yourself by indulging in some adventure activities with your friends. You’re in luck because New Zealand offers plenty of options. Let’s look at some of the more popular activities in the areas around the location of our schools.

Auckland

or are some of the most popular activities for those seeking an adrenaline rush. If you’re more interested in something equally adventurous but less extreme, consider a . .

Christchurch

and is sure to provide a memorable experience for you and your friends. If a slower paced activity is more appealing to you then consider horse trekking at the . Another popular location that offers various adventure activities is the renowned . .

Dunedin

A Dunedin adventure wouldn’t be complete without a visit to or an ascent up “officially” . Another fun activity that offers a challenge is the escape experience. .

Hamilton

If you’re based in Hamilton then a visit out to the coastal town of Raglan is a must do. Renowned for its famous surf breaks, offering an ideal location to . Also nearby is the famous offering visitors a chance to view glowworm caves that rival a stunning night sky.

Mount Maunganui

This area offers the chance to and also enjoy the local beautiful beaches with activities such as and .

Queenstown

Often branded as the adventure capital of the world, there is no shortage of adventure activities in Queenstown. From bungy jumping, cliff jumping, swinging, skydiving, paragliding, whitewater rafting to jet boating, to name a few. Take your pick! .

Rotorua

Considered the North Island’s hub for adventure activities there’s also no shortage of activities to enjoy. Some of the more popular activities are and . Or head to the for plenty of options.

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English language and pathways into tertiary study in New Zealand

51�� — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 22:05:26 +0000

New Zealand has many providers offering a broad range of courses at tertiary level, including Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees including at post-graduate level.

Acceptance of international students into these programmes requires evidence of English language proficiency, and there is a variety of ways in which students can demonstrate their proficiency in English for further study in New Zealand.

English Language Requirements for entry to different levels of study in New Zealand
The level of English required depends on the type of course and level of tertiary study. Some courses may have different requirements, and you should check with the provider, but the gives a general indication for each English language exam/qualification for each level of study.

Ways to demonstrate English Language Proficiency
Many students take an internationally recognised examination to prove their English language level meets the entry requirement, and 51�� member schools offer courses that prepare students for IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, OET, Pearson (PTE) and Language Cert, for example.

Some member schools also offer the New Zealand Certificates in English Language (NZCEL), a non-examination pathway, at Levels 4 and 5 to prepare students for further study.

University English language centres offer non-exam pathways into their undergraduate and postgraduate courses on successful completion of English for Academic Purposes courses, and the 51�� Accredited Pathway Assessment (APA) is also an option for further study at university level.

What is the APA?
51�� has a Memorandum of Understanding with allowing the Accredited Pathway Assessment (APA) to be accepted as evidence of English language proficiency at all eight universities in New Zealand. The APA must be part of an English for Academic Purposes course at a provider accredited to offer this option.

Where can I complete an APA?
is currently our APA approved member, and you can access the APA as part of their English for University (EU) Higher course (12 weeks full time).

What level of English do I need to enrol in this course?
You’ll need to have at least an intermediate level of English to enrol in this course. If you’re not sure if you’re ready, find out by completing one of the internationally recognised English language tests. You’ll need to score at least the following equivalence to enrol in the EU Higher course:

IELTS 5.5
TOEFL iBT 46
PTE 42

If your English is not yet at this level, you can complete a General English course/an EU Intermediate course. Once you successfully complete this course you can then enrol into the EU Higher course.

I have successfully completed an APA, what now?
You’re now ready to jump into further tertiary studies. Once you start the application process for your selected course of study, you’ll also need to submit an APA certificate.

Not sure what tertiary education provider is right for your further studies in New Zealand?
Choosing a tertiary education provider can be a daunting task. Your choice will usually be determined by what you want to study, the level you want to study at, and where you want to live in New Zealand. If there are multiple education providers offering papers on the same subject, then consider listing the characteristics that each location offers and work through that list. If you have the opportunity, visit the campus before committing. You can also ask the registration staff questions about why you choose their institution for your study. Rest assured, New Zealand providers offer excellent facilities and teaching standards. When you’re ready to make your decision, you’ll be on track to complete your studies at a world class tertiary institution. ��

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What are your accommodation options?

51�� — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 21:17:51 +0000

You’ve made the decision to start your study travel adventure in New Zealand with the plan to improve your English language skills by attending one of our highly reputable 51�� schools. If you’ve no idea where or how to find a place to live while you’re here, don’t fret as there are plenty of options to suit all tastes. Let’s take a look at three of the most popular accommodation options for students.

Homestay

Offering a unique Kiwi experience, this option allows you to live with a New Zealand family, where you get to learn about our culture, access local knowledge and generally have a classic Kiwi experience. It’s also a great environment to learn English as each day you’ll be interacting with the family. Talking with children of the family is great practice as they’re excited to have guests join their family and will use colloquial or everyday language. Here’s a recent quote from one our hosts.

“One of the enjoyable times spent with students is at dinner time when we can sit together and talk about our different family values and expected goals and why they are with us in New Zealand. Board games together are a lot of fun too. We enjoy teaching new games to our students and for them to teach us new ones too,��these usually create a lot of laughing from us all.”

– Colene and Ian

Flatting

This accommodation arrangement is where you share a property with other people. Your “flatmates” will either be fellow tenants or the owner of the property. This is a popular accommodation arrangement here in NZ. The benefits include sharing expenses and getting to live with like-minded people. Some flatting arrangements may require a minimum term that may extend further than your English language course, which may not be ideal for some students that are looking to head off and explore the country after completing their studies. But in most cases, flatting arrangements are flexible and offer a suitable accommodation option for English language students. ��Ask your school or more information about how to find a flat.

Student residence

This is a popular option for those looking for affordable and convenient accommodation while focusing on studying English. These residences are often provided by an education institution and are located close to the campus. This accommodation type can include single or shared rooms, ensuites or shared bathrooms, kitchens and communal areas, bed linen and cleaning services. This can be a convenient and affordable option for students here in NZ.

Now that you’ve learned about our most popular accommodation options for English language students here in NZ it’s time to choose which school is right for you and select the accommodation that suits you.

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Lifting of COVID-19 entry restrictions opens door for more travellers

51�� — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 22:19:04 +0000

On 13 September 2022 the New Zealand Government announced the lifting of all remaining travel restrictions and�� travellers no longer need proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to enter. 51�� schools are now gearing up to welcome an increasing number of English language students looking to enjoy a study travel experience here. For many students the working holiday visa is a great option for travelling around New Zealand; they can take some English language lessons, gain work experience and explore the beautiful attractions on offer throughout the country.��

Working Holiday Visas

Working holiday visas (WHV) are available to people aged 18 to 30, and in some countries you can be aged up to 35. You can travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months, or 23 months if you are from the UK or Canada.�� Some teachers even use this as a way to gain international teaching experience after they complete their TESOL qualification.��

With this visa you can study one or more courses for up to 6 months. Perfect for visitors looking to attend an English language course here. You can study as many weeks as you want within that restriction, which�� leaves plenty of time to work and explore. A lot of WHV holders start their journey studying English especially if they are not from a country where English is commonly used in everyday situations. This prepares them for the English language challenges they face for the next part of their New Zealand experience, whether that be seasonal work or straight into adventure/exploring mode. Starting with an English course also has the added benefit of providing students with the chance to meet fellow travellers and forge new friendships for the escapades ahead.��

Seasonal work��

After completing their English Language course many travellers are keen to start their work experience with seasonal employment, providing income to cover the expenses associated with their travels. New Zealand offers a range of seasonal work opportunities, particularly in the horticulture sector. After all that hard work it’s time for adventure! With so many options it’s difficult to decide where to start. Here are some must visit attractions in the North Island to get you started.��

Places to visit��

Cape Reinga��
The road trip to Cape Reinga offers its own memorable experience offering scenery of beautiful beaches and harbours. Many start their round trip via state highway 12 through the majestic Waipoua Kauri Forest then connecting with Rawene Ferry across Hokianga Harbour. Arriving at Cape Reinga is a spectacular experience with its panoramic views of two oceans meeting with a swirling dance.��

Te Paki Sand Dunes��
The return journey from Cape Reinga requires a stop at the Te Paki Sand Dunes. Millions of years of sand build up resulting in a place that feels off world with its massive rolling sand dunes. Hire a sand board and spend time sliding down huge sand slopes.��

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Waitomo��
Known for its extensive underground cave systems that light up with its local population of Glow Worms. Over 30 million years ago the Waitomo region was covered in an ocean of sea. Now well above sea level and offering visitors a majestic experience. This is a must do.��

Rotorua��
Renown for its Geothermal activity and Māori Culture. Rotorua was a town built by the government in the early 1880s for tourists visiting the “hot lakes”. Here you can not only enjoy heavenly hot pools but many adventure activities or one of the natural attractions on offer.��

Coromandel��
Famous for its pristine beaches, picturesque forests, and vacation vibes. Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach is a must do when visiting this region.��

With so much on offer here in New Zealand the challenge can be knowing where to start with your travel plans. We suggest starting by exploring the list of schools listed here /students/english-nz-schools/. Find the school that feels right for you and start your journey of a lifetime!��

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New Zealand Working Holiday Visa Scheme Reopens

51�� — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 01:54:48 +0000

On 14 March 2022, New Zealand reopened applications for working holiday visas for 14 different countries, with many more to follow. Holders of Working Holiday Visas visiting NZ can study up to six months, so this visa is a great option for those who want to learn English in New Zealand.

Visiting New Zealand with a Working Holiday Visa

Working Holiday Visas (WHVs) are designed to help young people from around the world come to New Zealand and experience all that our country has to offer.

Requirements for WHV applicants vary depending on which country you live in, but generally, successful applicants need to be aged 18 or over, can arrive without a job offer, can stay for up to 12 months, and can study for up to six months during this time.

Many WHV holders learn English at an 51�� member school at the beginning of or during their trip. This helps improve their English language skills, helping them gain employment here and in other English-speaking countries or in global companies, and helping them develop as a person.

In addition to improved employment opportunities, learning English in New Zealand can be a once in a lifetime experience with full immersion outside of the classroom complementing your learning within it, lifelong friendships formed, and world-class scenery, activities, and adventures right on your doorstep.

Which countries can apply for a Working Holiday Visa to visit New Zealand?

In March, WHV applications opened to countries including Japan, United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, Canada, USA, France, and Malaysia. For many countries there is no limit to how many WHVs are approved, while the number of WHVs available to other countries is limited.

5 Things to do during your stay in New Zealand

We have an abundance of things to see and do in Aotearoa with something here to suit everyone. Check out these picks for each island.

North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui)

Go Mountain biking in Rotorua

Located in the North Island’s Bay of Plenty province, Rotorua is world famous for two things: Māori culture and mountain biking.

The world-class mountain biking trails are second to none and easily accessed from the city of 65,901. There’s riding for all levels from beginners right through to professionals, with the annual Crankworx Rotorua festival attracting top riders from around the globe.

Check out for trail maps, bike hire, videos and more.

Try for a choice of guided mountain bike tours around Rotorua. ��

See Glow Worms in the Waitomo Caves

Head east across Te Ika-a-Māui and you’ll find the mystical Waitomo Caves, and extensive underground cave network home to thousands of inspiring glow worms.

You can experience what is arguably New Zealand’s best natural attraction in a few ways: an underground boat ride through the glow worm grotto, a walk through Ruakari Cave, or an exhilarating black water rafting tour down an underground river, off waterfalls, and into fast waters.

Visit Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and home to our national museum — Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Free to enter for everyone (with charges for some exhibitions), Te Papa is busting at the seams with exhibitions and activities that encompass our young nation’s history, technology, art, and culture.

Guided tours can help enrich your Te Papa visit, and there’s no better place to learn about Aotearoa while practising your English language skills.

South Island (Te Waipounamu)

Bend your brain at Puzzling World Wanaka

Wanaka is world-renowned for its alpine scenery and ski resorts, but a more grounded attraction sure to get you thinking is Puzzling World.

What started as a wooden maize back in 1973 is now an award-winning collection of illusion rooms, head-scratching puzzles, weird sculptures, a café, giftshop, and a ‘great maze’ — fun for all ages.

Watch a rugby game in Christchurch

Rugby is our national game and our national team — the All Blacks — are world-famous. A deep pool of talent feeds into the national side via the Super Rugby competition franchises, and provincial team competitions, and the very start of the journey begins in university and school grades.

Catching a live rugby game at any level can be an exhilarating experience and atmosphere. Watching Super Rugby Pacific team, the Crusaders play in front of their Christchurch home crowd is sure to make the hairs on your neck stand up.

Where to study in New Zealand

To learn more about our different cities and where you can study English at an 51�� member school, check out our schools by region, and read our blog for more Aotearoa inspiration.

See you soon!

Image credits: Supplied and ‘’ by Neil hunt via .

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New Zealand Borders Opening to International Students in 2022

51�� — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 22:14:24 +0000

The New Zealand government has announced a five-stage plan to reopen our borders to fully vaccinated individuals. This means international students can start planning their trip to learn English in New Zealand!

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How does the phased approach work differently?

The five-step approach to open the border allows fully vaccinated travellers to enter New Zealand without needing to go into managed isolation and quarantine, or MIQ as it has been referred to.

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When are international students allowed to visit New Zealand?

From 11.59pm on 12 April 2022, up to 5,000 fully vaccinated international students can apply for a border exception to apply for a visa, enter the country and self-isolate for a short time before beginning their study. It is hoped these students can arrive to begin their studies in the second half of the year. Eligibility and application details to come, so stay tuned!

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The five steps in detail

The five steps that make up the phased border reopening are as follows:

Step 1 from 11.59pm on 27 February 2022�� allowing NZ citizens, residents, and other eligible individuals to enter from Australia��if they:

are fully vaccinated.
have spent previous 14 days in Australia or NZ.
have had the required pre-departure tests.

Step 2 from 11.59pm on 4 March 2022, allowing the following fully vaccinated groups to enter New Zealand from anywhere in the world:

NZ citizens and residents.
eligible travellers under .
skilled workers earning at least 1.5x the median wage.
travellers on working holiday schemes.

Step 3 begins at 11.59pm on 12 April 2022, allowing these individuals to enter New Zealand from anywhere in the world:

current temporary work and student visa holders with a valid visa who still meet their visa requirements. This can be visa holders currently offshore, or those in NZ who opt to travel overseas and return.
up to 5,000 international students for July (including 1,000 English language students)

Step 4 by July 2022, the New Zealand border opens to:

Australian citizens and permanent residents, other foreign nationals travelling from Australia.
visitors from .
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders.
Temporary visitor visa holders who are outside NZ, if they still meet their visa requirements.

Step 5 October 2022:

All visa categories will reopen from October 2022, including visitor and student visas.

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What can you look forward to when you arrive to study in New Zealand?

There’s so much on offer for international students learning English in New Zealand. You can enjoy the many tourism, social and cultural activities available. You can connect with students from all over the world learning about their culture, and connect with New Zealanders including the host families you can stay with. You’ll get a very warm welcome and can look forward to a great student experience.

Check out some of the notable spots and activities we included in our December blog, learn about how studying English down under can lead to lifelong friendships, and read up on must-do activities in the regions where we have member schools.

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Images:

‘’ by Stefan Marks via��.

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How COVID has affected learning English in New Zealand

51�� — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 01:58:13 +0000

In our last blog we shared the news of our shiny new website being built and launched despite the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This month we’re going to share some insights into how New Zealand has managed its response to the pandemic, the effect on our member schools and their international students, and what our future holds.

What happened when the New Zealand border closed?

The New Zealand border was closed to most international visitors (essential health workers were exempt) from 20 March 2020.

A week later we went into country-wide Alert Level 4, which meant we were instructed by our government to stay at home other than for essential personal movement or safe recreational activity. All gatherings were cancelled, all public venues were closed, educational facilities needed to operate remote learning, and non-essential service businesses were closed. Those of us who could went online to continue working or studying.

The closure of New Zealand’s border was significant for 51��, our member schools and our international students. No new students are currently able to enter the country, but some providers have been offering online lessons to overseas students since the border closure. A nice alternative, but no substitute for the full immersion experience of living and learning in New Zealand.

What happened to the international students in New Zealand when the pandemic struck?

New Zealand was in Alert Level 4 lockdown for a very short period compared to the rest of the world — after just five weeks the virus was considered contained and we started progressing down our Alert Level system to Alert Level 1.

“A team of 5 million” was the message our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and the government, shared when we went into the Alert Level 4 lockdown, suggesting that it was going to take every one of us to beat COVID-19. New Zealand’s management of our COVID-19 response was considered a successful operation and New Zealand received global recognition for the way our government and our people approached it.

When the impact of COVID-19 in their home countries became evident, many of the international English language students who were in New Zealand when the border closed were very keen to stay here. 51�� member schools have done a great job of looking after these students in these difficult times.

ENZ (Education NZ) developed an initiative called Tū Ngātahi. A programme of activity, Tū Ngātahi takes its name from a te reo Māori phrase asking us to ‘stand together’ — the initiative is designed to help our international education community come together in expressing our welcoming and hospitality towards international students already in Aotearoa New Zealand. Look out for related extending a warm welcome to international students already here, and those hoping to learn English in NZ once our borders open.

The student experience in New Zealand and our pastoral care of international students is very important to our education providers. Students who have stayed in NZ to complete their studies at an 51�� school have been able to enjoy face-to-face study in class and many in-person activities and travel throughout New Zealand, including during the summer holidays.

When will international students be able to travel to New Zealand again?

The COVID-19 pandemic is still having a monumental impact around the world, but there is light at the end of the tunnel — sectors are working closely with New Zealand government agencies around when we can welcome international students back to New Zealand. Exemptions are currently approved for 250 PhD students to enter, and recently entry for another 1,000 degree-level and above students was approved.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming international students of all backgrounds and education levels back to New Zealand as soon as it is safe to do so. 51�� has a reputation for quality and a diverse nationality mix, attracting students from around the globe. Our schools are maintaining close connections with international education agencies, so we are ready to welcome students back as soon as possible.

Aroha nui and kia kaha from 51�� and all our member schools!

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51�� Website Gets Reboot in 2021

51�� — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 22:18:15 +0000

It’s a new year and a new website for 51��. We’re pleased to announce our new and improved website is now live for everyone to surf and learn what we do and who we work with.

Why do we have a new website?

Late 2019/early 2020 we decided our website was looking dated, so we started planning to redesign the look and feel while improving the user experience and functionality.

The impact of COVID-19 on the international education industry and our English language providers has been challenging and has provided uncertainty globally. However, we decided to move ahead with the project, investing in our member schools and their future international students as we all work together in the recovery process.

We partnered with our existing digital marketing provider, to design and build the new website. Their team of designers, developers, SEO gurus and project managers worked tirelessly with our Executive Director Kim Renner to get the project across the line.

The new website benefits from updated imagery, a cleaner and more modern design, and improved layout and formatting of information. Users can find what they’re looking for more easily and with students more likely to use a mobile device to search for an English language provider, this part of the student experience was very important to us.

Who is the 51�� website for?

Our website serves multiple groups of users because of our core functions of quality assurance, advocacy, marketing, and membership services. These users include:

People wanting to study English in New Zealand:

The Students section of our website is where these users can find great information about why they should choose an 51�� school, details about each school and their location in New Zealand, answers to frequently asked questions, the New Zealand Student Experience they can look forward to, and loads more.

This section is also helpful for international students already studying English in New Zealand.

Education Agencies wanting to offer their students a gateway to learning English in New Zealand:

Our website has a section dedicated to Education Agencies around the world who are interesting in connecting their students with an 51�� member school. It has information about New Zealand as a study destination, immigration and visa requirements, what 51�� offers Education Agencies, and how they can work with language schools in New Zealand.��

Language Schools in New Zealand

We provide our English language member schools with benefits including quality assurance, advocacy, and marketing/promotion. Language schools interested in becoming an 51�� member school can read about these and other benefits of membership on our new website. They can also access details about professional development offered to members, and current members can log in to a portal and utilise resources for members.

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Take a Tiki Tour and Suss it out!

We encourage you to take a look around our new 51�� website — we’d love to hear your feedback, so don’t hesitate to get in contact. You can even use it to sharpen up on your Kiwi slang!

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First schools approved to offer the 51�� Accredited Pathway Assessment

51�� — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 12:45:01 +0000

51�� is pleased to announce the first three member schools approved to offer the 51�� Accredited Pathway Assessment.

Approval to offer the Accredited Pathway Assessment (APA) is additional to meeting all requirements for 51�� membership, including the 51�� Standards which quality assure all member schools.

, , and offer courses enabling a direct entry pathway to New Zealand’s eight universities under an

All eight of New Zealand’s universities accept the Accredited Pathways Assessment of these three approved 51�� members as evidence of meeting their English language proficiency requirements at an undergraduate or postgraduate level.

The aim of this initiative is to encourage more students to pathway into tertiary study following their English language studies.

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51�� Conference 2019 A Great Success

51�� — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 15:12:36 +0000

51��, with the support of Education New Zealand, hosted its second biennial conference on the 22^nd and 23^rd of November at the Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS) in Auckland.

The conference, themed “Quality and Sustainability in ELT”, attracted over 170 delegates which was a 15% increase on 2017. It was excellent to have 30 non-member school academic staff attending which was a 200% increase on 2017.

A members’ only closed session was attended by the Minister of Education Hon. Chris Hipkins. Topical issues for the sector such as quality assurance and the export education levy (EEL) were discussed openly.�� The Minister was accompanied by senior officials from Education New Zealand, the Ministry of Education and NZQA.

A concurrent session was held for Academic Managers of member schools. This is the first dedicated DoS/Academic Managers’ session hosted by 51�� and was received well by attendees. It was evident that there is a need to provide a forum for information sharing and networking, and the aim is to make this a regular part of the 51�� calendar.

Although sustainability is most frequently associated with environmental issues currently, the focus for the conference was on sustainability of the sector and looking after those studying and working within it. As Wayne Dyer, Chairman of 51�� states “It has become cliché to say we live in a time of rapid change but it is nevertheless the case and the way we respond to that impacts not only the quality of our offerings but also our own quality of life. Are we resilient enough? Are we burning out? How do we feel good and function well?”

The varied programme included sessions on teaching practice, quality standards, assessment, marketing, management, wellbeing and pastoral care. Key government agencies such as Education New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand and NZQA presented as did two experts on wellbeing and resilience.

A range of examination and industry service providers exhibited with sponsorship from IDP IELTS, ETS TOEFL, Bookery, Cambridge Assessment English, OET, ETS TOEIC, ICEF, Pearson PTE Academic, OKNZ & Vodafone, Apex Digital and Uni-Care.

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News & Updates | 51�������