Sure, you can鈥檛 enjoy them right now with our borders currently closed due to the global pandemic, but we recommend you experience them for yourself as soon as you can join us.

1. New Zealand summers are spent having fun under sun

Because New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, our Christmas and New Year period falls in the first calendar month of our summer, which runs December to February. This is when students and most workers take their longest holiday.

Temperatures range from 20 degrees Celsius right up to the mid and late 30s and getting outdoors to the beach and beyond is a top priority during this time, with many past students at 51反差黑料 member schools travelling in groups or with their host family to see what鈥檚 on offer.

The NZ sun is extremely harsh and burn times can be as low as six minutes when the UV factor is at its highest, so staying SunSmart is of the utmost importance. Avoid being sunburnt and the related health risks by following the slip, slop, slap and wrap rule.

2. Swimming in the sea, lakes and rivers is a favourite kiwi pastime

The place to be during the New Zealand summer is anywhere close to the water 鈥� and being an island country, you鈥檙e never too far from an idyllic beach, lake, or river swimming hole. We also have thermal hot pools in different spots around the country.

They鈥檙e a great place to hang out and cool off when the heat gets too much. Students studying English in New Zealand will often pack a lunch or picnic and spend the whole day at their favourite swimming spot.

We call our swimming outfits 鈥�togs鈥� in New Zealand, so chuck on your togs and get wet! Just make sure you stay safe while you鈥檙e having fun 鈥� there can be hidden dangers to swimming in New Zealand.

3. Kiwi kai on Christmas day

Countries around the world have their own distinct Christmas cuisine, and New Zealand is no different. The Christmas day kai kiwis tuck into includes the likes of a roast chicken, turkey, or ham with our beloved kumara, potatoes, gravy, and assorted vegetables.

Dessert is usually made up of fruit cake (or Christmas cake as we refer to it), coupled with steamed Christmas pudding and small fruit pies. Pavlova 鈥� a big dessert meringue coated with cream and sliced Kiwi fruit 鈥� is such a delectable symbol of national pride that Australia tried to claim it as their own!

Kiwis love a barbecue (usually gas-powered), so Christmas 鈥� and summer in general 鈥� is usually coupled with the aroma of sausages, corn, and more cooking (sometimes burning) on the barbie.

Past 51反差黑料 member school students have been lucky enough to eat a traditional M膩ori H膩ngi 鈥� meat and root vegetables cooked under the ground by hot rocks. Check out these other Kiwi foods and drinks you could sample at Christmas.

4. Catch the ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is an island paradise just a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland, New Zealand鈥檚 most populated city. There you鈥檒l find exquisite wineries, cuisine, walking trails and serenity-soaked beaches.

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5. Take a dip at Cheltenham Beach, Auckland

And when you get back to the mainland, check out Cheltenham Beach, near the Auckland suburb of Devonport. Free from waves, the beach is an excellent swimming spot and boasts unrivalled views of Rangitoto Island.

See where you can study English in Auckland.

6. Head to the Port Hills above Christchurch

Described as the jewel in the crown of Christchurch (the largest city in the South Island), the Port Hills are home to breath-taking views, adrenaline pumping adventures, and lovely picnic spots. The Port Hills were a popular spot all year-round for our students studying English in Christchurch.  

7. Learn about M膩ori culture and New Zealand鈥檚 history in Rotorua

Rotorua is located in the Western Bay of Plenty on Te Ika-a-M膩ui, New Zealand鈥檚 North Island. So full of M膩ori culture, the city is referred to as a hub of M膩oridom and is always an educational and fascinating experience for students of English language courses in New Zealand.

Check out the immersive experience on offer at Tamaki M膩ori Village where you can taste a hangi and learn a poi dance or haka, or visit Te Puia to see the world-famous P艒hutu geyser, wood carving, harakeke weaving, and boiling mud pools.

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Read about student life in Rotorua and see where you can study English.

8. Walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, near Taup艒

Covered in snow and ice throughout the rest of the year, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be hiked without alpine skills from November to May.

The alpine landscape has been described as lunar and other-worldly, encompassing bright crater lakes, alpine vegetation, ancient lava flows, glacial valleys, steaming vents and incredible views of the Central Plateau and beyond.

Beginning at an altitude of 1120m, the hike is no walk in the park and can take 7鈥�8 hours for individuals of a reasonable level of fitness. Research and preparation are key, so , and speak to your friends and host family before setting off. You may like to find a tourism activities operator to take you there and guide you.

9. Kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on Lake W膩naka

World famous as a winter location thanks to the excellent snowfields dotted around the ever-present Southern Alps, W膩naka is also a stunning summer destination, as many students learning English in New Zealand have found out.

Amongst the plethora of activities and experiences available in the area, Lake W膩naka and nearby Lake H膩wea are both ideal for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. These more peaceful options can be passed over for more action-packed wake boarding, water skiing or guided rafting tours on Clutha River.

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View 51反差黑料 member schools located in nearby Queenstown.

Meri Kirihimete and hari raumati!

You won鈥檛 be able to make it down under this summer, but not to worry 鈥� start researching now and by the time our borders open again you鈥檒l be good and ready for a hot summer Christmas holiday. Look at the different regions where you can study English, and what fun can be had in the area.

If you want to learn English before your trip to Aotearoa, browse our 51反差黑料 partner schools who are offering online courses for international students while there is still restricted travel to New Zealand.

Kia kaha!

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The post Study English in New Zealand and enjoy hot Christmas holiday fun appeared first on 51反差黑料.

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In 2015, Stefan铆a Ram铆rez Gut铆errez and Magdala Mora Fuentes travelled to New Zealand from Colombia to study at member schools and blog about their experience as part of an 51反差黑料 and Education New Zealand initiative. The Colombian pair, unknown to each other at that time, have formed a lifelong friendship as a result of their time in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Recently meeting up in Bogota, Stefan铆a and Magdala reminisced about their time down under and shared the following helpful insights with us, so we can share them with you!

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Preparing to study English in New Zealand

When getting ready to study English in New Zealand, it鈥檚 okay to feel nervous. Magdala and Stefan铆a were both nervous and excited during the build up to their trip to New Zealand back in 2015.

Stefan铆a was super excited 鈥� 鈥淎s a Latina having the opportunity to cross the world to visit one of the most unknown countries in my region was a tremendous opportunity.鈥�

But also, a little nervous 鈥� 鈥淚 was worried about not being able to communicate or being welcomed but New Zealand people showed me the best part of humanity, and after that, I decided to live abroad.鈥�

Magdala said 鈥淚 was stunned by the opportunity to travel overseas and be in a terrific country but also trying to answer questions to myself, like: Is it really safe? Will I like the country? How will I feel there? Will I make really good friends? and so on.

鈥淭hen, I realized that my English program was the perfect excuse to start a great journey to develop myself in a personal and professional way and learn to worry less about the future.鈥�

However, her mother was doing enough worrying for both of them. Magdala explained, 鈥淪he was thinking about all the things regarding distance, relations, experiences, family, insurance, Christmas, you know… all the normal mom’s concerns.鈥�

Magdala enjoyed her trip so much that her mother鈥檚 worries were quickly put at ease. 鈥淚 was so totally astonished by the trip itself that my mom felt it and was happy as well after all.鈥�

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Settling into a host family situation

When students study with an 51反差黑料 member school, they usually stay with a host family so they can enjoy a total immersion English language experience. Both girls said that communication was key to settling into the living arrangement and making the most of living with a Kiwi family.

Stefan铆a said, 鈥淏e open and try to go with a positive attitude is important to have the best part of that experience. Settle boundaries and specify any fact that for you will make the experience more authentic and pleasant.鈥�

Magdala鈥檚 advice to students going into host family accommodation was to 鈥渢hink that we are the foreigners, not them. It’s easy to think that they should be adapted around us, but it鈥檚 the opposite. Being in a host family is probably one of the most exciting parts of the experience because it鈥檚 the best way to start living the real Kiwi life. So be open-minded and appreciate all the similarities but also the differences.鈥�

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Making the most of studying in an English-speaking country

One of the advantages of studying English in Aotearoa with an 51反差黑料 member school is the full immersion experience, with English used as the medium of instruction. This can be daunting for newcomers, so the girls have some helpful advice.

Magdala said, 鈥淚t’s totally okay to fail 鈥� everybody started to like us, making some mistakes. So, try to put aside the bias against being immersed in hard situations and conversations because it鈥檚 the only way to receive feedback and start feeling confident.

鈥淎nd of course, make many friends from your country but try to avoid speaking in your native language! This is crucial, trust me.鈥�

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Stefan铆a added, 鈥淢ake it your priority, let go of any self-doubt and enjoy the fact that if you are already able to have the experience it is because you are ready to have the best of it. Speak, speak, speak as much you can. Don’t be shy!

鈥淟isten to music and attend all the happy hours, conversations, and clubs. Accept someone else鈥檚 help when it comes because it is the best way to improve outside of the classroom.鈥�

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What鈥檚 it like living in New Zealand as an English language student?

For a small country, New Zealand has a lot to experience while studying English at an 51反差黑料 member school. Stefan铆a stressed the importance of prioritising your studies, but also making the most of opportunities outside the classroom mentioning 鈥淭he good news is that New Zealand has so much to offer, you can travel and get to know people during the weekends or after school.鈥�

Magdala praised the full immersion aspect of her study location and the role that all her experiences outside of the classroom played in her learning English. 鈥淟earning a new language is just the result of living the experience at all times,听meeting new friends, travelling around, learning about cultures, eating delicious food… So, enjoy every little moment, because life at the end is full of those little and important moments.鈥�

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What to do and see while studying English in New Zealand

When it comes to activities and experiences available to you when studying English in New Zealand, the possibilities are endless, and it can be hard to choose.

Stefan铆a explored M膩ori culture and our young country鈥檚 history during her time in Aotearoa, New Zealand. 鈥淚 was amazed when visiting Rotorua and I had the opportunity to see traditional M膩ori wood carving.

鈥淣ew Zealand is not just a place to improve your English but also to have the opportunity to open your mind to different ways and recognize biodiversity and find sustainable ways of consuming and caring for the environment鈥�.

Magdala thinks the variety of things to see and do in New Zealand is amazing. She says, 鈥淵ou can find everything there! You can find museums, international gastronomy, lakes, mountains, beaches鈥� in just one place. In my personal case, one of my hobbies is hiking so New Zealand was a paradise full of mountains and nature everywhere.鈥�

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Favourite memories from learning English in New Zealand

Talking to Stefan铆a and Magdala about their time in New Zealand, it鈥檚 clear they had so many amazing experiences while they were here. We asked them to share just a couple鈥�

Magdala said her Kiwi Christmas stood out. 鈥淚n Christchurch I stayed with an incredible host family during Christmas, and we spent a couple of days in a house on top of the mountains 鈥� I still remember that landscape perfectly.鈥�

It sounds like Stefan铆a鈥檚 time down under has had an impact on the way she鈥檚 lived her life ever since her visit. 鈥淏eing in classes allowed me to discover new sides of my personality I did not know. I can say that most of the classes were fun, and I got to practise my English.

鈥淎s a personal anecdote, I can say that the experience in New Zealand helped me to improve not only my English but also to better guide my life project. After NZ I promised myself to travel more and learn more languages. Now I live in Africa as a Spanish teacher, and I am learning French.鈥�

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A message for students thinking about studying English in New Zealand

A message from Stefan铆a: 鈥淕o and let yourself discover a new version of yourself. Improving your English will give you more opportunities all around the globe.鈥�

A message from Magdala: 鈥淭aking an English program is a perfect excuse to keep learning about life, about New Zealand, and about yourself.

鈥淵ou can take English lessons online, in your own country but just when you can realise that the opportunities, friends, travels are outside that comfort zone, you can consider yourself as a global citizen and New Zealand is a paradise to make it real.

鈥淪o, enjoy every single moment because learning English is the result of living the experience.鈥澨�

We also recommend that all students keep a blog or journal of their experience 鈥� in English – to help them develop their skills and to give them a written record of their experiences, which they can look back on for years to come.

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Contact Us

If Magdala and Stefan铆a鈥檚 words have inspired you, please get in contact to learn more about studying English in New Zealand.

And if you can鈥檛 wait for our border to open, check out our member schools offering online English language courses.

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The post Studying English in New Zealand – Shared Experience Leads to Lifelong Friendship appeared first on 51反差黑料.

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鈥檚 border was significant for 51反差黑料, 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 鈥� after just five weeks the virus was considered contained and we started progressing down our Alert Level system to Alert Level 1.

鈥淎 team of 5 million鈥� 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鈥檚 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反差黑料 member schools have done a great job of looking after these students in these difficult times.

ENZ (Education NZ) developed an initiative called T奴 Ng膩tahi. A programme of activity, T奴 Ng膩tahi takes its name from a te reo M膩ori phrase asking us to 鈥榮tand together鈥� 鈥� 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反差黑料 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 鈥� 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反差黑料 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反差黑料 and all our member schools!

The post How COVID has affected learning English in New Zealand appeared first on 51反差黑料.

Come with us as we take a trip around the region, highlighting five must-do activities in Mount Maunganui and greater Tauranga. Let鈥檚 go鈥�

1. Hike up Mount Maunganui (Mauao)

The Mount Maunganui suburb of Tauranga is named after the extinct volcano it sits beneath. A walk to the summit of the mountain 鈥� actually named Mauao 鈥� will take 30 to 45 minutes.

The journey will see you hike from sea level up to 232m above sea level, so it鈥檚 no Sunday stroll, but the views from the top are extremely impressive. Learn more about the starting point and the different routes you can take to the top .

2. Swim with Wild Dolphins in Tauranga

Situated on the east coast of New Zealand鈥檚 North Island, Tauranga hosts wonderful marine life. Wild dolphins frequent the sparkling blue waters off the coast of and you can see the marine mammals in their element during a 鈥楽wim with the Dolphins鈥� experience.

This guided summer activity isn鈥檛 the cheapest, but it can be a once in a lifetime experience that sees you swimming and snorkelling alongside real-life dolphins! Find a tour provider with .

3. Saltwater hot pools

Rest and relaxation are readily available at the Mount Hot Pools where you can chill out in heated saltwater hot pools. It鈥檚 said by many that saltwater bathing promotes health and wellbeing as you soak your aches and pains away. Check the Mount Hot Pools pricing, opening hours and location .

4. Ferry to Matakana island

Matakana sits on the northern side of the entrance to Tauranga Harbour, across a small channel from Mauao. Measuring roughly 21km long and 3km wide, the island is known as the 鈥榡ewel of the bay鈥� thanks to the immaculate beach that runs the length of it.

There are no public amenities or fooderies on the island, so be prepared with everything you鈥檒l need during your visit to the secluded spot. While you visit Matakana Island you can sample the epic waves, watch out for the resident dotterel birds, or just relax in the sand and sun.

Ferries depart from a few different spots in Mount Maunganui and Omokoroa and fares can be as low as $10NZD for walk-on passengers.

5. Surfing at 鈥榯he mount鈥�

鈥楾he Mount鈥� (as it鈥檚 affectionately referred to) is known for its awesome waves when the right eastern swells roll in from the South Pacific Ocean.

The Mount Maunganui Beach itself has good waves and is handy to the township. This is the perfect place to hire a surfboard and give surfing a go.

It鈥檚 not as easy as seasoned surfers make it look though and the sea can be a dangerous place for the inexperienced, so we suggest (which will include equipment hire) to help you stay safe and enjoy yourself.

Where can you study English in Tauranga?

If you鈥檝e read this far and think the Mount could be a cool place to learn English, then take a look at Mount Maunganui Language Centre.

Mount Maunganui Language Centre

Established in 1990, the Mount Maunganui Language Centre boasts an ideal location for beach lovers. A ten-minute walk will have students walking barefoot on the sand or splashing in the saltwater.

This Tauranga English learning facility serves its students with eight classrooms, free Wi-Fi, a kitchen and lounge, and even bicycle rental for post-study exploring of Mount Maunganui.

A New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Category 1 school, Mount Maunganui Language Centre enables student听visa holders听studying 20 or more hours for 14+ weeks, to work up to 20 hours a week.

Surf鈥檚 up at the Mount!

We鈥檝e enjoyed taking you on a tour around these Mount Maunganui and Tauranga activities. If you like what you see and would like to speak to someone about learning English in New Zealand, please reach out to us for more information.

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In this blog, we鈥檒l share a brief history plus some tips on pronunciation and simple words to get you started.

The land of the long white cloud

The very first arrivals to this country, it is currently understood, came from East Polynesia in the 13th century. As more and more East Polynesians, who had set off on their voyages of exploration (navigating solely by ocean currents and the wind and stars), arrived at their new home, a unique and rich culture was formed, complete with its own language. They called their new home Aotearoa, which is translated to 鈥渓and of the long white cloud鈥�.

M膩ori people lived in communities or tribes called iwi, and in these, family groups called whanau. Having no written language, they relied on stories, myths and legends that were passed down from generation to generation by way of spoken word.

Ka pai! M膩ori pronunciation

There are fewer letters in the M膩ori alphabet than there are in the English alphabet (only 5 vowels and 10 consonants), but there are many ways to say things, and certain accents above letters can make one word have multiple different meanings. It鈥檚 all in the pronunciation. For example, the noun keke means 鈥榗ake鈥�, but the long vowels of k膿k膿 give the meaning 鈥榓rmpit鈥�!

M膩ori vowels are pronounced:
a: aah
e: eh
i: eee
o: or
u: ew

A great song for learning these is 鈥� an easy and catchy way to learn how the M膩ori vowels are pronounced.

W鈥檚 can be tricky 鈥� when used in a word like waka (which is a M膩ori canoe), the w is pronounced quite strongly. However, when used in a word like wharenui (meeting house), the h softens the w to be pronounced as a fa sound.

Here are some great common words to try:

Kia ora 鈥� Used as an informal 鈥渉i鈥� or 鈥渉ello鈥�
Haere mai 鈥� Welcome, come here
T膿n膩 koe 鈥� hello (to one person), thank you
T膿n膩 k艒rua 鈥� hello (to two people), thank you
T膿n膩 koutou 鈥� hello (to more than two people), thank you
Haka 鈥� M膩ori dance or war dance
Hongi 鈥� The M膩ori greeting where noses are pressed together
Ka pai 鈥� Well done, or good
Karakia 鈥� Prayer
Rangatira 鈥� Chiefly, Esteemed
罢腻苍别 鈥� Husband, male, man
Wahine 鈥� Woman, female, lady, wife
Waiata 鈥� Song

We also recommend you take a look at 鈥� a comprehensive Online M膩ori dictionary.听 For quick translations, when you can鈥檛 be online, download their App which is particularly useful if you visit a Marae or Pa on a field trip or holiday. It鈥檚 exciting to learn about M膩ori culture and to try the language 鈥� 鈥済ive it go!鈥�

Have you been learning or trying the M膩ori language? We鈥檇 love to hear about your experiences in a comment below.

Source: Te Aka 鈥�
Photo Credit: 鈥�

The post Speak the language – a short guide to M膩ori words and meaning appeared first on 51反差黑料.

To help newcomers and visitors understand the quirks and unique vocabulary of New Zealand English a little better, we鈥檝e put together an awesome diagram that highlights some of our unique and special words.

Have a look and let us know what you think!

The post A Guide to the Unique Vocabulary of New Zealand appeared first on 51反差黑料.