English Language Schools in New Zealand are of a high standard. You can check the quality of a school by asking some questions;

• Do the teachers have the RSA CTEFLA or Cambridge Trinity ESOL qualifications?
• Is the school registered with the NZQA?

In general a private English Language School will have classes of up to 12 students. The classes generally consist of 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon.

In a General English course the morning will probably focus on work from text books. The afternoons will probably focus on conversation or topics.

When you stay with a host family you will get breakfast and evening meals on school days, and all meals at the weekend.

The price includes your laundry and electricity. Phone calls to your parents and friends at home are not included!

At the weekend your host family will include you in their activities.

In the summer New Zealanders have barbeques (a meal cooked outside - usually meat with some salad), go to the beach, go camping or walking. In the colder months Kiwis like to go skiing or tramping (walking in the mountains or in the forest).