Page 32 - ELG2210 Oct Issue 482

FEATURE .

Escape to
Escape to

New Zealand
New Zealand

Kim Renner and the board of English

New Zealand explain how their schools
can help English language teachers

enjoy the holiday of a lifetime

ew Zealand’s border is open and the and walked into their recruitment office and
English language sector is gearing up asked where I could work at an IH school in
to meet the pent-up demand for New the Northern Hemisphere with a NZ passport.
NZealand as a study travel destination. The two choices were Budapest and Cairo. It
Student numbers will grow significantly was before the Berlin Wall came down, so Cairo
over the next 6 to 24 months, so there are seemed a sunnier and more practical choice”.
immediate and longer-term opportunities for Auckland, where Languages International
adventurous working holiday makers who is located, attracts around two-thirds of
hold suitable qualifications and/or experience the New Zealand market. Students and
in ELT. staff alike choose Auckland for the small
English New Zealand, the peak body
representing the English language sector, big city feel (the population’s around
has 17 member schools. These centres, both What qualifications and experience 1.6 million), cultural diversity (40% of
private and university-based, are located are needed? Aucklanders were born overseas and it is
throughout beautiful New Zealand in eight Temporary teachers need a minimum of an the world’s largest Polynesian city), the mild
different destinations. initial TESOL qualification or 500 hours’ year-round climate and the ease of access
All are rated Category 1 (or equivalent for English language teaching experience. to its harbour playground – Auckland is
the state sector), which is the highest level CELTA or equivalent is preferred. ‘The City of Sails’.
of accreditation a school can achieve under Nine member schools are in Auckland, and
the New Zealand Qualifications Authority What level of English is needed for a it’s estimated they’ll be looking for at least
system. In addition, all of our member schools teaching position? 100 teachers over the next 6 - 12 months.
must meet the globally benchmarked English At least CEFR C1 level. It’s an ideal base from which to travel around
New Zealand Standards. the top of the North Island, visiting some of
How many hours of work per week? New Zealand’s iconic destinations such as
Earn money while There is some flexibility depending on whether Ninety Mile Beach and the Bay of Islands.
teachers want part-time or full-time work.
taking up a great Full-time teaching contact/class hours are Wherever you decide to base yourself in New
Zealand, visiting Waitangi is a must-do to
opportunity to explore usually 20+ per week. learn about New Zealand’s cultural heritage
and history. You can familiarise yourself with
New Zealand How much can English language Māori culture and language and also learn
teachers on WHVs expect to earn?
about protocols, especially if you visit a Marae
The longevity of our member schools makes Hourly rates vary based on qualifications and (meeting ground).
them an excellent choice to further your experience: approximately NZD 30 – 40 per Add Auckland to your list of places to
teaching career, allowing you to earn some hour for new teachers, and NZD 32 – 49 teach but don’t ignore other regions that will
money while taking up a great opportunity to for more experienced teachers (before tax). also be looking for teachers! The remaining
explore New Zealand. Non-teaching tasks are usually paid at a English New Zealand schools are located
New Zealand’s working holiday visa scheme lower rate. Rates in larger urban centres are in Mount Maunganui, Rotorua, Hamilton,
is designed to allow 18 to 30/35 year olds to slightly higher, reflecting the higher cost of Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown
work while holidaying in New Zealand for living there. and Invercargill. These major tourism
12 – 23 months, depending on the country of destinations have a great range of cultural
origin. Gaining teaching experience overseas What is the cost of living? and adventure activities to offer students
through schemes such as this has been an It varies from region to region. Let us know and teachers.
integral part of the ELT industry and is a great the region you’re interested in and we’ll Mount Maunganui, with its white sand
way to enhance your CV. provide some more detailed information. beaches, is home to Mount Maunganui
Darren Conway, Languages International Language Centre, a family-owned school with
Managing Director and current Chair of What benefits do teachers get? 30 years’ experience. Students at this school
English New Zealand, started his language Working in a welcoming, supportive balance their exam preparation programmes
teaching career in Cairo in 1989: “I was on a environment plus professional development with surfing lessons at the beach, just a
Working Holiday Visa in London, did an RSA/ and activities programme opportunities. short walk away. Nearby Rotorua English
Cambridge Prep Cert TEFL at IH Piccadilly, Language Academy, with small, personalised
32 October 2022