留學指南：語言中心的分級與課程

Many international students arrive in New Zealand with a dream of studying business, tourism or IT, but first they need to improve their English. That's why many colleges have an English language centre on campus, where students can build their skills before moving on to a diploma or degree. Finding your level On your first day, you will take a short grammar test and have a friendly interview with a teacher. This is not an exam that you can pass or fail; it simply helps the school place you in the right class. There are usually eight levels, from Beginner and Elementary, through Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate, up to Upper Intermediate and Advanced. When you are ready, your teacher will recommend that you move up to the next level. What a typical day looks like General English classes run in the morning, from 9 am to 12 pm. Students learn grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking through interesting topics and interactive activities. After lunch, there are skills classes from 12:30 to 2:10 pm, which focus on practical areas such as speaking or academic writing. Each week there is a vocabulary test and a speaking assessment, so you can see your progress. A full-time student studies about 23 hours a week, while a part-time student studies about 15 hours a week. Small classes, many nationalities Classes are small, so every student gets plenty of attention and lots of chances to speak. Your classmates may come from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and many other countries. Because you can't use your first language with everyone, you have to use English – and that is one of the best ways to learn. Flexible start dates New students can usually start any Monday of the year, and they can study for as little as one week or as long as a whole year. Courses for adults are generally open to students aged 16 and over. More than just lessons Many schools organise weekend trips and activities, such as visiting famous landmarks, walking on the beach or trying local food. These outings are a great way to make friends, practise English in real situations and learn about life in New Zealand.