English Courses in New Zealand: Learn English in Christchurch

Course Prices Accommodation Prices School Facilities Course Details Accommodation Details

English Courses in Christchurch, New Zealand

The city of Christchurch is located midway down the East Coast of New Zealand's South Island, just north of The Banks Peninsula. Christchurch is not only the South Island's largest city, it is also a vibrant, cosmopolitan place with exciting festivals, theatre, modern art galleries, great shopping and award winning attractions.

The city was named after Christ Church, a college at the University of Oxford, although the name was soon abbreviated through common usage by the 1880's. Today Christchurch is also known as The Garden City due to its many beautiful parks and gardens which can be found throughout the metropolitan area. As much of the city of Christchurch is built on flat land only a few metres above sea level, spectacular views can be obtained from almost any high building, while due to this low elevation the city appears more like a forest with only a few buildings visible, rather than a major city.

Visitors to Christchurch can expect a high standard of cuisine wherever they go, with a host of restaurants and cafes in the city making the most of the region's delicacies and local wines. A popular option with many visitors is to work up an appetite or settle a meal with a leisurely journey down the Avon River in one of the many punts that are for hire across the city.

Known internationally for its award winning gardens, Christchurch is also a place for events and festivals. Whatever the season, you'll find a non stop program of entertainment, with events such as the Festival of Romance, the International Buskers Festival, the Winter Carnival and Showtime Canterbury.

English Courses in Christchurch, New Zealand - Fees

Accommodation Fees

Our English School in Christchurch, New Zealand

Our English School in Christchurch, New Zealand is located by the sea in the suburb of New Brighton. The beach, shops, banks, cafés, restaurants, bars, seaside public library, postal agency, bus services and the Christchurch Pier are all within a few minutes' walk from the school. Students will also find tennis, golf and other sporting and leisure facilities located very close by.

The ethos of our English School in Christchurch, New Zealand is based on a friendly and homely atmosphere, with an inclusive Christian foundation. Our attractive school premises and up to date English language teaching methods are designed to make your time of study a happy and effective one. Our recently built school features 16 classrooms, student common rooms with free refreshments, a library with a librarian willing to assist with any queries, peaceful courtyards and gardens, free student bike and car parking, and a computer room with free internet facilities.

On arrival at our English school, new students are provided with an assessment test and interview, and then placed in classes according to their English language ability, while students are individually advanced to higher levels as competence is attained at each class level. A full orientation is also provided to new students covering matters such as school life, home stay accommodation, bus and banking services, after school activities, facilities and local attractions.

In the morning session, classes are taught the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking, with special attention being given to vocabulary development and grammar. In the afternoon session, special emphasis is placed on listening and speaking in the context of conversational development. Our overall English courses are taught using a modern communicative method of language teaching, with a wide range of teaching mediums used, such as modern texts, newspapers and news items, videos, DVDs, CDs/tapes, debates, drama, music, role play, language games, topical discussions, class excursions, situational English and practical language skills.

As Christchurch, New Zealand is ideally situated for students to learn English in New Zealand and enjoying a wide range of activities at all times of the year, our school has developed an active social program with various after class activities organised every week and regularly on weekends. Depending on the season, students can enjoy visits to the beach, golf, tennis, horse riding, sailing, surfing, windsurfing, farm visits, fishing, shopping, jet boating, canoeing, art and crafts, city sightseeing or just relaxing. A little further afield, our school trips include snowboarding and skiing, whale watching, harbour cruises, caving, hot alpine springs and visits to many other interesting and beautiful places. Excursion and activity costs are kept to a minimum but are additional to school fees.

After all classes in Christchurch students can enjoy:

• Our computer room with free internet.
• Wireless internet access.
• Our school library which offers additional study and reading materials.
• Social, sporting and leisure activities arranged by the school.
• The New Brighton Public Library with ocean views and study areas.
• Local shopping, cafés, beach and pier.

Our English Courses in Christchurch, New Zealand

Our Christchurch School focuses its English courses on the most important factors required for gaining fluency in the English language, with emphasis on verbal communication, listening comprehension and reading and writing of English text.

Our English School offers its students two main options for English courses.

Our Standard Group Course consists of 15.75 hours of lessons per week, with the hours divided across 21 separate lessons. Students are free to enroll on this course on any Monday, with any course length available between 1 and 50 weeks. Our Standard Group Courses are available at all levels of ability, from beginner to advanced. Although this course is available to all students we would particularly recommend it for students who already have a reasonable level of English and wish to have more time for enjoying the many attractions of the Christchurch area and New Zealand as a whole.

The timetable for our Standard Group Course consists of morning lessons only, from 9:00 am to 12:15 pm Monday to Thursday and from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday's.

Our Intensive Group Course consist of 23.75 hours of lessons per week, with the hours divided into 29 separate lessons. Students are free to enroll on this course on any Monday, with any course length available between 1 and 50 weeks. Our Intensive Group Courses are available at all levels of ability, from beginner to advanced. As this course is recommended for students with little or no previous knowledge of English, as well as students who are only with us for a short time.

The timetable for our Intensive Group Courses consist of morning lessons from 9:00 am to 12:15 pm Monday to Thursday and from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Fridays. During the morning session we provide lessons on grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking. The afternoon session runs from 1:15 pm to 3:15 pm Monday to Thursday, and covers a range of subjects specific to each students personal requirements, with lessons covering English conversation, specific vocabulary or exam preparation all available.

All students who study with us will receive a course certificate upon graduation, while students studying for 12 weeks or longer are also presented with regular academic progress reports.

All students enrolling on a course in Christchurch is entitled to a free one to one fortnightly tutorial after class with their teacher. This can be used for conversation or as an opportunity to ask questions about any aspect of your English study, discuss study pathways, exams options, etc.

Cambridge Examination Courses (Full-Time 23.75 hours per week)

Our school in Christchurch also offer Cambridge Examination Courses, please contact us for start dates.

• Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE)
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

These 9 and 12 week preparation courses beginning in January, March and September.

English Courses in Christchurch, New Zealand - Accommodation

Our English School in Christchurch, New Zealand can provide students with home stay accommodation with a local family. All of our home stay families are carefully selected and inspected to ensure they provide the best environment for our students comfort, as well as providing adequate opportunities for practicing your English.

Each student taking advantage of our home stay program is provided with their own room, with host families providing food, spare linen (towels and sheets), washing and ironing facilities, and all the usual comforts of a western style home. Students can choose between half board (all meals except lunch on school days) and full board (all meals, everyday). Students should also allow about NZ$15.00 to $20.00 per week for bus transport between their home stay and the school, although some students do choose to ride a bicycle to school. Each student is provided with a map of Christchurch and a local information brochure to help orientate them to the city.

Students who do not wish to take part in our home stay program can choose from a wide rage of other accommodation options, including a student house, private apartments, bed and breakfast, motels and hotels.

New Brighton Student House:

The student house is located just five minutes' walk from our school of English, with modern, furnished rooms including power and phone. The student house is also situated close to shops, the beach, public library and local bus services. Furnished rooms from NZ$100 per week including power and phone.

Shared House:

Our shared house is located just five minutes by bus from our English School, with fully furnished rooms provided in an attractive 5 bedroom house with garden. The shared house is also conveniently located close to shops, the beach and local bus services. Rooms from NZ$135 per week (plus gas levy) and bond.

Two bedroom house:

Our two bedroom house is located right next to our English School and offers fully furnished rooms, including linen, bedding and kitchenware. The house features two bedrooms, one double and one single, with a lounge, kitchen, bathroom, laundry and two toilets. NZ$350 per week plus refundable bond.

Local Backpackers Hostel:

Our school can recommend a local hostel located 300 metres from the beach and just 2 minutes walk from our English School. Please contact us for prices.

Central City Apartments:

Fully furnished studio units and apartments located close to the Bus Exchange, cafés, restaurants, bars and shopping. From NZ$250 per week plus bond, booking and cleaning fees.

Motel:

We can recommend a clean and friendly motel situated just ten minutes by bus from our School, with one, two and three bedroom studio units available. From NZ$94 per night

Please note: All prices are quoted in NZ dollars. For the equivalent in your currency, please visit www.xe.com/ucc.