Q&A
ABOUT GLOBAL ENGLISH WORLD
Auckland’s population is approximately 1,692,770 as of 2022. Of these residents, around 63.5% are of European ethnicity, and 11% belong to the Māori ethnic group. The remaining population is comprised of Pacific, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, African, and other ethnicities.
Auckland is known for its iconic Sky Tower, vibrant waterfront areas like Wynyard Quarter and Viaduct Harbour, and natural attractions such as Rangitoto Island and beautiful beaches. The city is close to renowned wine regions like Waiheke Island and Kumeu. Cultural landmarks include the Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Auckland Art Gallery. Known as the “City of Sails,” Auckland’s two harbors are filled with yachts and boats, reflecting its strong maritime culture. This blend of urban sophistication, cultural richness, and natural beauty makes Auckland a unique and attractive destination.
So much! Fun fact: there’s more to do in Auckland than any other city in New Zealand!
Auckland is amazing. Enjoy beautiful beaches, volcanoes, and lush parks. For adventure seekers, try sailing, hiking, and bungy jumping. Experience Māori culture at the Auckland Museum and Tamaki Hikoi.
Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or culture, Auckland has something for everyone!
Coming to Auckland gives you a real New Zealand experience, with the added vibrancy of a bustling city. An experience that is probably quite different from any you have had before if you have grown up in a smaller town. You will have countless opportunities to interact with local people and people from diverse backgrounds. Auckland’s multicultural population ensures that you’ll engage with a variety of cultures, broadening your horizons.
SCHOOL
You can enroll online, fill out our contact form, or send us an email for more information.
The most up-to-date information about visas can be found on the Immigration New Zealand website.
You can come to New Zealand to study with a Visitor Visa, a Student Visa or a Working Holiday Visa. If you are only planning to study for 3 months or less, you need only apply for a Visitor Visa or a Working Holiday Visa. If you are planning to study for more than 3 months, you will need to apply for a Student Visa.
If you are a good student and you have good attendance, then yes, you can study longer with us. You might need to get a new student visa to do this and we can help you.
You should choose Global English World because quality matters to you. Quality in your educational program, your accommodation, your experience, and in the relationships you will build.
Global English World is one of the longest-running language schools in New Zealand. We are a school with a unique character. We offer a very strong, supportive academic structure, but that structure is always flexible. Our flexibility and our responsiveness to our students are among our main selling points. We understand that every student is a unique individual. Different people need different kinds of support in order to succeed. So at Global English World, we listen to our students carefully, and we respond.
We are here to help you no matter how big or small your problem may be. On your first day at the school we will introduce you to our School Support Services staff who can help you with any problems you have and if they don’t know the answer, they will introduce you to the people who do know.
Yes, you can. We offer classes to help you prepare for IELTS exam all year and at certain times of the year we also help students prepare for the B2 First (formerly known as Cambridge English: First (FCE)) and C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) exams. Please note: Exam classes are only offered if we have demand. Contact us for more information.
You are welcome to join our General English classes on any Monday, unless it is a Public Holiday. Some courses have specific start dates, please refer to your chosen course to see these.
Yes, you will. For courses over 6 weeks you will receive a detailed report on your ability in different areas of language use.
We have classes at multiple levels. Some classes are subject to numbers, please contact the school for more information about these.
Before you arrive at the school, you will do an online test to find out your correct level of English. This test will check your Use of English (Grammar) and listening. On your first day at school, we will give you an interview to check you spoken English. Based on the results of these tests, we will put you in a class at your level. You will study with other students of a similar level to you but from many different countries. At the end of your first week with us, we will talk to you to find out how the class is. If it is too easy, we will move you up a level, if it is too hard we can move you down.
The average number of students in a class is 7 – 8. We have a maximum of 16 students in a class.
Every 6 weeks you will do a test. Our courses are structured in 12 weekly cycles.
At the 6 weekly, mid-course stage a student will be considered for promotion to the next level if he or she has achieved at least 80% in all areas, has proven in class to be performing above the level of the majority, and the teacher, student and DOS believe it is in his or her best interests.
At the 12 weekly, end of course stage a student will be promoted to the next level if he or she has achieved at least 60% in all areas, has proven in class to be able to perform competently at that level overall, and displays no major ‘gaps’ in understanding or skill set. If a student has not achieved adequate test results, they may still be promoted if the teacher and DOS feel that overall their performance and abilities justify promotion.
Please email us for the test week schedule.
It varies from month to month but in any one year we normally welcome students from more than 25 different countries.
You can learn faster if you:
- study full-time
- stay in a homestay with a New Zealand family
- do 1 hour of homework and learn at least 10 new words every day
- study after school
- speak English as often as possible out of the classroom. You must speak English in the class. You might also like to become an ‘English Only Ambassador’. This means that you agree to speak only English at all times in the school grounds. It is hard work but ambassadors find it very rewarding, and their English improves quickly. If you would like to become an ‘English Only Ambassador’, please talk to the Student Services desk.
- read for pleasure – use our free library of graded readers, many with audio
- come to self-study for advice on study skills and practice materials
Your progress will sometimes be fast and sometimes a little slower. Don’t worry. This is natural, and sometimes students don’t realise how much their English is improving all the time.
Yes, Wi-Fi is available free of charge at school. You will be issued with a password at orientation.
ACCOMMODATION
We offer assistance with finding the perfect accommodation to suit your needs, whether it’s a cozy homestay with a welcoming host family or a comfortable, well-equipped apartment. Our goal is to ensure you have a pleasant and memorable stay.
The families are carefully selected by our accommodation staff. All our families are friendly and welcoming. The approval process involves a police clearance of all adults over the age of 18 living at the homestay.
At the end of your first week with us we will talk to you to make sure things are okay in your homestay, and every 6 weeks we will talk to you again about the homestay to make sure you are happy.
Yes, if you have a good reason for doing so. However, you have to tell us at least 1 week before. We will then start to try and find you a new homestay. This process may take longer than one week but we will move as quickly as we can. Before we decide to move you, we will spend time talking to you to see if we can work through the problem. Our homestay team is available 24/7 to help you with any problems you may have in your homestay. Part of living in a new home is learning to be adaptable. Things in the home will be different to what you are used to and sometimes it is just a matter of taking time to understand your homestay and their ways and for you to get to know one another.
COST OF LIVING & MONEY
New Zealand is cheaper than many other countries:
You can see the prices for things you regularly buy at: https://shop.countdown.co.
The following two links are also very useful:
- Lunches if you are in a homestay and all meals if you chose to live in a flat
- Transport to and from school each day.
- Optional weekend activities
- Transport from Auckland airport if you do not prepay our shuttle service.
- Exam fees if you choose to sit an external exam
The following things are included in your course fees:
- Textbook and materials
- Wifi access in the school
- A free Friday afternoon activity (Full-time students only)
- Access to our after-school self-study centre
You can open a bank account in New Zealand if you have a visa that allows you to stay in the country for some time—this could be a work or student visa.
Our Student Services team can help you to open an account but it is often easier to start the process from your home country. There is a lot of information at the following links from New Zealand’s five main banks.
WORK
Yes. Global English World is a Category 1 school which means if you study full-time for 14 weeks or more you can apply to get a student visa which will allow you to work for 20 hours per week.
We don’t find our students jobs. However, we do offer a Job Club for students after school. The Job Club will give you the tools needed to look for work in New Zealand. We will help you to prepare a CV, get an IRD number, and open a bank account. We will teach you about your legal rights as an employee in New Zealand and show you the different places to look for a job. We will also help you with the language you need for interviews, filling in forms, and when door knocking.
