Language training breakthrough in China

Language training breakthrough in China

In a New Zealand first, Auckland publisher Wendy Pye is starting English language tuition schools in China.

³The nearly two billion dollar New Zealand export education industry is under stress - everyone knows this,² Mrs Pye said today (October 8), speaking at a Seriously Asia business event in Wellington. ³The obvious way forward for New Zealand to continue to grow this highly successful industry is to take our expertise overseas.²

The Wendy Pye Group has developed a new interactive, animated, multi-media English language tuition programme for primary school students in non-English speaking countries - the most extensive English language programme yet developed in New Zealand.

Working with a business partner in Wuhan, southern China, two schools are now operating and five will be open by Christmas, Mrs Pye says. About 30 schools around China are expected to be open by this time next year.

The schools offer after-school and weekend tuition using the Wendy Pye Group developed multi-media programme. Qualified primary teachers are trained as tutors, and the schools offer officially recognised New Zealand qualifications.

³There are huge opportunities for the New Zealand education industry. I think the success in New Zealand will continue, but it will be difficult for the industry to grow here and the next step is to take it overseas,² Mrs Pye says.

³Making the New Zealand connection by teaching English language skills to young people in their own country also increases the likelihood that the same students will want to continue their studies in New Zealand further down the track, and will be better equipped to do so.²

Wendy Pye, MBE, is the owner and Managing Director of the Wendy Pye Group of companies, publishers of educational products and one of New Zealand¹s most successful exporters.

She was speaking at one of a series of Seriously Asia events being held around the country prior to a one day Asia Forum at Parliament on November 26. Seriously Asia, managed by the Asia 2000 Foundation, is a joint government and private sector initiative aimed at strengthening New Zealand's relationships with Asia.

The Wellington event is hosted by the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce, Positively Wellington Business and the Asia 2000 Foundation, and was attended by local business people.

Mrs Pye also spoke about the ³good and bad² of doing business in Asia, focusing on how to achieve results, particularly in Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea and China.

For further information about Seriously Asia go to: www.seriouslyasia.co.nz

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