New opportunities to learn a foreign language

Thursday, 17 May 2007
Press Release: Euroasia

New opportunities to learn a foreign language in Christchurch

Travelling overseas? Maybe working in a non-English-speaking country? Or perhaps you’d just like to understand more about the people who work with you or live next door to you?

New Zealand's premier provider of European and Asian language and cultural services is finally opening a branch in Christchurch CBD this month. After numerous requests from Mainlanders for Euroasia to take their operations to the South Island, Euroasia (previously known as European Language Academy) decided to respond. As the 2006 census results show, demographics of Christchurch have changed significantly, reflecting greater diversity of cultures and languages spoken.

The manager of the school in Christchurch will be Peter Chapple, who for nine years was Principal of Southern English Schools; Peter will also be acting as Principal of Euroasia as a whole.

Although there are other organisations offering foreign language teaching, there are a few things about Euroasia that make it a little different:

• a wide range of European and Asian languages are taught
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• teachers are native speakers, and offer interesting cultural input
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• specially designed curriculum taking into account unique requirements of Kiwis
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• specialises in foreign languages; Euroasia does not teach English
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Euroasia's Director Kenneth Leong says: "I have a personal vision of promoting greater cultural understanding in an increasingly diverse New Zealand, and playing a part in building communities where people of different cultures can work and play together. In the few years that we have been around, thousands of Kiwis have benefited from our programmes. But we still have a long way to go until we have every Kiwi at least making an effort to learn another language!"

Euroasia's Auckland operation has never been stronger. There are over 200 Kiwis studying a foreign language with Euroasia, coming from all over Auckland. Euroasia's website is seeing over 2500 visits monthly. Euroasia is assisting a number of schools with their second language programmes, as well as continuing to advise a number of businesses on their language, culture and translation requirements.

Mr Leong further adds: "Expansion to Christchurch and Wellington is necessary in order for Euroasia to achieve our vision of providing the best foreign language and culture programmes in New Zealand."

Euroasia courses in Auckland and Christchurch are available through evening classes or in-company tuition. Also offered to businesses is cross-cultural consulting – working through the issues raised by dealing with people from very different cultural backgrounds.

ENDS

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