Aoraki First to Offer New National Qualifications in English

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Aoraki First to Offer New National Qualifications in English

Aoraki Polytechnic will soon become the first place in New Zealand where students can study towards six new nationally accredited qualifications in English.

Aoraki’s English language programme coordinator Craig Courtis has been working for two years to develop a programme that uses the new set of “English as a Second Language” qualifications. These will eventually replace all the current English qualifications currently being offered by private language schools and tertiary education providers across New Zealand.

Starting at Aoraki in May, with a second intake in September, the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (General) involves studying full-time for 17 weeks. It is offered at both Level 3 and Level 4.

The aim is for students to develop language skills so they can communicate independently and effectively in every-day situations such as the workplace, or in further study. It is open to both international and local students and includes tuition in listening, speaking, reading, writing and English grammar.

Mr Courtis says there are about 300 different qualifications available to English language students across New Zealand, which makes it difficult for students and employers to compare the benefits of each. Cutting back to six national qualifications has been “a long process”, but one that will benefit all English language students in the future.

Every school and institution will gradually move to the new qualifications over the next few years, but Aoraki Polytechnic is ahead of the rest thanks to a lot of background work that has already been done.

“For the past two years we’ve been trialling different ideas that will allow us to successfully move to the new qualifications very quickly … We were hoping to be first off the block,” he says.

As well as being first to offer the new qualifications, Mr Courtis has also been asked by NZQA to work with other institutions across New Zealand. His role of “consistency assessor” will involve assessing and moderating teaching materials and programmes to ensure consistency for students, no matter where they study in New Zealand.

For more information about the New Zealand Certificate in English Language contact Aoraki Polytechnic on 0800 426 725 or email: study@aoraki.ac.nz .

Tutor Profile

Craig Courtis, Programme Coordinator/Tutor – ESOL

Craig Courtis coordinates and teaches Aoraki Polytechnic's English language programme.

In the past two years he has helped develop new accredited qualifications including the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Levels 3 and 4). These new qualifications will soon replace those currently taught throughout New Zealand by institutions and private language schools.

Craig is also helping other institutes and private language schools introduce the new qualifications by acting as an NZQA consistency assessor.

He is a qualified English language teacher, NZQA moderator, has a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), Degrees in Geography, History and Political Science and Post Graduate Diplomas in Development Studies, English as a Second Language, and Social Work.

Craig has been teaching ESOL for over 15 years including in third world countries and in Japan for three years. Craig had a year as a social worker but found his passion was still with teaching. "Teaching international students is very rewarding - you see them develop their English language ability and in return I get to learn about their culture and country."

ENDS

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