"Kia Ora!" :
Welcome to Auckland
– The City of Sails
The staff would like to welcome you to GEOS Auckland Language
Centre. We look forward to your arrival and to making your stay enjoyable
and successful.
To help you prepare for your trip we have compiled the following information,
which we believe will help you adapt more quickly to a new country, climate,
college, customs and lifestyle. |
Awesome
Auckland
Located on the shores
of the Waitemata Harbour and with a population
of 1.5 million, Auckland is New Zealand’s
largest and most cosmopolitan city, and
the centre of NZ’s business and culture.
In Auckland you can enjoy theatre, the arts, restaurants, sporting events,
outdoor activities and more. The central business district, where GEOS ALC
is located, is surrounded by some beautiful parks and reserves, and just
a short drive away are located some of Auckland ‘s finest beaches.
Auckland is a multicultural society, drawn from many ethnic backgrounds,
where Maori European and Asian cultures mix in an atmosphere of friendly
tolerance. If you have any further questions, please contact us at:
21 Federal Street, P.O. Box 105
035,
Auckland, New Zealand
Phone : 64 - 9 - 303 1962 Fax : 64 - 9- 307 9219
E-mail: info@akldlang.co.nz
Website : www.geosnz.com |
Language Difficulties
Most of you may experience some difficulty
speaking English. This is natural. You will be using conversational
English which is probably different from what you were taught
in high school. It will take time to become proficient in your
speech. When you talk with your host family, teachers or friends,
ask them to speak clearly, slow down or repeat themselves.
These people are excellent sources of new words and phrases.
Ask them for help with your pronunciation and vocabulary. They
will be happy to help. If you become tired and frustrated when
you do not learn as quickly as you would like, relax and slow
down. Be patient. It takes time.
Asking for help...
If there is something you don't understand, or something you are not sure how
to deal with, ask someone for help or advice. If you do not ask, we cannot
help you.
"I don't understand. Can you explain this to me?"
"Can you help me please?"
"I am sad / confused / homesick. Can I talk with you about it?"
"I would like some help with homework / English / new friends"
Weather
Auckland has very changeable weather and has been said to
have 'four seasons in one day'. The climate ranges from warm to hot summers
to cold crisp winters. It does not snow in the city but skiing is very popular
in the mountains a few hours drive away.
November to April is warm to hot (Max. 18 – 30 degrees C)
May to October is cool to cold and often windy and wet (Max. 7 – 18 degrees
C)
What to bring
Clothing
- light, comfortable clothing for the warmer
months (T-shirts, shorts, sandals etc.)
- wind proof jacket, pullover, jeans, jacket
and strong shoes or boots for the colder months
- raincoat and strong umbrella, as Auckland
can get wet and windy
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All types of clothing can be purchased in Auckland.
Food
All Asian products and most European food products are readily available in Auckland
and you do not need to bring these with you. As New Zealand has been an isolated
country for many years and is relatively free from pests and harmful insects
there are very strict quarantine laws controlling the importation of food and
plants.
Do not bring any plant or animal material in to the country (eg. Mushrooms, fruit,
Chinese herbs, pork, noodles, spices etc.). However, if you must bring any of
these please remember...The following classes of goods must be declared on your
New Zealand Passenger Arrival Card:
- food of any kind
- plants or parts of plants (alive or dead)
- animals (alive or dead) or their products
- equipment used with animals
- equipment such as camping gear, golf clubs,
and used bicycles
- biological specimens.
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Passengers who fill out the Quarantine section
of the declaration card incorrectly, risk an instant fine of
$200. This is in addition to the prospect of a fine of up to
$100,000, or a prison term of up to 5 years for serious breaches
of the New Zealand Bio-security laws.
Please see the New Zealand Customs service website for more details:
http://www.customs.govt.nz/index.htm
Students travelling on a Student
Visa
Students on a student visa need to comply with certain conditions:
1. Students must have an attendance level of 80%
2. Students must notify GEOS ALC of any change of address
3. Students must meet course requirements
4. Students may not work unless you have applied for permission to work and
hold a work permit and work visa.
STUDENT VISA
Student visas are for all students who are enrolled for 12 weeks Full Time
or more. You should check with the New Zealand Consulate or Embassy closest to your home city/country to check whether an exception is applicable to your country citizenship.
Requirements :
- Students must attend 20 hours minimum study
per week to maintain their student visa status.
- Students who are in New Zealand on a tourist
visa need to speak to their respective countries counselor
in regards to their eligibility. Counselors are available between
12:15 – 17:00 Pm Monday to Friday
Process :
Step 1
The registrar, upon receiving the students enrolment form from the agent
or individual student shall issue an initial letter of acceptance stating the
students name, date of birth , period of and study and course type.
Step 2
Upon full payment of tuition fees the registrar will then issue a receipt of
payment and final letter of acceptance stating the students name, date of birth
, period of study , course type and that all fees have been paid.
Step 3
Overseas Students
The receipt of payment , final letter of acceptance and pre-departure report
are first faxed and then express couriered to the agent and respective New
Zealand Embassy in that country.
Agents will then apply for a students visa on behalf of the student.
Step 3
New Zealand based student
The receipt of payment and final letter of acceptance are issued to the local
agent or the individual.
Agents or the individual students will then apply for the student visa.
Students already studying at GEOS ALC who wish to apply for
a student visa can get a student visa application form from the Registrars office. Our Student Services Staff
are available to help student with any enquiries they may have.
Central Auckland
New Zealand Immigration Service
450 Queen Street
P O Box
Ph 914 4100 Fax 914 4118
Please ask the Registrar for more information, or see the New Zealand Immigration
Services website:
IMMIGRATION "Full Details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights
to employments in New Zealand while studying , and reporting requirements are
available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on
their website at http://www.immigration.govt.nz/
Health Cover
GEOS ALC has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of
Practice for the Pastoral care of International Students published by the Ministry
of Education. Copies of the Code are available on request from the this institution
or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website at http://www.minedu.govt.nz.
HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
"Most students are not entitled to publicly
funded health services while in New Zealand unless they are :
- A resident or citizen of Australia ; or
- A national of the Unit Kingdom in New Zealand;
or
The holder of a temporary permit that is
valid for two years or more.
If you do not belong to one of these special categories and you receive medical
treatment during your visit, you will be liable for the full costs of that
treatment. We strongly recommend that you have insurance that will cover the
cost of medical treatment in New Zealand for the duration of your stay in New
Zealand. We also strongly recommend that you obtain insurance to cover your
travel to and from New Zealand.
Medical treatment in New Zealand
can be very expensive. Students are advised to carry health insurance
to cover against medical and hospital expenses. Auckland Language
Centre can organise insurance for you. If you need health insurance
please complete the following forms and return the two Southern
Cross Healthcare forms to "The Registrar".
Banking
If you are staying in New Zealand for more than 12 weeks you should open a
bank account. Most savings accounts come with a plastic "cash card" which
you can use to access automatic teller machines (ATMs) 24 hours a day to withdraw
and deposit money. All the major banks are located close to ALC and we will
assist you during orientation with opening a bank account if you need one.
Postal Mail
Please ensure that any mail that is sent to you by post has your name clearly
written in English script, with the word Student on it.
| Example: |
John Smith - Student |
| |
GEOS Auckland Language Centre... |
Teaching Methods
Our teachers are dedicated to helping every student
to learn English as quickly and effectively as possible. The emphasis
is on communication, and a wide range of resources and the most up-to-date
and appropriate methods are used to ensure that every learner achieves
their potential.
Teachers at GEOS ALC use a blend of proven approaches and challenging new ideas,
and take into account a range of learning styles and cultural backgrounds.
You may be a little surprised by the new style of lessons in your first week,
but will soon find that you are able to communicate with others in the class
and become independent outside the class. Please remember to tell a teacher
about any individual difficulties you may have; they will always be happy to
help you.
Homestay
Living in a homestay is an ideal way of quickly
becoming familiar with a new culture and environment, and there is
greater progress in English language skills. All homestay hosts of
Auckland Language Centre speak English as the first language in their
homes, and are otherwise very diverse in their ethnic origin, religion,
age and family situation.
Student Services
The Student Services Department assists with finding
suitable accommodation and can help you with a wide range of issues
including employment, legal and financial problems, academic counselling,
visa issues, recreation, etc. Furthermore, the Student Counsellor is
available to discuss, in strict confidence, any difficulties and personal
problems (homesickness, health issues, etc) that you may have from
time to time.
How to contact ENGLISH NZ with complaints
If you have a complaint which our staff have not been able to satisfy, you
may wish to write to another organization.
Our school is a member of ENGLISH NZ - The Federation of Independent English Language
Schools of New Zealand. You may write to the Secretary of ENGLISH NZ at P.O.Box
2577, Auckland.
If ENGLISH NZ is unable to help you, please contact the New Zealand Qualifications
Authority. Their address is P.O.Box 160, Wellington.
Or you can contact the International Education Appeal Authority, C/- Ministry
of Education, P.O.Box 1666, Wellington.
What is the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA )?
The IEAA is an independent body established to deal with
complaints from international students
About pastoral care aspects of advice and services received from their educational
provider or the provider’s agents. The IEAA enforces the standards in
the code of practice.
How can I contact the IEAA ?
You can write to the IEAA at :
The International Education Appeal Authority
C/ - Ministry of Education,
PO BOX 1666
Wellington
New Zealand
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