Languages International Blog: June 2010

23 June 2010

Our decisions

Written by: Rita and Nancy, students at Languages International

Why did we choose this school and why did we come to New Zealand?

I have the aim to improve my English skills for traveling and meeting people.

This school was recommended by two of our daughters, who were here in 2004.

I and my husband came to N.Z. because we have some relatives here in this area.

Before I came here, I was worried about whether I'll go to N.Z. or not, because I had a horrible accident when I stayed abroad before N.Z. But when I arrived here, the fear disappeared soon. I could see a lot of artistic buildings, people of all nationalities and majestic nature. All of them attracted me so much.

We two are very happy about our decisions.

22 June 2010

Auckland - cafés, restaurants & the sea

Written by: Christina and Brice, students at Languages International

First, what i can say is, Auckland is a very beautiful city, because so many people from different countries live here. It's very interesting - you have the chance to meet people who speak different languages. So you can learn a lot from these people, and also learn about other cultures.

In Auckland, you can find so many beautiful parks where you can drink coffee, or read books. It's a very good place for relaxing. I was so surprised, Auckland is a little coffee city, because you can find so many good coffee shops. One of the best things about Auckland is the restaurants. You can find all kinds of very good restaurants, especialy at the Harbour or in Parnell, also in Ponsonby Road. The best for me is, you can eat fresh fish or mussels every day. In Switzerland, we don't have a sea, so it's so cool to live in a city by the sea.

At the weekends, when you don't go on a trip in the countryside, you can go to a lot of beautiful beaches which are very near the city. Sometimes we go after school, it's so close. My time here in Auckland was really great, and i'm so sad to say good bye.

21 June 2010

Auckland is really a fantastic, lovely city that you should come here to have your best experience for yourself!!!

Written by: Stephy, a student at Languages International

The reason that I choose to come to Auckland was because it costs lower than England, America,etc. In fact, the capital of my country is more prosperous than Auckland, but I still like it because it's near the sea, its environment is suitable for people to live in. If you want to learn English here, it's also a good place to let you study. Why? Because it has the excellent university here and the best language school ~ Languages International here, too! If you want some special experiences, you can try to join some activities in Auckland. There are always many events in Auckland every month!! But if you want some unique experiences only for yourself, you can participate in some trips to wineries near Auckland. Anyway, it's really a fantastic, lovely city that you should come here to have your best experience for yourself!!!

18 June 2010

LC Easy!

Written by: Natalia, a student at Languages International

How can we use the LC? What's the LC?

LC is The Learning Center at Languages International, and we can do many interesting and useful things to improve our English. There are a lot of information like grammar books, audio, games, magazines, newspapers, specific books, movies, and groups to practice speaking and writing.

For me, the top ones are grammar books (Murphy), books that I can borrow, and the games. When I'm so tired and sleepy I prefer to play a game on the computer, but it's not a simple game, it's a vocabulary game, and I have to practice a lot because I always lose =(

I love reading, but I like to read funny and superficial things (at least in English =P). I read a Shopaholic and New Moon. When I started, all the time I looked in the dictionary for new words, but it's better if you only read and understand the whole idea.

And the best is the grammar books, you can check your knowledge and learn more, do many exercises and if you have any questions you can ask the teacher.

I hope you enjoy the LC like me.

Good luck!!!

17 June 2010

Auckland is just like a woman

Written by: Dawn, a student at Languages International

Mmm...it's a good question with starting: Why did I choose to come to Auckland? As a matter of fact, what i chose at first was Christchurch, but my decision changed when I saw the size of Christchurch CBD in the map, it's a little bit tiny for me. Until now, I never regret I changed my destination to Auckland. On the contrary, I do feel cheerful and lucky to be here.

I've been here for 4 months. Auckland city, FOR ME, is just like a woman, she is sensitive and kind of emotional (you will realize what i mean when you see the fantastic sunshine at this moment and meet a shower later in 5 minutes.), but she is full of energy and has the mystery waiting for you to discover.

What I like about Auckland the most is, you can easily find the way to relax. Can you imagine after 8 hours busy, tired working or studying and just wanted to escape from the noise, what you need to do is move some steps to a pub or Mission Bay to feel the city of sailing, how wonderful it's...

To experience REAL New Zealand, please start with the most famous food: Fish n chips... c'mon!!! It's the basic, just do it!! Later you will have different experiences of multiple food culture mixture.

Welcome to ""the land of the long white cloud""!!!

My sweet homestay family

Written by: Min Hui, a student at Languages International

Living in homestay is the best way to practice your English, especially listening and speaking.

I feel so lucky to live with Maureen and John. They're generous and nice and...

Read the rest of MinHui's sstoryon our website...

16 June 2010

My Homestay Family

Written by: Hannah, a student at Languages International

I'm living in a homestay with homestay father, mother, and lovely two dogs.

I came here 4 weeks ago, my house is located near the Kohi beach.

So whenever I go home, I can see wonderful view of sea.

I was pleased because my room is very cozy and tidy.

My homestay father is really humorous. And my homestay mother is really

kind and friendly. I love both of them!

Lovely two dogs are 13 and 12 years old respectively.

They look loyal to my homestay family.

My homestay mother is good at cooking. Always, she serves nice meals

and sometimes she makes banana cakes and cookies. I'm happy about that.

Last weekend, my homestay family and I went to the Domain park.

I enjoyed sunshine, jazz music. And there, I made new friends.

I won't forget my lovely homestay family.

15 June 2010

Wonderful place for learning English: the Learning Centre

Written by: By Dan Bee, a student at Languages International

Students who are studying English should use Languages International's Learning Centre for their English. They have lots of educational materials for English like audio books and IELTS books, DVDs, novels etc.

If you have any plans for an exam, you can prepare your exam here. They have lots of useful books and materials for your exam.

If you want to watch some DVDs, you are able to use the Learning centre. They have lots of DVDs including the latest titles. I watched Love Actually on DVD here, and I also read the Love Actually book here. It was really nice for me. Can you imagine you can do listening and watching and reading at the same time? That was wonderful!

And if you want more conversation, you can also have more chance to talk to various friends here.

And the last bonus is you can use FREE internet here.

Come to this wonderful place.

"Well-being (homestay) mother"

Written by: HeeJin Lim, a student at Languages International

(Photo credit: svacher - making pasta)

Today, I would like to talk about my homestay family. Because I'm always thankful for them. I live together with homestay mother and father. Oh, I forget my cats in the garden. They are also my homestay family. My homestay mother is Italian. She is beautiful and very generous. Sometimes, she leaves the food as to take it at lunch time. And she is a fantastic cook.

Read more of HeeJin's story on our website...

'‘I’m the new guy" – a report for beginners

Written by: Henning Escher, a student at Languages International

To get precise information about a language course in advance is one thing, but to experience it, is another. The day, when I started my English business course (advanced) at ‘Languages International‘ (LI) I was surprised:

In Berlin, where I booked the course, they recommended LI as a highly professional and strictly organized language school, offering top structured courses with a serious, effective learning atmosphere. They told me about enthusiastic teachers and about a fully packed schedule, if you want do the course full time – and especially, if you want to do an exam successfully.

My beginner experience is: They were right in Berlin – but in a rather different way than I had expected it. First, it is right, that the school is very well organized, that there is a serious and productive learning atmosphere and that there are teachers like Emma, who is enthusiastic. They all want us to learn and to be successful in improving our English and finally in our exam. But they reach it in a softer and more morderate way, than I expected it.

The learning atmosphere is very friendly and open minded at LI. There is no pressure from teachers or from structures, such as rigid attendance times in the learning center. In the course Emma gives us exercises as offers and invitations to improve our language skills ourselves: to read, to listen, to disuss and to argue in groups or with our neighbour. Emma makes us think about our own mistakes. She is around, gives us input and advice and – if required – corrections.

Second, the course is not a closed club. The first day, when I arrived, I wondered, if the course had already begun. I seemed to be the late, ‘new guy’. But fortunately I wasn’t. Actually the course is an open, rotating system: Students start and stay for a longer or a shorter time. Sometimes students have a break and join the course again later.

So there is enough space for you, to find your own rhythm, your own speed and your own best way and strategies of learning in a helpful environment. And that makes learning effective and serious. From my point of view it’s better to experience, than to know. And it’s better to find out than to be taught. That’s my conclusion as a beginner.

10 June 2010

Languages International Shortlisted for LTM Star Award, again.

For the 4th consecutive year, Languages International has been shortlisted for the Language Travel Magazine (LTM) Star Award in the Southern Hemisphere category. This category is for schools in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

Each year, just 5 schools are shortlisted. Languages International has been shortlisted for the award every year since the category was created - and won in 2008:

2010 - Shortlisted

2009 - Shortlisted

2008 - Winner

2007 - Shortlisted

Each year, study abroad agencies from around the world are invited to nominate and vote for the school they believe is the best in each category. Languages International is delighted that, internationally, agencies consider us to be among the best in the world. We would like to thank our partners, our staff and our students for your ongoing support over the years.

The winners will be announced in September.

NZ, the world's most peaceful country: 2010 Global Peace Index

(Photo credit: Hapal)

Many Languages International students have told me that one of the reasons they chose to study in New Zealand is that it is a safe and stable country.

This year's Global Peace Index agrees with them. New Zealand is listed as the world's most peaceful country.

The index looks at several dozen indicators from the crime rate to military spending, conflicts with neighbouring countries and respect for human rights.

Rankings for Popular English Language Study Destinations:

1st New Zealand

6th Ireland

14th Canada

19th Australia

31st UK

85th USA

121st South Africa

Complete list: 2010 Global Peace Index

Read more in the NZ Herald: NZ tops survey of most peaceful countries

Comfortably Located Languages International

Written by: Wonsik, a student at Languages International

This school is located in beautiful Albert park, having four old-fashioned buildings (but don’t worry, there is no possibility of them falling down) and this school has nice facilities that you can use easily, so I’m introducing our school’s facilities for new students.

If you need fresh air or want to photosynthesize under NZ’s strong and fabulous sunshine, all you need to do is just jump into Albert park and lie down on the lawns.

It has a nice studying place which students can access like the Learning Centre and Cafeteria. If you would like to study outside our school, you can use Auckland University library or the public library. It’s just 10 minutes walk from our school, and what’s more important is everything including wireless internet is for free!

Probably, during the class, you may feel more hungry and near the end of the class you may feel starving, then simply go to Auckland university food court, you can choose a wide variety of food there at a ‘relatively’ cheap price. However, if you want to have better food and coffee, it can be not such a satisfactory choice. So do you need caffeine and bread? Then, why don’t you visit ‘Toasted Cafe’? That shop’s barista is so cheerful and talkative and their coffee is the best in Auckland. You can practice your English speaking with a nice kiwi and coffee. It’s just 3 dollars! 3 dollar social programme including coffee! How awesome it is !

Have you tried Korean food before? If you haven’t, I recommend you visit ‘Faro’. It’s also very near from our school. Furthermore, it’s just opened, only 3 month ago ! It’s brand-new! If you like BBQ, it really deserves a visit. You can try Korean gourmet with heaps of side dishes and you can see that Koreans cut meat with scissors! Maybe you will be surprised!

As you read above, our school is comfortably located. It’s quite near from Auckland University, Queen Street, High Street, K-road and Britomart. After school, you don’t have to worry about what to do. Just go out and walk along Queen Street or K-Road and barge into places I said above. I’m 100% sure that you will be completely satisfied with these places.

09 June 2010

Introducing a homestay house

I changed my homestay house one month after I started the life in NZ. My brother’s friend lives in Auckland. He suggested that I could move into his house at a cheap homestay fee. He immigrated to NZ 7 years ago and got married here. This young couple are always cheerful and friendly. His wife comes from Indonesia and has lived here since she was a child, so I should speak English to communicate with her. They’re almost like a family to me. Not only food, but also weekend activities with them are kinds of benefits to me. I’ll miss them when I leave here, including their lovely dog, Tobby.

By Martin Lee, a student at Languages International

Albert Park

Photo: Students in Albert Park. (The historic house on the left is part of Languages
International. The taller building is the University of Auckland Clock Tower.)

One of many advantages of Languages International is that the buildings are located in Albert Park. I really like this scenery near our school. Anytime, we can sit on the grass or lie down or sunbathe. The city tower seen from this park is also fantastic. Sometimes, we can have a lunch that we prepared on the grass.

By Martin Lee, a student at Languages International

Good and bad experiences of travel in NZ

(Photo credit: Ruben Bos - Wild Dolphins in the Bay of Islands)

There are so many awesome places where you can travel in NZ. I’ve been to the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Waiheke Island and Rangitoto Island in the North Island. And I spent 2 weeks holidays travelling around the South Island in the Christmas season. Every place has breathtaking views and its own attraction.

During the several trip, there were some unexpected happenings. The GPS we hired at a rental car vendor was out of order on the way to Rotorua. My friends and I were so embarrassed at that time and lost our way quickly because it was our first trip in NZ and we weren’t familiar with the road at all. Fortunately, a friendly kiwi stopped her car in front of us and helped us find the right way.
Also, I had a similar experience in the South Island. One of the electric bicycles that we hired in Grey Mouth got out of order during the bicycle hike. It was a little bit of a dangerous situation. My friend almost came near to a car accident because of the sudden problem of her bicycle’s device while riding a bike. Some of our members were already tired and we were too far from the rental shop to take it back there on foot. Fortunately again, I met a kind farmer near the spot, borrowed a screw driver, and could fix the bike.

I don’t know why the hired things can be broken so easily in NZ. But anyway, I could solve the problems thanks to some friendly New Zealanders. Moreover, so happily, I could get the refund from the rental shops. Exciting experience.. and free cost.. Fantastic!

By Martin Lee, a student at Languages International

Auckland Activities

(Photo credit: slack12)

Mission Bay

The Mission bay I think not expensive and beautiful. You can walk in Mission Bay and you can eat ice cream and swimming. the people sit in the sun and you can see a nice view and The Mission Bay is relaxing. You can eat from different restaurants.

By Abdullah and Abdulaziz, students at Languages International

(Photo credit: Kiwi Mikex)

Auckland Museum

Auckland Museum is open 9.00am and close 5.00 pm everyday. you can see the Gallipoli war and old Auckland culture Auckland Museum is cheap it costs $12 you can like Auckland Museum because historic

By Ayuni, Abood and Miguel Angel, students at Languages International

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