As a result of the earthquake on February 22nd, our school will stay closed for this week, Monday 28th February to Friday 4th March. We are now looking for temporary premises and we hope that we can open the school again from Monday 7th March for students who have decided to stay in Christchurch or who still want to come to Christchurch to study at Languages International.
Our school building at 69 Worcester Boulevard is within the part of Christchurch City that is still closed to public access. The first assessments that have been made of the building indicate that it will need some repair work, and we estimate that it will be two months before we are able to occupy the building again.
Thank you once again to all our staff for their outstanding efforts during this disaster, to our partners around the world for their support and kind messages, and to our students and their families for their patience and understanding.For more information or specific enquiries, please e-mail info@languages.ac.nz or phone +64 9 309 0615.
28 February 2011
Christchurch update: 28 February
24 February 2011
Christchurch update: 24 February
As you probably know, there was a major earthquake (6.3) in Christchurch on Tuesday afternoon, NZ time. This quake was smaller than the one in September (7.1), but it did more damage because it was closer to the city.
All of our students and staff were all safely evacuated from our school building – which we renovated and strengthened in 2006.
But there has been major damage to the city, especially the inner city, and this time there have been many injuries and deaths. While rescue work is taking place, the inner city, including our school, is closed. It will probably remain closed through next week.
Our focus in the first few days has been ensuring that our staff and students are safe, that they are in safe accommodation, and that their agencies and – where possible – the families have accurate and up-to-date information about them so that they do not worry more than necessary.
Now we are planning ahead. That means helping students organise their Cambridge exams, moving students to Auckland, and planning for re-opening in Christchurch. We cannot be sure when we will re-open, but it will not be next week.
Students who want to move to Auckland can of course do so. Hopefully when we are open again in Christchurch they will want to move back there. Some of the students in Christchurch now are of course feeling worried, but many are also just keen for us to open again there so they can get on with studying in a city and school that they still enjoy.
I am very proud of how our team in both Christchurch and Auckland, and our homestays and our partners around the world have coped with this situation. Thank you all for your support and cooperation.
If you need more information urgently, email me on darrenc@languages.ac.nz or phone me on +64 21 362 614.
22 February 2011
February 22 Christchurch earthquake
A large earthquake (6.3 on the Richter Scale) struck Christchurch early yesterday afternoon. All of the staff and students of Languages International in Christchurch were safely evacuated from the school building. We have checked on the situation of our students and confirmed that they are in safe accommodation. We will continue to update this post as we get more information; if you have an urgent need for specific information, please call Darren Conway on +64 (0)21 362 614.
20 February 2011
Christchurch wedding - congratulations Cartoon and Phil!
Written by: Ana Neves at Languages International
Everyone at Languages International Christchurch is celebrating the wedding of one of our students, Charuwan Ong-Iem, known to us all as Cartoon.
On Saturday 12th February Cartoon married her New Zealand partner Phil in an outdoor ceremony in one of Christchurch’s beautiful parks. Friends and members of the Languages International team were there to celebrate the occasion.
03 February 2011
A taste of kiwi
Written by: Thomas, an FCE student at Languages International
Kevin Rose preparing for his bungy jump in New Zealand last year
Some of the most popular places to visit in New Zealand are the Northland, Rotorua,
Queenstown and Milford Sound.
In the Northland there are the Bay of Islands, Cape Reinga and the 90 miles beach.
In the Bay of Islands, you can see lots of little islands and the “hole in the rock”,
which you can reach just by boat. The Cape is the most spiritual place for Maori
people where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet while the 90 miles beach
is a coast with sand dunes.
Rotorua is a geothermal area, where there are natural mineral hot pools, with
different minerals and colors. Additionally, it features geysers. Rotorua has a
nickname, Sulphur City, which gives the city a “rotten eggs” smell.
Addicted to adrenaline? Then Queenstown is the place for you! This city presents
many opportunities for trying extreme sports and relaxing. For example all wheel
drive tours, bungee jumping and doing wine tours. Additionally you can visit Milford
Sound which offers the most astonishing landscapes.
Are you hungry for adventure?
This article was taken from the magazine that our teacher, May Anne's FCE class created. To read more, download the magazine:  Martina's FCE Class Magazine (22.4MB) |
Photo credit: Prep by burka
02 February 2011
"It’s actually the best time of my life"
Written by: Patrizia, a student at Languages International
Ahipara Bay, Northland, New Zealand
I’ve been studying here [at Languages International] for two months and I’m really enjoying my time. I’ve already gone through many experiences and it’s actually the best time of my life.
Last weekend, I drove up towards Northland. Those four days were amazing, especially because New Zealand’s nature is completely impressing. You have to check out my photos which I uploaded on Facebook.
I’ve also visited many spots in and around Auckland. I really like it because the natural world is on your doorstep but you actually live in a metropolis and this combination is so awesome!
I feel a bit blue that my time here is soon going to be over. In about four weeks I’m going to fly to the South Island to tour around and afterwards I’ll be almost on my way back home.
| This article was taken from the magazine that our teacher, May Anne's FCE class created. To read more, download the magazine: Martina's FCE Class Magazine (22.4MB) |
Photo credit: Ahipara Bay, Northland, NZ by Cheryl Harvey
01 February 2011
Between Heaven and Hell
Written by: Felix, an FCE student at Languages International
One of the biggest questions for any person going to another country to learn a language is “Shall I go to a homestay family or into a flat?” There is only one key to solving this problem. It depends on the character of each person.
There are some people who want to be more independent. They will cook for themselves, search the way to go somewhere. Furthermore, these people would like to plan and manage their day.
On the other hand, there are people who will find it useful to speak with their homestay family and try to improve their English in this way. These people do not have to find out about anything by themselves, they can ask their homestay family.
My opinion is that both situations have their drawbacks. For example, a host family may not show any interest in their student or the flat members could be very bizarre. In both situations, the student might have to change his place, though they spend energy in transferring. As a result, each situation has its own solution.
| This article was taken from the magazine that our teacher, May Anne's FCE class created. To read more, download the magazine: May Ann's FCE Class Magazine (19.52MB) |
