Learning English in New Zealand
If you need to improve your English language skills in New Zealand, you have many courses to choose from.
Your choice of courses
Classes to learn English in New Zealand are often called ESOL training (English for Speakers of Other Languages). Courses can specialise in everyday English to help with daily life, academic English for study, or business English for work.
Courses are available from many different organisations and learning institutions and may be full-time or part-time.
Pre-purchasing tuition
For some visas you must meet English language requirements and may need to take a test to show your fluency in English. Find out more about the tests we accept on the page below. You can check costs for these tests on the providers' websites.
Learning English for families of resident visa applicants
Secondary applicants (partners and dependents over 16) applying for residence under the skilled and business streams, who are not able to show they meet a minimum standard of English, will need to pre-purchase ESOL tuition.
If you have pre-purchased English language classes with your visa, you can access approved courses at no extra cost.
The government's Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has a list of approved courses on its website. If you need help deciding which course to choose, call the TEC toll free Help Line to discuss course options with an English for Migrants Adviser:
- if calling from New Zealand: 0800 601 301
- if you are calling from overseas: +64 4 462 5201.
Information for migrant learners — Tertiary Education Commission
Enrolling for a pre-purchased ESOL course
If you have pre-purchased English courses, Immigration New Zealand will give you an 'Agreement and schedule'. Take this and your passport when you enrol for the course.