This week marks New Zealand Chinese Language Week - a time to celebrate Chinese language learning and the diversity and richness of Chinese languages spoken across Aotearoa.

At English Language Partners, we’re proud to honour the languages and cultures of our staff, volunteers, and learners - many of whom speak Mandarin, Cantonese, or one of the hundreds of other Chinese languages.

In 2024, 23% of learners (1,895 people) spoke Mandarin as their first language, and 24% of learners identified China as their country of origin.

While learners at English Language Partners are focused on improving their English, we place great value on recognising and celebrating first languages. Read more about our work to celebrate cultural diversity in our strategy, Te Ara Ahurea.

We asked four bilingual learners to share their learning experiences in their first languages. We have shared the videos below and included English translations.

Conderson

大家好！我叫Conderson，来自中国广东。我家阵在 ELP 学英文。呢度嘅老师教学呢好有耐性。我哋学得嚟呢，感觉就比较轻松。老师教我哋学嘅嘢呢，同日常生活好贴切，比如买嘢点样问价钱啦，遇到紧急嘅事点样报警求助啦，身体唔舒服点样去叫十字车啦，好多好多。在 ELP 学英文呢，会使你在呢道生活感觉到更有自信的。在 ELP 学英文呢，在上午学也得，中午学也得，下午学和在线上学都得，兼职学亦得。大家来ELP学英文啦，唔使比钱呀！  

Hello everyone! My name is Conderson and I come from Guangdong, China. I am currently studying English at English Language Partners (ELP). The teachers here are very patient, which makes learning feel relaxed and enjoyable. What we learn is closely connected to daily life. For example, how to ask for prices when shopping, how to call the police in an emergency, or how to call an ambulance if you are unwell—plus many more useful situations. Studying English at ELP helps you feel more confident living here. Classes are available in the morning, at noon, in the afternoon, and even online. You can also choose part-time study. Everyone is welcome to join ELP English classes—they are free!

Guan Mei & Gu Shaona

大家好，我是关梅，我是Gu Shaona，我们正在English Language Partners 参加为居民和公民提供的英文课。  

课堂上的气氛即轻松又活跃，授课老师都很有耐心，教的知识也很清晰易懂，老师每周都会和同学聊一聊，并根据每个人在现实生活中遇到的各种情况，来给予帮助不同下解答，支持和鼓励。这里有资深的英语老师授课，每节课都会围绕一个主题：有的时候是教语法和结构，或者是教写作和技巧，还有时候是介绍当前的传统文化节日。通过老师讲解，小组之间的互动和练习等多种方式，来加强对知识点的运用。这些知识对我们在工作和生活之中的英语沟通给予了莫大的帮助，让大家在工作和学习中使用英语进行沟通与表达都有了很大的信心。  

欢迎大家踊跃报名为居民公民提供的英文课，这种课程遍布线上线下，不仅方便有效，还是免费的哦！谢谢大家  

Hello everyone, my name is Guan Mei, and I am Gu Shaona. We are currently attending English classes at English Language Partners, which are specially designed for residents and citizens.  

The classroom atmosphere is both relaxed and lively. The teachers are patient, and their explanations are always clear and easy to follow. Every week, the teachers chat with students and provide support, encouragement, and practical solutions based on real-life situations we face.  

These classes are taught by experienced English teachers. Each lesson focuses on a theme: sometimes grammar and structure, sometimes writing and useful skills, and at other times, an introduction to cultural festivals and traditions. Through a combination of teacher instruction, group interaction, and practice activities, we are able to strengthen our knowledge and apply it in real-life situations.  

These lessons have been extremely helpful for our communication in both work and daily life, greatly increasing our confidence in using English to express ourselves.  

We warmly encourage you to join the English classes for residents and citizens. Classes are available both online and in person, making them convenient, effective, and—best of all—free! Thank you!

Moon

大家好！我叫亞 Moon, 我係香港嚟!  我而家係ELP讀緊英文，ELP是轉為移民来嘅人提供免費英語會話課程。依家我可以自己搭巴士去買野同去銀行都可以溝通！多謝學校同老師們嘅幫助。欢迎大家参与我们ELP学校一起学英文啦  

Hello everyone! My name is Moon, and I am from Hong Kong. I am currently studying English at English Language Partners (ELP). ELP provides free English conversation classes specially designed for newcomers. Now, I can take the bus by myself, go shopping, and even communicate at the bank! Many thanks to the school and all the teachers for their help.

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Thank you to Conderson, Guan Mei, Gu Shaona and Moon for sharing your experiences.