Nestled among mountains and lakes, Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of Aotearoa New Zealand. Behind the thriving tourism industry is a diverse workforce of people from many countries who help keep the town running every day.
For many of these workers, strong English language skills are essential for communicating with colleagues, serving customers and building a life in their new community.
English Language Partners supports learners in Queenstown through classes delivered in local community spaces. Our programmes help people from migrant backgrounds improve their English, build confidence and connect with others.
One of the people helping make that happen is teacher Kelsey, who teaches an English for Employees class. Originally from Colorado in the United States, Kelsey moved to New Zealand nearly ten years ago and discovered a passion for teaching English.
"I love the expression of creativity teaching allows. The grammar and basics stay the same, but the way I teach is constantly evolving with my learners' needs," says Kelsey.
Many of the learners in Kelsey's class work in Queenstown's hospitality and tourism industries. While they bring a wide range of professional experience, skills and talents, she's continually impressed by their shared courage.
"It can be difficult navigating a country that has different systems than you're used to and different cultural expectations and taboos to learn.”
“Providing that help to my learners is something I feel privileged to do."
Creating a welcoming and supportive environment is central to Kelsey's teaching approach.
"I make sure learners are able to bond with each other first before diving into all the technical details of the language. This encourages more participation."
"When learners are comfortable with each other and their teacher, they are much more likely to start and join in conversations and express themselves. I always love seeing learners come out of their shells and become more confident."
Recently, the class explored a topic that is especially relevant in the workplace: culture.
Learners discussed the customs, values and experiences that shape their own cultures and compared these with life in New Zealand. The conversations sparked plenty of laughter, as learners shared stories about when they first came to New Zealand and the unexpected lessons they learnt along the way.
"Learning about culture is important for the workplace because how we handle various situations like manners and expectations, socially and professionally, can differ based on culture. It can be a tough thing to navigate if you don't have the knowledge to help guide you,” shares Kelsey.
"We learn about cultural differences to get on more smoothly."
The impact of learning English can be seen in learners' everyday lives and at work.
Rusna, originally from Indonesia, says her English has improved a lot since joining English Language Partners three years ago.
"The first time I started English Language Partners class, it was very fun and I learned a lot of new words that I never knew before. I am getting better with my English. Also, at work I felt more comfortable to talk with my general manager. I wish to improve more in the future so I can get a good position at work," says Rusna, a housekeeping supervisor.
Fellow learner Meilita, also from Indonesia, values the practical support the class provides. Meilita works as an office administrator in Queenstown.
"It has helped my grammar and how to apply it to my daily conversations and helps my vocabulary and also my pronunciation to improve."
"It's like a weekly reminder for me. When I face confusion in my job or find an unknown word, I can ask my teacher in the class for the right words.”
“So it's practice and then going back to the class to review," says Meilita.
For Miriam, from Argentina, the benefits extend beyond the workplace.
"Personally, attending classes helps me feel more confident in social settings, which motivates me to continue improving my language skills so I can become more involved in the community," says Miriam, a holiday park assistant.
English Language Partners receives funding from the Tertiary Education Commission and other funders to provide free English language tuition to eligible domestic students, such as New Zealand residents and citizens. This includes our nationwide English for Employees programme, which helps people build the language skills they need to succeed at work.
In Queenstown, many migrant workers are on temporary work visas and are not eligible for funded classes. However, there is strong demand for English language support from people on temporary visas.
If you're living in Queenstown and are not eligible for a funded class, we'd still love to hear from you. We offer IELTS preparation courses for people who need to take an IELTS test for a range of reasons, including renewing an Accredited Employer Work Visa, applying for residency or seeking work opportunities. Our courses include IELTS 4.0 Exam Preparation and IELTS 6.5 General Exam Preparation.
Our Dunedin team can help you find a class that suits your needs, either in Queenstown or online.
Find out more: English Language Partners Dunedin
To see if you’re eligible for free classes, check the eligibility criteria on our website: Eligibility for free English lessons
