2021 has been the year of transition for the English language sector. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has affected the English language teaching sector resulting in a fall in the number of students & loss of revenue.
English language tests are in the spotlight as the world has adapted to people studying and/or working from home.
TOEFL created the IBT Home Edition to benefit those who live away from test centres and to keep the process going. Also, IDP acquired the British Council IELTS operations in India which raised multiple questions. In addition, language learning apps like Duolingo and Basuu gained popularity.
While New Zealand has shut its borders to the rest of the works since the onset of the pandemic, some member schools have continued teaching students onshore and offshore online. English New Zealand, the spokes group of the English sector in New Zealand, advocates prioritizing international students. Hopefully, the opening of the NZ border to fully vaccinated individuals in April 2022 will bring in international students who are waiting to begin their studies onshore.
English is spoken & written by most New Zealanders. If you want to study, work, and live in New Zealand, then knowledge of the English language is necessary. The English language requirement varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for.
For the Skilled Migrant Category visa, minimum English language requirements must be met by the principal applicant, their partner & dependent children. There are different requirements for principal applicants and their partners/dependent children for Investor & Entrepreneur Visas.
English language requirement for Residence from Work Visas depends on which particular visa you apply for. However, all applicants must meet the minimum English language requirement for parent category visas.
Some Work Visa categories like the Working Holiday Maker visa have an English language requirement. For others, a functional level of English is required to enable you to undertake employment in New Zealand. The requirement level will depend on the employer’s requirements and the job description.
There is no English language set for Student Visas. However, some education providers, especially at the tertiary level, require a certain level of English proficiency before an offer of a place is given. This will vary from one provider to another; hence it is best to determine the requirements before applying for a visa.
To know about the English language tests acceptable by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), please click on the link here.
Vandana Rai is a Senior Licensed Immigration Adviser and has built a reputation around her rare set of skills, which could be considered ideal for her legal profession.