Job Discussion Forums

nipper78 · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 9 Location: uk

I am a primary teacher from the UK, with a BA(Ed)English and Drama.

I am hoping to get a working 1-2yr visa, for sep, but with the intention of applying for residency later.

I was hoping to work in ELS, but am experienced in teaching primary also.
Any advice on seeking work in South Island?

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

It's a shame nobody has responded to your posting yet as I am interested in following a similar path. My thoughts about the whole ESL industry, in general, is to get some sort of specialised education first. It could be simply a six-week certificate program or a two-year Master's degree in TESOL. I have the latter but from the comments on this board as of late I think it might be better to pursue a teaching diploma (PGCE) and work as a primary teacher. For myself, I think a combined PGCE/DipTeaching and an MA TESL makes a good package for the future.

I am curious how you are going about your visa preparations. Could you let me know?

ambernz · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 27 Location: HCMC but soon NZ

Hi

Check out my other post, as English has just been added to the high demand secondary subjects, and the NZ government have started a program retraining primary teachers and secondary ones, it takes 2 months and they pay for everything. They have just started this and are in the middle of one, but don't know what their future plans are.

You also get more immigration points for not wanting to live in Auckland, and there are lots of towns in the south island that desperately want teachers of any kind. I've been told of a UK secondary teacher who had their PR rushed through in a month so they could start teaching and they were going to Auckland!

inwanzhou · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Posts: 136

I was also looking into this work to residency in NZ. Someone informed me that once you are a resident of NZ that they pay for post secondary education. Is this true??

ambernz · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 27 Location: HCMC but soon NZ

Hi there,

This is not true, although some employers will pay for further qualifications.

If you are an NZ resident you get charged resident fees. If you wanted to study at university for example you would be charged approximately half of what a non-resident or international student would pay. This amount varies dependant on what you want to study.

There are free courses in some areas but these are for people with low or no qualifications. It's unlikely that someone like this would get their residency application accepted.