Language competency exemptions - Changes for Realm and other Pacific countries
15 March 2023
In 2023 the Council will be undertaking a review of the language competency policy to explore options that may better support speakers of Pacific languages who intend to apply for Initial Teacher Education or register as a teacher, particularly those who are seeking to work in Pacific bilingual and immersion settings.
While the review is underway, the Council’s Language Competency Exemption panel can also consider additional evidence for exemption requests for language competency as follows:
Expanded schooling evidence: Applicants who completed their schooling in one of the Realm countries (Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau), and other Pacific countries (including Samoa, Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Tonga) can supply evidence such as a testimonial from the school principal to support their exemption request, attesting that the primary medium of instruction was English. The requirement for this evidence to be considered would be all primary schooling and at least three years secondary schooling where the primary medium of instruction was English.
Other evidence: Expand evidence for the requirement for six years of secondary and tertiary education comprising secondary schooling (to at least year 12) and at least two years of tertiary education to also include Realm and other Pacific countries (including Samoa, Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Tonga), if there is evidence that the primary medium of instruction was English