FAQs: English language competency requirements
English language competency when applying for a place with an initial teacher education provider
Who does the policy apply to?
Every person applying for entry to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) must provide evidence of their competency in either English or te reo Māori, the languages of New Zealand’s two national curriculum documents.
What changed in the English language competency policy on 1 January 2019?
From 1 January 2019 the Teaching Council changed its English language policy to offer people a wider range of test options to demonstrate this competency and to provide us with evidence that they are proficient in English. A full list of our requirements is here.
What about New Zealand students who are not recent school leavers and cannot provide school records, for example because the records no longer exist?
In these circumstances we anticipate you will have the right level of English language competency through your schooling in New Zealand, and we expect that ITE providers will continue to use their expert judgments if they have concerns.
What is the place of University Entrance in the new English language competency requirements?
University Entrance is accepted as evidence, including gaining the New Zealand University Entrance literacy credits at either NCEA level 2 or 3. A New Zealand tertiary entrance qualification gained on completing senior secondary school prior to the introduction of current University Entrance is also evidence. University Entrance by special admission is not accepted as evidence.
Why do you accept schooling and qualifications from Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Ireland as evidence?
The education systems and the way English is used in these countries means that schooling and qualifications from these countries provides evidence of the right level of English competency for teaching in New Zealand.
What do you mean by face-to-face learning and assessment?
This means learning and assessment that has required you to interact in English extensively to gain your qualification - speaking, listening, writing and reading. It can include qualifications gained solely through distance learning, but only where requirements include interacting in English using all four language competencies.
I completed my qualification/examination online because of Covid-19. Will you accept it?
If your language competency is based on a qualification, the answer is ‘yes’, so long as your qualification was completed satisfactorily and is on our list. If your language competency is based on an online examination rather than a qualification, this can only be recognised if your provider has supplied evidence to the Council that provides assurance around the examination’s validity and security. At the time of writing, that includes the TOEFL Internet-based test and the ISLPR online test.
There are Master’s degrees of 240 points, 180 points, and even less. Is there a limit regarding point value?
All Master’s degrees will be accepted as evidence provided that the Master’s degree met our other requirements for tertiary qualifications – that is, at NZQF level 7, took two or more years of full-time study to complete, taught in English as the primary language of instruction and through face-to-face learning and assessment, and gained while living in one of the specified countries.
English language competency and applying for registration
Overseas trained teachers, who gained their teaching qualification outside of New Zealand, will also have to provide evidence of their competency in either English or te reo Māori.
Do the changes mean if I came to New Zealand to do my teacher training, I automatically get registration?
No - your ITE provider must assess your English language competency using the types of evidence we specify; and you must meet our other requirements for registration as well. If your ITE provider did not obtain the right evidence of your competency, you may be required to sit an English language test.
Under the Council’s previous policy my registration was declined / closed. If I reapply now under the 1 January 2019 policy, do I still need to sit an English language competency test?
The Teaching Council will not reopen closed applications, but you are welcome to submit a new application. It will be assessed based on our new approach, which takes into account a wider range of evidence. We need to go through an assessment process for every application – we need to make sure all our requirements for registration are fulfilled. This includes an assessment of the evidence that a person is competent in English or te reo Māori. You must still meet the language requirement and you will be required to provide evidence of your proficiency in either English or te reo Māori. We reserve the right to ask you to provide more evidence and/or sit an English language competency test.
English Language Competency Pathway (ELCP) for Tagata o le Moana | Pacific Peoples
Do I still need to complete a language test?
No, if you're able to provide the evidence options outlined in the ELCP or within the Language competency for teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand policy, you will not need to complete a language test.
When does this take effect?
Wednesday, 30 October 2024.
What does English language or part of a structured bilingual approach mean?
English language means being part of an education system that has English as the main medium of instruction (which in most Pacific countries means that their students learn, and teachers instruct with English as the main medium of instruction).
Structured bilingual approach acknowledges those education systems within the Pacific region that have English, as well as another language as the medium of instruction.
For example, in Rotuma they have a Vernacular education system. Their schools have English language as a medium of instruction as well as the local language that is commonly spoken by communities (Fäeag Rotuam | Rotuman Language).
Who does this Policy apply to?
Those who completed their schooling and tertiary studies in the Pacific region.
This includes those who are already living in New Zealand but completed their schooling in the Pacific region e.g., someone currently living in New Zealand but completed their schooling and tertiary studies in Samoa could use this English Language Competency Pathway (ELCP).
What do you mean by ‘Pacific region’?
There are 18 countries and territories within the Pacific region, and the medium of instruction for their education systems has been provided in a table below.
|
18 Countries and Territories
|
Medium of instruction
|
Notes |
|
Australia |
English |
Some schools offer billingual programs or programs in other langauge |
|
Cook Islands |
Cook Islands Maori and English |
This education system promotes the use of an effective billingual approach. |
|
Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) |
Vernacular (home langauge) and then English becomes the medium of instruction from Grade 3 (8-9 years of age) |
In FSM schools, students are taught and learn in their first, home or vernacular language almost exclusively in the early years of schooling. At this time, they also begin to learn a little English as a second language. Later, the amount of time spent on learning English as a second language increases until English becomes the language of instruction |
|
Fiji |
English
|
English is the official language of instruction in Fiji classrooms. |
|
French Polynesia |
French
|
* Not accepted evidence for english langauge competency, because French is the main medium of instruction and they are not part of a structured billingual approach (it’s prodominantly French medium schooling). |
|
Kiribati |
Te Kiribati and English
|
The school curriculum promotes a billingual approach and promotes the use of Te Kiribati and English language. |
|
Nauru |
Nauruan and English |
When the first schools were established, children were instructed in Nauru language. In 1923 there was a joint administration with the UK, AU and NZ where education was made compulsory and established a curriculum based in the English language. |
|
New Caledonia |
French
|
New Caledonia’s educations system remains closely modeled after the French system, and primary langauge of instruction at all levels is French. *Not accepted evidence for english langauge competency, because French is the main medium of instruction and they are not part of a structured billingual approach. (it’s prodominantly French medium schooling). |
|
New Zealand |
English and Te reo Maori
|
English-medium schools use the New Zealand Curriculum. Māori-medium schools (kura kaupapa Māori) use Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (a curriculum based on Māori philosophies). |
|
Niue |
Niuean and English
|
The language of instruction in the Niue elementary and secondary schools is Niuean and English. Secondary education includes both academic and vocational courses. |
|
Palau |
English |
English is the language of instruction |
|
Papua New Guinea |
English
|
Langauage of instruction is conducted soley in English, although community languages mayh still be used informally |
|
Republic of Marsha Islands |
English |
The Marshall islands follows a U.S patterned educational system. English is the language of instruction but Kajin Aelōñ Kein is taught as a subject at all grade levels |
|
Samoa |
English
|
The first 4 years of primary education take place at village schools, following which some pupils move on to district schools instead, where the medium of education is English. The only exception to this rule is found in Apia, where urban schools manage the entire process. The Samoan government controls all secondary schools where the medium is English again |
|
Solomon Islands |
Pijin, Sign language and English |
The Education Regulation 2024 specifies that the medium of instruction used to teach ECE to Year 3 primary school pupils is the mother tongue, Pijin and sign language. And Year 4 primary education as the year level from which English language is to be introduced. |
|
Tonga |
Tongan and English
|
The main language of instruction in government primary schools will be Tongan up to the end of grade 3, while a bilingual approach will be used to support instruction in grades 4 to 6. English will be the main language of instruction from grade 7. |
|
Tuvalau |
Tuvalu and English
|
The Primary language of instruction is Tuvaluan, with English as a second language. |
|
Vanuatu |
French or English |
Bislama (local pidgin) is the common language of communication across the country, children are educated in French or English schools, and a language policy exists which encourages students to begin the early years in vernacular before transitioning to French and English. |
|
Tokelau |
Gagana Tokealau and English
|
English is only included informally before Year 3. Gagana Tokelau is the main medium of instruction from early childhood to Year 7 – and thereafter is a medium of instruction for 50% of the curriculum to Year 11 Gagana Tokelau is the medium of instruction for 80% of the curriculum in Year 3, gradually decreasing to 50% by Year 7 |
|
Wallis and Futuna
|
French |
* Wallis and Futuna follow the French educational system and curricula. The language of instruction in Wallis and Futuna is French, so is not accepted evidence or English language competency. |
*French Polynesia, * New Caledonia, *Wallis and Futuna are acknowledged as being a part of the Pacific region, but because their medium of instruction within their education system is French, they are excluded from our accepted evidence criteria. We are seeking English Language competency, so the evidence provided needs to have English as the medium of instruction or part of a structured bilingual approach to teaching and learning.
Is there any other option for Pacific region teachers who have years of teaching experience to submit to get through to teacher registration?
Once the policy takes effect on 30 October 2024, Pacific region teachers will be able to use the ELCP.
They will be able to use their primary and secondary schooling OR secondary and tertiary schooling as evidence options to complete their language competency assessment.
What if I can’t provide evidence of schooling or tertiary studies while living in the Pacific region?
If you are unable to provide these evidence options or meet the requirements, the other options within the policy would apply i.e., taking one of the approved language tests outlined in the policy.
I am applying to enrol in an ITE programme. Do I need to provide the Teaching Council with a copy of my evidence of schooling or tertiary study that meets the new evidence criteria for the Pacific region?
No – like other forms of evidence provided for an ITE application, this information would be given to the ITE provider you are seeking to enrol with.
Why do I need to provide language competency evidence (English or Te Reo Māori) prior to being accepted onto an ITE programme? Can’t I develop this competence over the course of my study?
The requirement to provide language competency evidence on enrolment means the ITE provider has an assurance that a prospective student has enough command of the language which will be the medium of instruction for the ITE programme to manage the demands of their study. At the conclusion of their programme, the student teacher will also have developed competence in language specific to teaching and learning.
Language tests
What is the difference between the IELTS test, and the tests accepted from 1 January 2019?
There is no real difference, except they are offered by different providers. They all test reading, writing, listening and speaking. Some of the tests can be done online. All these tests are used and approved by other education agencies. The marks we are asking for have been assessed as being the same as level 7 in IELTS.
Do you recommend one test over another?
No, all test results require candidates to meet the same standard.
What about multiple test scores?
You can meet the requirements through using results from more than one test where they show that you achieve or exceed the specified outcome in each of the four competencies (listening, reading, writing and speaking). This means you can:
- use multiple test results from the same test provider; or
- use test scores from more than one test provider
This does not require an exemption request. It does require documentation from all approved tests.
Do the test results need to have been achieved in the last two years, as is required currently by NZQA?
Yes, the results must have been achieved within the last two years.
Do any of the language tests allow a person to sit only one component at a time, for example just writing?
The ISLPR and IELTS One Skill Retake only if the initial test was IELTS.
Exemptions
Will the Teaching Council consider exemptions to the requirement?
Only where there is evidence of a high standard of English language competency. For initial teacher education, the provider makes the request on behalf of the student to the Council. Providers are not obliged to make a request.
What kind of evidence do you consider?
We make decisions on a case-by-case basis. We need to be assured of your competency and require several pieces of strong evidence, for example you might provide us with:
- evidence of postgraduate qualifications gained in English and
- demonstration of a substantial period of successful work experience requiring a high level of speaking, writing, listening and reading in English and
- letters of support of your competence in an education setting from members of the profession / registered teachers.
What form does the evidence have to be in?
We need to see either original or verified copies of documents/transcripts. For overseas tertiary qualifications you need a NZQA International Qualification Assessment. Any letters of support from an education setting must come from a registered teacher
My application for an exemption was declined. What are my options?
The Council will consider appeals. Contact the Council in the first instance. You can apply directly to the Council and do not need to include the provider in your appeal.
I still can’t meet the requirements
If you have extra evidence of English language competency that you did not originally submit, you are welcome to give this to your preferred ITE provider, who can submit this as additional information; or to the Council if you are an overseas trained teacher. Alternatively, you can consider sitting one of the English tests on offer.