Language competency exemptions - Changes for Realm and other Pacific countries
The language competency policy
The Language Competency for Teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand policy launched in 2019, is focused on evidence-based proof of competency in English or te reo Māori (the two languages of our national curricula). This approach was a shift from the previous policy focus on whether English or te reo Māori were additional languages. The list of evidence options can be found here.
The new requirements were developed in the context of a national education system and curriculum largely focused on supporting English and Māori medium education settings, which was also reflected in the Council’s purpose outlined in the Education and Training Act 2020 (the Act).
Since the implementation of the new requirements, the Council has continued to explore how it can best respond to a widespread call from Pacific communities, ākonga | learners and whānau | families, along with Pacific kaiako | teachers and leaders, for an education system that better reflects the diverse languages and cultures of the nations of the Pacific in the context of Aotearoa | New Zealand.
The Council therefore sought an amendment to our purpose in the Act to clarify that we have a mandate to support high-quality teaching, learning and leadership in other language medium settings. This amendment was made in 2022 and now gives us greater scope to explore a range of other policy initiatives to support an increase in the numbers of Pacific peoples who are registered kaiako | teachers, and the growth of Pacific bilingual and immersion pathways across our education system.
Our work programme includes a review of the language competency policy, following feedback from Pacific communities, including educators in some bilingual and immersion settings that suggests there may still be barriers to entry into Initial Teacher Education and for teacher registration for some speakers of Pacific languages, even after the changes we made to the requirements in 2019.
Language competency exemption requests for entry into Initial Teacher Education or for teacher registration
If an applicant for entry into Initial Teacher Education (ITE) or for registration as a teacher cannot provide one of the evidence options for English language competency but has other evidence showing a high standard of competency, the Council may consider this evidence on a case-by-case discretionary basis.
The Language Competency Exemption Panel does not require applicants to identify their nationality, ethnicity, first language or if English is a second or other language. This is because the language competency process is an evidence-based process.
Language competency exemption requests for entry into Initial Teacher Education (ITE) are made by the ITE provider on behalf of the applicant.
Review of the language competency policy
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 registration officers will continue to assess evidence provided as part of an application for teacher registration (including language test results) and may apply for an exemption through the panel on your behalf if supporting evidence merits consideration.
Similarly, for those applying for entry into initial teacher education, language competency evidence will first be assessed by ITE staff against our policy and they may make an application for exemption through the panel on your behalf.
The additional evidence that can be considered 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.
Exemption requests for applications for entry into Initial Teacher Education
Exemption requests for language competency are made by the ITE provider, on behalf of the applicant.
The ITE provider will include evidence such as:
- other qualifications
- work experience
- language test results
- testimonials (including from the provider, noting their impression of the candidate’s command of English during interviews etc and whether their view is they will be able to manage the academic requirements of the programme)
- additional schooling or tertiary evidence from Pacific countries can also be included by the ITE provider.
Exemption requests for applications for teacher registration
Exemption requests are made by Council registration officers following an assessment of evidence provided by an applicant. Please do not contact the Council directly to request an exemption.
Applicants will have already completed one or two language tests (if they are not able to provide one of the other evidence types).
If they have one or two scores from the test that fall short of the required level, they can seek a review by the Language Competency Exemption Panel.
- The panel considers their test scores, as well as other evidence such as testimonials, work experience, and recent study undertaken in English.
- Additional schooling or tertiary evidence from Pacific countries can also be included by the applicant.
(Note that expanded evidence options that can be considered on a discretionary basis also apply to applications for a Limited Authority to Teach).