Programme Information

Students can begin any course on Monday in any week, if the course is available that week. The average class size is 8 students. The maximum number of students in a class is 12. The school is open all year, except for Public Holidays.

On arrival at Rotorua English Language Academy, all students will be given an assessment test to find their level of English.

Programmes Available

General English

Mornings
(10 lessons of 90 minutes, which is 15 hours per week)
Our General English course will help you improve your English as quickly as possible, whether you need English for your work or for your personal use. You will be in a multi-national class with other students of the same level, using the most modern coursebooks and materials, such as the latest versions of Headway and Cutting Edge. All our regular teachers have the University of Cambridge CELTA, and bring a wide range of teaching experience to their classes. We emphasise the importance of helping students to communicate fluently and confidently in English, and will work with you to improve your grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. The course allows you either to study just General English, or to combine this with other specialised courses in the afternoon.

Afternoons
Every day, you study 3 hours of General English in the morning. In addition, four days a week there are afternoon classes, from 1pm to 3pm. You will meet students from different classes there.
On Friday afternoons, students have the choice of joining the Friday afternoon activity with a RELA tutor, or self-study under the supervision of a RELA tutor, using listening tapes, computer programmes, textbooks an the school library, or free time.

1. Speaking Skills classes
8 lessons of I hour each per week.
In these classes you can practice more listening and speaking. Teachers will help you to learn the language for everyday situations, topics and conversation and help you with your pronunciation. Generally the teacher will ask you what kind of things you would like to learn and you will earn what the group decides on.

2. Grammar
These classes at three different levels  (numbers permitting) will help you to look at a wide range of language that will help you to become more accurate. It will help you to prepare for exams such as the Cambridge examinations.

3. English with Activities
Learn English for 3 hours per day and enjoy recreational and sightseeing activities in the afternoon. An experienced teacher or guide will take you on trips where you can: visit a famous thermal reserve and see boiling mud pools and geysers; ride in a gondola up a mountain and come down on a luge; visit a Maori village and enjoy a Maori concert; bathe in famous hot mineral pools; take a leisurely horse riding trek; visit a village once buried under a volcanic eruption, or any of a number of other great attractions. Click here for more information.

4. English for Older Students
You have General English courses in the morning, and in the afternoon you can choose from a range of extra activities: spa, forest walk, Maori culture or farm visit. You can also play sports and games such as croquet, petanque, lawn tennis, bowls and swimming. You can also visit some of Rotorua’s beautiful lakes, geysers, boiling mud pools and waterfalls. Click here for more information.

5. High School Preparation
Our High School Preparation class is run in December and January, and are for students planning to go to a New Zealand High School for the first time. We assist students to enrol in High Schools, and we are happy to give you as much help and advice as you need.

6. Working Holiday
Our 12 week working holiday programme is aimed at helping you enter the work force in New Zealand. You study full-time English at a level to suit you in the mornings and afternoons. During the 12 weeks, you are also given free after-school help to assist you in finding a job in Rotorua. Ex-students who have already found a job in Rotorua also come in to give advice. The programme is very flexible and changes to meet the needs of participants. Click here for more information.

English for Exams:

1. IELTS
IThis is a preparation class for a British exam. The class concentrates on developing the key skills you need and on helping you learn some of the particular vocabulary and grammar which will help you to perform effectively in the exam.  There are four skills focused on – reading, writing, listening and speaking. This class is also offered in the mornings - numbers permitting

2.TOEFL preparation
This is a preparation class for an American exam for those planning to study in America. Students also find it useful for practicing grammar, reading, writing, listening and speaking using formal Academic American English. Click here for more information about RELA's TOEFL class.

3.TOEIC preparation
This is a preparation class for an American exam with a focus on American English used at work. Click here for more information about RELA's TOEIC.

4. Cambridge First Certificate (FCE)
This is a 12-week, full-time course which will give you everything you need to help you prepare for the examination. It will take you up to one week before the exam when you can have a study week and time to take the listening and speaking papers. We use new books and materials, and we will ensure that you are ready for all the types of questions that you will meet. We will also help you with making your arrangements for the examination itself, so that all you need to think about is how to prepare yourself for the big day!
The exam is in the second week in December.

Dates of courses
15 March - 4 June 2010 (these dates include a study week)
13 September - 3 December 2010 (these dates do not include a study week)

Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
5. This is a 12-week, full-time course. It is aimed at high level learners who are interested in improving their four skills in English as well as their grammar usage.  The course will help you improve your English at this challenging level and prepare you thoroughly for the examination.  We use up to date materials and course books that incorporate new aspects of the exam and engaging topics which allow you to use language in many different situations. The course also provides you with authentic exam practice and useful guidance on how to approach each paper and task type in the examination so that you will feel fully prepared. We can even help you with your exam registration so that you  can focus on your English!

Dates of courses
15 March - 4 June 2010 (these dates include a study week)
13 September - 3 December 2010 (these dates do not include a study week)