Language Studies International Christchurch Showbook 2009
Learn and live the Language
www.lsi.edu
CONTENTS INTRODUCING CHRISTCHURCH LSI CHRISTCHURCH INSIDE LSI CHRISTCHURCH WHERE IS LSI CHRISTCHURCH? WHAT MAKES LSI CHRISTCHURCH SUCCESSFUL? WHY DO STUDENTS CHOOSE LSI? LSI NEW ZEALAND STUDENT TESTIMONIALS MOST POPULAR COURSES AT LSI CHRISTCHURCH ORIENTATION DAY COURSE TIMETABLE FOR LSI CHRISTCHURCH HOW DO WE TEACH? ACCOMMODATION IN NEW ZEALAND SOCIAL PROGRAMME ARRIVAL AND AIRPORT TRANSFER OTHER AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BOOKING PROCEDURE
INTRODUCING CHRISTCHURCH With a population of approximately 350 000, Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island. Called the garden city of New Zealand and “the most English city outside of England�, it is a city of beautiful old buildings, tree-lined streets, gardens and parks with the Avon River flowing through it. Hagley Park in the central city is the second largest inner city park in the world - only Central Park in New York City is larger. Christchurch offers great diversity. It is a small city and has the advantages of a city and the countryside which is easily accessible. In the winter, snowboarding and skiing are possible at resorts in the nearby mountains and in summer there are many water sport facilities available. There are cultural and sporting activities aplenty.
Because the city is situated near the mountains, rivers, hills and beaches you can also take your pick from a variety of activities including swimming, surfing, snowboarding, skiing, bungee jumping, sky diving, punting, sailing, horse riding, whale watching, sight seeing etc. The city harbour, Lyttelton, is reached via a tunnel through the Port Hills to the south on a picturesque bay formed in the crater of an extinct volcano.
CHRISTCHURCH ATTRACTIONS: Antarctic Centre, Science Alive, the Arts Centre, a variety of museums, wild life parks, aquarium, musical shows, drama, performances by the resident and visiting ballet companies, concerts by the city symphony orchestra and visiting artists, performances in the cathedral square, craft markets, boat cruises, swimming with dolphins, whale watching in nearby Kaikoura, thermal springs in nearby Hamner, a casino, punting on the Avon River, kayaking on the river, hot air ballooning, a gondola ride to the top of the Port Hills, Maori cultural centres, night clubs, horse racing, helicopter rides, vineyard tours, many annual festivals (for example, the Festival of Romance, the International Buskers Festival, Winter carnival, a book festival and Showtime Canterbury).
LSI CHRISTCHURCH The school is close to transport and within walking distance of most tourist attractions in the city, including the Avon River and Victoria Square and the famous Cathedral Square. There are many restaurants and cafes close by. The school is on or close to all the major bus routes including the free City Shuttle bus route.
The city abounds with theatres, art galleries, shops, restaurants, pubs and cafĂŠs. There are two universities, a polytechnic, numerous tertiary colleges and training institutions and many language schools.
The city and the neighbouring Banks Peninsula provide many attractions for all ages and tastes. There are bars, cafes and restaurants in abundance along with movie theatres, art galleries, musical and theatrical performances.
INSIDE LSI CHRISTCHURCH
WHERE IS LSI CHRISTCHURCH? LSI Christchurch is located on Peterborough St, in between Durham St and Colombo St. It is 5 minutes walk from Cathedral Square. We are located above Strawberry Fare (a very yummy dessert café!). You need to walk down the right-hand side of the building to find the entrance for LSI!
SCHOOL FACILITIES : • • • •
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Ten computers for student use for internet access and self-study in the afternoons + wireless access All classrooms have tape recorders, white boards and comfortable chairs with writing surfaces. Television, video and CD players are available for use by teachers in class. There is a student’s room with coffee and tea making facilities, free tea and coffee, a microwave oven, fridge and a vending machine for snacks. There are magazines and games for students to use during breaks and after school. Classrooms are heated in the winter and have fans in the summer.
WHAT MAKES LSI CHRISTCHURCH STCHURCH SUCCESSFUL? QUALITY LSI schools are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are up-to-date, relevant to your needs, and meet your expectations.
WHY DO STUDENTS CHOOSE LSI CHRISTCHURCH?
RANGE & FLEXIBILITY The wide range of courses we offer means whatever your needs, you will find a course that suits you. A wide variety of starting dates and course durations also gives you many choices. As all our centres follow the same syllabus, it is easy to study in more than one centre. QUALIFIED TEACHING STAFF All teachers at LSI are well qualified, experienced, and caring. They constantly monitor your progress, and check that the course material is appropriate. The teachers are friendly, helpful, and always willing to listen. CAREFUL ASSESSMENT Whether you choose to study in a class or as an individual, there will be careful assessment of your needs on the first day of your course. We test your listening, grammar and speaking ability, before placing you in the appropriate level.
WELL ESTABLISHED : We have over 40 years of experience. VALUE FOR MONEY : The goal of LSI is simply to provide each student with a quality education. We do this by tailoring our programs to their needs. “LIKE A FAMILY”: Students feel at home in LSI. We are large enough to cope and small enough to care.
INTERACTIVE CLASSROOM TECHNIQUES Our goal in all classes is to provide ample opportunity to practise the target language. To make the learning process as engaging and enjoyable as possible, we use a variety of communicative teaching techniques, including the use of video, cassettes, CDs, role play, pair work, project work, and group work, all of which give you the opportunity to hear and use the language in realistic situations.
HOST FAMILY & RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION All of our accommodation is police checked and very carefully selected to ensure it is of the highest quality. Our families are renowned for their kindness and hospitality.
EXCITING SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Both LSI NZ schools organise a wide range of social activities for students to enjoy during their free time. Whether it is a relaxing trip in the weekend, a barbeque, or a visit to the theatre or a museum, you will find our social programmes enjoyable, rewarding, and the perfect opportunity to make new friends and use the language outside the classroom.
INTERNATIONAL & MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMNET Not only will you learn about New Zealand, but you will also have the opportunity to meet students and professionals from all around the world. You will feel like a part of the international community. We host students from over 25 different countries.
MULTI CULTURAL: In 2007 we welcomed students from 25 different countries across Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. LANGUAGE PROGRESS: Four weeks at LSI is the same as two years part-time in your own country.
LSI Christchurch
Tahiti 2.0%
Taiw an 11.9%
Thailand 2.0%
Austria 1.7%
Brazil 8.8%
Chile 5.3%
China 3.2%
Sw itzerland 1.7%
Colombia 1.2% Estonia 2.4% France 2.3%
Saudi Arabia 16.2%
Germany 3.2%
New Caledonia 2.0%
Latvia 1.7%
Hong Kong
Korea 15.5%
Japan 16.5%
Italy 1.7%
Hungary 0.4% 0.3%
EXCELLENT LOCATIONS Both LSI NZ schools are conveniently located near the city centre, within walking distance of major attractions, shopping, dining, entertainment, and transportation. Whatever your needs, the staff will be happy to help you locate the nearest location to fit those needs.
CERTIFICATE Upon completion of your course, you will receive a Certificate signed by the Principal.
AUTHENTIC LANGUAGE: All of our teachers are native English speakers who help build your confidence. ENGLISH POLICY: We have an ‘English only’ policy in the school, so it is an excellent place to improve your English!
LSI NEW ZEALAND STUDENT TESTIMONIALS I’m completely satisfied with my course and I feel that my language skills are much better now. Classes were always educating and entertaining as well which made it enjoyable for me”. Alexander Mehler, Germany. “I really enjoyed my English course. My teachers were very nice, patient and sympathetic. I could ask questions and they were always available for me. I think that LSI has really helped me improve my English. Thank you for all, I will surely recommend your school in my country”. Maeva Laille, Tahiti. “The LSI course was useful to improve my English. I used to be afraid of speaking with people in English but now I have overcome this problem”. Ya Chi Yang, Taiwan. “I’ve been here only one month but in this time I feel that I have improved my English and I found my classes interesting and my teacher was really helpful. For me it was very interesting to meet so many people of different cultures”. Daniela Constanza Gonzalez Granic, Chile. I feel comfortable because I met a lot of new friends in Christchurch from different countries and have fun with them. I improve my language here because all teachers in LSI amazing and friendly - Alawani, Saudi Arabia. “The school is really excellent. I like so much LSI, the staff and all the people!! I’ll come back here next year for sure”. Jeremy Fouquet, New Caledonia. I think LSI is very good language school. I could learned many things (for example, culture, slang). All the staff at LSI was very good. I want to go abroad again in my future - Yukako, Japan. “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience here in LSI. Most of all I enjoyed meeting all the young students of different nationalities – a wonderful atmosphere!”. Linda Levy, Israel.
MOST POPULAR COURSES AT LSI CHRISTCHURCH ENGLISH FOR TEACHING (TKT): COURSE TYPES
COURSE LEVELS
General Language Courses
Standard 20 (Plus) Intensive 30 (Plus) Afternoon Course
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Executive Course
One-to-One
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Exam Courses
FCE (First Certificate)
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IELTS TOEIC
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Aimed at speakers of other languages, this Cambridge Certificate course is for those who wish to gain a valuable qualification to teach English. 30 lessons per week for 4 weeks, 3 modules taken. Students sit the exams on the Saturday following the last day of the course.
Other Language Courses
●●●●●● ISY-International School Year 30 ●●● English for Nursing ●●● English for Teaching (TKT) ● Beginner ● Elementary ● Pre-Intermediate ● Intermediate ● Upper Intermediate ● Advanced
INTENSIVE 30 : LSI invites students to select as many weeks as they need from 1 to 48 weeks. As a result, this 30 lesson per week program is perfect for students who want the same afternoon options as the ISY 30 but need less than 24 weeks study. STANDARD 20 : This 20 lesson per week program follows the same morning schedule as the ISY 30 and Intensive 30. As a part-time course, this is perfect for students who need integrated skill without afternoon classes. The four skills areas of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing are covered, as are grammatical structures, vocabulary, and pronunciation. MULTI CENTRE COURSES : Students are welcome to share their time between LSI Auckland & LSI Christchurch.
ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES ENGLISH FOR NURSING: This course is ideal for students who wish to study for a Bachelor of Nursing degree, or for nurses who wish to gain valuable work experience. 30 lessons per week for 24 or 36 weeks, depending on entrance level. Course includes General English, IELTS Exam preparation, and Nursing English vocabulary.
EXECUTIVE COURSES ONE TO ONE This is ideal for students who have very specific needs that they would like LSI to concentrate on. Program Options: Business English and Exam Preparation
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL YEAR (LSY) (LSY) LSI understands that students need quality programs which offer flexible course options and value for money. The discounted ISY programme is ONLY available for 24, 30, 36 and 48 week programs. No holidays or changes are permitted with this course. AFTERNOON OPTIONS : Include General English, Business English and Exam preparation EXAM PREPARATION : include Cambridge PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC Certificates, IELTS, TOEFL iBT & TOEIC programmes Example: A typical “ISY Plan� might look like the one below. LSI will help students to build their plan.
EXAM PREPARATION COURSES :
ORIENTATION DAY Students are placed in the level that suits their language ability. Students need to bring a pen, their passport, and proof of their insurance. There is a grammar test, a listening test, a colloquial usage test, and a short speaking assessment of each new student. This takes from 9:00 until 10:45. There is then morning tea before orientation. During orientation we give information about the school, who to see if students have a problem, where to find different facilities within the school, as well as information about the city (information on posting, banking, information centres, and bus passes). Orientation finishes at 12:45pm.
Cambridge FCE Certificate: 30 lessons per week, 8/10/12 weeks The Cambridge programmes cover a wide range of academic and vocational topics, including examinations specially designed for the international market. LSI Christchurch offers a preparatory course for the Cambridge FCE exam, which is internationally recognized as a standard of competency in English. The programme lasts up to twelve weeks and combines theory with practical skills. TOEIC & IELTS Preparation: 10 afternoon lessons per week Intermediate to Advanced levels These are standard examinations to enter universities or to work worldwide. This class can be either the afternoon portion in the Intensive 30 course, or the ISY 30 program. LSI Christchurch is a TOEIC test centre.
Each student is presented with a Student Card, which will enable them to get discounts around the City. There are no discounts on buses for international language school students.
DAILY COURSE TIMETABLE FOR LSI CHRISTCHURCH Hours 9:00 – 10:45 10:45 – 11:10 11:10 – 12:45
Intensive 30 Lessons 1 & 2 BREAK Lessons 3& 4
12:45 – 13:45 13:45 – 14:35 14:40 – 15:30
LUNCH Lesson 5 Lesson 6 - FINISH
Hours
One-to-one 20/30 lessons
9:00 – 10:30
Lessons 1 & 2
10:30 – 10:45 10:45 – 12:15
BREAK Lessons 3 & 4 FINISH (20 lessons) LUNCH Lessons 5 & 6 FINISH (30 lessons)
12:15 – 13:15 13:15 – 14:45
Standard 20 Lessons 1 & 2 BREAK Lessons 3 & 4 FINISH
HOW DO WE TEACH? Our syllabus is based on grammatical structures, and is grouped in levels, which guarantee that students study at their appropriate level (Beginners, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, & Advanced). The syllabus includes detailed and systematic language skills development (reading, writing, listening, speaking), taught in a communicative context. Students take part in pair work, group work, and individual work. Our method is to encourage the students to speak as fluently as possible within the shortest possible time. A balance of all language requirements grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, functional use - is maintained using a wide range of materials and techniques. We have tests every week.
ACCOMMODATION IN NEW ZEALAND
SOCIAL PROGRAMME LSI NZ will organize a variety of activities after school and in the evenings as well as some excursions in the weekends. At LSI Christchurch we have activities after school on Wednesdays and Fridays. Activities include: swimming, sailing, horseriding, cinema, tennis, soccer, barbeque, ten pin bowling, laser strike, golf, mini golf, volleyball, concerts, visits to cultural shows, visit to the Art Gallery, museum visits, etc.
HOMESTAY PROGRAMME Nearly all of our students choose to stay with a friendly New Zealand family. Our families are well known for their kindness and hospitality. Staying with a private family is very economical, and it offers you the opportunity to practise the language further in an authentic setting. We take great care in selecting the families we use - our hosts will provide a comfortable private room, completely furnished, with a desk for you to study at. You are given breakfast and dinner during the weeks, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in the weekends (Half-board option). Most New Zealanders are relatively casual in their home life, and may ask students to join them in the kitchen to prepare a typical dish from their home country, or to help themselves to breakfast, rather than being served. All our Host Families are within a 30-45 minute bus ride from the school. Our Homestay Coordinator will give you help whenever you need it. RESIDENCES Please see our brochure for more information about our residence and student residence options in New Zealand.
WEEKEND TRIPS In Christchurch you can go to Kaikoura and see the whales, Arthur’s Pass, Mt Cook, West Coast of the South Island, and much much more!
ARRIVAL & AIRPORT TRANSFERS CHRISTCHURCH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Students can arrange to be met at the Airport and taken directly to their homestay families upon arrival in New Zealand. You will be met as you exit after having cleared MAF (grey on the map). Look for your name on a board as soon as you exit. If you cannot see your name please phone 021 2255793.
OTHER AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION Students who wish to make their own way from the airport should catch an "Airport shuttle bus", from outside the main exit of the airport terminal. Some mini-buses, also situated outside the airport terminal, will take you directly to individual addresses on request, while other larger buses go directly to the city. You can also take a taxi. A taxi from the airport will cost you between $55.00 and $75.00. CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS : Christchurch: During the week: 09.00 - 17.00 at LSI Tel: 03 3777337 Emergency number: 021 2255793
The cost of the airport "meet and greet" service and transfer to the homestay family is $90.00. Please book the airport transfer with the course. Please give us your arrival details (flight number, expected time of arrival, and arrival date), as soon as they have been confirmed, so we can book your transfer. Please remember we cannot find out which flight you are on from the airlines, as this information is strictly confidential.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BUS SYSTEM The main public transport system in Christchurch is the bus system. On the first day at school, students will be given information about the appropriate bus pass for them to buy, as well as costs, and where they can buy the passes. Alternatively each trip can be paid for individually with cash on board the bus. Bus passes cost approximately NZ$100 per month. Bus timetables and bus pass information are available at the school, and staff are available to help with any transportation needs the students may have. Timetables are also available in Visitor’s Information Centres. Homestay families live within one to three stages from the city. This keeps daily travel costs and time to a minimum. The homestay families will teach the student how to travel to and from the homestay to school either the day before the course starts or on the first day. OTHER TRAVEL OPTIONS
Train (to a limited number of destinations) Taxi (prices reasonable within the inner city area) Rental car (useful for weekend excursions) Purchased car (suitable for long stays only, and limited by available car-parking in the city - car parking near the school is $10.00 - $20.00 per day.
BOOKING PROCEDURE • • • •
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Fill in the enrolment form http://www.lsi.edu/en/terms.shtml. Fax, email or post it to us, along with $120 Registration fee We will send you an invoice and acknowledge your starting date. If you need a student visa, you must pay 100% of your fees, before we send our official Acceptance Letter. In some countries, you need to apply for pre-approval of a visa, so we will send you an Offer of Place letter. Once you have had pre-approval of your visa, you then need to pay the fees, and we will send you an Acceptance Letter. If a student visa is not needed, please pay a deposit of all the fees, and the rest three weeks before commencement of the course (unless you have a prior arrangement with LSI). Our bank account number : Language Studies International (NZ) Ltd – Student Fees Trust Account, The National Bank, 185 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland 1, N.Z. Account Number: 06-0265-0101907-00 Swift Code: ANZB NZ22 We will send you homestay details of the family, if you have booked Homestay Accommodation. Take your Acceptance Letter and receipt to the closest New Zealand Embassy to apply for your Student Visa. In some countries you may need to send it. Please make sure we have your arrival details so we can arrange your Airport Transfer (if you have booked one), and so we can inform your Host Family of your arrival time.
We hope to see you soon!
Language Studies International Floor 2, 114 Peterborough Street Christchurch Phone: +64 (0)3 3777337 Fax: +64 (0)3 3777338 Email: chc@lsi.edu Web site: www.lsi.ac.nz www.lsi.edu
Our courses are approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education Amendment Act 1990, and Language Studies International (NZ) Ltd is accredited to teach them. Copyright Language Studies International Ltd. Language Studies International (NZ) Ltd has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Ministry of Education. Copies of the Code are available on request from this institution or from the Ministry of Education website at www.minedu.govt.nz