Ministry of Education

International Languages, Pathways and Exchanges (ILEP)

ILEP supports schools and teachers to implement the learning languages curriculum through the promotion of a five-stage professional learning pathway for schools and teachers of Years 7-13. 

Teacher Professional Development Languages (TPDL)

TPDL is an in-service year-long professional development programme available to teachers at all New Zealand schools. Languages supported include Chinese and Japanese.

Learning Languages on TKI

This is the Ministry of Education’s portal for teachers to access language learning information about professional learning opportunities, professional support for the New Zealand Curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, resources and key links.  

AFS New Zealand

AFS has a range of professional development programmes, including managing the Ministry of Education Language Immersion Awards (LIA), hosting overseas educators in New Zealand schools and being able to share and learn new teaching methods with educators from other countries.

• Prue Elwood (Educator Programmes Coordinator)

NetNZ

NetNZ is a community of schools that work together to provide online learning opportunities based around the New Zealand Curriculum.

• Ken Pullar (Executive Leader - Operations)
• Darren Sudlow (Executive Leader – Learning)  

Virtual Learning Network (VLN) Primary

The VLN Primary initiative aims to extend learning opportunities for students by enabling online collaborations between schools. VLN Primary offers online classes, tools, and access to professional development and support.

• Rachel Whalley (e-principal)

Chinese language providers

New Zealand Chinese Language Week (NZCLW)

NZCLW is a Kiwi-driven initiative that aims to increase Chinese language learning in New Zealand. It is celebrated during the second week of September each year to coincide with the Chinese Moon Festival. Schools celebrating NZCLW are encouraged to register their event and apply for funding under the Educators Network Experience Asia Events initiative.

My Chinese Teacher

My Chinese Teacher is the world's largest online Chinese learning program and is designed specifically for schools. Utilising technology already available in the NZ classroom, the My Chinese Teacher program broadcasts Beijing-based teachers into the classroom for weekly live and interactive Chinese lessons. It is this ability to connect with locals on the ground in China and see the real Beijing via video-conference that has made the My Chinese Teacher program a popular choice for schools. More details from www.mychineseteacher.org.

Confucius Institutes

The Confucius Institutes in New Zealand support schools to offer Mandarin language and culture classes. This support includes advice, introductory programmes, professional development, principal delegations to China and Mandarin language assistants. There are three Confucius Institutes in New Zealand.

• Confucius Institute at the University of Auckland 
• Confucius Institute  at Victoria University of Wellington
• Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury

Learning Languages for Kiwis

Colourful and engaging digital resources in the form of PDF files which are compatible with all devices. The series follows a cartoon character called Wiremu - a New Zealand high school student of Maori decent who has just started an exchange to a school in Beijing.

Master of Professional Studies in Teaching Chinese in Schools

This is a specialist qualification for people who teach or wish to teach Chinese in schools. 

Japanese language providers

Sasakawa Fellowship Fund for Japanese Language Education

A programme to encourage Japanese language education and Japanese studies in New Zealand.

Korean language providers

Korean Education Centre

The Korean Education Centre promotes Korean language and culture in New Zealand. 

Korea School

Korean language assessment opportunities for NCEA Levels 1-3.

Other Asian language providers

Language Perfect

Language Perfect is a digital tool which supports language vocabulary learning.

LearnKo

Online reciprocal language learning between New Zealand schools and schools in Asia.

Please email our education director Jeff Johnstone regarding the learning of other Asian languages in schools. 

Teacher Associations

• New Zealand Association of Language Teachers (NZALT)
• New Zealand Association of Japanese Language Teachers (NZAJLT)
• New Zealand Chinese Language Teachers’ Association (NZCLTA)

Grants and scholarships

• Opportunities for students