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Learn English for everyday confidence
See the WIE classroom experience first: speaking practice, teacher support, classmates and practical English for daily life.
Study Experience
Confidence starts with daily practice
General English helps students build confidence step by step through speaking, listening, reading and writing. The page now leads with real classroom moments before detailed course information.
Students can start with everyday communication before choosing an exam or pathway goal.
Classroom Experience
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Approved WIE classroom and activity media shows speaking practice, classmates and the learning environment around General English.
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Practise English beyond the classroom
General English is easier to imagine when visitors can see speaking practice, study activities and friendship moments around the school.
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Continue from learning into student life
After visitors can picture learning English, guide them toward activities, support, friendship and Hamilton life.
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Short answers for visitors comparing WIE study options. Confirm current details through official WIE channels.
Who is General English for?
General English is for students who want to build everyday English confidence through classroom practice, speaking, listening, reading and writing.
What does learning feel like at WIE?
Students learn through practical classroom interaction, teacher support and opportunities to use English in daily situations.
Detailed information
General English Course General English Courses are available at the following 6 levels: Beginner Elementary Pre-Intermediate Intermediate Upper Intermediate Advanced Classes have a fun, practical focus and focus on all areas of speaking, learning, reading and writing. Class work is theme-based: activities
are focus on a weekly or bi-weekly topic, usually following the English course book syllabus, so that students can develop useful vocabulary and share ideas in group discussions.
English grammar and structure are introduced progressively and used in class communication activities. Students also receive cross-cultural training to help you become accustomed to New Zealand life quickly and easily.
The English grammar and structure are introduced progressively and used in class communication activities. Students also receive cross-cultural training to help you become accustomed to New Zealand life quickly and easily.
The English curriculum also uses multimedia and on-line resources for the delivery of special interest topics and uses a mix of Kiwi and bi-lingual teaching at the lower levels.
Placement: Students enrolling for General English course sit our placement test on arrival, and are then placed in the appropriate class according to their assessed English language level.
Certification: Waikato Institute of Education Certificate in General English (You must meet all course and attendance requirements.) Pathway: Studying General English at Waikato Institute of Education opens up opportunities for tertiary study in New Zealand, for more information, please visit:
Pathway to New Zealand University, Polytechnic and High School Learners who have enrolled for or have completed General English are better equipped to travel, live and work in New Zealand.
or more information, please visit: Pathway to New Zealand Jobs Free English Courses English Online New Zealand Hamilton Hamilton Video Education System Guide Living and studying in NZ Chinese Korean Arabic Student Visa Study English in NZ Photo and Video School Hamilton Photo New Zealand Photo
Study in Waikato Video Courses General English Working Holiday for Working Office English IELTS Preparation Holiday Programme Language Travel Phone: 64 - 7 - 8382450 Fax: 64 - 7 - 838 2453 Email: info@wie.ac.nz Course Fee Information For details on course fees please see Courses &
Fees By enrolling on Waikato Institute of Education's General English programme, students can improve their English and learn about New Zealand school culture, study systems or methods, exams and further tertiary education available in New Zealand.
After completing Waikato Institute of Education's programme, students will be better prepared to study in a New Zealand tertiary education at a university, polytechnic or other tertiary education institute.
WIE General English Timetable This course is designed to meet the language needs of learners wanting to improve their English in all areas. The course focusses on level appropriate grammar and introduces vocabulary specific to a range of general topics. By completing this course you will be equipped with the vocabulary, grammar,
and skills you need to communicate with confidence.
The emphasis in this course will be on reading, writing, listening and speaking, with integrated grammar and vocabulary. The course will also provide opportunities for students to build on their current English skills, gain familiarity with the Kiwi accent, and be introduced to New Zealand culture.
The morning class will develop students' grammar, reading and writing skills to high school standards. It will cover general and specific vocabulary needed for a variety of subjects.
The afternoon class will practice the oral, listening and study skills.
On Friday afternoon, students will learn how to adapt to a New Zealand learning environment through individual and group assignments.
Free pronunciation class every Thursday after 3pm.
Please see the sample timetable below: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 09:00 – 10:30 Topic starter Language consolidation and review Grammar consolidation Language skills development: reading and listening Vocabulary consolidation Topic based reading and listening Grammar
expansion Vocabulary expansion Using language in context: writing task 10:30 – 10:50 Break 10:50 – 11:50 Grammar drills Using grammar in context: task Topic specific vocabulary building Using vocabulary in context: task Structured topic-based discussion task Pronunciation skills development: writing
Everyday English: Functional language 1:50 – 12:00 Assembly 12:00 – 13:00 Lunch 13:00 – 14:00 Language in context: vocabulary and Using grammar in context: speaking task Language skills development: listening Preparation for task Specialised language development; conversational, functional or academic English
14:00 – 14:10 cademic English vocabulary building Structured speaking task: presentation expressing opinions, critical thinking 15:10 – 16:00 WIE After Class English Activities (Optional) Study Activities Study Activities (Learn new culture and have new experiences) Activities (Enjoy the fresh air and sun with your
friends!) English Corner (Improve your speaking by playing fun games) Pronunciation Class / Cambridge Pre-test IELTS Mock Test Social Club (Make new friends and improve your communication skills ) WIE has English Activities every afternoon after 3pm. All activities are optional, but we do encourage all students to
participate so they have extra opportunities to practice their English at WIE.
Study Activities and Social Club can help students learn English in authentic environments.
Students will benefit from the Tuesday Activities as students play in groups of multiple different L1 background.
English Corner will improve students speaking skills by playing fun games.
If students preparing IELTS test WIE has Cambridge pre-test and mock test to help students' exam skills.
Students can join WIE study activities every Monday. They may visit Hamilton city council and meet our mayor or they may visit Hamilton Museum and learn about Maori Culture. Waikato University is one of the popular destinations.
Sometimes New Zealand policemen will visit us at our campus and tell our students about safety in New Zealand. If you are lucky you can meet rugby players from the famous local Rugby teams, the Chiefs. There are so many more activities. Come and join us every Monday!
New Zealand is famous for fresh air, blue sky and great outdoor activities. All Students are welcome to join WIE Tuesday activities with their friends. They will play soccer, cricket and badminton, visit Hamilton gardens and Hamilton lake. Sometimes students will have Billiards or Ping Pong competitions. Students
play in groups with their friends from different countries. Not only do students learn about team works but also improve their communication skills with students from multiple different L1 backgrounds.
There are no students who don't want to learn English by playing fun games. WIE provides great opportunities for our students to improve their English every Wednesday in English Corner.
Students will play Pictionary and Jenga, Headbanz, Concept, Duck, Duck Goose, Music Chair and any fun game you can think of. All games are designed especially for students learning English.
Cambridge Pre-test WIE has been one of the Cambridge Pre-test Centres since 2014. WIE receives test papers from Cambridge Assessment, administrates the tests and returns the test papers back to Cambridge Assessment. Pre-tests give students the opportunity to practise taking a Cambridge
English exam using genuine questions under exam conditions. Pre-test also helps students know which areas they need most practice in and gives them experience and confidence in taking tests.
There are only limited spaces for WIE pre-tests.
Make sure you book your spot in advance.
WIE also has IELTS Mock Tests every Thursday.
Mock tests give students additional practice for preparing for the IELTS exam. Teachers answer students' questions and give students suggestions on how to improve their exam skills.
Mock tests are also a great way to test students' English level and help them to use more suitable materials to prepare for the exam.
WIE runs Social Club every Friday which helps students' speaking in authentic environments.
Students may go to local cafs and try different types of coffee. Students may also go to local restaurants and try their special drinks and food. There are also many snack bars around Hamilton, students love the unique environments and sharing their experiences with their friends.
Pronunciation Class Waikato Institute of Education Address: Level 1 Centre Place Tower, 48 Ward Street PO Box 773, Hamilton, New Zealand Fax: 64 - 7 - 838 2453