The University of Auckland English Language Academy (ELA)

Last week, ELA welcomed English language educators from across New Zealand for the English New Zealand Professional Development Fest.

From student wellbeing and AI in education to game-based learning and professional growth, the evening was packed with thought-provoking ideas and collaboration.

Thank you to all the presenters, attendees, and English New Zealand for making it a fantastic event.

As we say goodbye to our wonderful students from International Christian University (ICU), Japan, we'd like to thank them for being such a fantastic part of the ELA community over the past six weeks.

Today, after their final class with Teacher Lauren, we celebrated their achievements with certificates, personal reflections, and, of course, pizza!

We hope you'll take home great memories, new friendships, improved English skills, and a special connection to Aotearoa. Safe travels, and we hope to see you again soon!

Yesterday, ELA welcomed more than 160 new students, most of them joined us from universities across Japan.

With the Japanese holiday season underway, they’ve travelled to New Zealand not only to strengthen their English, but also to experience the unique culture, landscapes and way of life that make Aotearoa so special.

We hope their time at the University of Auckland will leave plenty of unforgettable memories, and please open your hearts, embrace every opportunity, and discover how wonderful the world can be.

Welcome to ELA!

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

We loved welcoming 11 students from Jianghan University to ELA for a three-week General English programme!

They brought so much enthusiasm, energy, and curiosity to the classroom, making a lasting impression on our teachers along the way. Their final presentations were a real highlight, with every student confidently sharing what they had learned throughout the programme.

Thank you for being part of the ELA community. We can't wait to welcome you back in the future!

For the past few months, our English All Around Challenge has encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and use English every day.

To collect every sticker, students took part in workshops, class activities, outings, and everyday conversations in English. More than just a challenge, it was about building confidence and making English part of daily life.

And now, all five of our Kiwi birds have found a home!

Congratulations to everyone who completed the challenge and earned their very own Kiwi bird. We're so proud of your hard work and progress!

Ready to start your University of Auckland journey in early 2027?

Join our English Pathway Programme from 16 November 2026 and build the skills you need for university study while meeting English language requirements.

Applications close: 13 September 2026

Don't miss out!

Congratulations to our Hwaseong City Group on successfully completing their programme at ELA!

Alongside developing their English language skills, they explored some of the University of Auckland's most innovative spaces, including Unleash Space and the Digital Research Hub, where they learned about entrepreneurship, innovation, and emerging technologies such as digital twins.

Today, the students concluded their programme with their final mission presentations, followed by a Shark Tank-style innovation pitch judged by representatives from KOTRA (the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency).

We are incredibly proud of everything they achieved during their time in Auckland and hope they leave with lasting memories, new friendships, and inspiration for the future. We wish them every success in their studies and beyond.

화이팅! (Hwaiting!)

This week, ELA Director Paul and Academic Manager Lee delivered an engaging and interactive workshop at Arts and Education Faculty for Hangzhou Normal University students.

The workshop introduced New Zealand's education system and explored what it takes to become an effective teacher. Through a range of interactive activities and discussions, students gained a deeper understanding of the qualities, skills, and responsibilities of educators in New Zealand.

We hope today's session has inspired our students as they continue their learning journey, and we look forward to supporting them throughout their time at ELA.

A warm welcome to more than 200 new students who joined ELA yesterday.

Most of our new students are visiting from universities across China and South Korea, spending their Northern Hemisphere summer break improving their English in New Zealand.

Their journey began with orientation at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, just a short walk across Grafton Bridge from ELA.

We hope you enjoy making new friends, experiencing Kiwi culture, and exploring Aotearoa New Zealand!

We're delighted to welcome a group of students from International Christian University (ICU), Japan, to ELA!

This year marks 8 years of partnership between ELA and ICU, with our team having visited their Tokyo campus several times over the years. It's always a pleasure to continue this special connection in Auckland.

The students will begin with a two-week Cultural Understanding programme before joining our General English classes for four weeks. We look forward to helping them improve their English, experience Kiwi culture, and make unforgettable memories during their time in Aotearoa.

Welcome to ELA – we hope you have an amazing six weeks with us!