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English Language

Our English language programmes are ideal for migrants and refugees who wish to improve their opportunities in both work and study in New Zealand.

Students enter the programmes at a level that best corresponds to their current capability and can progress all the way through the New Zealand Certificates in English Language. Following completion, you can continue on to study at Wintec or beyond across a large array of programmes.

We are an authorised International English language testing centre and our students have the opportunity to take both academic and general IELTS, including ORS and OET exams.

Explore our programmes below and find more information about our IELTS centre and OET exams, including upcoming exam preparation courses and exam dates.

"Before I came to New Zealand, I couldn’t speak much English at all. Some friends studied English at Wintec after previously studying elsewhere and convinced me it was a great place to study. I am now in my second year and want to complete further levels of English study. My long-term dream is to become a nurse."

Read Immaculee's story

"I am so glad I chose to study with Wintec because the environment feels very safe. The teachers are very supportive and patient. It makes me want to work hard with my studies to achieve my future goal of becoming a Police officer. Studying English at Wintec provides me with a future pathway. "

Read Immaculee's story

Our programmes

Pathway English

17 weeks
Fees-free* for New Zealand residents and citizens
Hamilton City Campus
Jul 2025
This part-time programme will develop students' English language skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing so they can begin to communicate in everyday situations.

New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Foundation) (Level 1)

17 weeks
Level 1
Fees-free for New Zealand residents and citizens (usually $3,890)*
Hamilton City Campus
Jul 2025
Students in this programme will be introduced to four English language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking, and begin to use and understand simple English for everyday situations. Students will also be introduced to online learning.

New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 1)

17 weeks
Level 1
Fees-free for New Zealand residents and citizens (usually $3,890)*
Hamilton City Campus
Jul 2025
This programme is for those who wish to further develop communication skills and English skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 2)

17 weeks
Level 2
Fees-free for New Zealand residents and citizens (usually $3,890)*
Hamilton City Campus
Jul 2025
In this programme students will learn language and communication skills at a low intermediate level. Students will develop oral and written English skills to help them use and understand English for familiar situations at Wintec and in New Zealand, and will develop their face-to-face and online learning study skills.

New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Applied) (Level 3)

17 weeks
Level 3
Fees-free for New Zealand residents and citizens (usually $3,890)*
Hamilton City Campus
Jul 2025
This programme is for those needing more advanced skills for tertiary study, training or work in New Zealand. Students will develop oral and written English language skills to understand and use more complex language in an academic or employment context.

New Zealand Certificate in English Language (General) (Level 3)

17 weeks
Level 3
Fees-free for New Zealand residents and citizens (usually $3,890)*
Hamilton City Campus
Jul 2025
This programme is for those wanting to gain skills needed for tertiary study, training or work in New Zealand. Students will develop oral and written English language skills to understand and use more complex language in an academic or workplace context.

New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 4)

17 weeks
Level 4
Fees-free for New Zealand residents and citizens (usually $3,890)*
Hamilton City Campus
Jul 2025
This programme will prepare students for higher tertiary study or training in New Zealand. Students will enhance oral and written English language skills to understand and use more complex language in academic contexts and for most situations in wider life. This programme is at a level comparable to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) mid B2.

New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Employment) (Level 4)

17 weeks
Level 4
Fees-free for New Zealand residents and citizens (usually $3,890)*
Hamilton City Campus
Students in this programme will develop oral and written language skills needed to communicate independently and effectively in a range of workplace settings, and will expand their face-to-face, independent, and online learning study skills.

New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 5)

17 weeks
Level 5
Fees-free for New Zealand residents and citizens (usually $3,890)*
Hamilton City Campus
Jul 2025
This programme will prepare students for higher level study, training or employment in New Zealand. Students will consolidate oral and written English language skills to use and understand complex English for a wide range of situations, and will expand their face-to-face, independent, and online learning study skills.

Professional programmes / short courses

Exam Preparation for Occupational English Test (OET)

6 weeks
$200* (domestic), $400* (international)
Hamilton City Campus
This is an intensive course designed as preparation for the Occupational English Test (OET).

IELTS Preparation

6 weeks
$200* (domestic), $400* (international)
Hamilton City Campus
Students in this programme will improve their language skills in preparation for sitting the IELTS examinations, both General Training and Academic. This programme provides an English language pathway into further study at Wintec, or for other IELTS purposes.

Summer School English

Hamilton City Campus
This English course is offered at the beginning and end of the year to help students improve their fluency, build their confidence, and improve their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.

IELTS

IELTS assesses all English skills including reading, writing, listening and speaking, and is designed to reflect how students will use English at study, at work, and at play, in their new life abroad.

Wintec is a testing location for the IELTS test in Hamilton. We offer both computer and paper-based options with speaking, listening, reading and writing tests all in one day. We also offer OSR (One Skill Retake) allowing you to retake any one component of the test without redoing all four sections.

We also offer an IELTS preparation course to help students prepare for the test.

Find information and test dates here or by clicking the yellow below.

Occupational English Test (OET)

Wintec is an official testing venue for the Occupational English Test (OET). OET is the leading English language test specifically designed for healthcare professionals. Click here to find out about our OET preparation course.

The OET test:

  • Is designed to test the English language proficiency of health professionals in 12 specific fields
  • Is valid and reliable, developed and revised by subject experts
  • Tests reading, writing, listening and speaking skills using real healthcare scenarios
  • Ensures profession-specific English language skills to safeguard patient safety and quality of care

To register for the test visit occupationalenglishtest.org.

Test dates

DateProfessions available
27 January 2024Nursing, medicine
24 February 2024Nursing, medicine
23 March 2024 Nursing, medicine
20 April 2024Nursing, medicine
18 May 2024Nursing, medicine
22 June 2024Nursing, medicine
20 July 2024Nursing, medicine
17 August 2024Nursing, medicine
31 August 2024Nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, radiography
28 September 2024Nursing, medicine, dentistry, dietetics, occupational therapy, optometry,
pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, radiography, speech pathology, veterinary science
26 October 2024Nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, radiography
23 November 2024Nursing, medicine, dentistry, dietetics, occupational therapy, optometry,
pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, radiography, speech pathology, veterinary science
7 December 2024Nursing, medicine

Pathways

English language pathway diagram

To check what you need to gain entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.

About the faculty

The Centre for Languages provides English programmes at all levels for students for whom English is a second or other language.

Permanent residents, new migrants and international students from a number of different countries, and spanning the ages of 16 to 80, take part in these programmes.

A priority for the centre has been to facilitate access to learning by making programmes as flexible as possible. This flexibility includes:

  • The use of ICT, multimedia and on-line resources
  • The incorporation of special interest topics
  • Academic, vocational and survival language options
  • ​Development of supported learning pathways into mainstream studies

Prospectus (course guide)

The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.

Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus

The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on a document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.

Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus

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