Canterbury Language College Australasia

About CLCA

Q. When can I start my course?
A. You can start on any Monday throughout the year, unless it is a public holiday.

Q. How many students in a class?
A. The average number of students per class is 8 and the maximum is 12.

Q. How many students at CLCA and where do they come from?
A. We have around 40 students from a range of countries including Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Spain, Germany, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Brazil & Vietnam.

Q. Where is the school located?
A. CLCA is in the Central City and the bus station is only 200m away.

Q. When are the holidays?
A. CLCA is closed for two weeks during the Christmas/New Year period. If your course is longer than 12 weeks, you can arrange to take a study break.

About My Studies

Q. What level class will I be in?
A. On your first day of school you will sit a Level Test. This will determine which class you start studying in. As your English improves, you will be moved to higher classes.

Q. What if I think I am in the wrong level?
A. You can discuss your class levels with your teacher and the Director of Studies.

Q. What if I am unhappy with something about the school?
A. If you are unhappy with anything you should speak to one of the office staff who will help you to sort out the problem. If you are still unhappy you could speak or write to The International Education Appeal Authority. For more information please see the Fees page

Applying to Study
Q. How do I enrol?
A. Please go to the Enrol now page

Q. How can I apply for a visa in my country?
A. You can use a retailer/agent or you can visit the New Zealand Immigration website for information you will need regarding applying for a visa from your country.

Q. Where can I get help if I have trouble with my visa?
A. CLCA can recommend a Study Abroad agent or Immigration Consultancy firm in your home country who can assist you with the visa application process. Please contact the CLCA office for a full list of agents that are recognised by CLCA.

Q. Can I work while I am in New Zealand?
A. This depends on your visa - You must hold a Working Holiday Visa or Work Visa. For further information, please refer to the New Zealand Immigration Service website www.immigration.govt.nz. You may be allowed to work for up to 20 hours each week if you have an IELTS score of 5.0.

Q. Can I extend my visa, once I have started?
A. Most NZIS visas (except LPV), allow you to extend your study after you have begun your course. If you arrive late or wish to extend your course of study, please inform the CLCA Office, and we will give you all the documents you need to apply for your visa extension. Course extensions will require additional tuition fees to be paid before a receipt can be issued.

Q. Do I need insurance?
A. Yes. All international students must have appropriate Travel and Medical Insurance. Your CLCA invoice will include insurance cover for the length of your course at CLCA. You will be insured through UNI-CARE Insurance. If you have already arranged travel and medical insurance, please inform the CLCA office.

Living in New Zealand
Q. What is the weather like in New Zealand?
A. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, New Zealand’s seasons will be the reverse of what you are used to.

Summer is during December, January and February
Winter is during June, July and August

Christchurch has a dry climate compared with other places in New Zealand.

During summer:
Maximum during the day          23.9°c
Minimum at night                     8.2°c
Sun (hours/month)                  188.6
Rain (days/month)                   5.1

During winter:
Maximum during the day          14.4°
Minimum at night                     0.2°
Sun (hours/month)                  147.9
Rain (days/month)                   8.2

Cost of Living (2007)
ITEM
McDonalds Big Mac                                              NZ$ 4.45
Japanese Sushi lunchbox                                    NZ$ 5.50 - 7.00
Chinese takeaway meal                                      NZ$ 6.00 - 12.00
Bottle of Coke                                                      NZ$ 1.50 - 2.50
Bottle of Water                                                    NZ$ 2.00 - 2.50
Packet of Instant Noodles                                   NZ$ 1.00 - 1.50
Restaurant Meal (1 person)                                 NZ$ 25.00 - 50.00
Packet of 20 cigarettes                                       NZ$ 10.00 - 12.00
Return Christchurch/Auckland Flight                     NZ$ 250.00 - 450.00
1 Bus fare                                                            NZ$ 2.00 - 3.00
12 trip bus ticket                                                  NZ$ 18.00
1 month bus ticket                                               NZ$ 60.00
Taxi Fare                                                              NZ$ 2 Flag fall + 2 per km
Petrol                                                                            NZ$ About 1.50 per litre
Movie/Cinema tickets                                           NZ$ 10.00 - 15.00
Concert tickets                                                     NZ$ 20.00 - 100.00
Local telephone call from homestay                      NZ$ Free
Calls to mobile phones                                          NZ$ 0.71 per minute
International Calls                                                 NZ$ prices vary
International Calling card rates                             NZ$ 0.39c – 1.00 per minute
International Letter                                               NZ$ 2.50 - 3.00
internet charges (unlimited time)                           NZ$ 30.00 per month
internet charges (per hour)                                   NZ$ 3.50 per hour
Doctor Visit (no insurance)                                   NZ$ 35.00 - 40.00
Medication (no insurance)                                    NZ$ 15.00 - 30.00
Doctor Visit (with insurance)                                NZ$ NIL
Medication (with insurance)                                 NZ$ NIL
Prices are only approximate costs

Q. What will my homestay be like?
A. See our Homestay section

Q. What if I don’t like or have problems with my homestay?
A. CLCA’s homestay co-ordinator is available to assist you with any problems you may have settling into your homestay.

Q. How do I get around Christchurch?
A. Christchurch has a good Public Bus Service. You can check out the following website www.metroinfo.org.nz for bus routes and timetables. There is a free bus service around the central city.

Q. Can I use my mobile phone in New Zealand?
A. Yes, if you buy a SIM card for a New Zealand network. Vodafone SIM cards are available from any Vodafone store for around NZ$30, these include usually NZ$15 airtime.

Q. What is the domestic electric power supply in New Zealand?

A. New Zealand’s domestic electricity supply is 240 volts, 50 hertz. Power adapters can be purchased at any electrical hardware shop.

Q. How do I connect to the internet?
A. Many homestay families have internet at home. If you want to use it you will need to discuss it with them first to get their permission. If you want to set up your own connection you will need to open an account with an ISP such as Xtra or Telstra.

Q. I want to open a bank account and get a library card. How do I do that?
A. On your first day at CLCA we can help you to open a bank account, apply for a library card, purchase a bus pass (Metro Card), a SIM card and telephone call (voip) card.

Student Handbook
For more information, click on the link below to download a copy of the CLCA Student Handbook.

Download: Student_Handbook.pdf

Contact us:
Canterbury Language College Australasia
Level 3, Link Centre, 152 – 156 Hereford Street
PO Box 4425, Christchurch, New Zealand
Phone +64 3 365 1920
Fax +64 3 365 2296
Email: info@cancan.com