About the school

Key Information

  • An NZQA CATEGORY 1 SCHOOL.  If you study for 14 weeks or more on a student visa you can work part time up to 20 hours per week.  Mount Maunganui Language Centre is the ONLY Category 1 English Language School in Mount Maunganui
  • Located just 700 metres from one of New Zealand’s best beaches
  • Established in 1990
  • There are around 55 students in the Spring/Summer season (September – March) and 35 students in the Autumn/Winter season (April –  August)
  • There is an average of 8 students per class, and a maximum of 14 students per class.
  • You can study at any level from elementary to advanced
  • Students come from all over the world, we had students from 28 different countries in 2023.
  •  

School Facilities

  • 8 classrooms

  • Computer suite for students to use

  • Free WiFi

  • Kitchen, lounge, comfortable sofas, TV/DVD/Stereo

  • Garden, courtyard and deck areas for relaxing in.

  • Bicycle rental

Our Teachers

Our teachers are fully qualified and experienced in modern teaching methods. Their lessons are very practical. Our small class size means that students improve their speaking and communication skills quickly. Each student will receive personal attention for any special needs.

Counselling Staff

We have counsellors available who are native speakers of many different languages. They are happy to help students when they have a problem.

Our Students

Our students are from all over the world, including the following countries:

Japan, Switzerland, Korea, Thailand, New Caledonia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Taiwan, Russia, Tahiti, Vietnam, China, Germany, Italy, Spain , Chile, and the Czech Republic.

The ratio of nationalities varies according to the time of year, but generally our classes have a good mix.

Our students ages range from 14 to 70. The average age is 22.

Accreditation

Mount Maunganui Language Centre is a private training establishment that has been granted registration by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under Part 18 of the Education Act 1989.  We are full members of ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND.  MMLC is an authorised TOEIC Testing Centre.  MMLC is a signatory to The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021. Copies of the code are available from https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/tertiary/the-code/

A really friendly place, people from around the world and classes were fantastic, I learnt so much here.
Laura
Brazil, 8 week course
I like the size of this school and I learned so much, it's hard to leave!
Yun Ju
Korea, 24 week course
I think I had the best homestay family in the world! Thanks!
Kurt
Switzerland, 12 week course
Coming to New Zealand

Full details of visa and permit requirements are available from the New Zealand Immigration Service website: www.immigration.govt.nz

Immigration

Full details of visa and permit requirements are available from the New Zealand Immigration Service website: www.immigration.govt.nz

Insurance

Eligibility For Health Services: Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly-funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their website at www.moh.govt.nz

Accident Insurance

The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at www.acc.co.nz

Medical and Travel Insurance

International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand. We recommend Uni Care insurance and are happy to arrange this for you. For more information please visit www.uni-care.org

Medical and Travel Insurance

In the unlikely event of the unforeseen closure the school, MMLC has a bank bond in place with Westpac Banking Corporation, for the protection of student tuition and homestay fees. The independent trustee of the bank bond is RHB Trust Services Limited. Your course fees are protected, so in the case that the school closes you will be able to receive any outstanding fees, which may be paid to you or another provider of your choice. MMLC may need to provide your information to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) or the trustee. For courses more than 3 months, in accordance with sections 235A and 235B of the Education Act MMLC operates a trust account with RHB Trust Services. Fees for courses of more than 3 months are held in the trust account until 10 working days after the first day of the student’s course.

Travel Directions

Shuttle Bus Transfer

We will arrange your transfer direct from Auckland International Airport to your homestay accommodation with the top airport transfer service in Tauranga.

When you come through the Customs area at the airport into the Public Arrivals Hall follow the yellow lines until you see the Pre-Booked Transport Desks. Your driver will be waiting for you there with your name on a sign-board. If you do not see the driver please make your way to the Information Centre to the left. It is important you do not leave the Arrivals Hall.

Shuttles emergency contact phone numbers are:
Ph: 0800 454 678 or +64 7 547 4444

Mt Maunganui Language Centre after hours phone number is:
(Outside New Zealand) +64 21 0249 2942 (Within New Zealand) 021 0249 2942

Location

Accommodation

Homestay

We arrange homestays for students with local families. These families all enjoy meeting students from other countries. They are also happy to help them with their studies and other interests while they are in New Zealand.

We try to match students with a suitable homestay, according to their interests. The families are all personally known to school staff, and homes are of a good standard.

Some homes are within walking distance from school, others a short bicycle or bus ride away. The town is very flat and traffic is light so cycling is easy.

Student house accommodation

Students can also choose to stay in the Student House shared accommodation, which is an apartment located just a short walk from the school. A private room and shared kitchen, bathrooms and living room are available.

Get in touch with any questions you have about our school

FAQs

Mount Maunganui - that's an unusual name. I’ve never heard of this place before, where is it?

Mount Maunganui is one of New Zealand's best-loved beach resorts - this is where New Zealanders go for summer holidays. Come and find out why!

So this school is not in Auckland?

That's right, we are located about 2.5 hours drive from Auckland International Airport.

This school is by the beach, does that mean it's just for fun, and not for serious study?

Definitely not! Yes we are in a fun location, but our study programmes are serious.

If you want a six-month Academic Preparation course, or if you just want to brush up your English for two weeks, we take your study goals seriously.

And after all that hard work, the beach is the perfect place to relax!

Lots of schools offer General English and Exam Preparation courses, why should I choose yours?

Being a small school means the number of students per class is lower, so you have more chances to speak with your teacher than in a big class.

Our students consistently achieve excellent exam scores in New Zealand in Cambridge and IELTS examinations. Being small means we treat you like a member of our own family and can personalise your study plan for you.

I want a guarantee of quality; can your school give me this?

Yes. our school is a member of English New Zealand. To be a member of this association we have to meet higher standards than schools who are not members. We are registered with the NZQA, the official New Zealand Government body, and have been designated a Category 1 Institution. We are signatories to The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.

Am I too old or young to study here?

We accept students from 14 years old, and we have no upper age limit. The average age of our students is 25 years old, but we regularly have students aged in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Any age is a good age to learn English!

OK, I think I'd like to study at this school. What is the next step?

Great! You can apply online to begin your application. If you need some help in your country please contact us for a list of our agent partners who can help you.