Student Services
Student Services
Reception
If you need any help, go to reception first, they are always happy to help students. If they can’t help you, they will direct you to the appropriate person. If you are an online student, you can email reception at ela@auckland.ac.nz with any questions you have.
Pastoral care
Our Student Services team can help you with any issues you may face while studying at the ELA. They are available to talk to through a variety of apps or text, are happy to help students with any questions or support they need, and will help you get the most out of your study experience, whether online or on-campus.
Academic support
You can always make an appointment to meet a senior teacher either online or on-campus to talk about your study and your progress. Our senior teachers are highly qualified English language professionals with postgraduate teaching qualifications and will be happy to support your study goals.
Study Centre
Our on-site Study Centre is open 5 days a week, Monday, Thursday and Friday from 8:45 am - 5:15 pm*, and Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:45 am - 5:15 pm*.
A virtual study centre for online students is also available twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Online one-on-one tutorials take place via Zoom and can be booked through Canvas.
Whether in person or online, the study centre provides a place to practice your English. You will be able to ask questions about your studies or even just something you are curious about, as well as anything to do with Canvas, or studying online. Sarah who is a qualified English language teacher, and the study centre coordinator, can also recommend various resources to help you achieve your study goals.
Resources include IELTS practice tests, graded readers, DVDs (with English subtitles), reference books, digital audio and video files, and lectures.
* PLEASE NOTE: These times are local New Zealand times. NZ observes daylight savings. In 2023, daylight savings ends at 3am on Sunday, April 2nd (NZ time) and commences again at 2am on Sunday, September 24th. This will alter your in-home times. Please ensure you adjust your times accordingly.
Orientation
On your first day, our friendly team will provide an online orientation programme to help you with your studies and settling into life at ELA, whether online or on-campus. A welcome pack will be emailed to you prior to your first day. An IT workshop is also offered to help you set up your log-ins and passwords to access CANVAS (ELA’s learning management system). Orientation will help you with everything you need to start your studies at ELA, including course information, online activities, and meeting your classmates. A question and answer session is also provided to help you understand your course.
Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice
The ELA has agreed to observe and be bound by the New Zealand Government's Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice. A copy of the Code can be found through HERE.
Student social activities
Regular activities take place for ELA students. For our on-campus students, these can include BBQs, football games, beach or zoo trips, and more. For our online students, activities include virtual homestay visits, University of Auckland faculty tours, online quizzes, and more.
Wellbeing and Safety
ELA recognises that student wellbeing is a precondition to student success.
To support our students in this regard, ELA has developed goals and strategies focusing on student safety and wellbeing. A copy of the ELA Wellbeing and Safety Goals and Strategies can be found through HERE.
ELA Problem-Solving Guidelines
If you have any concerns about how you are treated by ELA, please follow these steps:
Step 1: Talk to the person involved.
- Most issues can be resolved through open and honest communication.
- If you would like to speak to someone in your first language, ELA can organise this.
Step 2: Ask to speak with a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Depending on the issue, this could be the Academic Manager, Student Experience and Campus Manager, Business Development Manager, or the Director.
- This manager will then take time to investigate your issue.
Step 3: If you believe the issue has not been resolved fairly, you can contact istudent.org.nz, a free and independent complaints service. It is funded by the Ministry of Education.