Study English at SIT
Build your English skills for further study, work and everyday life in New Zealand. SIT offers English language programmes for a range of ability levels, with learning across speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Classes have a strong emphasis on communication. You will be encouraged to use a wide range of vocabulary. Each class provides opportunities to practice your pronunciation, and communicate confidently.
You will engage in listening to a wide range of both formal and informal language, with a variety of accents from around the English-speaking world.
You will read a variety of genres and learn techniques for comprehension. You will learn how to employ devices such as skimming and scanning, prediction and inference to find and process information.
You will be taught elements of several different writing genres, including techniques required to structure text in an appropriate way. Our teachers will instruct you in a wide range of ways.
More about learning English at SIT
Fees, Finances & Scholarships
The English Language Institute fees for international students are extremely competitive. Please check our General English course page for more details on cost and dates.
You can also get in touch with us to learn more about the Former Refugee English program, which costs just $100 for 8 weeks.
SIT arranges insurance for international students during their time here. Medical and travel insurance are compulsory requirements for international students.
Start Dates & Placements
Take advantage of our flexible intakes. We accept students almost every week. You can begin your course on any week in the year except during SIT holidays.
You can begin your course almost any week of the year, except during public holidays. Placement test and orientation are conducted on Mondays in Invercargill and Queenstown. The placement test, offered free of charge, helps to ensure you are placed in the class that best matches your learning needs.
How to Apply
Complete SIT's International Application form and send it to us with the required documents.
Hours of Class
Classes run for 20 hours per week plus 5 hours of self-study.
Please check current timetable for the updated options.
Invercargill:
Monday to Thursday
9.00am to 12.00noon and 1.00pm to 3.00pm
Queenstown:
Monday to Thursday
8.30am to 2.00pm
Cambridge Curriculum
SIT follows the internationally-recognised University of Cambridge curriculum for English as a Second Language. Accepted around the world, the Cambridge curriculum will help you learn the English language in an exciting and robust way. The curriculum is well-resourced and will guide your learning with a focus on Academic English.
Assessment
You will be carefully assessed on entry and throughout the course. Fortnightly tests are conducted to assess your progress, track retention throughout the course, and to assess which areas you need to work on. Students are given individual feedback and Learner Action Plans every term with a one-on-one session with their teacher.
From English to Mainstream
This course prepares students for the PTE Academic test so that they are able to achieve the required level of English proficiency for mainstream study. Apart from this, it also prepares students to communicate more effectively in the community, in employment and/or in further study options.
Learn English with Kiwi Families
If you study English with us, you can live with a local family for at least the first six weeks. This helps you practice your English in everyday contexts and achieve your proficiency goals faster. It also gives you a unique opportunity to learn more about New Zealand culture.
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