New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 5)

Summary

This qualification is intended for learners of English as an additional language who wish to pursue further English language study in an academic context. It prepares students for higher education and allows them to pursue bachelor's and graduate diplomas, postgraduate diplomas, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees.

Graduates will have the language skills required to communicate independently and effectively in familiar and some less familiar situations with fluency and flexibility in academic settings.

This qualification is at a level comparable to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) High B2 (i.e. IELTS 6.5). This qualification allows educational institutions to make informed judgements regarding the level at which the graduate can use English for academic purposes.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

• 16-week programme.
• There are two parts, Part A and Part B.
  • Part A is textbook-based. Students complete 5 units designed by ICL.
  • Part B is topic-based. Students complete 5 NZQA unit standards.
• 25 hours per week, Monday to Friday (20 hours), plus 5 hours of optional workshops (face-to-face tutorials with the course tutor).
  
• Students are also expected to complete 12.5 hours of personal self-study per week.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Understand the main ideas and supporting details for oral academic texts of moderate complexity.
• Effective participation in sustained spoken academic discourse.
• Understand the main ideas and supporting details for written academic texts of moderate complexity.
• Write detailed, developed academic texts of moderate complexity.

EDUCATION PATHWAYS

• Meeting language requirements for linguistically demanding degrees or in a specialised field of study.
• Most postgraduate and master's degrees.