Pre-Enrolment Information
The School and its Facilities
English Advantage is centrally located, very close to the Octagon (the city centre of Dunedin). It is a small school consisting of three classrooms, a main office, a small kitchen, a teachers’ office and a community room for students. The Students’ Room is a place for students to relax and meet other students. It is also equipped with reading materials at all levels of English, including books, magazines and the local daily newspaper. Students are encouraged to utilize these resources to help them improve their English and learn about all kinds of English literature. Additionally, the students’ room offers information on events around town, community classes, and other activities students might be interested in. Students are also invited to use the small kitchen facilities, which include sink, microwave, kettle and refrigerator.
EnglishAdvantage is also located within walking distance of the Dunedin Public Library, the University of Otago, movie theatres, bookstores, restaurants and shops. Students are encouraged to explore their new environment in every way.
Placement in the EnglishAdvantage Program
Because class sizes are kept to a maximum of ten students, admission is on a first come, first serve basis. If the school is full, a student may be placed on a waiting list for admission if desired.
Placement: On admittance to ELEC, placement tests will be administered. The results of these tests are used to determine the level(s) of ELEC courses to be taken. The school determines which level will be best for the student. Recognition of prior study in English will be taken into consideration when ELEC assesses your language competence. However, ELEC will ultimately determine where you are placed based on your placement tests.
Provisional Acceptance
Your acceptance to any course of study at English Advantage is provisional on your ability to obtain a student visa and permit. If you should pay your fees and you are unable to obtain a valid student visa, your fees will be refunded in full.
Financial Information
Tuition Payment Information Course fees are due to be paid in full to the school ten (10) days prior to the beginning of the course of study. However, for immigration purposes, you must be paid in full before you can be issued a visa. Therefore, it is in your best interest to pay your fees as soon as possible. Fees are figured on a per week basis. No credit or refund will be given for partial weeks. Tuition fees are not transferable to another person or institution.
Fees and courses are subject to change without notice.
Refunds
- If a student chooses to withdraw from a course prior to its commencement, we will refund all course fees received.
- If a student cancels part of all of a course during the first 8 days of classes, 10% or NZ$500 (whichever is less) will be deducted from the course fees. The remainder will be refunded.
- You can also pay in arrears. That means if you only want to study for a short time you can pay at the end of each week that you have studied. If you pay in arreas you will not get a refund.
- If the school has to cancel a course you are specifically enrolled for, you will receive a full refund of fees received by the school, including the enrolment fee.
- If a student cancels or changes their course after they have completed the first 8 days of the course, or if they finish their course early, no refund will be given.
- If a student withdraws from a course for medical or family reasons, ELEC may refund a portion of course fees at their own discretion, and upon application by the student.
- If a student’s enrolment in a course proves unsatisfactory and their language abilities fail to improve, ELEC may, at their own discretion, refund a portion of course fees upon the application by the student.
- If fees are paid by a prospective student and the student is not granted a visa, all fees will be refunded less the adminstration fee and visa application fee.
Fee Indemnity Information
As part of the registration of the school under New Zealand law it is required that your fees are kept in a trust account operated independently of EnglishAdvantage. In the unlikely event that the school ceases to operate, your fees are protected and will be returned to you.
Cost of Living Information
If accommodation has already been paid for, The New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) requires that people coming to New Zealand on Visitor Visas have at least NZ$400 per month. If your accommodation has not been paid for, NZIS requires NZ$1000 per month. These figures are good guidelines for planning your own expenditures. Accommodation will be one of the first decisions you have to make when coming to New Zealand. You have two main options for accommodation which are listed below with their approximate costs:
Accommodation
Homestays
Homestays are an excellent way to experience New Zealand culture. If you decide to Homestay, you will live with a New Zealand family, who will help you introduce you to New Zealand and Dunedin. They will provide a furnished room, food and laundry as well as lots of information about your new surroundings. English Advantage is happy to set up a Homestay for you . All of our Homestay families speak English as a first language, and it can be a wonderful way to improve your English. The costs for Homestay accommodation are as follows:
- Placement Fee: $130 (paid once)
- Weekly Fee: $215
- Extra night : $45
This costs include food, accommodation and laundry.
Flatting
Flatting is another popular option of accommodation. When you flat, you can live alone, with a friend, or you can join a flat with several other people you do not know. Flats are sometimes furnished and sometimes unfurnished. Make sure you find the right one for your needs. Dunedin is a student-friendly city and there are many flats in and around the city. The cost of flatting can vary greatly from about $50/week (for a room in a house) to $300/week (for a house-usually split among several friends). Additionally, you normally need to pay several weeks rent in advance and also a security bond (which is normally returned to you at the end of your tenancy). It is important to remember that these fees only include the flat or room. They do not include electricity, phone, food, or laundry. You will have to budget separately for those.
Electricity costs can vary from as little as $50/month to as much NZ$300/month. Basic local phone service is about $30/month with additional charges for long distance or international calls or internet service. If you decide to flat, pick up a brochure from EnglishAdvantage about Tenancy Services. It will inform you of your rights and responsibilities when you flat. Tenancy Services can also act as a mediator between you and a landlord.
Short Term Accommodation
If you need a place to stay when you first arrive in New Zealand, while you look for a flat, here is a list of some inexpensive, short term accommodation options near the city centre:
Backpackers:
| Name | Phone |
| Adventure Backpackers | (03)-477-7367, 0800-422-257 |
| Dunedin Central Backpackers | (03) 477-7066, 0800-432-2322 |
| Chalet Backpackers | (03) 479-2075, 0800-242-538 |
| Elm Lodge | (03) 474-1872, 0800-356-563 |
| Manor House Backpackers | (03) 477-1484, 0800-477-0484 |
| Next Stop Backpackers | (03) 477-0447, 0800-463-987 |
| On Top Backpackers | (03) 477-6121 Fax (03) 477-6141 |
* 0800 numbers : free phone number if you are in NZ.
Other Typical Costs in New Zealand are as follows: These are approximate prices.
Prices can be changed when the supermarkets advertises special prices (lower price).
| Food | NZ$ |
| Bananas | $2.40 per kg |
| Apples | $3.50 per kg |
| Milk | $3.80 2 litres |
| Butter | $4.00 per 500 grams |
| meat | $8.00 per 500g |
| Dozen eggs | $2.50-3.70 |
| Instant noodles | $0.80-2.40 per packet |
| Bread | $2.00-4.00 per loaf |
Clothing: All these costs will vary greatly depending on the quality of the garment. A list of shops which sell inexpensive goods is available in the student handbook. There are also many second hand shops for inexpensive clothing in Dunedin. If you would like further information on where to purchase clothing, feel free to ask the staff.
| Clothing | NZ$ |
| Jeans | $20 - $100 |
| T-shirt | $20+ |
| Shirts | $20+ |
| Woollen jerseys | $50 - $100 |
| Shoes | $30-$300 |
| Woollen socks | $10 per pair |
| Warm padded jackets | $100 - $400 |
| Dress | $40 - $200+ |
| Miscellaneous | NZ$ |
| Hair cuts Cuts |
Men $15 Women from $20 Colouring From $80 |
| Movie | $9.50-14.00 |
|
Takeaways e.g. Fish and Chips |
$2.00+ |
| Paperback book | $10-20 |
| Postage (local letter) | $0.50 |
| Compact Disc | $10 - $35 |
Orientation
Upon enrolment, you will be sent a student handbook which includes information about the school and about Dunedin. Upon your arrival, on your first day, a staff member will introduce you to the teachers, familiarise you with the school resources, and will show you around the school. After this, we will take you on a brief walking tour around the city centre to introduce you to some of the resources and sites about town. They will also provide you with map of Dunedin and information about the city and the bus system.
Health and Travel 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 http://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 http://www.acc.co.nz.
MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INSURANCE: International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand.
Immigration
Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at www.immigration.govt.nz . Additionally, more information on the immigration process can be found in the Student Handbook, which will be sent to you upon enrolment.
