Professional Learning
Whakangūngū
Services
Ratonga
About Us
Mō mātou
Blog
Rangitaki
Contact
Whakapā mai
Te Pā Rea Rangatira
National Centre for Educational Leadership
Māori Education & Support
Kaupapa Māori
Pacific-Led Education
Cultural competencies
Languages, Culture & Identity
Learning languages
Literacy and Numeracy
Strengthening skills
Back
Mō mātou

About Us

Tui Tuia | Learning Circle empowers Kāhui Ako, kaiako, teachers, school leaders and tumuaki to achieve better outcomes for students and learners.

Back
All languages are to be treasured

Languages, Culture & Identity

We offer programmes, workshops, in-person classroom support, online support and resources to help strengthen language learning in New Zealand schools.

Back
Cultural competencies

Pacific-Led Education

Empowering educators, students, and communities to shape a future of educational excellence that is firmly rooted in Pacific identity and aspirations.

Back
Improving instructional dexterity

Literacy and Numeracy

We work with schools to build the literacy and numeracy capability of school leaders and teachers to accelerate learning outcomes for all students.

International Language Assistant Programme

This programme enables young native speakers of French, German, and Spanish to be employed as Language Assistants in New Zealand schools.

International Language Assistant Programme
Category

Languages

Structure

Programme

-

Role/Audience

Teacher Aide

Duration

8 month programme

-

Mode

Face to face

Location

Nationwide

Funding

Ministry funded

Overview

The International Language Assistant Programme for French, German, and Spanish Language Assistants enables young native speakers to be employed as Language Assistants in New Zealand schools. This is administered by Tui Tuia | Learning Circle - Languages and the respective donor government organisations. The programme is available to schools offering languages at primary, intermediate and secondary level.

About the course

Course information

Registration information

For New Zealand schools

Please register your interest at the registration link at the bottom of this page. Registrations open on 11 June 2024 and close on 5 July 2024

For language assistants:

Tui Tuia | Learning Circle is unable to take applications directly from prospective language assistants. You must apply through the authorities in the respective countries

Before applying, please ensure you are familiar with the following:

What we will cover

Language assistants are selected in their native countries of France, Germany and Spain bring up-to-date cultural knowledge, authentic language and tons of enthusiasm. Working from February to October, Language Assistants are a fantastic addition to the foreign language classroom and provide an invaluable source of current language and cultural input for New Zealand teachers and students.

For New Zealand schools

  • Programme runs from 10 February 2025 to 10 October 2025
  • A two-day orientation will be held in Auckland on 10 and 11 February 2025, with the assistants’ the first day in schools on 12 February 2025
  • An in-person debrief day will be held towards the end of Term 3. Please note: this is mandatory for all assistants to attend
  • Registrations open on 11 June 2024 and close on 5 July 2024

Information for Language Assistants

  • Tui Tuia | Learning Circle will provide accommodation for the orientation day
  • Partial reimbursement for the visa application and some travel within New Zealand is available to language assistants
Structure

For New Zealand schools

  • Schools must decide how many days a week they would like to have their assistant/s. This information will help Tui Tuia | Learning Circle create clusters
  • If a school would like an assistant for four or five days a week, then they may not be placed in a cluster with other schools
  • Most clusters are made up of 2-4 schools


Information for Language Assistants

  • Language assistants work 6 hours a day to a total of 24 or 30 hours a week
  • Language assistants follow the school calendar and do not work during school holidays

Cost

The approximate cost for hosting an assistant for one day a week for the duration of 2025 programme is:

  • $3,201.31 for French and German
  • $3,744.23 for Spanish

Other

"When I received this birthday card from one of my students I realised again what I value so much about the job of a LA. Being able to support your students with all the kindness they deserve while not being forced to assess. This allows for a certain kind of connection that is hard to establish as a regular teacher."

Carl (Nonta) Philipp Leifeld, International Language Assistant – German, 2020

"There are so many things to do and so many places to discover in New Zealand that you'll never get bored. Moreover, to experience how students strive to communicate in another language and to see how much they are improving is amazing."

Beatriz Blanco International Language Assistant – Spanish, 2020

Grant
Meet the facilitators
Express your interest
View dates and register
Rēhita ki konei

Register here

Registrations for this programme closed on 5 July 2024. Please get in touch with us using the button below for enquiries.

Contact us