FAQs

We might add... when everyone else speaks English.  Well, here are some of the main reasons:

• Actually, there are many more people in the world who don’t speak English than do!
• Just think how much time and effort those who have learnt English have put into their studies; shouldn’t we make some effort as well in acknowledgment of this?
• Even learning a limited amount of the language can make a huge difference to the benefit derived from a trip overseas.
• Learning a language is often a key to understanding a people and a culture.
• You only really understand your own language when you can compare it with others.
• Learning a language is mentally stimulating and fascinating in its own right.
• In most countries around the world, it is taken for granted that educated people will speak at least one foreign language.
• New Zealand trades more with non-English-speaking countries than with those where English is the first language; surely some of us need to speak their languages.

On a very basic level, languages have two key components: vocabulary, the actual words, and grammar, which is the set of rules determining how the words are strung together to make sentences.  And you encounter language in the form of the so-called four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.  

You certainly can’t get away from the vocabulary; some language courses avoid too much grammar, and concentrate instead on certain situations, like buying a ticket or ordering a meal.  Listening and speaking are the most important skills for most people; some courses don’t offer much reading, and may leave out writing altogether. 

It all depends what you want.

Many books have been written on this subject...   Different people have a preference for one approach over another.  

While a few people seem to have the ability to learn a language from reading a book on the subject, there would probably be general agreement that it is hard to learn a language in this way.  An audio course with cassettes or CD will work for some people.  Others will find that Internet-based materials are effective.

Most people, though, will find that the above methods are secondary to the key one, which is interaction with an effective teacher.   Language is a social experience, and we believe that it only really comes to live when it is used in a social context.

Not entirely, because children’s acquisition of language is closely linked to the development of their brains.  Some language courses try to imitate the child’s learning processes as closely as possible, but others recognise that as adults with knowledge of one language already we can’t go back to that language-free state we were in as infants.  Adults will always relate their second language to their first.   Most adult courses recognise that, while we have lost the abilities we had an infants, we have acquired an understanding as adults which can be exploited to make language learning easier.

Somehow or other, vocabulary has to be learnt, and words have to be strung into sentences using grammar, which also has to be learnt.   While some courses are undoubtedly more effective than others, at the end of the day, certain bits of language have to be understood and memorised.   Unless someone has discovered a wonder drug, it’s hard to see how the magic results can be achieved?

Two points here:

1.  What do you mean by “learn a language”?  To get by in everyday situations, to speak it like a native, or to reach one of many different stages in between?   There’s a huge range of possible levels of competence, and a huge range in the amount of time needed.  Which one do you hope to achieve?

2.   People are different; some pick up a language faster than others.  The ads which say you will be speaking your target language by studying ten minutes a day or whatever overlook this fact. 

Elsewhere in this website we indicate what you might expect to learn over one course with 15 hours’ teaching per course.  Even in this short space of time you can make really significant progress.  If you can find time in between lessons to go over material, expand your vocabulary, listen to cassettes or CDs, then you will undoubtedly make faster progress.

Few of us were.  But do you know the best way to learn English grammar?  By studying the grammar of a foreign language!  You kill two birds with one stone. 

At Euroasia, we try to keep the grammar as straightforward as possible, and we avoid using difficult terms.  Some basic concepts are helpful, like “verbs” and “adjectives”, but we make sure people understand the terms we do use. 

You probably can’t avoid grammar for ever.  Without grammar, you just learn words and phrases, but you can’t really put them together to make new sentences.  It’s like adding up just using a plus sign (+).  With grammar, you enter the world of multiplication (x)!.  You can say so much more. 

If you go to live in a new country without taking any course at all, what will probably happen is this: you will start to pick up odd words, then phrases; after a long time, you will begin to understand what people say to you, and you will be able to respond using your repertoire of set phrases; but you will find it very hard to use the language creatively, because you are unlikely to pick up the grammar. 

It’s much better to learn the basics of the language before you immerse yourself in this way.  Once you have mastered those, then it makes sense to go and live in the country, if you have the opportunity, and start putting your knowledge into practice.

Many people will have a particular reason for learning a certain language.  If you just have a desire to experience foreign language learning, it doesn’t really matter which one you choose.  Which country or culture interests you?

From the point of view of children learning their first language, no!  Children around the world acquire language at pretty much the same rate.  But as adults learning a second language, we are likely to find languages which are more closely related to our own easier than others.  

German and Dutch are the most closely related to English, but the Latin-based languages (e.g. French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese) have a lot of vocabulary in common with English, and some people find them easier.  In any case, Euroasia courses are carefully structured so that you are only introduced to language you can comfortably cope with, and this works for the Asian languages as well.  Most languages are relatively easy to learn in the early stages.

It certainly can!  If you enjoy a challenge, new ideas, don’t mind making mistakes, can play around with strange sounds... You really open your mind, and there are a lot of laughs along the way!

We could write a lot here and we do elsewhere on this website! but the main points are:

• Established organisation (founded in 2000)
• Specialists in foreign language teaching
• Wide range of languages and levels
• Small classes
• Attractive, centrally-located premises
• Lively, native-speaker teachers
• Courses carefully designed to suit our clients
• Stimulating courses, yet with realistic targets
• Quality assurance throughout the organisation
• Free seminars on language learning
• Free level test and needs test prior to enrolment
• Easy on-line enrolment

So it’s a combination of reasons!  Join us and see for yourself

The most popular European languages are French, German, Spanish and Italian.  Sometimes we also have classes running in Dutch, Portuguese and Russian.  The most popular Asian languages are Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

Our courses are available in up to 6 levels.  We generally run a class if we have 4 clients or more.   We usually find that we have more classes at lower levels.

If we do not have a particular language or level to suit you, why not take a one-to-one class, or come and see us with a friend who would like to study with you?  Our arrangements for private tuition are very flexible.

Take our free level test.  Our needs test might also be useful.  The results of the level test will give you a pretty good idea which level is right for you.  Ultimately, you choose which level is right for you, but of course you are welcome to call and discuss the issue with us.

Most teachers use a variety of methods as they help you to learn.   Euroasia has its course outcomes which teachers are expected to achieve, but we also recognise that different teachers work most effectively in different ways, and so we do not insist on one formal method over another. 

That said, teachers do all follow certain basic principles.  We expect a lot of emphasis to be placed on listening to authentic language and learning to cope first of all with everyday situations.  Especially at lower levels, we try not to introduce too many difficult grammatical points.  We ask teachers to use the target language as much as possible, and to have a variety of active and lively exercises to practise new material.  Students are encouraged to take an active part in lessons.  We also encourage students to do some additional work between lessons.  And last but not least, all our teachers create an environment in which language learning is an enjoyable social experience.

No one is denying that there are many competent non-native teachers around.  We prefer native speakers because we believe that learning a language is a cultural experience, and to really understand the culture of the country in the most authentic way, you benefit most from contact with native speakers.

Yes!  We arrange lively events with cultural themes, from restaurant trips to wine tasting and film nights.  We are also planning field trips to Europe and Asia in the near future.

Yes, that’s the way the world seems to be going... And it’s easiest for all concerned.  However, you are welcome to talk to us, and we will help you if you are having problems.

Absolutely.  If you are in Auckland, please ring 361 2345, otherwise 0800 EUROASIA (0800 387 627), if you have any questions about anything.  We are usually available to take your call Mondays to Thursdays, 11.00 to 19.00, Fridays from 11.00 to 15.00.  If for any reason you can’t get through, please leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible.

You are also welcome to visit our Auckland centre at 100 Franklin Road, Ponsonby.  Our centre in Christchurch is normally open only when classes are taking place.

Just come to reception and give us your name: we’ll tell you where to go.

It doesn’t happen very often, but if we do need to cancel, then of course we give you the option of transfer to another course or a full refund of all fees paid.

Let us know not less than one week before the start of the course, and we will transfer the fees to a later date or refund your fees, less an administration fee of $60 ($30 in the case of second or subsequent enrolments).

We accept payments by VISA or Mastercard, cheque, cash.or direct credit into our bank account

It all depends.  If there is space in the class, and we believe we can fit you in without inconveniencing the other students, then we will certainly look at it.  We may be able to arrange catch-up lessons.   Please talk to us before you enrol.

First of all, talk to your teacher, and then come and talk to the management staff.  If it seems to be the right thing to do, and we have space in a more appropriate class, then we will of course move you.

Our introductory courses are set at a fairly easy level.  However, it is possible that some people, especially if they have never learnt a language before, will find certain aspects of the course a little difficult.  Don’t worry!  You are not alone!  Talk to your teacher, as there may be some extra things you could do to improve.  If, towards the end of the course, you feel that things are still not clear, think about taking another course at the same level.  Some people feel they need two attempts to really get the hang of it.

This happens occasionally.   If you really have a “flair for languages”, you may prefer to join a higher-level class, even if you haven’t completed all the material in between.  Some people are happy to study certain points themselves to fill in the gaps; they take the course not so much to understand the grammar and so on as to practise using the language in real life.   Alternatively, the teacher can suggest additional material that you can work through to supplement what you are covering in class.

While we cannot claim that children will become fluent speakers of a language on the basis of lessons for one hour a week, we have seen that they do acquire a real feel for language.  If they continue to study the same language at high school, they have a big headstart.  If they go on to study a different language, still they take with them a sense of what learning a language is all about, and useful skills which can easily be adapted to a different context.  In addition to this, they also have a better sense of why we use English in the way that we do.

At our Auckland centre, we organise special classes for children, arranged just after school finishes.  Please see Children’s classes for more information.

Throughout New Zealand, we offer courses to children through their school.  An increasing number of primary and intermediate schools are taking up the opportunity to offer a foreign language to their pupils.  If your children’s school is not yet doing this, maybe you could suggest that they contact us?

We teach vocabulary and some grammar through a variety of stimulating activities.  We encourage children to experiment and have fun with new sounds and words.  A lot of emphasis is placed on the active use of the language.

Quite the opposite: learning another language enhances a child’s English ability. Children can learn a great deal about English by learning about other languages. Coming across new, related vocabulary also helps children learn the meaning of new words in English. 

Around the world, millions of children grow up bilingual, and there is nothing to suggest that they suffer in terms of their first language abilities or their overall cognitive development.