Restructure for language service
A staff restructure at English Language Partners Aoraki will not impact on the service, its national chief executive says.
English Language Partners New Zealand chief executive Nicola Sutton said the Timaru office’s restructure, will mean its two part-time staff members – a manager and an administrator, will be replaced by one coordinator based at the new shared Multicultural Hub for migrants in Sophia St, and will be managed from Christchurch. It was about costs and learners would not notice the change, she said. ‘‘We wanted the service to continue.’’
English Language Partners Aoraki tutors teach English to those who speak it as their second language, so they can participate in all aspects of New Zealand society and live independently.
Sutton said the two staff members were ‘‘welcome’’ to apply for the new role but would not be drawn on whether they had, citing employment privacy.
‘‘The change in structure has allowed us to continue offering a range of community-based English language teaching programmes in class, for work, and at home to former refugee and migrant learners settling in the Aoraki region.
‘‘Learners will also be able to join new online classes that have started across the country in response to Covid-19 – this will give learners even more learning options than before,’’ Sutton said.
Last year the Aoraki centre’s 21 volunteer tutors worked with 80 migrants who wanted to improve their English.
Students could attend classes at the centre and/or were part of a home tutoring programme with qualified volunteer tutors.
The centre’s manager and administrator have both agreed to stay on to support the new parttime co-ordinator into their role.