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General English

ABC College of English

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Course description

The General English course offers a programme of study for students who wish to improve their level of confidence accuracy and fluency in Communicative English language skills with both full time and part time options.
The first class is a balanced and comprehensive programme in speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, pronunciation, vocabulary development and grammar. The second class focus on the major communicative function sand language used in every day spoken situations.

All our General English courses allow a high degree of flexibility to enable the programme to meet the needs of the students and our small classes ensure that each student has the opportunity for optimal improvement. Progress is monitored with 1:1 feedback and written reports every month and periodic testing.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
2-52 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
10 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 120 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
24 Mar 2025, 18 Apr 2025, 21 Apr 2025, 25 Apr 2025, 02 Jun 2025 - 06 Jun 2025, 20 Jun 2025, 27 Oct 2025, 22 Dec 2025 - 02 Jan 2026, 25 Dec 2025, 26 Dec 2025, 06 Feb 2026

ABC does not hold classes on the holiday dates above. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Class times

Morning session
08:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Afternoon session
11:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Queenstown.

Class size

Average 9 students
Maximum 15 students

Student age

Age range 18 - 80 years old
Average 23 years old

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school

School description

ABC College of English has been a leading boutique language school since 1994, renowned for its exceptional English tuition and outstanding student support. As an NZQA Category 1 school and a proud member of English New Zealand, we uphold the highest standards of teaching and student care.

Located in the heart of Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital, our school offers a dynamic and inspiring place to live and study. With breathtaking scenery, a wide range of activities, and a welcoming community, students can immerse themselves in both language learning and an unforgettable lifestyle. As the only language school in downtown Queenstown, our students enjoy convenient access to local facilities, cafes, and outdoor adventures. We are also a proud partner of Queenstown Resort College, operating from a modern five-story campus equipped with a café and library.

At ABC College of English, we specialise in communication-focused English learning, ensuring personalised attention with small class sizes—an average of 8-9 students per class, with a maximum of 15. We offer General English and IELTS Exam Preparation courses, and as the official IELTS testing centre for the region, we provide a seamless pathway for students preparing for international exams.

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Year opened
1994
Number of classrooms
7

Facilities

  • Library
  • Social Activities
  • Cultural Trips
  • IELTS Test Center
  • Elevators
  • Wheelchair access
  • Eating Area
  • Free Internet
  • Computers
  • Studying Area
  • Audio Learning

Teacher qualifications

Native English speakers
Over 50%
Teachers with English teaching certification
All
Teachers with college degrees
All

University partners

ABC has partnerships with the following universities and colleges in New Zealand. You can gain full or conditional acceptance into one of these institutions.

University of Otago

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at ABC College of English varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 23. In the summer, the average age is 23.

ABC teaches students from all over the world, including:

Japan
20%
Thailand
18%
Switzerland
12%
Brazil
8%
China
6%
French Polynesia
6%
Saudi Arabia
6%
Taiwan
6%
Czech Republic
4%
France
4%
Chile
3%
Colombia
3%
Samoa
3%
Other
1%

School holidays

ABC does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
24 Mar 2025, 18 Apr 2025, 21 Apr 2025, 25 Apr 2025, 02 Jun 2025 - 06 Jun 2025, 20 Jun 2025, 27 Oct 2025, 22 Dec 2025 - 02 Jan 2026, 25 Dec 2025, 26 Dec 2025, 06 Feb 2026

School location

Nestled in the heart of Queenstown, NZ's premier tourist destination and alpine resort, our international language school offers the perfect blend of vibrant resort life and cultural immersion.
Just moments from bustling cafés, shops and the lakefront, the school provides an inspiring setting for students to learn and explore. Our campus is 3 minutes from the downtown bus stop that connects to all surrounding areas, so getting to and from school is very convenient.

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housing

Housing

ABC offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner on weekdays, 3 meals on weekends

N/A
weekly
Age range: 18 - 80 years old
Location: Outside the city center of Queenstown
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner on weekdays, 3 meals on weekends (16 meals per week)
Facilities: Laundry, free internet, carpet, heating, and garden
Distance to school: 10 - 30 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 11:00 AM
N/A
Get a taste of New Zealand lifestyle.
Homestays remain a popular option with international students as a way in which to engage conversational English outside of taught lessons, and to experience their time in New Zealand from a ‘kiwi’ perspective. We offer homestay but it is subject to availability.

All homestays include breakfast and dinner Monday – Friday, and all meals during weekends and Public Holidays. Students who stay with ABC College of English’s personally selected homestay families experience a great opportunity to learn and practise their English naturally, in everyday life situations.
We try our best to match each student with a suitable host family, based on shared interests and requests.
student-residence

Shotover Lodge

N/A
weekly
Age range: 18 - 80 years old
Address: 157 Arthur's Point Road, Queenstown, Otago 9300, New Zealand
Location: Outside the city center of Queenstown
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, carpet, air conditioning, heating, 24/7 supervision, garden, and sports facilities
Distance to school: 7 - 15 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Sunday, before 10:00 AM
N/A
In partnership with Queenstown Resort College (QRC), ABC proudly owns and operates Shotover Lodge – a comfortable and welcoming Student Residence that many call their ‘home away from home. Conveniently located in Arthur’s Point, Shotover Lodge is just a 7-minute bus ride from Queenstown and 15 minutes from Coronet Peak ski area. The area is home to hotels, restaurants, and tourism operators, including the world-famous Shotover Jet – perfect for those seeking work opportunities.

Students can choose between a private single room or a twin-share room (if travelling with a friend), subject to availability. All rooms include an ensuite (toilet and shower), central heating, a balcony or patio, TV and lounge furniture. They also have a kitchenette which includes a mini fridge, microwave, hot water jug and basic cutlery.

At Shotover Lodge, you'll be part of a vibrant student community! Both ABC and QRC students share fantastic common areas designed for relaxation and socialising. The lodge features a fully equipped commercial kitchen, a lively games and TV room with a dartboard, pool table, and ping pong table.

The lodge also has sculpted native gardens, an outdoor BBQ area and expansive lawns for sports. Wifi is provided throughout the property including rooms. If you have our own car, on-site parking is also available for $10 per week.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.

Visit the Immigration New Zealand website »

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Queenstown based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from ABC College of English staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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