Finding a job in New Zealand

This is one of the main concerns of people with a low or non-existent level of English. There’s no doubt that you’re likely to have a few awkward moments, when you won’t be able to understand the people around you and you’ll find it hard to make yourself understood, but this WHV is an opportunity to change things and return home with a level, if not fluent, at least adequate, that will enable you to communicate with English speakers.

So let’s take a look at how to improve your English and how not to stop yourself from living (or working) when you speak poor English!

How can I improve my English before I leave?

There are a number of ways to shake off the rust and learn a few new habits that will come in very handy when you get there!

Language exchanges

In big cities, language exchanges are possible, either informally, by meeting someone on the Internet, talking to a family friend or going through some ads, or in a more organised way, via one of the sites that offer this type of meeting.

You’ll be able to talk, either speed dating-style, for a few minutes at a time, or for longer, with a stranger who won’t hesitate to explain your mistakes! In exchange, you’ll speak French with him or her and offer advice.

There’s nothing more effective than practice, so if this exercise is repeated (especially if you find someone you’re really comfortable with), you can be sure of making fast progress! The disadvantage of this system for some is that you’ll be talking to a stranger, especially in Shakespeare’s language, but this is no doubt what you’ll be doing a number of times in New Zealand, so it’s ideal practice!

Look for these types of exchange at universities or on Meet-up (in the languages and cultural identities section).

Reading

We talked about Shakespeare a few lines back, but this isn’t (necessarily) about reading Shakespeare! Why not read a book that you really liked, that you’ve read several times, that you know well, but this time in English? You can also read the English versions of your favourite comics, read celebrity magazines in English, subscribe to an easily accessible English-language newspaper, such as Vocable, which brings together articles from different newspapers to cover a wide range of subjects. Words are translated on the side of the article, so you can easily read the content of the magazine without spending your time with your head in the dictionary.

There are also bilingual books, with the left-hand page in English and the right-hand page in another language!

Watching movies and series in English

We often hear that watching series and movies in English with your mother tongue subtitles is a good exercise. It’s true! Watching the same series and films in their original language without subtitles is even better, but you still need to have the right level of English. Another option may be more effective if your level of English is average: watch these videos in English with English subtitles. You’ll probably focus on the subtitles, but that’s the point! You’ll be able to familiarise yourself with the accent and the way words are pronounced (sometimes in ways you’d never have imagined).

To make sure you don’t miss out on the movie or series either, try out a film or series that you know well, and whose lines you almost know by heart. That way, you’ll understand what’s going on and be able to follow the English version!

The difficulty with a foreign language is twofold: you have to be able to speak it and understand it. The 2 exercises are different. Watching videos in English won’t help you improve your oral expression, at least not directly, but you’ll no doubt get some expressions stuck in your head. You’ll then be able to use them again once you’re in New Zealand.

And as you’re going to New Zealand, it’s a good opportunity to discover local films and series, so you can get to grips with the Kiwi accent!

English music

It’s not always the best way to learn perfect grammar, and we all know that in songs she ‘don’t’ more than she ‘doesn’t’, but to learn everyday language or poetic turns of phrase, depending on the group and singer, what better way than through music?

Taking classes

This is the most expensive option, but it’s also the one that will give you clear advice and explanations of the whys and wherefores. If your budget doesn’t allow it, opt for the techniques listed above, but if you have a little money to spare, try to take courses where you are the only student.

Understanding the New Zealand accent

The New Zealand accent is quite different from the English or American accents to which you may be a little more accustomed. So make sure to listen to a few kiwi shows to know what to expect.

How to improve your English in New Zealand?

The various options detailed above are still valid once in New Zealand.

Meeting people

You’ll meet New Zealanders, but not just New Zealanders, and depending on where you are, not in majority! In fact, you’ll come across hundreds of working holiday makers from all over the world with whom you’ll share a common language: English!

Try as hard as you can to leave your shyness or embarrassment behind you. They may think your accent is strong (but what about theirs?), or that you have a bit of trouble, but you’ll make a connection! If you don’t take the plunge, you won’t improve and you won’t develop any friendships, which would be a shame.

Taking classes

Some working holiday makers opt for English courses at the beginning of their stay. There are many schools to choose from.

Social medial

No, we’re not talking about Facebook or Instagram (although it’s certainly possible to meet people in English). We’re talking about the Couchsurfing and volunteering communities (WWOOFing, HelpX and Workaway).

The first is a huge global community that can be found in every corner of the world. If you’re travelling to New Zealand, register on the site and contact hosts in your destination city. If they are available and no other couchsurfer has contacted them before, they will probably open their doors to you for a night or two, or even for a coffee or a walk!

It’s a great way to meet international people (because it’s not just New Zealanders who can welcome you), discover the city with someone who knows it well, talk travel and, of course, save a few pennies to travel even more!

We will talk about volunteering (WWOOFing, HelpX and Workaway) later in this guide, but in short, these are networks that allow you to be housed and fed in exchange for unpaid work. This gives you an original opportunity to discover New Zealand, off the beaten track.

An english-speaking partner

This is undoubtedly the best way to improve: when you go out with an English-speaking person, not for an evening or a week, but for a few weeks or a few months, the discussions are numerous and so are the people you meet through them. You try as hard as you can to speak the language we all speak: English. The progress is obvious!

A little beer

It’s more of a joke than anything else, but it’s a well-known fact that after a little drink, everyone speaks better English! Some nationalities are known to worry about being judged by the person they’re talking to. This fear is oftentimes what is stressing us out and making us say silly things…

It’s all about attitude

Despite all this advice, learning a language depends above all on our attitude.

How do you get round the language problem to find a job?

You can prepare yourself with the local slangs, so that you are not completely lost at the first question asked by the employer. For some professions, there are vocabulary lists on the Internet. Don’t hesitate to consult them and why not learn them if this is THE job you want to do.

You can also prepare answers to the questions you are likely to be asked: when are you available? For how long? How much do you want to earn? Tell me about your experiences! For example…

This exercise will be useful for all the interviews you attend, so it’s worth trying it out a bit to avoid leaving too many gaps in your speech.

Which jobs require the least English?

Fruit picking

People often talk about fruit picking, and it’s true! Picking apples, for example, obviously doesn’t require a great deal of discussion like in a communications agency. There are instructions at the start of the day, of course, but they’re often accompanied by a demonstration, and if worse comes to worst, you’ll always have a colleague to explain more slowly what needs to be done.

Fruit packing

Here again, there’s no need for grand speeches to pack kiwis. For each packhouse position, you’ll get demonstrations. Generally, the factories will even invite you to an hour or two of training before the season starts so that you can familiarise yourself with the movements. There are also plenty of videos on YouTube explaining what to do with slower English.

Discreet workstations

These are jobs where customers won’t have anything to do with you, such as preparing sandwiches in a fast food restaurant or washing dishes. Employers won’t be afraid to recruit you as long as you can have a little chat with them. Jobs such as mover or car washer also fall into this category.

The (futile) quest for perfection

Your WHV in New Zealand is bound to improve your level of English, but don’t set your expectations too high and don’t be too demanding on yourself.

If you can talk to the people around you, understand what’s being said and laugh at the same time as everyone else, you made it! Foreign accents are ‘so cute’, it’s well known and it’s no legend. We’re not talking about an effortless accent with bold ‘r’s, no, but a little foreign touch in English will always please those around you. As for your (potential) grammatical errors, well, English is more flexible than many other languages when it comes to that. If people understand you, they won’t have any trouble dealing with you! Especially as your English is certainly not your best asset. If you like to party, make fun of everything, if you’re an ace poker player, if you know how to make delicious cocktails or if you’ve travelled around the world, for example, people will appreciate your company. So make the most of your personality, and you’ll make up for any shortcomings!