About Coromandel Outdoor Language Centre
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Coromandel Outdoor Language Centre (COLC) was founded in 1988 by Maurice Kirby with the aim of providing a high standard of English tuition in a setting capable of offering a truly unique New Zealand experience.
The school originally operated from Mr Kirby's home before shifting to its present location in Whitianga. For some time there was a second campus in Whangamata, but that closed in 2005. We are in one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand and we are very proud of our wonderful location. We will show you as much of the Coromandel Peninsula as we can while you are at COLC. You will see the tourist attractions but we will also take you to all the best beaches and to those fantastic little places that the average tourist never gets to see. PhilosophyWe strongly believe that learning should be fun, and that language learning often happens best when the language is not the main focus of what is happening. If you are using your English while you are with your friends doing interesting things, the learning will happen without you realising it, while you are having a good time. We like our students to mix across different cultures and to learn from each other. Many students have told us that COLC has been a turning point in their lives because of the things they have learned here about other people and other cultures. This "turning point" or "new beginning" is reflected in our new Logo. TeachersOur teachers are all highly qualified and dedicated to achieving high standards in their work. Currently we have teachers from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. They use the most modern methods and techniques to ensure that you make maximum progress.They encourage a relaxed atmosphere so you feel comfortable speaking English, both in and outside the classroom. In the afternoon activities you will meet and talk to the people of the Coromandel Peninsula - the artists, the farmers, the shopkeepers, the craftspeople - with a teacher there to help you. Open NightOpen night is a very important part of our school program. Every Wednesday evening the school is open for a social gathering and is always supervised by a member of staff. Because COLC is a small school, everybody knows everyone else. These open nights are lots of fun and a good way to welcome new students into the COLC family. The evenings can take many forms e.g. a BBQ, a games evening, a meal prepared by various groups of students, a movie, a competition, singing, dancing etc. and students can get to know each other and have fun. Students contribute their ideas and help with the planning and organizing of Open Nights. Student Support
Student recommendations are very important to us, so it is very important that our students go home happy and satisfied with their experience at COLC. Our experienced staff will do those extra things to meet your needs and see that your stay is as successful, as relaxed and as enjoyable as we can make it. Quality and AffiliationsLike all good New Zealand schools we are Registered and Accredited with NZQA, which is a New Zealand Government body. We are members of English New Zealand, a group of 26 well-established, high quality language schools that works within a set of high academic standards to ensure clients of the best possible educational experience. COLC is also one of the very few schools in NZ that belong to IALC (International Association of Language Centres) which is another quality assurance association that has top schools from all around the world as members.
School Video
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