The ESOL Department aims to assist students in developing their English language fluency to a level which allows them to actively participate as confident members of New Zealand society. 

We also endeavour to help students to develop their English literacy skills which will enable them to gain literacy credits for tertiary and university study and do well in mainstream English at Manurewa High School.

Reception ESOL Programme

The Reception ESOL Programme is intended for new or recent immigrants with limited or no English skills.  The aim of this programme is to give students a helping hand, which will allow them to participate in mainstream classes.

Students are placed in individualised ongoing programmes, which are designed to cater to their individual needs.  As students confidence and literacy levels improve they will be mainstreamed for certain classes and then put into a mainstream programme.  The Reception Programme is a topic-based programme and topics are chosen to be in alignment, with material taught in mainstream subjects.

Junior ESOL Programme

The Junior ESOL Programme consists of one year 9 and one year 10 class.  The programme is topic based and again it is designed to give non-native English speakers extra literacy tuition.  Once students have reached a certain level, they will leave the Junior ESOL Programme and will be integrated into mainstream English.

Senior ESOL Programme

The Senior ESOL Programme is divided into three levels.  That is: levels one to three.  It is based on ESOL Unit Standards.  Students in senior ESOL will do both ESOL and mainstream English literacy standards.  One of the major aims of the Senior ESOL Programme is to give any extra tuition they need to gain the much need literacy credits.  All ESOL Unit Standards Credits are NCEA recognised.

Individual Support

Students are also provided with one-to-one support in both ESOL and mainstream classes and this will involve a teacher aide giving them extra support.

Structures and Resources

The HOD Ms Li is supported by one teacher and three teacher aides.  The ESOL Department is well resourced department with computers and books, which students are able to take home to read.

The ESOL Department also provides students with three set lunchtime tutorials a week, as well as, informal tutorials to allow students a chance to conference with teachers and gain the extra help they may need.

Students are provided with homework books to give them extra language support.  Moreover they have access both inside and outside the classroom to Razkids, which is a computer program which again gives extra language support.