About these qualifications
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL) qualifications are intended for learners of English as an additional language.
These qualifications are available to all parts of the English language sector including tertiary and the community. They're available for permanent and temporary residents, and international students.
On this page
Qualifications and unit standards for this subject
Qualifications
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Foundation) (Level 1) [Ref:1879] (external link)
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 1) [Ref:1880] (external link)
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 2) [Ref:1881] (external link)
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (General) (Level 3) [Ref:1882] (external link)
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Applied) (Level 3) [Ref: 3667] (external link)
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 3) [Ref: 4998] (external link)
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (General) (Level 4) [Ref: 3669] (external link)
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Employment) (Level 4) [Ref: 3668] (external link)
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 4) [Ref:1883] (external link)
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (General) (Level 5) [Ref: 5001] (external link)
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Employment) (Level 5) [Ref: 5000] (external link)
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 5) [Ref:1884] (external link)
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Advanced) (Level 6) [Ref: 4999] (external link)
Unit standards
English Language unit standards (external link)
English for Academic Purposes unit standards (external link)
Completed reviews
June 2024: Review and Listing of New Zealand English Language (NZCEL) qualifications
Read details of the review in the report:
Review and listing of New Zealand English Language qualifications (external link)
2016 to 2017: Review of English Language qualifications
Read details of the review in the report:
Review of English Language qualifications 2016-17 [PDF, 123 KB]
New Zealand Certificates in English Language guiding document
The NZCEL qualifications and English Language and English for Academic Purposes unit standards listed on this page were updated in 2024.
We developed the guiding document below in May 2019 to support earlier version of these qualifications and standards.
We're working with TESOL teachers on 2 new guiding documents. These will be available soon to meet the needs of NZCEL providers and secondary schools.
Resources
English Language assessment standard reviews
Information on revisions and reviews
Go to standard review page
English for Academic Purposes standard reviews
Information on revisions and reviews
Go to standard review page
English for Academic Purposes assessment support material
Get guidance and resources to teach English Language
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English Language assessment support materials
Get guidance and resources to teach English Language
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Guidelines on consistency reviews
Find consistency review guidelines, resources and schedule
Get consistency review info
Guidelines on programme approval
How to get a qualification programme approved, accredited and registered
Get approval info
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL)
Teaching resources from Europe
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Careers (opens in a new window)
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