“Now I feel less anxious about working at school and living in a new country,” Shuyuan, one MLA this year, expressed by the last day of the week.

The MLA Orientation Week, held from 3rd to 7th February, successfully concluded with our 2025 Mandarin Language Assistants (MLAs) immersing themselves in New Zealand’s indigenous culture, gaining practical insights into their roles, and beginning their journey toward making a meaningful impact in local schools.

The Week was packed with a range of informative and interactive sessions. The programme commenced with a warm welcome from Mr Danny Chan, Board member of CI in Auckland, setting a supportive tone for the journey ahead. Director Zhou shared expectations for their teaching roles, while Kerryn, CI manager, introduced Kiwi culture and New Zealand’s diverse landscape. Additionally, Xiaolu provided an overview of the New Zealand education system, equipping MLAs with a deeper understanding of their teaching environment.

One of the highlights of the week was the returnees’ session, where former MLAs shared their personal experiences from last year. From practical tips on daily living and shopping to navigating the classroom as a language assistant, these insights proved invaluable for the new cohort.

To further familiarise the group with the education sector, CI in Auckland reached out to schools for the visits. At St Heliers Primary and Glendowie College, the cohort had the opportunity to observe local teaching practices and meet some of the students they may work with. Their cultural immersion continued with a visit to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, where they experienced Māori traditions and history firsthand.

By the final day, the MLAs—many of whom are new to both the country and the experience—felt more confident about settling into life in Aotearoa, connecting with Kiwi families, and stepping into their roles as language teaching assistants.

We are excited to see the positive contributions they will make in schools across the wider Auckland region. Wishing all our MLAs a fantastic year ahead!