Auckland | Webfit News | Education Desk
To teach in Aotearoa New Zealand, applicants must show they are competent in one of the national curriculum languages – English or te reo Māori. The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand requires every teacher trainee and applicant for registration or certification to provide clear evidence of this competency.
High-quality teaching depends on strong communication skills, so applicants must show they can read, write, speak, and understand English or te reo Māori to a professional standard.
Applicants need to attach a certified copy of their language competency evidence with their application. This can include official results statements, reference letters, or other verified proof.
Ways to show English language competency
You can meet the Teaching Council’s English language competency requirements by providing evidence of one of the following:
- NCEA University Entrance literacy credits (Level 2 or 3) or equivalent NZQA qualification.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma taught in English (minimum 24 points).
- Cambridge International Examinations results with at least 120 UCAS Tariff points and meeting literacy standards.
- Schooling in an English-speaking country: All primary and at least three years of secondary schooling completed in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, the USA, or South Africa (with a minimum English pass grade).
- Six years of combined secondary and tertiary education taught face-to-face in English in one of the above countries.
- A New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) Level 7 qualification or higher, completed over at least two years of full-time study in English.
- Teaching English certificates, such as Cambridge CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL.
- English Language Competency Pathway (ELCP) for Pacific Peoples.
If none of these apply, applicants can show their competency through an approved English language test taken within the past two years.
Accepted English test options and minimum scores
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 24 | 24 | 27 | 23 | 98 |
| PTE Academic (new minimums effective from 1 Oct 2025) | 61 | 62 | 73 | 79 | 69 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 |
| ISLPR | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Trinity ISE III (3) | Pass with Merit | Pass with Merit | Pass with Merit | Pass with Merit | Pass with Merit |
| LanguageCert C1 Expert (IESOL) | No less than 35/50 | No less than 35/50 | No less than 35/50 | No less than 35/50 | No less than 35/50 |
| LanguageCert C2 Mastery (IESOL) | No less than 25/50 | No less than 25/50 | No less than 25/50 | No less than 25/50 | No less than 25/50 |
Only online exams verified for security and authenticity are accepted, including TOEFL iBT and ISLPR online.
Why PTE Academic is a popular choice
Many overseas-trained teachers choose the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic because it is fully computer-based, available at approved centers throughout New Zealand, and provides results quickly. From 1 October 2025, the minimum accepted PTE Academic scores are:
- Listening: 61
- Reading: 62
- Writing: 73
- Speaking: 79
- Overall: 69
These new benchmarks align with global standards for teachers, ensuring that applicants can confidently teach, communicate, and manage learning in English-medium classrooms.
English Language Competency Pathway (ELCP) for Pacific Peoples
The Teaching Council now recognizes schooling and tertiary studies completed in the Pacific region as valid evidence of English competency for Pacific applicants. The new ELCP pathway was introduced to reduce barriers and encourage more Pacific teachers into the profession while valuing multilingual backgrounds and Pacific cultural knowledge.
This approach reflects the Council’s ongoing partnership with Tangata Tiriti and Tagata o le Moana communities to create an inclusive, fair, and representative education system.
Source: Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand – Language Competency Requirements
