Sunday, 24 January 2016

New Zealand Working Holiday (NZWH) is one of the pathway to improve and learn English? Seriously?!

It cannot be judged if you fork out money to learn English language and take lessons from any ideal language schools or institution in New Zealand who conduct neutral English . Or you choose to leave your native (Chinese/Asian) friends and started to social with English speaking group of people which helps you make sense to improve your English conversation.

Are you seriously want to learn English in New Zealand by trying to talk and speak more with the kiwis or New Zealanders? Are you serious?

Picture source from: japasserbykyoto.wix.com

Apparently there are many Chinese Malaysians who applied to NZWH-ers dialect in Chinese but not much in English. Understand that most of the useful articles and journals are all in Chinese Language and perhaps it becomes an inspiration who those mastered in Chinese Language are “wanting” to learn English as an enhancement, NZWH hence a tiny-pavement for them.

In my opinion, many had read about blogs and readings through Taiwanese posts that most of their motive and purpose to go New Zealand is to learn English. And many Chinese Malaysians “ follow” their trend.

Eh??!!!

Malaysia punye English got that BAD meh?

Most of us are educated since very young age until finished school and even though our job interviews mostly conducted in English. What for still learning it?


Hello !~

Taiwanese who 80s, 90s- born usually had their lesson when they were in secondary or high school (estimate 13 years-old) during their normal schooling time (if they don't take extra English tuition).

Malaysians learn English SINCE kindergarten. (Learn A B C D song.. in age of 5 leh)

Although our English might not that good, but I believe most of us can have simple conversation and basic understanding if we really need to speak it out.

Do you really want to go New Zealand and to learn English?

Do you know How they speak their native language?

Can you handle their slang and pronunciation?


These are few Examples where most of people who lived in New Zealand before / living there might or not , they counter....

When people say “Thank you” to you... What do you reply?

What had your English teacher taught you if people say 

“Thanks / Thank you /Thank you very much” ?


In normal way as what we learnt : “ You're welcome” - - That's the most correct ever answer than we ever thought. Right?

In New Zealand (or in Australia) , it is “No Worries”. (this is probably not from the English lesson)-



-What kind of problems that I need to be worried by accepting your “Thank you” ???
( got no clue on this)


If the greeting usually in “How are you?” (normally hear them greet in supermarket) but , the native is: “ You alright?”-

-My face look sick and not alright?

In this case, when I first experienced, I always say “doing good” or “alright / good” 

I got a shock I thought that there is a serious problem when they ask me whether am I alright. (Hilarious)

Other than people who call you (if they don't know your name) : “ Oy / Oi” (Malaysian do this as well but this is not a good manner). When they have hesitation of similar to situation of “Pardon me?” It is : “ Aye ? / Ei?” …. that means something like “ Hah?! I cannot hear you, speak again!”

So what we say “ hah?” Kiwi says “Aye?” (with doubt)

Your home-stay or bbh host might approach you in the kitchen and say “ Hi, Are you cooking tea?”

“Tea?!”

Me: “No, this is my dinner”

“Tea” means “Dinner” OK....


About the pronunciation, where we mostly encounter... It depends on the location but this slang normally comes from South Island.

Ten : we say it as “tan with the -a- sound”, but the kiwi pronounce it as “tin / teen”

same as Seven is “sivin /seeven” , egg is “igg / eeg”

but No.8 “Eight” is “EYEght”

knackered – you heard it as NAKED (That's why Naked bus), this word I think it comes from England, but I don't know why just can't just say “tired”.

In New Zealand – you will hear people keep saying “cool” instead of Everything. Like : “That's cool” which means good (maybe).

People say “smoko” for break time, go to the “chemist” instead of Pharmacy... And many many more. Or “Heaps” of them.....

Those languages probably are mixed from different people with speaking native English such as England (especially Scotland and Ireland's English will kill people) , Europe, and Indian (pattern) as well.

The very nicest thing in New Zealand is, when they speak to tourist or migrants , they will make it sounds clear and simple and understandable. (Still need compliment)

-Well, for me, If I don't understand, I will just say I don't understand-Or just ignore..

What's the point you speak something that you expect people don't get the meaning of it??

Because when I speak English to foreigners , I'll try to avoid “Mah”, “Lah” , “Meh”.... 
If not, do you think they understand Manglish?

- But some of them who see you are Asian will purposely jumble their words and make you clueless and the whole English phrase will sound like French, Spanish and Italian (mix). I did not hope to see that especially when I was on the bus ride and especially the driver speak through the microphone, all I heard was annoying sound came out from nose.


So, you still sure you want to learn English in New Zealand?

You also have to make sure people won't laugh at you if you speak in this way.

If you were to spend time or your objective is to learn New Zealand English, you might consider to learn many different kind of English as well. British English, American English, or Indian English.

Here are some words you find in NZ:

Picture source from: www.differencebetween.info


banger:sausage
fizzy:soda pop
smoko:break, rest period
ta:Thanks
tea:dinner - generic name for evening meal
tea towel:dish rag
tasty cheese:sharp cheddar cheese
togs:swimsuit, bathing suit
zed:Z; zee; the last letter of the alphabet.
knackered:stuffed; fagged out
Sweet asMeans ‘no problem’
Reckon Think
HeapsMeans ‘a lot’ or ‘very’.
Yeah nah broThis basically means “Umm”
Aye (Eh)-Hesitation
chemist: pharmacy, drugstore
No Worries:It's OK / Not a Problem
You alright? :how are you?
Mate:Friend - "Thanks Mate" (This usually seen in Australia)
Hot Chips:French Fries

Chips:Crisps

Source from: google

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