My name is Bingzhen Zhao, and I have been living in New Zealand for the past 28 years. My mother tongue is Chinese, and although I had learned a little English before arriving, I knew I needed to keep improving so that everyday life and future opportunities would be easier.

I chose to study at DynaSpeak because I really like the teaching style. At the moment, I am enrolled in NZCEL Level 3 General, and I find the approach here both effective and very supportive. Studying English in New Zealand feels similar to my earlier experiences, but being surrounded by English every day has helped me progress much faster and in a more natural way.

One of the things I value most about my time at DynaSpeak is the friendships I’ve made. “New friends, new English,” is how I like to think about it — spending time with classmates has given me confidence and more chances to practise speaking. These connections have truly been one of the highlights of my journey.

Looking ahead, my goal is to pursue a certificate in aged care. I believe that building up my English step by step now will help me reach that goal and prepare me for meaningful work in the future.

When I look back at my time at DynaSpeak, the most memorable part has been making new friends — simple moments that have made a big difference in my learning experience.