My name is Reza. I have been living in New Zealand for about 18 months. My parents are from Iran and Afghanistan, and I grew up speaking Farsi and Turkish. I learnt a little bit of English a long time ago at school, but I hadn’t used it much before coming here.

I chose to study here because the classes are free, close to home, and it also gave my wife the opportunity to study in another class. It’s been a really good experience so far. I feel there is more focus on speaking and listening here, and the lessons are more structured, which has helped me build more confidence in my English.

Since starting my studies, I have found a part-time job working in upholstery, which has been a great experience. In the future, I plan to go to tech and study a practical engineering trade. I’m excited to keep improving my skills and working towards my goals.