Hi to everyone!

Zoush · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 11:55 pm Post subject: Hi to everyone!

Hi to everyone here at the forum.

I think it will be a good idea to introduce myself before I fire questions at you.
First of all I want to thank you all for posting such a lot of interesting and helping articles, a real rich source of knowledge which I'm going to absorb now!

We (me (36), my wife (35) and our two little boys (4y and 10m)) are planning to immigrate to NZ (chch?) next year, as soon as possible. There are a lot of steps to take, and we are on the first step: gathering information. We found an immigration consultant who is helping us to get through all of the necessary steps to gain the PR status.

As I'm a native German speaker (and still living in Germany) there is one additional problem we are facing: the english language. So I'm practising (or is it practicing?) while writing and reading posts in this forum.
We have to pass the IELTS test with at least score 6.5, hope that will be not too difficult for us. Do you (as most of you are native english speaker) have to pass this language test, too?

Six years ago we went to New Zealand for our honeymoon (only 4 weeks), and since then we deal with the idea to immigrate to nz. Now we put our money where our mouth is (is this idiom used properly? In german that would be complete nonsens, if translated literally) and plan to immigrate.

We have a lot of questions concerning all matters of immigration: where to live, how to find a job (i'm a software engineer/software developer), renting a house, transfering money, how to deal with the 'left behind', what about our children, do they find new friends without speaking any english, how to find a good school for them, what is the school system like, do we find new friends, and is it possible to buy shoes size 14 ?

I hope to find answers to all of those questions (except the shoe on), or at least get a clue of living in NZ.

Ok, let's start posting!

Frithjof (Don't know how anybody with an english mother tongue will pronounce my name!)

NZCalling · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 12:03 am Post subject:

Hi Zoush

Welcome to the forum. Nice One

I just joined in and let me tell you, this forum is awesome. Mr. Green

I've never seen people so helpful and friendly. I'am new here so can't answer any questions Shy

but 'am pretty sure that some of the senior members will come to your rescue. Yes

Till then ........ hang on buddy.....you are at the right place.

Best of luck .....

abesrve · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 27 Jun 2004 Posts: 41

Zoush,

Welcome. Your written english is certainly superior than many 'native' speakers. I think you are in a good position to gain a pass on the english tests. Most of your general questions are answered in this forum but if you need anything more specific I'm sure someone will be able to help.

Timbo · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 12:50 am Post subject:

Hi Zoush, and welcome. Your written English is indeed very good, and if that goes for your spoken English you should have no trouble in that respect.
Yes you do " put your money where your mouth is", but I can see why this would confuse people as it really does not make much sense.
Just post your questions and you can be sure that the answers will be forth coming, maybe not right away but they will be there somewhere.
The subject of shoes is one that is close to the heart of our highly respected member Moorf, but unfortunately she and husband Woz have popped over to Berlin for a few days. Spooky eh?

captainxmas · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:22 am Post subject:

Welcome aboard Zoush and family.

You've certainly found a great community, as for your English there should be no problem because it's better than a lot of the locals round here (in Buckinghamshire!)

CC Nice One

Zoush · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 3:10 am Post subject: Thank you

Thank you for your very quick and friendly welcome replies.
I'm sure I'm at the right place here.

Frithjof.

nisse · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 31

Hi Frithjof,

When I was a child, 8 yrs, my family moved to Tanzania for 4 yrs, and I didn't speak a word of English then. My brother and I were sent to an English-speaking boarding school and the first month or so, I remember as being quite scary, not only because we were away from our parents but because I couldn't speak to anyone. But within a month I was able to follow classes in English and speak to everybody. Obviously, my English in the beginning cannot have been very good, but I had no problems finding friends and being a part of things. Children learn very easily and quickly, so where your children might find it a bit challenging during the first couple of weeks, I'm sure they'll quickly pick up the language and have no problems.

Tschüss

Nisse

Zoush · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:18 pm Post subject:

rodders · Valued Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 134

hi zoush ich kann nur ein bisschen deutsch sprechen (and i don't have the umlaut on my keyboard.)

Zoush · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:37 pm Post subject:

nisse · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 31

Hi,

I live in Switzerland but actually have Danish keyboards, it still has an umlaut key on it, though.

Tschüss

Nisse