Pham Thao Thanh

Nineteen-year-old Pham Thao Thanh �" also known as Jenny - came to New Zealand specifically for an English Language education. �I�d studied it at home for seven years but that was mainly reading and writing. I wanted to work on my speaking and listening which is why I came here.�

So she said goodbye to her parents and two younger siblings and came to Auckland to live with her uncle, aunt and three cousins. �They�ve lived here for 22 years. All my cousins were born in New Zealand.�

She enrolled in the AIS St Helens English Language Centre in November 2001 and spent a year studying there. During that time Jenny says her language skills improved a great deal. Although she always spoke Vietnamese at home with her relatives, she found immersing herself in English at school everyday proved to be hugely beneficial.

Whilst studying, Jenny also worked part-time as a cashier in her aunt�s West Auckland bakery. Since leaving AIS St Helens she has taken on the position full-time. She says it gives her constant opportunities to build on the solid English foundation she has already laid.

Although she misses her family and home country dreadfully, Jenny says she�ll probably stay in New Zealand. She plans to continue her English language studies, gain IELTS and eventually study Business.