A passion for coffee is what led Tomoka to Wellington in 2019. Her interest in the coffee industry inspired her to work in cafés in Melbourne and Wellington, where she developed barista skills. After several years, Tomoka became eager to expand her English language skills and explore other career opportunities.
Tomoka enrolled in English language classes at English Language Partners. She also utilised our Wellington-based Job Mentoring Service, which provided guidance and support in navigating the local job market. These efforts paid off when Tomoka landed a new role at English Language Partners.
Hailing from Japan, Tomoka started learning English in 2016 through travelling and everyday experiences. After moving to Wellington in 2019, she worked as a barista but was keen to improve her English further.
“I learned English in school and university and working at a café was no problem, but I wasn’t comfortable all the time,” shares Tomoka.
In May 2023, she joined a class at English Language Partners for the first time to meet new people and learn new words every week, something Tomoka thoroughly enjoyed.
“We played games, watched videos, and went out of the classroom to do activities. Our teacher taught us English in many ways, I never got bored.”
For Tomoka, a keen traveller, learning English is important for life in New Zealand, and if she were to travel more in the future.
‘It’s very important to be able to do everything by myself like reading and making contracts or negotiating something,” says Tomoka.
In October 2023, after attending Job Seeker classes and Listening & Speaking classes, Tomoka was ready to find a new job. She wanted to work in an office, like she had in Japan. She signed up to the Job Mentoring Service, a service run by English Language Partners in Wellington.
Tomoka was paired with Nicola, a volunteer job mentor, who helped guide Tomoka on her job seeking journey. Together, they worked to improve Tomoka’s CV and cover letters.
The job-hunting process is different in New Zealand compared with Japan, Tomoka shares. “We don’t need to write a cover letter in Japan and there’s never a phone interview, reference check or coffee chat, it’s a much more of a formal process typically.”
Tomoka believes the most important part of the Job Mentoring Service was the motivation she received from Nicola to keep searching for a job.
In early 2024, Tomoka applied for a role at English Language Partners and was delighted to be offered the position. As Programme Support Administrator, Tomoka supports 21 centres across New Zealand with learner enquiries, eligibility and registration.
“It’s great to have a comfortable place where I can interact with people and learn how to work in English in a way that I wouldn’t be able to otherwise,” says Tomoka.
Tomoka shares that the job challenges her in good ways. “Writing an email in English can be very difficult to explain complex topics - I have to be polite and efficient, and sometimes my grammar isn’t perfect.
“I have to be careful replying to learners’ inquiries sometimes. I need to answer correctly and in a way that’s easily understood, but I was a learner just a few months ago, so I usually understand their situation,” says Tomoka.
Like the job-hunting process, Tomoka believes the work environment is more relaxed in New Zealand compared to Japan.
She shares, “In New Zealand, people are often talking a lot and caring about each other with things like morning tea and other gatherings. Most things are less formal, it is a lot less stressful.”
Tomoka’s manager, Jo, is delighted to have her on board.
“With her background in both hospitality and administration, Tomoka brings a friendly, can-do attitude to all her interactions. She has a great eye for detail and is super-efficient! We love having her as part of our team,” says Jo.
Tomoka enjoys living in Wellington, her favourite city in New Zealand.
“There are many places to go for food, we can go hiking easily from the city. It’s diverse enough that there’s places I forget, yet small enough to visit them whenever I want to,” says Tomoka.
In her spare time, Tomoka likes to experience Wellington cultural events, such as the winter Matariki celebrations, and enjoys catching up with friends at cafés.
Tomoka notes some of the differences between living in Japan and New Zealand, and shares what she most enjoys about life in New Zealand.
“I love being able to try many countries’ food, which isn’t very common in Japan. The people here are friendly and nice, while people in Japanese are shy and distant. And our house here is much bigger than in Japan, especially our yard!” beams Tomoka.
---
Looking for work? Join our English for Job Seekers course or the Wellington-based Job Mentoring Service.
