Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about how English Planet supports your learners, your staff, and your school. Find quick answers to the most common questions principals and teachers ask before getting started.
Learner Outcomes
English Planet is designed to accelerate English language acquisition by building fluency and confidence. It combines structured small-group intervention, interactive activities, and diagnostic tracking to ensure every learner makes progress. Schools already using English Planet report that their students progress faster and achieve more consistent outcomes compared to their previous ESOL programmes.
Yes. Two studies — one in South Korea and one in New Zealand — confirmed accelerated progress. In South Korea, learners advanced more quickly on two international benchmarks (Cambridge YLE and YBM). In New Zealand, learners showed consistent growth in both conversational (BICS) and academic language (CALP). Progress was verified using diagnostic tools and triangulated with teacher and parent feedback. Testimonials from schools also support these findings, with educators reporting faster progress and greater learner confidence.
The programme begins with diagnostic tools to identify each learner’s oral competency and ELLP stage. Activities are designed to build on students’ strengths while addressing their needs, ensuring culturally and linguistically diverse learners are supported.
Each lesson is linked to clear learning objectives through the A3 resource cards, gamified flashcards, and language learning cards. Facilitators model the learning objectives and then the learners practice them in structured tasks, so they always understand what they are learning and why.
Usability for Staff
No. The resource is designed so teacher aides and learning assistants can deliver it with confidence. Each component is step-by-step, error-proofed, and easy to follow.
Every school receives 1–3 full-day professional learning sessions for facilitators and a senior leader. These sessions cover everything needed to implement English Planet using best practices — from resource content and assessment to grouping, tracking, and classroom delivery. Ongoing support is also available to ensure staff feel confident and capable over time.
Practical Implementation
Most schools run English Planet in short, focused sessions, 2–4 times per week for 30-40minutes. Sessions can be tailored to your timetable and learner needs.
Yes. English Planet is flexible enough for mixed settings, but we encourage groups to be made up of learners of similar age and competency/proficiency. This prevents individuals from dominating lessons and ensures all learners can participate equitably. Groups are designed to be fluid — learners who accelerate can move to higher levels, so progress is always matched to need.
Yes. Oral communication is at the heart of English Planet, supported by workbooks for writing consolidation. Learners practice with A3 resource cards, gamified flashcards, and language card games that provide explicit teaching to build speaking confidence. Once secure in oral fluency, they transfer those skills into writing — because in English Planet, speaking informs writing.
Alignment & Credibility
English Planet is built on a structured, science-based framework that combines neuroscience, applied cognitive science, and best-practice pedagogy. Through explicit teaching and systematic scaffolding, language is built cumulatively, embedded, and reinforced at every stage. This ensures learners receive both evidence-based literacy instruction and targeted ESOL support in a consistent, sequenced way.
Absolutely. It is fully aligned with the Ministry of Education’s English Language Learning Progressions (ELLP) and the seven ESOL Principles. It also complements structured literacy approaches, ensuring consistency across your school’s literacy programmes.
Yes. English Planet is currently being used in primary and intermediate schools across New Zealand, including learners supported under ORS funding. Feedback highlights improved outcomes and ease of use by teacher aides.
Botany Downs Primary School (Auckland), Papamoa Primary School (Tauranga), Dyer St School (Wellington) are our model schools.
Monitoring & Reporting
English Planet includes diagnostic tests, grouping matrices, and student tracking tools. Progress can be monitored at both the learner and group level.
Yes. Students are encouraged to reflect on their learning and celebrate milestones. English Planet includes a student tracking document that allows learners, teachers, and parents to clearly see progress over time. This transparency builds metacognitive awareness, strengthens motivation, and fosters shared responsibility for learning success.
Yes. The oral diagnostic test highlights learners who may require further intervention by showing specific gaps in oral language. This ensures no one slips through the cracks and allows schools to provide timely, targeted support.
Yes. Clear reporting tools make it easy to share measurable outcomes, giving confidence to staff, parents, and trustees.
Cost & Value
The standard onboarding package includes:
- Professional learning session/s
- A3-sized resource cards, gamified flashcards, language card games
- Printable resources
- A diagnostic tool for oral competency
- Various organisational documents
Licensing for students is free in 2026 for scholarship schools. Schools cover a $350 cost for A3 resource cards and facilitator logistics (travel, accommodation if required).
Contact us for more information.
Schools purchase the core resource once. Copyright licensing and permissions are renewed annually under student licensing, ensuring continued access to digital content, updates, and support.