ESOL students explore native wildlife at Auckland Zoo

The Macleans College 01JSOS ESOL class traded their textbooks for an outdoor learning experience during a visit to Auckland Zoo.  The trip provided an opportunity for students to explore themes of biology and conservation in a real-world setting.

A key feature of the day was the Te Wao Nui experience, the Zoo’s Aotearoa New Zealand track.  Here, students were guided by an expert Zoo Educator. The session brought New Zealand’s unique ecosystem to life and allowed students to observe native birds and wildlife beyond the classroom environment.

Students also engaged in hands-on scientific learning by examining animal specimens, including a skink skull and skin. This close observation supported a deeper understanding of animal structure and generated strong engagement. Seeing these materials up close helped students develop a clearer understanding of animal anatomy in a practical context and created many moments of excitement and curiosity.

Following the guided session, students explored the wider zoo and compared native species with animals from other regions of the world. This encouraged observation, discussion and deeper thinking about biodiversity and global ecosystems.

The experience also supported vocabulary development and reinforced classroom learning through real-world application. The trip provided valuable opportunities for the 01JSOS group to practise English in an authentic environment while developing a greater appreciation of the natural world.

Macleans College extends thanks to the staff at Auckland Zoo for their engaging programme.  Appreciation is also given to the teachers accompanying the group: Mrs Aye, Mrs Ashby, Ms Du and Mrs Restauro.