ABOUT US

ec com

eccom is a Christchurch-based company, which, specialises in the provision of a variety of communication services to assist local people as well as visitors and new immigrants to New Zealand. eccom has been operating in Christchurch since 2003 providing private and semi-private English tuition, as well as, Communication Services and Support Services to its learners and clients.

At the time of the devastating Christchurch Earthquakes eccom was operating two Christchurch offices, the Head Office on Riccarton Road and a City Office in the vicinity of South City Mall (in association with over twenty contract tutors). Since the company’s establishment in 2003 it has also been offering internet tuition to learners based in overseas countries and for local learners’ convenience.

We are continually striving to improve our performance to best meet the needs of our learners and clients with regular review of study programmes and assistance provided under our Communication and Support Services.

GERALD MATHIESON

Gerald Mathieson is the company's principal Consultant/Tutor.

Gerald began his career as a Legal Executive in 1976 and for over 23 years worked in all fields of conveyancing; company/commercial law; Trust and Trustee law; estates; immigration and office administration/management. He also set-up and had sole charge of a suburban law office in Christchurch. Following the Christchurch Earthquakes, Gerald worked as Contract Manager for and to Whyte Construction for over five years.

In addition to his legal background and related work Gerald has vast experience in coaching (spanning more than 40 years), teaching English to speakers of other languages and guardianship work. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Adult learning and Teaching (TESOL) from Massey University.
He has been teaching ESOL since 1992, he taught English in Japan for eighteen months and was formerly senior teacher at English Language College New Zealand in Christchurch.

Gerald founded eccom in 2003 to offer English tuition, as well as, support for other clients needing assistance in communicating in a range of situations. He provides professionalism with his strong communication skills; sound management and administrative skills, as well as, an ability to foster professional relationships with clients, colleagues and others. Lastly, but certainly not least importantly, Gerald has an understanding of people and of particular cultural differences, from his personal experiences in living and traveling in many different countries all around the world.

SHO MATHIESON

Sho is an assistant tutor for eccom and helps with administrative duties, a role which he has held part time for over 5 years now. He has a passion for helping others to strive and achieve their goals however big or small. Sho has a high level of cultural awareness growing up in both New Zealand and Japan. His early school years were completed in both Japan and New Zealand where he completed dual schooling for primary and intermediate. His High School and University years were focused in New Zealand however practical work relating to his university degree was all completed in Japan. This cultural awareness is highly valuable in Sho’s role tutoring at eccom as he relates very well to students learning English as a second language and being from a different culture.

Background
After completing a Bachelor of Agribusiness & Food Marketing at Lincoln University as part of a football/sport scholarship, Sho had plans to go abroad… however, with the onset of Covid 19 and worldwide travel restrictions those plans had to change. He utilized his skills and knowledge to help set up and run Vege Guy Bobby, a boutique produce and cuisine store in Christchurch’s iconic Riverside Market for over a year. He is currently back studying Environmental Science at the University of Canterbury to help make a positive impact on future generations, alongside working with eccom.

Interests
Sho is a very keen footballer, currently playing for Christchurch United in the Southern League. He has grown up playing the game at a relatively high level with experiences playing in Australia, Japan and Brazil. Other hobbies he enjoys include surfing, snowboarding and the exploring the great outdoors.