(Term 2 2018) Building my capability in Te Reo Māori

Last year a number of teachers decided that they required support to help them to more confidently deliver te reo Māori content throughout their teaching.  Our principal was involved in a language based course at a local high school. We expressed interest in getting something similar happening in our staffroom.

Instead we registered for a paper based, self directed course offered through the Wānangna o Aotearoa.  I already completed a Maori language for beginners course (Te Ara Reo Māori). What I think I really need is another course similar to that to help me with figure out how to better pronounce māori words with my Canadian accent.  I personally need someone to help me...a language is too hard to do on my own. Although this year’s course is not the confidence boost we can directly use in the classroom. It is a step in the right direction to answering the question “How is the teaching of my class effective for Māori learners?”
Course Description:
He Papa Tikanga will give you insight into a Māori worldview. Learn about traditions, concepts, values and protocols and understand why Māori do things a certain way. Find out how to apply some of these concepts in your home, workplace and community. Challenge your thinking and reflect on your own beliefs and values and how they relate to those of other cultures.

You'll learn about:

  • basic Māori words
  • values and belief systems
  • Māori traditions
  • Māori in a contemporary world
  • Māori philosophies and protocols.

You'll know how to:

  • understand and have insight into Te Ao Māori
  • pronounce basic Māori words
  • reflect on values and belief systems
  • apply protocols of pōwhiri
  • recognise media influences on cultural perceptions.
It is important to challenge my beliefs and values and how they relate to those of other cultures as it is only then that growth and then change will happen in an effective way .  It is also imperative to measure the PD that I encounter against the Teacher Competencies for Māori Learners.  Hmmmm….but where to from here?
It would help if the school decided to help us unpack these ideas.  I can research as much as I want but without the ideas and collaborative efforts of my colleagues I am just pondering within my own mind.  So am on on the right track or making any real gains in my learning. The Education Council has suggested “completing the Quality Practice Template together means you,  together with colleagues, identify the Standards as practices in your context. It makes it easier to see the naturally occurring evidence available for discussion/analysis.”
So until that happens I expect that my haphazard method of trying to gain knowledge will continue.  It was brought up at a BOT meeting this year that teachers needed more support than what was currently being offered in the course we are undertaking.  But like everyone else...what does one have to do to meet the requirements? I think this means that the concept is too large to be done in house. During my research over the past week weeks I see that a more comprehensive application with facilitators might be an option our school should seriously think about becoming involved with in the future.


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