The resources comprise 100 dual-language flip books, audio and online resources in five Pasifika languages – Samoan, Tongan, Tokelauan, Cook Islands Māori and Niuean – and English, as well as supporting materials for teachers and parents.
They are designed to build on the strengths of Pasifika learners’ existing language skills to support the development of their English language and literacy skills and their transition to English medium schools.
We know that some Pasifika children make less-than-expected success in reading and writing in their first years of school, but we also know that drawing on all of a child’s cultural capital, especially their literacy and language capital, can support their English literacy development.
Prior to the release of the Pasifika dual language resources, a selection of them were piloted in seven South Auckland schools by a team of Auckland University academics led by Dr Rae Si’ilata.
The pilot found that students’ achievement, confidence and self esteem increased in English language and literacy after six months at school, by using and building on the strengths of their first language, while teachers reported gaining valuable insights into how to further develop their literacy and language teaching skills and practices.
Parent fono trials were also held in clusters of Auckland schools, led by Pasifika languages consultant Patisepa Tuafuti.
These trials have received high praise from schools, parents and students who responded enthusiastically to being able to share and learn new ideas about language and literacy in a culturally responsive way.
The development of these resources was a shared project between the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Pacific Peoples, the University of Auckland and the Pasifika community.
The Pasifika dual language resources can be ordered free of charge from the Ministry’s Down the Back of the Chair catalogue and online from the Ministry’s Te Kete Ipurangi (TKI) web platform.