Te Kura offers free Māori Language courses
As popularity for learning the Māori language continues to grow, the country’s largest school, is offering free te reo Māori courses.
Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (The Correspondence School), which enrols more than 24,000 students a year, has a strong commitment to becoming a bilingual organisation.
With Māori Language Week now underway, Te Kura CE Mike Hollings says it’s a good opportunity to let people wanting to learn the language know that Te Kura is a great option.
“Learning online means you can do it anywhere and anytime,” Mr Hollings says.
He says Te Kura is delighted to be able to offer free courses at a time when a growing number of New Zealanders are showing a keen interest in learning the Māori language, with reports that many courses are so popular, they have waiting lists.
“It is one of the official languages of New Zealand and an integral part of the country’s culture. Whatever the reason may be, learning Māori provides great satisfaction, a greater connection with New Zealand and an enhanced understanding of our culture and society.”
Te Kura offers classes for beginners up to NCEA Level 3. Most ākonga (students) can enrol in Te Reo Māori and Kaupapa Māori courses for free. That includes adult learners.
During Te Wiki o te Reo Māori this week, Te Kura students and staff will be undertaking a range of activities to promote the language.
Mr Hollings says learning a language is best achieved in a low anxiety, high motivation setting.
“It’s also important that people enjoy themselves. One of our activities for Te Wiki has been to ask staff and students about their favourite word in te reo.
Mike Hollings explains what Te Kura is doing for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
“It’s been an interesting exercise – as well as being fun. It’s shown that even those who have quite a limited vocab can still point to a word or phrase in Māori that means a lot to them.”
What's your favourite word in te reo?
Te Kura kaimahi and their favourite kupu
In another activity, Te Kura staff around the country will be on the hunt for kupu (words). In a twist on finding Pokémon, staff will be hunting down and scanning codes to reveal all 17 kupu strategically placed around their offices.
Please connect with Te Kura on Facebook (@tekuranz) and Twitter (@TeKura_NZ), to find out more about the school’s activities and reflections throughout the week.
To find out more about our courses, please visit our website: https://www.tekura.school.nz/subjects-and-courses/