Malo e lelei
“Ala i Sia – Ala i Kolonga” – “Skilfull at Sia, Skillful at Kolonga”
( Appreciate being able to skillfully multi-task)
This week I’m talking with Losalima Magele• about her reflections on Tongan Language Week – Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga. This year, the theme for Tongan language week is: “Ko e kai ia ‘a e Tonga – Enriching Aotearoa with Tongan Wisdom”.
Tell us a bit about yourself …
Lima Magele
Tonga has over 170 islands. About 40 of them are inhabited. They are divided into three main groups – Vava'u, Ha'apai, and Tongatapu. I come from the beautiful island of Vava’u. I am married to a Samoan, so my children are bicultural and we live in Christchurch. I work in the area of Early Childhood Education, and a part of that has been providing PLD for teachers who work with our Pasifika families and helping to unpack the Pasifika Education Plan.
What are your impressions about Tongan language week?
It is important to encourage our children to feel confident in their identity, language, and culture particularly in this multicultural society. I also believe that this is an important part of being Tongan. This helps our New Zealand born children to establish and maintain good relationships with family members particularly those back in Tonga. This is also supported by what the research is telling us about bilingualism. Children who are going to school with a strong foundation of their mother tongue develop stronger literacies and switch on to education more successfully.
How can teachers support our Tongan students?
Here’s a story that I think highlights one of these points. I was called to a Primary School about 15 years ago. I was an Early Childhood supervisor in one of our Pasifika centres. They brought me in to help the school to support some of the Tongan students. The school could not work out what language they were speaking. It was a combination of English and Tongan but not distinctly either. What we found out was that the non-speaking English parents were trying to talk in English at home to their children because they wanted their children to be able to speak English when they go to school. We need our families to value and support their mother tongue when that language has a strong foundation – this makes learning English easier.
Teachers of Tongan students need to know their students and their world. Pronouncing their names correctly is a great initial step. It helps the students feel that teacher empathise and care for them. Of course a big part of that is being able to laugh with them, and understand something of their community life.
I am reminded of a saying that I think sums this all up: “The culture of the child cannot enter the classroom until it has first entered the consciousness of the teacher”
Malo ‘aupito
Try some of these basic Tongan phrases:
| Mālō e lelei |
Hello |
|
Fefe hake? |
How are you? (Singular) Mo fefe hake? (dual) Mou fefe hake? (plural) |
|
Sai pe malo |
Fine thank you |
|
Ko hai ho hingoa? |
What’s your name |
|
Ko hoku hingoa ko Sione |
My name is Sione |
|
Ko ho’o ha’u mei fe? |
Where are you from? |
|
Ko ‘eku ha’u mei Tonga |
I come from Tonga |
|
'Alu a |
Good-bye to the person who is leaving |
|
Nofo a |
Goodbye to the person who staying |
|
Fakamolemole |
Please |
Links
Quiz
Coat of Arms:
Source: Wikipedia
Adopted 1875 — the royal crown with the olive branch around it — three swords represent the three dynasties or lines of the king of Tonga — the dove with the olive branch symbolises the peace of God — the 3 stars symbolise the main islands of Tonga which which are Tongatapu, Vava’u and Haapai.
The motto: ‘Ko e ‘Otua mo Tonga ko hoku tofi’a’ …
The challenge is: Can you find out what the motto means in English?
Lima Magele is an Early Years Facilitator for CORE Education. Prior to joining CORE Education, Lima was Early Childhood Education Adviser for the Ministry of Education, where she aspired to support and implement high quality outcomes for all tamariki within the context of Early Childhood Education. Lima sees herself as an advocate for all tamariki and their whānau. Her work is underpinned by a strong foundation of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, integrity, loyalty, respect for others, and a child-centred approach.
Lima is the presenter at an Early Years Enable workshop: Engaging Pasifika fanau/ whānau in November 2014.
Teanau Tuiono
Latest posts by Teanau Tuiono (see all)
- Reviving Pasifika languages of the Realm - October 12, 2018
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Malo
Loved it. Got the lakalaka rhythms going reading this. Ngā mihi kōrua. Hey just wondering what is happening with the videos we captured at our Pasifika wānanga and interviews we did at Polyfest. Those Pasifka youth were awesome, articulate and aware of what kura needed to do to make it a place where they could shine.
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