Week 1 - Te Reo Maori

This term I am embarking on two online language course for professional development. An introduction to Te Reo Maori and and introduction to the Samoan language. This blog is my area for self reflection on each of the lessons.  I will post relevant videos here too as my learning develops through the term.

A bit of background about my experiences, I was involved in learning Te Reo at a basic level at Primary and Intermediate school, from high school on it dropped off.  I have a basic knowledge of sounds and the way they are organised so feel confident in the pronunciation of basic words.  The activities this week are posted below.  Singing is definitely not my forte so I have read these aloud.

Ex 1.1 - Pronunciation of names



Ex 1.2 - Pronunciation of place names


Ex 1.3 - Karakia and Waiata


Self Review:
Online tools
I think I have this under control for this course.  I have signed up and finished the online test.  The only query I had was regarding the submission of the above videos.  I sent an email in for this but thought I would create this blog as evidence for reflection upon these too.

Pronunciation
I'm looking forward to feedback about this. It is something I feel confident with individual sounds, I have to go back over words sometimes (as evidenced in the video) when words are longer or the vowels are combined.  

Benefits of learning Te Reo and my teaching
A brief summary of the benefits I see to this

• It will help me more aware and identify with the unique worldview of students who I teach who identify with Te Reo Maori.  It will help me acknowledge and put awareness of cultures to the forefront of my mind.
• It will develop my confidence and skill to share this with all students I teach.
• I will let my students know that I am learning online too in two courses, this shows that as teachers we are learners and models the mindset of lifelong learning I would like to demonstrate.