Pacific languages in education
We heard from Pacific communities across the motu about the importance of Pacific languages in education and that we need to show the Ministry’s commitment to Pacific languages more clearly.
- Community voice, research and evidence
- Changes we made to the action plan
- Policy on Pacific languages in education
- Support and resources
- More information
Community voice, research and evidence
In the 2020-2030 Action Plan for Pacific Education, we committed to develop a policy on Pacific bilingual and immersion education.
Action Plan for Pacific Education 2020–2030
Throughout 2021 to 2022, we worked with Pacific communities and the education sector to develop a policy to be included in the 2023 refreshed action plan.
What you said
We heard from Pacific communities across the motu about the importance of Pacific languages in education and that we need to show the Ministry’s commitment to Pacific languages more clearly.
2022 Talanoa – Education Conversation(external link)
Changes we made to the action plan
What we did
We have made 2 changes to the action plan to strengthen the strategic focus on Pacific languages in education.
Refresh of the Action Plan for Pacific Education for 2023
Policy on Pacific languages in education
Where we are going
The new section on Pacific languages in education sets out the Ministry of Education’s policy on Pacific languages in education.
This policy sets the direction for Pacific bilingual and immersion education in the early learning, schooling and tertiary education systems. It embeds a high-quality delivery model to achieve this direction. This includes supporting the growth of bilingual and immersion education settings.
What you can do
The policy statement can be used to work with services, schools and providers to grow and support Pacific language pathways in your community and to understand what actions the Ministry of Education and partner agencies are taking.
Support and resources
Understand learner, family and community needs
Pacific Languages Strategy
Check out community aspirations for Pacific languages in the feedback on the Ministry for Pacific People's Pacific Languages Strategy and the fono.
What you said: 2019 fono – Education Conversation(external link)
Leo Moana o Aotearoa survey findings
Look at the findings in the Leo Moana o Aotearoa survey.
Language community profiles
Read the language community profiles on pages 45-82 in the Pacific Languages Strategy.
The Pacific Languages Strategy 2022-2032 [PDF] – Ministry for Pacific Peoples(external link)
Set up a Pacific bilingual unit in a school
Start a Pacific bilingual programme
Set up a Pacific bilingual unit in your school and start a Pacific bilingual programme
Establishing a Pacific bilingual or immersion unit in a school
Operational funding
Check if your school is eligible for operational funding to support your Pacific bilingual unit.
Operational funding components
Pacific Bilingual programme funding factsheet and FAQ [PDF, 238 KB]
Professional learning and development
Schools can access specific professional learning and development (PLD) for teachers and leaders in a Pacific bilingual unit outside of regionally allocated PLD.
Va’atele Education Consulting provides Reo Moana o Aotearoa, Pacific Bilingual and Immersion Education PLD.
Va’atele Education Consulting(external link)
Regionally allocated PLD(external link)
Pacific bilingual curriculum resources
Use the Pacific bilingual curriculum resources available on Te Kete Ipurangi and from Down the Back of the Chair, including dual language readers
Pacific languages – Pasifika Education Community(external link)
Support Pacific bilingual students’ learning
The Language Enhancing the Achievement of Pasifika (LEAP) resources show how to support Pacific bilingual students’ learning.
Language Enhancing the Achievement of Pasifika (LEAP) – Pasifika Education Community(external link)
The Education Review Office's '‘Afa Framework to support Pacific Bilingual and Immersion Education (PBIE) in schools' will set out what quality looks like in Pacific bilingual education and helps you plan to develop and deliver your programme.
Contact Afaframework@ero.govt.nz.
Recognise the cultural and language competencies of your teacher aides and make sure their skills and competencies are recognised in their remuneration.
Support Staff in Schools' Collective Agreement
Support Pacific bilingual teachers
Access the remuneration allowance for Pacific bilingual and immersion teachers in units from 2024.
Connect with groups
Connect in with key Pacific language, education and community groups and networks in your area.
Networks of expertise
Get support from the Networks of Expertise
Networks of Expertise – Professional Learning & Development(external link)
Set up a Pacific language programme in school
Pacific language guidelines
Read the Pacific language guidelines for 6 Pacific languages on Te Kete Ipurangi.
Pacific languages – Pasifika Education Community(external link)
Pacific language curriculum resources
Use the Pacific language curriculum resources available on Te Kete Ipurangi and from Down the Back of the Chair, including dual language readers
Pacific languages – Pasifika Education Community(external link)
Pacific language NCEA resources
Use the existing Pacific language NCEA resources.
Resources, guidance and tools – NCEA(external link)
Support Pacific bilingual students’ learning
The Language Enhancing the Achievement of Pasifika (LEAP) resources show how to support Pacific bilingual students’ learning.
Language Enhancing the Achievement of Pasifika – Pasifika Education Community(external link)
Get regionally allocated professional learning and development
When using the facilitator database to look for your professional learning and development (PLD) hours to facilitators, you can identify bilingual education as a priority and look for facilitators with experience in bilingual education and build understanding and developing skills in bilingual education into your PLD plan.
Strengthen teaching practice – Professional Learning & Development(external link)
Connect with groups
Connect in with key Pacific language, education and community groups and networks in your area.
Networks of expertise
Get support from the Networks of Expertise.
Networks of Expertise – Professional Learning & Development(external link)
Set up a Pacific bilingual or Pacific language early learning service
Setting up a service
Pacific bilingual and immersion services and Pacific language and/or cultural services are priority services to set up under network management.
A fact sheet is available in 7 different Pacific languages about applying for network approval.
Network management for licensed early childhood services
Use the guidance on setting up a new service to help you learn more about licensing requirements and how to apply to be licensed.
Pacific language curriculum resources
Use the Pacific bilingual curriculum resources available on Te Whāriki Online, including Pacific dual language books and Talking Together brochures in 10 Pacific languages.
Talking Together: Learning in the home – Te Whāriki Online(external link)
Pacific dual language books – Te Whāriki Online(external link)
Design your local curriculum
Te Whāriki Online has curriculum design guides in 5 Pacific languages that help you work with your families and communities when decided on what learning matters in your Pacific bilingual and immersion service.
Information about understanding and supporting bilingual and multilingual language pathways is also available on Te Whāriki Online.
Pacific learners: Supporting and enhancing success – Te Whāriki Online(external link)
The Language Enhancing the Achievement of Pasifika (LEAP) resources show how to support Pacific bilingual students’ learning.
Language Enhancing the Achievement of Pasifika – Pasifika Education Community(external link)
Access equity funding
Your service may be eligible for equity C funding.
Funding for C: Languages and cultures other than English
Support Pacific bilingual teachers
Access the remuneration allowance for Pacific bilingual and immersion teachers in in education and care services from 2024.
More information to come.
Connect with groups
Connect in with key Pacific language, education and community groups and networks in your area, including Sosaiete Aoga Amata Sāmoa I Aotearoa- Sāmoa Aoga Amata (SAASIA) organisation.
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