PELP fono

This evening we welcomed our fanau, and aiga into the kura to talanoa about the PELP programme and how we can work in partnership with  our families and communities to gain the most of the programme for our students.

Many parents took the opportunity to come along and share some manaakiatanga with the PELP leaders, and  academic experts in education and literacy.  The large number of parents that joined us is strong evidence of our parents commitment to the learning of their children. I observed that a range of aiga from all of the pasifika nations, were able to connect over the shared goals of success and wellbeing for their children.  The room was full of talanoa and laughter as parents, teachers and academics, engaged in vibrant discussions in their own languages.  I sat with the Samoan parents as this group included some of my parents and they generously translated their words for me.  However as I watched them speak so passionately in their home languages it was plain to see their love for Gagana Samoa.  I could see their concern when Dr Rae Si'ilata, outlined how home languages can be lost in a single generation.  However counter to this was their relief to hear from her that bilingual ability will actually improve their children's cognitive abilities and educational outcomes. Mothers had tears in their eyes when they talked about not previously knowing whether to speak in samoan at home and that from now on they could embrace their heart languages, songs and tales of their heritage to build the literacy capital of their babies.

As a Palangi teacher of pasifika children I felt honoured to be called on by these families to be an ally in the important work of keeping heart languages alive and that by doing this I will in turn be promoting their achievement in all forms of literacy. The challenge for me is to me to be open to learning the traditional the knowledge of my Pasifika learners.  The most important resource for my learning is the fanau and aiga of my students and I am so lucky that they are willing to support me in this work.