Conversational Maori for Absolute Beginners

Description

A beginner’s paper in Māori language for those with no previous background in Te Reo Māori. This is a highly recommended language option for those who might work with Māori people or who just wish to familiarise themselves with the language in a relaxed and mutually respectful manner.

Māori language and culture is becoming an increasingly important aspect of New Zealand society – we frequently use phrases like ‘Kia kaha Christchurch’ to convey our feelings and sentiments. Words like ‘whānau’ and ‘kaupapa’ are also commonly used by non-Maori in New Zealand English. This course gives you an introduction to basic sentence forms, pronunciation and cultural elements such as mihi which will allow you to participate with more confidence in Māori situations. TREO110, which can be studied either in semester 1, semester 2, or as a summer school option, leads on to courses in our main language acquisition programme.

The aim of the course is for students to understand the fundamentals of the language, greetings and everyday conversation, to be able to pronounce Māori words, phrases and sentences with accuracy, and to use and apply the Māori language in social situations as a communicative language.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course students will be:
-familiar with basic conversational sentences
-confident in using Māori words and phrases
-able to deliver a simple mihi.
-aware of and understand some Māori cultural practices

Textbooks

In addition, a course workbook will be provided to students and other material will be available on LEARN.

Ngā Whāinga/Aims and Objectives

To understand the fundamentals of the language greetings and everyday conversation.
To pronounce Māori words, phrases and sentences with accuracy.
To use and apply the Māori language in social situations as a communicative language

Students will (Ngā Mahi Tauira)
 Greet, farewell, and acknowledge people and respond to greetings and acknowledgements;
 Introduce themselves and others and respond to introductions;
 Communicate about number, using days of the week, months, and dates;
 Communicate about personal information, such as name, parents’ and grandparents’ names, iwi, hapū, mountain, and river, or home town and place of family origin;
 Communicate about location;
 Understand and use simple polite conversation (for example, ways of acknowledging people, expressing regret, and complimenting people);
 Use and respond to simple classroom language (including asking for the word to express something in te reo Māori and receiving and giving instructions);
 Be aware of and understand some of the cultural practices of Māori.

Outcomes (Ngā Whakatutuki)
 Students will become familiar with basic everyday conversation
 Students will be confident in using Māori words and phrases
 Students will be able to apply and use basic communicative Māori language
 and will be able to deliver a simple mihi.