I love learning, and especially I love learning languages. I am very excited about learning Te Reo. Although I only say a few things I have already noticed it has made a huge difference.
with my students-
For the first time in a long time, I put myself in the learning seat.
As te reo is not linked to any Indo European language, I can't make
links to what I already know. If I were learning Spanish or Italian, I
could make links with French or English, but with Te Reo it is
impossible so it is quite challenging. However I am still making
connections. I make connections with the grammar I already know, and I
make connections with words. For example, awhina means helpful. the word
reminds me of the word woman, and everybody knows that women are more
helpful than men =) This connection works for me and it might only work
for me but it is important that I tell my students about it. Thus they
will be able to make their own connections with words in French. So
learning Te Reo is making me closer to my fellow students and will help
them learning French. Also they can see that in order for me to speak Te Reo I actually spend time working, and that work is the only key to success.
with Maori students- the Maori students I teach are very excited to come to my class to see/ hear which new words I have learnt. But what is more amazing is students I do not teach come to see me or run towards me in the playground to check my progress. They are smiling and even if they laugh at my pronunciation sometimes, they seem to be quite happy. I think it is because I show respect to their language and per extension to their culture. They know I only learn Te Reo just because ( I do not want to change job, I just want to learn because I want to be able to speak with others).
Voila
Kei te arikoha ahau =)
