[pima.nius] English versus Pacific languages in NZ schools debate

English versus Pacific languages in NZ schools debate

• http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201108/s3293919.htm

Updated August 15, 2011 16:46:00

Should Pacific Island parents in New Zealand and Australia emphasis English language skills to their children, or stress retaining their Pacific vernacular languages such as Samoan, Tongan, Niuean or Cook Islands Maori?

Many educationalists say that being bilingual actually helps children achieve well at school, and that over emphasis on English can actually hurt them academically.

But many parents do in fact speak English to their children at home because they feel that's the best way to ensure they do well in school, and later on in the workforce.

Joining us to discuss this issue are two people with quite different opinions.

Joining us from the New Zealand North Island city of Tauranga is Danny Tolovae is the Pacific Advocate for the Pacific Island Community Tauranga Trust, and he believes English language skills are vital.

And from Wellington were also joined by Galumalema Alfred Hunkin, head of Samoan Studies at Victoria University, who has always been a firm advocate of bilingual education for Pacific schoolchildren.

Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speakers: Danny Tolovae, Pacific Advocate for the Pacific Island Community Tauranga Trust; Galumalema Alfred Hunkin, head of Samoan Studies at Victoria University

• Listen:
• Windows Media

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pacific islands media association
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aotearoa, new zealand
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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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The pima.nius googlegroup is a facility for discussion and distributing information. Content sent by this googlegroup are forwarded from various networks and media publications.
 
DISCLAIMER: These emails are unedited and discussions made through this googlegroup are unmoderated. Announcements made through this googlegroup do not constitute endorsement for the organisations, individuals or opinions featured. Please check the integrity of organisations and individuals before exchanging personal information with them.
 
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