The Pasifika Dual Language Resources are a set of print and online resources to help new entrant and early years Pasifika children transition to English medium schools. The resources are designed to support the early language and literacy learning of Pasifika students in English-medium classrooms.
The resources are based on the second language acquisition principle that building on the child’s language/s, helps to strengthen English language and literacy. The resources are in line with the Pasifika Education Plan and the Ministry Statement of Intent, by ensuring the linguistic strengths these students bring to school will be used to build their English language and literacy.
Evidence shows that some Pasifika children make less-than-expected progress in reading and writing English in their first years of school. Research also shows that drawing on all of a child’s cultural capital, especially that related to literacy and language, can support literacy learning.
The key resources comprise over 20 dual language early reading books in five Pasifika languages (Gagana Sāmoa, Lea Faka-Tonga, Cook Islands Māori, Gagana Tokelau, and Vagahau Niue) and English. Other resources support teachers and parents to use the books with the children, based on the second language acquisition principle that building on the child’s language/s, helps to strengthen English language and literacy.
The project was piloted in 2014 with Gagana Sāmoa/English dual language books in seven south Auckland schools, with successful outcomes for students, teachers, and parents.
The books and accompanying resources can be ordered free of charge from Down the Back of the Chair. All resources are also available online.
Resources for students:
There are 5 sets of dual language books in English and the following languages:
These can be ordered from Down the Back of the Chair for each child from each Pacific group. An additional 24 books were printed to complete the series and new kits will be available from October. Schools who previously ordered a set of books will automatically receive a package of the additional books to complete the series.
The books are designed to be used by parents and teachers. Parents will use them as shared reading resources at home in the first instance, and teachers will follow on from the parent introduction by teaching the child to learn to read the English version (teachers are not expected to learn or teach in Pasifika languages). The books act as an adjunct to the Ready to Read Instructional Series at school, and will cover the first year of schooling.
There are also audio files of all books in each language and in English for children to listen to, available on our website.
Updated on: 05 Dec 2016
