Teaching literacy in a way that is responsive to the diversity in our classrooms has the most profound effect on our learners. Strong school–whānau relationships, culturally responsive classrooms, and the deliberate use of effective teaching strategies can help Pasifika learners achieve success.
The Pasifika effective teacher pedagogical practices
There are a range of resources and readings to help us begin to understand and use appropriate pedagogies that will enhance learning for Pasifika learners, and all learners, when engaging with the English Learning area in The New Zealand Curriculum.
Building relationships with Pasifika students and fanau
Malae Aloali’i has taught English at Aorere College for over 10 years and establishes caring relationships with her students and fanau, and this impacts positively on student achievement. In this interview with Togi Lemanu, Malae shares her approaches to academic mentoring.
Strategies at work
Teachers use many different strategies to engage their Pasifika learners and help them to achieve. Their strategies work best when they are grounded in responsive and caring relationships with their Pasifika students and the focus on their learning is clear.
‘I Get It Now’ Enhancing pasifika writing achievement
A power point presentation from Natalie Cowie and Julie Luxton, examining the writing achievement of secondary Pasifika students, and how it could be improved.
What factors promote and support Pasifika students in reading and writing?
This investigation attempts to identify what literacy practices are perceived as contributing to success by Year 6–8 Pasifika students who are achieving at their age levels or above in reading and writing in English. It explores the Pasifika community's perceptions of the relationship between home–school partnerships and success as a literacy learner.
LEAP (Language Enhancing the Achievement of Pasifika)
LEAP is a web-based guideline for teachers that supports the learning of bilingual Pasifika students in mainstream (English-medium) classrooms in New Zealand schools.
Pasifika strategy NZQA
The Pasifika Strategy outlines NZQA’s strategic framework to support the aspiration that Pasifika learners become highly skilled and highly qualified, and thereby contribute to their own, and to New Zealand’s, economic and social prosperity.
Effective literacy strategies Pasifika focus (PDF 192KB)
Summary of findings from the 2006 professional development project.
Light the Fire is an Auckland based group of teachers and leaders who are passionate about Pasifika ākonga and giving Pasifika students voice and mana within their school.
Each term they meet for a celebration of learning and talanoa about 'Pasifika enjoying success as Pasifika'. Guest speakers and Pasifika students share their educational journeys.
"You can make a difference – one by one – but together we can make a TIDAL wave of difference!"
At the latest Light the Fire hui, guest speaker David Riley shared useful tips on how to engage Pasifika boys in literacy. He also discussed ways that we can be more culturally responsive in our teaching.
Updated on: 05 Oct 2015
The Action Plan for Pacific Education 2020-2030 has a vision that diverse Pacific learners and their families feel safe, valued and equipped to achieve their education aspirations.
It outlines the actions the Government has committed to achieve this vision and signals how early learning services, schools and tertiary providers can achieve change for Pacific learners and their families.
Tapasā is a tool designed to help improve the way teachers and leaders engage with Pacific learners, and to an extent parents, families and their communities, to make the biggest difference in a child’s educational success.
