Super Māori Fullahs:

What can we learn from exemplar Māori language students?

The Research Question

• What factors influence the development of high levels of proficiency in te reo Māori amongst adult second language learners?

Insights from the learners

• For learners

• For teachers

• For providers of adult education

• For Second Language Acquisition theory

• Identity, relationships, transferable skills, social service

• Understand and live Māori culture

• Language learning is culture learning, extend beyond the classroom

• Social service theory (Ratima, 2013)

Insights from the literature

• Aptitude• Age• Motivation• Learner strategies• Instruction

• Anxiety and Agency• Wairua• Demography• Planning• Status

Te Reo Quick Stats

• In 2006 – 131, 613 (23.7%) of Māori could hold a conversation about everyday things

• This was an increase of 1, 128 from 2001• 65+ years just under ½ of Māori could hold a

conversation about everyday things• 15 – 64 years approx ¼ of Māori could hold a

conversation about everyday things• Under 15 years just over 1/6 of Māori could

hold a conversation about everyday things

Conference themes

• Whakapapa (whānau/hapū/iwi/hāpori)• The classroom and beyond• Working with our tertiary institutions

What is the ideal?How do we get there?

• 80% of te iwi Māori who can “hold a conversation about everyday things”

• Stop making excuses• Have high expectations