June 22, 2017
Kahungunu seeks to inspire second language learners
Ngati Kahungunu expects up to 500 language enthusiasts will attend its second language revitalization symposium in Hastings in August.
Its director of te reo and tikanga, Jeremy Tatere MacLeod, says the two day symposium will feature well-known personalities who are second language learners.
It will cover multiple facets of language revitalization, including kapa haka, marae, media, art, teaching, bi-lingualism within communities, raising children in a bi-lingual environment, and even astronomy.
The goal is to raise awareness about the dire state of te reo Maori and inspire second language learners.
The symposium will be bi-lingual to ensure that the message is received by all attendees.
Mr McLeod says Ngati Kahungunu suffered major language loss because of colonisation and its pool of native speakers is shrinking.
The symposium will be held at Clubs Hastings on August 24 and 25.
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