I TE TAU TUARUA

 TE ARA WHAKAAKO I TE KŌRERO


Whārangi Ihirangi 

Mātua ko te Kōtuitui 

Kaiako should explicitly plan to integrate the language strands, whakarongo, kōrero, pānui, tuhituhi, mātakitaki and whakaatu.

Language competency is critical for ākonga to successfully access the curriculum and learning that is relevant to their world.

It is important to make connections across the curriculum between prior knowledge and new knowledge by providing a range of stimulating and engaging experiences.

I te tau tuarua: Te Whakarite i te Akoranga Reo ā-Waha 

I te tau tuarua: Te Ara Whakaako i Te Huanui ki te Reo

Te whakamāramatanga me ngā āhuatanga te huanui ki te reo

Te Huanui ki te Reo is recommended as an oral language instructional approach. This oral language approach combines aspects of the communicative approach, task-based learning and content-based instruction.

These approaches provide a structure for scaffolding new vocabulary and language. Including opportunities to model, support, and integrate oral language within meaningful contexts.

Ko te hononga o te rere o te reo, te tika o te reo, me te takoto o te reo

The relationship between fluency, accuracy and complexity

In second language teaching, fluency, accuracy, and complexity are key. Fluency ensures smooth communication, accuracy focuses on correct language use, and complexity involves sophisticated structures. The communicative approach emphasises fluency through real-life interactions. Task-based learning prioritises communicative competence via meaningful tasks, while content-based instruction integrates language learning within a kaupapa, promoting both fluency and complexity. 

When the emphasis is on fluency, accuracy and complexity can be affected (i.e. ākonga are likely to make more language errors as they focus on speaking smoothly and quickly).


When the emphasis is on accuracy, fluency and complexity can be affected (i.e. ākonga may speak more slowly and less naturally).


When the emphasis is on complexity, fluency and accuracy can be affected (i.e. ākonga may struggle to maintain a natural flow and make more mistakes as they attempt more sophisticated language structures).


Balancing these elements is essential for comprehensive language proficiency.

I te tau tuarua: Te Whakahaere i Te Huanui ki te Reo 

Below are examples of what the kaiako and ākonga are likely to be doing at each stage of Te Huanui ki te Reo. Activities have been sourced from He Rau Taki Kōrero and Te Reo ā-Waha: He Aratohu mā te Pouako to support this:

Te Ara Whakatauira Reo ā-waha

The kaiako will:

The ākonga are:

To support implementation of Te Ara Whakatauira Reo ā-waha, click the links or thumbnails below to download the following activities:

Ka Tangi te Tītī.pdf
Mahia te Mahi!.pdf
E Tā!.pdf
He Kokonga Whare e Kitea.pdf

Te Ārahi i te reo

The kaiako will:

The ākonga are:

To support implementation of Te Ārahi i te reo, click the links or thumbnails below to download the following activities:

Tono mai, tono atu!.pdf
E Kī! E Kī!.pdf
Ko Wai Ahau?.pdf
He Kokonga Whare e Kitea.pdf
Mahia te Mahi!.pdf

Te Tuku i te reo

The kaiako will:

The ākonga are:

To support implementation of Te Tuku i te reo, click the links or thumbnails below to download the following activities:

Whakarāpopototia.pdf
Tono mai, tono atu!.pdf
Kei Hea Taku Hoa?.pdf
He Kitenga Kanohi.pdf
Mā te Mahi Tahi e Oti Ai.pdf
Kai Runga!.pdf

Te Kōtuitui i te reo

The kaiako will:

The ākonga are:

To support implementation of Te Kōtuitui i te reo, click the links or thumbnails below to download the following activities:

Kei Hea Taku Hoa?.pdf
He Kitenga Kanohi.pdf
Mā te Mahi Tahi e Oti Ai.pdf

I te tau tuarua: NToi Mokopuna - Kōrero 

This section outlines the skills, strategies and knowledge required in kōrero in the first two years.

Wetewetehia kia tika 

He kaingākaunui te mokopuna ki te tika o te reo.

Te whāinga

Ākonga learning focuses on accurately using and understanding basic vocabulary and sentence structures.

Ngā Tohu Ako

Te ngako o te whāinga

During a lesson, support the ākonga to:

Ākona kia mārama

He whakaaro arohaehae te mokopuna.

Te whāinga

Ākonga learning focuses on developing basic comprehension skills and strategies.

Ngā Tohu Ako

Te ngako o te whāinga


During a lesson, support the ākonga to:



By the end of 2 years at kura, ākonga need to be able to ask and respond to simple questions.

Whāia kia whakahangahanga

He whai whakaaro te mokopuna ki te āhua o tana whakapuaki i ōna whakaaro.

Te whāinga

Ākonga learning focuses on developing basic interpersonal communication skills.

Ngā Tohu Ako

Te ngako o te whāinga


During a lesson, support the ākonga to:


By the end of 18 months at kura, ākonga need to be able to listen attentively to others to learn new words, sentence structures, and correct pronunciation. 

Tāraia kia auaha

He whai hua, he auaha, he Māori te whakamahi a te mokopuna i te reo.

Te whāinga

Ākonga learning focuses on discovering ways to express thoughts and imagination.

Ngā Tohu Ako

Te ngako o te whāinga


During a lesson, support the ākonga to:

I te tau tuarua: He Tauira Reo ā-Waha

Ākonga language will vary depending on if they have te reo Māori at home, have attended a kōhanga or puna reo or are just beginning to learn te reo Māori at kura. 


In the second year ākonga will have developed a range of words and phrases to discuss different topics with some detail.  They are using some sequence markers and cohesive devices to structure ideas. They will listen actively to be able to retell stories.  You will also hear them self-correct at times.


(More to come)

I te tau tuarua: Te Aromatawai i te Kōrero

Upon entry, ākonga bring  with them varying degrees of knowledge and experiences in te reo Māori.

Therefore, it is important for kaiako to listen to the language that ākonga use, which can form the basis of the oral language programme.  This will ensure the different language levels and range of abilities are catered for appropriately.

Aromatawai ō te ako (of learning), and aromatawai mō te ako (for learning).

Aromatawai should be personalised to reflect the reality that ākonga are at different stages in their learning journey and move through that journey at different speeds. This includes valuing neurodiversity (i.e., that all brains function differently) which is particularly important for neurodivergent ākonga

Ākonga should be encouraged and supported to understand the purpose of aromatawai and be active participants in gathering information through aromatawai activities such as self-reflection, self assessment and the creation of portfolios of work that demonstrate their learning.


Source: Te Puāwaitanga Harakeke p. 17



MAHI AROMATAWAI: What to look/listen for, ākonga are:

Assessment Tasks:

Ngā Aromatawai Reo ā-Waha


Kōrerotia | Ākonga 2 | Haimona | Ōna tau 6.4 

Images used to prompt kōrero


Kia Tere Tonu | Te Arikirangi  | Ōna tau 6.4 Demonstration of Kia Tere Tonu Aromatawai

When gathering information to support language learning, it is important to use various methods such as digital recordings, activities and tasks, anecdotal notes, and observations. To supplement the gathering of formative information, kaiako may use Ngā Rauemi Aromatawai Reo ā-Waha which will provide a snapshot of the  language ability of ākonga to inform teaching and learning.