Te Kete Ako

English/Literacy Progression Framework

Culturally Responsive Communication for Rangatahi

A comprehensive framework integrating Māori oral traditions with academic literacy, empowering rangatahi to communicate their cultural knowledge powerfully in any context while honoring diverse communication forms.

Decolonizing Communication - Honoring All Voices

Traditional English education has systematically marginalized Indigenous ways of knowing and communicating. This framework centers Māori oral traditions as foundational literacy, integrating them with academic writing to create rangatahi who are confident communicators in any context - from marae to university to global platforms.

"Kōrero mai, kōrero atu, ka ngarongaro he tangata, ka mākinakina he kōrero"

Words carry our people forward through time.

Te Taiao Kōrero - Oral Tradition as Foundation

Māori Communication Traditions

  • Whakapapa Storytelling: Genealogical narratives that connect past, present, future
  • Whakataukī Wisdom: Proverbs that encode cultural knowledge and values
  • Waiata Expression: Songs that carry emotional and historical meaning
  • Whaikōrero Oratory: Formal speaking with cultural protocols
  • Pūrākau Teaching: Mythological stories that transmit complex concepts

Academic Integration Strategies

  • Oral-to-Written Bridge: Beginning with speaking, moving to academic writing
  • Narrative as Evidence: Using storytelling as legitimate research methodology
  • Cultural Rhetoric: Māori persuasion techniques in contemporary contexts
  • Multimedia Expression: Digital storytelling honoring oral traditions
  • Code-Switching Mastery: Moving between cultural and academic registers

Pedagogical Approach

Rather than treating oral tradition as "preparation" for "real" academic writing, this framework recognizes oral communication as sophisticated literacy in its own right. Students develop academic writing skills by building on the narrative structures, persuasive techniques, and cultural knowledge they already possess, creating a bridge rather than a replacement.

Literacy Progression Framework: Years 7-13

Years 7-8: Te Taiao (Foundation) - Cultural Grounding

"Ko au ko koe, ko koe ko au" - I am you, you are me

Oral Tradition Focus

  • Personal whakapapa storytelling
  • Family and community narratives
  • Whakataukī exploration and creation
  • Basic whaikōrero protocols
  • Listening and responding skills

Writing Development

  • Personal narrative writing
  • Cultural identity essays
  • Basic argument structure (PEEL)
  • Creative writing with cultural themes
  • Digital storytelling projects

Critical Literacy

  • Author's purpose in cultural contexts
  • Media representation analysis
  • Understanding bias and perspective
  • Comparing oral and written texts
  • Basic research and source evaluation
Integration Example: Students research their family's migration story (connecting to urban Māori identity content), interview kaumātua, and create multimedia presentations that include oral storytelling, written analysis, and digital components.

Years 9-10: Te Tipu (Growth) - Critical Analysis

"Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei" - Pursue excellence

Advanced Oral Skills

  • Formal whaikōrero delivery
  • Debate using Māori rhetoric
  • Community presentation skills
  • Cultural protocol mastery
  • Intergenerational dialogue facilitation

Academic Writing

  • Research essays with cultural sources
  • Policy analysis and proposals
  • Comparative text analysis
  • Creative writing with social themes
  • Grant applications and formal letters

Media Literacy

  • Decolonizing news media analysis
  • Social media critical evaluation
  • Documentary and film critique
  • Cultural representation in media
  • Creating counter-narratives
Integration Example: Students analyze economic policies' impact on Māori communities (Unit 4 integration), research through interviews and policy documents, and present findings through formal whaikōrero and written policy recommendations.

Years 11-13: Te Puawai (Flourishing) - Leadership Communication

"Mā te tamaiti nei hei kawe i tōna nei tipuna" - The child will carry forward their ancestors

Leadership Oratory

  • Community advocacy speaking
  • Political engagement and representation
  • Cultural mentoring and teaching
  • International Indigenous networking
  • Public media engagement

Professional Writing

  • University-level research papers
  • Policy documents and submissions
  • Grant proposals and funding applications
  • Professional reports and briefings
  • Creative works for publication

Global Communication

  • Indigenous solidarity communications
  • Cross-cultural dialogue facilitation
  • Digital activism and campaigning
  • Academic conference presentations
  • International policy engagement
Integration Example: Students develop comprehensive action plans for community challenges (Unit 6 integration), communicate with global Indigenous networks (Unit 5 integration), and present solutions through multiple modalities including traditional oratory, academic papers, and digital campaigns.

Cross-Curricular Integration Framework

Social Sciences Integration

  • Economic Justice Literacy: Analyzing and creating policy documents, economic narratives, and community organizing materials
  • Global Solidarity Communication: Researching and presenting Indigenous movements worldwide through multiple communication modalities
  • Historical Narrative Analysis: Examining how different perspectives on historical events are constructed and communicated
  • Future Visioning Communication: Articulating community visions through traditional and contemporary forms

STEM + Mātauranga Māori

  • Scientific Communication: Translating traditional ecological knowledge into academic formats and community education
  • Mathematical Storytelling: Using narrative structures to explain statistical concepts and data analysis
  • Technology Documentation: Creating culturally appropriate instructions and guides for digital tools
  • Innovation Proposals: Presenting STEM solutions through traditional proposal formats like whakatōhea

Arts Integration

Visual Storytelling: Combining traditional Māori visual arts with contemporary graphic design for communication
Performance Integration: Incorporating waiata, haka, and dance into presentations and communication
Digital Arts: Creating multimedia narratives that honor oral traditions while using contemporary technology

Aromatawai - Culturally Responsive Assessment

Assessment Principles

Cultural Responsiveness

  • Multiple Modalities: Oral, written, visual, performance options
  • Cultural Context Recognition: Valuing traditional knowledge systems
  • Community Relevance: Authentic purposes and audiences
  • Relationship-Centered: Collaborative and peer assessment

Academic Standards

  • Critical Thinking: Analysis, synthesis, evaluation skills
  • Communication Effectiveness: Purpose, audience, impact
  • Research Competency: Source evaluation and integration
  • Creative Innovation: Original thinking and solution development

Portfolio Assessment

  • Cultural identity narratives
  • Research projects with community sources
  • Creative works in multiple modalities
  • Reflection and growth documentation
  • Community engagement evidence

Performance Assessment

  • Formal whaikōrero presentations
  • Community forum participation
  • Peer teaching and mentoring
  • Public speaking and advocacy
  • Cultural protocol demonstration

Collaborative Assessment

  • Community action projects
  • Cross-cultural dialogue facilitation
  • Intergenerational knowledge exchange
  • Peer review and feedback
  • Family and community input

Implementation Resources & Professional Development

Teacher Professional Development

  • Cultural Competency: Working with kaumātua and cultural advisors
  • Oral Tradition Pedagogy: Teaching through storytelling and narrative
  • Decolonized Assessment: Recognizing diverse forms of knowledge demonstration
  • Community Partnership: Building authentic relationships with Māori communities
  • Code-Switching Support: Helping students navigate different communication contexts

Curriculum Resources

  • Text Selection: Diverse authors and perspectives, including Māori writers
  • Assessment Rubrics: Culturally responsive evaluation criteria
  • Community Connections: Lists of local cultural advisors and mentors
  • Technology Integration: Digital storytelling tools and platforms
  • Cross-Curricular Units: Pre-designed integration with other subject areas

Existing Resource Integration

Author's Purpose Tools: Expand existing handouts to include Māori rhetoric and persuasion techniques
Writer's Toolkit: Integrate traditional narrative structures and oral storytelling techniques
Media Literacy: Build on existing frameworks to include Indigenous representation analysis

Whakamutunga - Empowered Communicators

This framework creates rangatahi who are confident in their cultural identity and powerful in their communication across all contexts. They can speak with authority at a hui, write compelling policy proposals, create engaging digital content, and bridge cultural and academic worlds with integrity and skill.

"Kōrero mai, kōrero atu, ka ngarongaro he tangata, ka mākinakina he kōrero" - Through speaking and listening, people may pass on but words will remain forever.