Video anchor: Everyday reo in authentic settings
- Pause and discuss: Which conversational move in the clip makes the exchange feel natural and respectful?
- Practice transfer: Students apply one phrase pattern from the clip in the next activity round.
🎯 Learning Objectives & Success Criteria
By the end of this lesson, ākonga will be able to:
- Hold a short everyday conversation in te reo Māori.
- Use greetings, questions, and responses in sequence.
- Reflect on their reo growth and next steps.
Success Criteria
- ✓ 2-3 turn conversation completed
- ✓ Clear pronunciation and polite responses
- ✓ Reflection includes a reo goal
Ngā Mahi - Lesson Flow (70 minutes)
1. Warm-up Kōrero (10 mins)
Quick roundStudents greet three classmates using the greeting handout. Encourage natural pace and clear vowel sounds.
2. Conversation Stations (35 mins)
RotationSet up 3-4 stations with role cards (classroom, sports, home, lunchtime). Students practise short conversations and rotate.
- Record one conversation for feedback.
- Peers give feedback using tikanga guidelines from Lesson 3.
3. Celebration and Share (20 mins)
Mini showcaseGroups perform one conversation for the class. Celebrate progress and highlight kupu growth.
Whakamutunga: Reflection (5 mins)
Written reflectionExit ticket: What is one reo goal you have for the next month?
🎬 Media Anchor
Use this clip as a final model before recorded kōrerorero performances and reflection.
📊 Assessment Notes
- Summative evidence: recorded conversation or live performance.
- Reflection statement to inform ongoing goals.
🧺 Resources & Materials
- Kōrero Role Cards
- Greetings & Introductions
- Recording device (optional)
📋 Teacher Planning Snapshot
Ngā Whāinga Ako — Learning Intentions
Students will develop foundational te reo Māori communication skills through kōrerotia — purposeful speaking practice — grounded in the principle that language is the vessel of whakapapa and identity. This unit builds confidence to use te reo Māori in everyday contexts, valuing the language as a taonga tuku iho and a living expression of Māori cultural sovereignty.
Ngā Paearu Angitū — Success Criteria
- ✅ I can use foundational te reo Māori greetings, introductions, and phrases correctly in conversation.
- ✅ I can explain the cultural significance of key te reo Māori expressions beyond their literal translation.
- ✅ I can demonstrate respect for te reo Māori as a taonga through accurate pronunciation and meaningful use.
Differentiation & Inclusion
Scaffold support: Provide pronunciation guides, flashcards, and sentence frames for entry-level learners. Offer extension tasks for students to compose original pepeha or short whaikōrero using structures from the unit.
ELL / ESOL: Te reo Māori may feel more accessible to some ELL students than English. Celebrate multilingualism — many students may bring home languages that share phonological features with Māori. Provide bilingual glossaries and allow students to make connections between languages.
Inclusion: Use oral, visual, and kinaesthetic modalities — karakia, waiata, and movement-based language games support diverse learners. Neurodiverse learners benefit from repetition, patterned structures, and low-stakes oral practice opportunities. Ensure all students feel emotionally safe to attempt new language.
Mātauranga Māori lens: Frame te reo Māori learning through whakapapa — every word carries genealogy. The concept of kōrerotia (speaking practice) connects to the oral tradition where knowledge was transmitted through careful, sustained speech. Explore how te reo revitalisation is an act of tino rangatiratanga and how learners of all backgrounds can be kaitiaki of the language.
Prior knowledge: No specialist prior knowledge required. All learners enter as beginners on equal footing.
Curriculum alignment
- Te Reo Māori — Communication: Students develop oral fluency in te reo Māori, using greetings, introductions, and everyday expressions with confidence and cultural appropriateness.