Category: Uncategorized

  • Tongan concept of Māfana’?

    I came across this video which is timely with ‘Aotearoa celebrating yet another Tongan language week. To add to Isoa’ great explanation, I want to bring some language and my own personal insight into how Tongans view this important concept. In any types of faiva (artistry performances) the key objective is mālie which can be…

  • Lau Ā faka-Tonga faka Kilisimasi’

    ʻOfa ke mou maʻu ha Kilisimasi fiefia mo homou siʻi ngaahi fāmili. Ko e kiʻi meʻaʻofa eni maʻamoutolu kau mātua’ ke kau aipē ki he teuteuʻi kilisimasi homou loto fale. ʻOfa atu mei he sino ni ki he sino na. Christmas greetings and a gift from me to you. Feel free to print and add…

  • GAME: Sai ke tau ‘ilo

    An important feature about our Tongan culture is our value of Tauhi vā (keeping our relations close).  However as our extended families grow and move further away it does get harder to keep in touch. It is important to take advantage of the times that families do get together to bond and keep those family…

  • Open Day Bazaar

    Mālō e lelei kaunga ako, siʻotoʻofa! Hello fellow learners! I am always thinking of how i can engage my young learners not only to ignite in them a love of learning for our language but also give them an authentic learning experience. This school term we are learning about clothes and Tongan clothes in particular…

  • Tongan superhero in training

    Tongan superhero in training

    For a tiny nation we have so much to be proud of. Pita Lolo carried our flag proudly at Rio Olympic Games in 2016 and this year we are cheering as Mate Maʻa Tonga play to victory #RLWC2017. When I consider how a tiny nation continues to accomplish despite its size, I am reminded of these…

  • Lea ʻoe Uike: Siʻoto ʻofa

    Koe lea ʻoe Uike’. The word of the week! Greetings, our learning journey for this new year begins with a word of the week or more like my favourite word or a new word that iʻve come across.  It is a Tongan greeting which you donʻt often hear as the more popular greeting of mālō e…

  • Tapa wedding dresses to admire

    For as long as I can remember I wanted a Tapa wedding dress for my wedding and 12 years ago I did just that when it wasn’t in vogue. It is so nice to see the creativity and popularity grow. Hope you enjoy my little tribute to the wonderful creations. If you’re a bride-to-be, may…

  • Know your Tongan: ki (v) kia

    Here is the first of our Thursday Grammar. Do you know the difference between the two words “ki” and “kia”?  Both mean the same English preposition word “to”. Read carefully the information above and fill in the blanks. Is it “ki” or “kia”? ‘Ave _____ Sione. Give it to John. Na’a’ ke lea _____ Mele? Did you talk to Mary?…

  • 2015 a year of learning

    At this time of year I like to remind myself and all the entire Tongan Language School of how much they have achieved in 2015. So I created this video. Kids always love to see themselves in videos. I then challenged my family to write down their new goals. Amongst our new family goals is to speak more…

  • How to love your long Tongan name

       Do you or your child have a long Tongan name? Chances are most pālangi people can not pronounce it. Am i right? Like Taulupe, you are probably using a nickname or prefer your pālangi name over your Tongan name. It’s James not Semisi.  When asked her name, a young student said her pālangi name…