Category: Uncategorized

  • 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…

  • Community Language Teacher Profile: Mary Greatz

    It’s great to see the Government placing an emphasis on community languages being taught with government schools. The Tongan Language School here in Sydney is establishing itself and there are 2 to 3 government primary schools that teach Tongan within their primary curriculum. Community Language Teacher Mary Greatz talks about her experience within one of…

  • ‘Ikai ngalo e feilaulau: Lest we Forget

    ‘E ‘ikai ngalo e feilaulau kuohili’. Lest we forget their sacrifices. ANZAC Day (Australian New Zealand Army Corps) has become a day of national remembrance for Australia, New Zealand and Tonga of the sacrifices that generations have endured to keep us safe. While it actually commemorates the Gallipoli landing in Turkey in 1915, it is…

  • Ngaahi fehu’i: Interrogative pronouns to know

    After learning the Alphabet and correct pronunciation, my class are now working on learning these important question words. Having little or no prior knowledge of the Tongan language, my focus is getting the class to understand these words so I don’t receive blank stares when I ask questions.  Important questions like  Ko hai ho hingoa’? What/Whom is your…

  • Finally certified in Language Teaching

    ʻIkai ke ʻi ai he lea feʻunga ke fai ʻeku houngaʻia he lava lelei ʻeku ako ka ko e fakamālō pē. Te u hiki ‘a hoku le’o ke fai ʻaki ha fakamālō. Lea pe ʻeku leaʼ, mālō ʻEiki ʻa hoʻo ʻofa. Last week, I was honoured to receive my certificate in Community languages teaching at University…

  • Is ‘plastic’ the new norm?

    Is ‘plastic’ the new norm?. Ko e fehu’i mālie eni ‘a Alando Soakai. A very interesting question by Alando Soakai.  Have you been called ‘plastic’ because you speak more English than your native tongue? Other terms used to address you and your identity for not speaking the language is a pālangi (foreigner) or fie pālangi…

  • Best websites for learning Tongan

    Ko e ‘uhinga eni ne u kamata ‘eku si’i feinga he ngalu’ea ma’amoutolu matua moe fanau. I started my blog with parents, adults and children in mind to help with you all learn or be inspired to learn more. I must be doing something right. Thank you Alando Soakai for your vote. It is encouraging…

  • Bogan Jonah NOT from Tonga

    Chris Lilley’s comedic portrayal of rebellious troubled teenager Jonah from Tonga is dissappointing to say the least. His mockumentary series really portrays the Aussie Bogan culture. But that mantle piece has already been taken by Kath & Kim and he probably wouldn’t have a following if Jonah were an Aussie, so he finds a niche for his comedy by choosing Tonga…

  • Happy birthday kiate au

    One year ago I created this blog as a resource for parents, educators and anyone wanting to learn this beautiful language of ours. My focus was on creating fun experiences for my 4 children, and in that time my children have blossomed. Never did I imagine that one year later I would be putting those personal experiences to…

  • Tongan kisses for the new year

    Ko e hā ʻa e ʻuma faka-Tonga pea ʻoku ai fēfē? Ko e ʻuma faka-Tonga ʻoku tatau mo e ʻuma fakananamuʼ, ʻoku faingofua pe ʻene ai ka ko e ngaahi meʻa eni ke manatuʻi.  milimili kilimi ke namu lelei ʻa e mata kihe taimi fakafeiloaki ʻumaʻaki ʻa e kouʻaheʼ pea mihi pē ki ha taha…