• 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…

  • Ko e feinga pē: All we can do is TRY!

    Life is such a battle for many. No matter what communities we live in rich or poor we all have our own challenges. Growing up there are several words or phrases you constantly hear from your parents, grandparents and Tongan society. Ko e fonua masiva (Tonga is a poor country). Ako ke lahi. Study hard.…

  • Best poetic memorial stone: Ko hai au ke u tuhu ki he laʻaá?

    Best poetic memorial stone: Ko hai au ke u tuhu ki he laʻaá?

      “TULOU MOE NGAAHI FĀ KAKALA KO HAI AU KE U TUHU KI HE LAʻAÁ? NE U SILAʻI KOE ʻI HE ʻOLITA PUKE ʻETA FUAKAVA KI HE TAʻENGATA” This has to be the most beautiful poetic memorial stone/ bench I have come across. Ok some background knowledge you may need in understanding the beauty of…

  • My first ebook in Tongan: The Hungry Little Mouse

    As promised, I have finally uploaded my first ebook onto youtube. This has been such a labour of love made only possible with faith that the Tongan Language School (Sydney) had in me. The goal was to make an engaging resource that our digital kids today would like. My kids gave it the two thumbs up so…

  • Fakafeta‘i: Praise the Lord

    http://youtu.be/dd1JW2QlxIg This youtube clip is a great example of how we Sāmoans and Tongans learn back in the Islands. No matter where we are at Church or at School, singing and dancing is part of our DNA, instilled in us at a young age. Now most of us would be living far away from the Kingdom…

  • 5 Reasons your children are not speaking in Tongan

    I read a great article on Multilingual living and decided to put together a TOP 5 REAONS why your children are not speaking in Tongan. In my own experience with my children these are the 5 top reasons why they were not speaking in Tongan. So you want your children to speak in Tongan but you are finding…

  • 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…

  • Makahokovalu

    http://youtu.be/iTbMk2QweKk ‘Oku ‘oatu ‘a e hiva ko eni ma’amoutolu kau ‘Uiha ma’alahi. Ka ‘i ai ha me’a ‘oku hala pea mou kataki ‘o tanaki mai.  A good way to re-learn your language is through songs. This song sung by Teine Latu is a hiva hanu a lamenting song for ‘Uiha an Island in Ha’apai and perhaps…

  • 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…