The Maori language is seeing a resurgence. Colonisation and cultural assimilation played a huge part in the suppression of the Maori language and the people, but there are now concerted efforts to preserve and promote the language.
Not only does this mean that there's never been a better time to learn Maori, but it's also a fascinating language that has acted as the vehicle for the traditional practices, customs, arts, and beliefs of the Maori.
There are a few ways to learn Maori, but today, we'll be focusing on hiring your own teacher or private Maori tutor, why it's better than taking a Maori class, and how you can find the best private Maori tutors in Aotearoa (the Maori name for New Zealand, in case you were wondering).
Why Private Tutoring is Better than Regular Classes
Every student is different and while we can't say that private Maori tutoring will always be better than a typical Maori class, there are several advantages to private tutoring that you won't get in a standard language class.
Before we talk about all the advantages of private tutoring for learning languages, we first need to look at some of the problems inherent to learning languages in the way we've been teaching students for generations.
The Problems with Traditional Language Classes
Learning languages can be really enjoyable and if you were lucky enough to develop a passion for them, it's likely because you had a really good teacher who could bring the language alive.
However, because of the way language classes are usually set up, it's very difficult for even the best language teachers to make the lessons as fun and engaging as they'd like.
This isn't the teacher's fault but rather a problem with trying to teach languages in the same way most other subjects are taught and the problems with teaching subjects in larger classes or for students to pass exams.
Here are the main problems with trying to learn a language in a typical classroom.
Large Class Sizes
In some ways, learning with others can be really beneficial, but most classes have too many students in them and it means that the teacher can't adapt the lesson to the needs of the individual and many students risk fading into the background.
Larger classes are more work for teachers and it makes it pretty impossible for even the best teacher to make sure that every student is getting the education they deserve. Again, this isn't the teacher's fault, but rather a by-product of teaching larger groups.
Limited Opportunities to Speak
One of the best ways to learn a language is by speaking the language and getting as much practice as you can in your target language.
In language classes with a lot of students, these opportunities are limited and while they can offer students a chance to speak with their peers, it's difficult for the teacher to check in on every student and provide adequate feedback where needed.
One-size-fits-all Teaching
Most teachers will try to adapt their lessons to the students, but they have to plan lessons with the entire class in mind and not just the individual students.
In a group of similar students of a similar level, this won't pose as much of a problem, but for students who like to learn differently or are at the extreme ends of the class in terms of level, this can make the whole lesson quite boring or far too easy or difficult for them.
When a student struggles in a language class, it doesn't necessarily mean that they're bad at languages. It might just be a case that the teaching approach that works for most of their fellow students doesn't work for them.
Overemphasis on Grammar and Translation
If you're hoping that we're going to tell you that you don't have to study grammar to learn a language, we're sorry, because you definitely do. However, it's quite common for there to be too much of a focus on grammar in traditional language classes.
The same is true of learning through translation. Rather than studying the language as a language in its own right, too much focus is placed on being able to translate the language into or out of English (or any other native language).
This is all because this is one of the easiest ways to test students' levels in any given language. It's much easier and quicker to have students do exams that focus on grammar and translation and since national education systems have to prove students are learning (and exams are the most common way to do this), you'll find that students are taught languages to pass exams rather than to use the language in a meaningful way.
Slower Pace
All of these downsides result in students not being taught in the most optimum ways and students in traditional language classes will likely learn more slowly than they would in private language classes.
The Advantages of Private Maori Tutoring
So what can private Maori tutoring do that traditional classes can't?
Here are just some of the advantages of choosing to learn Maori with your own private tutor.
Build Your Self Confidence
To speak any language, you have to practise speaking it and this can be really difficult if you lack self-confidence.
In private Maori lessons, you don't have to worry about speaking in front of a classroom of students and a good tutor will always make sure that you feel comfortable speaking in front of them.
This is often the first hurdle that every student has to overcome and once they have the confidence to speak (and make mistakes), they can start improving.
Focus on a Single Student
As the only student in the class, a private Maori tutor will focus on you, provide you with the feedback you need, and make you the star of the show.
Since most of the problems with traditional language classes are problems arising from large student numbers, having just one student solves a lot of these problems.
Learn Faster
You'll learn a lot more quickly in a private tutorial than you would in a traditional class because you're the only student, the complete focus of the tutor, and provided with activities that are ideally suited to your level and preferred learning style.
Tailored Teaching
This is arguably the very best advantage of private language tutoring. While tutors might be more limited in what they can teach you if they're helping you with a language exam, they can always adapt how they teach.
If you're studying Maori just to speak the language, they'll teach you exactly what you need to know in a way that works for you.
This is what makes private language tutoring incredibly cost-effective since every minute of every session is spent focusing on the learner while providing them with activities that are suited to them and their preferred learning style.
Private Maori tutors can also point you in the direction of great Maori resources!
There are Private Maori Tutors for All Budgets
While there are lots of factors that affect the rates charged by Maori tutors, there are also tutors available for a range of budgets. No matter what your budget is, there's likely to be a Maori tutor that you can afford.
How to Find Maori Teachers
If you're thinking this all sounds pretty good, then you'll probably want to start your search for private Maori tutors.
Searching for the right tutor can be difficult so here are the places we'd recommend to get started. Make sure you check out several tutors, talk to them about what you want to learn, discuss your goals, and make a shortlist of viable tutors before choosing the one that's right for you.
Local Language Schools and Community Centres
Private language schools and community centres will often offer group classes and private tutoring. You'll see that the cost of the latter is often greater than the former, but if you want to enjoy all the benefits of private Maori tutoring, you'll have to pay for it.
Fortunately, there are also plenty of great free Maori resources if you're on a budget.
Head in and ask if they offer private tutoring. With language schools or community centres, they may not give you a choice of tutor, though, and they probably won't let you contact the tutor directly.
Maori Cultural Organisations
Maori cultural organisations exist to protect and promote Maori culture and this includes the language. You can find Maori language classes and private tutoring so go along and let them know that you're looking for a tutor.
Again, you're likely to be allocated a tutor, but in some cases, they may just give you the details of the private Maori tutors in the community.
Online Tutoring Platforms
With online tutoring platforms like ours, you can search for private Maori tutors very easily. You can then browse their profiles and see what qualifications they have, how much they charge, what their other students think of them, and get in touch with the ones you like the sound of.
Many tutors offer the first session for free so you can always try out a few different tutors to see which one would be right for you, how you like to learn, and what you want to learn in Maori.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
