Traditionally, teaching and learning a language is done in person. But with evolving technology, it is becoming more common to learn a language, like te reo Māori, online.

Learning online might be challenging for some, whereas others thrive and couldn’t think of a better way to learn. This can also be said for those who teach online.

Northland kaiako, Wiremu Jerry, has seen first-hand the benefits of teaching and learning online after delivering Te Ara Reo Māori levels 2 and 3 online for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa last year.

“Being able to teach online was helpful because it allowed me to mold my technical skills on the computer. I also had the flexibility to study myself. I ended up studying full-time while working full-time. I managed to do half through law school and the other half studying for a Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching.”

Wiremu acknowledges that online learning isn’t for everyone, but believes there are many benefits, and people would be surprised at just how well they might do by giving online learning a go.

He says that compared to in-person classes, the online programme is slower-paced and allows tauira more time to practice and polish topics they are learning before being assessed.

“With online learning, you can slow down and take more time. Before the assessment, we have a solid 2 weeks focused on revising. That’s a good amount of time to practice for assessments and to clarify anything that tauira might still be lost with.”

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has many campuses across the motu, but sometimes, it isn’t possible to reach tauira in some of our smaller and more rural communities.

That’s where Wiremu says online learning can bridge the gap, and instead of tauira having to find a way to get to class, the classroom will come to them.

“I had tauira from all over the country, from Northland to Invercargill. It's cool to build connections around the motu, and I encourage them to meet up in person if they want, and sometimes they do. It's like building a community of people from all over the country.”

Wiremu says it has been a privilege to teach tauira from all walks of life and it’s brought him much joy seeing them grow in confidence with te reo Māori.

He mentions a tauira who suffers from anxiety, but because of the opportunity to study online, his anxiety was no longer a barrier.

“He would join the class every single week; he was a very diligent guy. He needed this opportunity to be online. So, if you struggle in that space or can’t access a campus because of where you are, online learning is a great pathway where you’re not excluded.”

Find out more about our reo Māori programmes.