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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? Feeling a bit nervous? You’re not alone — many of our ākonga felt just the same when they first started. Here are some answers to help you feel ready to begin your reo Māori journey with us.

  • Why learn te reo Māori online? Does it work?
    Yes! Ataarangi ONLINE works, and hundreds of akonga are right now using it to grow their reo. Here’s why so many people choose to learn with us online: 1️⃣ Learn from Top Kaiako Wherever You Are You’ll access some of the most experienced Ataarangi kaiako - no matter where they live. Our tutors deliver classes online so you can learn from the very best. 2️⃣ Practise More, Speak More The more you speak, the faster you learn. With Ataarangi ONLINE, you can practise out loud even while others are taking their turn. Simply mute your microphone! Many akonga say this is a huge advantage of learning online. 3️⃣ Flexibility — Learn Wherever Life Takes You Travelling? No problem. Take your device, find a stable WiFi connection, and you’re ready to go. And while we encourage full attendance, if you do miss a class you can catch up with the class recording. 4️⃣ Save Time and Money No travel and no venue costs means you save time and money. You may not need to arrange childcare, and your tamariki or mokopuna can even sit alongside you, hearing and using the reo with you. 5️⃣ Breakout Rooms — Build Whanaungatanga We’ve refined our use of Zoom to make the most of breakout rooms (kopa-iti). You can be placed in a room with whānau, friends, or workmates — and will return to the same breakout room each time. This helps build whanaungatanga and a supportive learning environment. 6️⃣ Reo from Your Region We can group learners by region and iwi and we can match you with tutors who share that identity and distinctive regional reo. Just let us know your rohe/iwi on your registration form. 7️⃣ Purpose-Built for Online Success Ataarangi ONLINE has been developed and refined over more than five years. We have trialled new online resources, explored the best Zoom features, and tested ways to support the rākau method online. We now have strong evidence that akonga build real connections and learn effectively online, and that evidence is growing with every learner.
  • Why learn with Te Ataarangi — in person or online?
    There are many reasons why thousands of people choose to learn with Te Ataarangi: 1️⃣ It Works — Proven Results For more than 40 years, Te Ataarangi has been one of the most effective ways to help people speak Māori producing more than 10,000 fluent speakers of the reo. 2️⃣ Immersion That Builds Fluency Every class — whether in person or online — follows Te Ataarangi’s unique approach: rākau-based learning and full immersion in te reo Māori. You learn at your own pace, in small groups of 10 to 12 people at the same level as you. 3️⃣ Reo-speaking Networks Te Ataarangi is about more than just classes. It’s about building communities of speakers. Reo Kōrero is founded on the understanding that te reo Māori thrives when used in reo-speaking communities. Every initiative helps build and nurture these communities — wherever you may be in the world. 4️⃣ Expertise You Can Trust Dr Ruakere Hond has been with Te Ataarangi from almost the very beginning. He is one of Aotearoa’s foremost experts in language communities and adult reo acquisition. Reo Kōrero is committed to sharing this mātauranga and experience with every learner. 5️⃣ A Global Movement Reo Kōrero supports all indigenous peoples in revitalising their reo as living languages. We use social platforms to share this knowledge and reach audiences around the world. When you learn with us, you become part of that global movement.
  • What if I make a mistake?
    We love mistakes! Make as many as you can as it means you are learning. We won’t correct you — you will start to correct yourself. That’s how the learning really sticks. You are building new pathways in your brain, and that builds your language ability. Mistakes are a very welcome part of your reo journey with us.
  • What if I’m too nervous to speak?
    The great thing about online learning is that you can practise the words and sentences on mute to yourself. You can hear yourself speaking and get comfortable before you kōrero in front of others. We create a safe, supportive space where everyone is on the same waka and everyone is learning. It’s ok to be nervous and ok to make mistakes. If you’re not ready to speak, you can simply shake your head or indicate this in some other way. Your taiwhirinaki will understand and come back to you later.
  • What if I don’t know anyone?
    Kei te pai. You’ll soon meet new friends, your reo Māori friends. The space we create is one of manaaki, care and support. You will feel welcomed and comfortable. After a few weeks, you’ll feel at home with your classmates.
  • Why learn the reo ONLINE?
    1. Kōrero Continuously: The more you speak the faster you learn. With Ataarangi ONLINE you can practice out loud while others are having their turn by muting your microphone. It’s a huge advantage and akonga say they use throughout the entire class. 2. Ataarangi Tutors: You will access some of the most experienced Ataarangi kaiako available. No matter where they live they can be online to run classes, give presentations and provide tutorials. 3. Save Time and Money: You won’t have any travel or venue costs which saves you time and money. You may not need to arrange childcare and your children or mokopuna may even sit alongside you as you learn and use your reo which sets a great example. There are costs associated with creating the online resources, zoom support and paying for our Kaiako. If you need support with these costs or you want to pay in instalments email us with any pātai on enquiries@atarawea.maori.nz. 4. Learn where you want: Are you travelling? No problem. Take your device with you and find stable WiFi. We always advise that you attend every class but if you absolutely can't make it to class you can watch the recorded lesson to catch up. 5. Breakout Rooms (Kopa-iti): We’ve been experimenting with Zoom for a number of years to identify the best features to support your online learning. One of those features is the breakout room (kopa-iti). We can put you into a kopa-iti so you are learning with your whānau, friends or even your workmates. We know how to use it so you return to your same breakout room with your tutor and class mates. It’s hugely important to your learning to be surrounded by supportive people. It’s also great for building whanaungatanga and team-building. 6. Reo from your Region: We can group learners from particular regions or iwi together and provide tutors who have the same identity and distinctive regional reo. These rōpū can help connect you with others from your rohe. You’ll need to let us know your prefered rohe/iwi connection in the registration form.
  • What if I was 'hopeless at the reo' in my last class?
    Kei te pai. It’s ok! Ātaarangi is different from other methods you may have tried. It is designed to create speakers, not just learners. There is a big difference between knowing about the language and using the language. Our kaiako will support you throughout the programme. There are a lot of us. Through repetition and practice, your confidence will grow. Our online resources mean you can also practise outside of class. This makes such a difference!
  • Am I too old to learn?
    Kāore! You are never too old to learn. The Ātaarangi method is loved by so many of our pāhake / elders — and we love having our kuia and koroua in the class! They are often the cheekiest and make class lots of fun. It may take a little more time or mahi, but we have seen the reo grow for many of our kaumātua through Ātaarangi.
  • How do I join Ataarangi ONLINE?
    It’s easy to get started! This website is your doorway to Te Ataarangi’s ONLINE reo Māori programmes. Just visit the Ataarangi ONLINE section, choose the programme that’s right for you, and sign up. Nau mai, haere mai! Anei tō whānau o Te Ataarangi.
  • Why learn te reo Māori online? Does it work?
    Yes! Ataarangi ONLINE works, and many hundreds of akonga are right now growing their reo with Te Ataarangi. Here’s why so many people choose to learn with us online: Learn from Our Kaiako Wherever You Are Practise More, Speak More Flexibility — Learn Wherever Life Takes You Save Time and Money Breakout Rooms — Build Whanaungatanga and Connection Reo from Your Region - Find a Tutor With Your Reo Purpose-Built for Online Success
  • Will I still feel connected to my tutor and classmates if I learn online?
    Yes. We know that personal connection is vital to the Te Ataarangi kaupapa. That’s why we invested more than five years to create our Ataarangi ONLINE programmes. Our online classes are small (10–12 learners), with the same kaiako and classmates each week. You’ll learn in breakout rooms (kopa-iti), which help you build close connections within your group. Many of our akonga say they feel just as connected online as they do in person - and the evidence shows that learning can be just as effective.
  • Is there a cost to do Ataarangi ONLINE?
    Ataarangi ONLINE is a high-value programme and hundreds of ākonga are currently learning with us. For decades, Te Ataarangi has offered free or low-cost community classes, and we still do. However, unlike universities or other providers, we do not receive government funding. Your contribution for Ataarangi ONLINE helps us pay our experienced kaiako and cover programme costs. We want everyone to have access - that’s part of our kaupapa. We offer flexible payment options (including paying in instalments). We also have koha or sponsorship to help others. If cost is a barrier, please email us. We’ll do our best to support you.
  • How much time do I need to commit?
    Classes are 2 hours each week for 20 weeks. We encourage you to spend time practising between classes and there are a heap of resources online to support each class. That includes a recording of the class so you can go back over the session and practise ever more. The more you do that, the faster your reo will grow - but it’s up to you how much time you can give.
  • What level do I need to be?
    We offer classes for all levels, including complete beginners. You’ll be placed with a small group of akonga at the same level as you, so you’ll be learning alongside others with similar experience.
  • Why learn with Te Ataarangi — in person or online?
    There are many reasons why thousands of people choose to learn with Te Ataarangi: It Works — Proven Results Immersion That Builds Fluency Reo-speaking Networks Expertise You Can Trust A Global Movement

Still have pātai?

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We are happy to help!

Contact Us

Phone: (06) 751 4921
Email: enquiries@atarawea.maori.nz

 

 

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