LEAP - Frequently asked questions (FAQ) 

Should we encourage bilingual Pacific students to use a Pacific language as well as English?

Yes, by creating a school context where bilingualism and Pacific languages are highly valued in all learning contexts (not just for social and cultural purposes).  

How can we work with parents on bilingual Pacific students' language development? 

You can make sure parents know about the advantages for their children of growing up fully bilingual. 

You can establish good links with Pacific families and communities and establish regular dialogues about values and goals in relation to learning and language, and about curriculum objectives. 

What if teachers don’t speak their students' Pacific languages?

There are still many ways mainstream teachers can foster students' Pacific languages, even if they don’t speak those languages themselves. Most of the LEAP (Language Enhancing the Achievement of Pacific) inquiries have some suggestions for how you might do this. 

• You can draw on the help of other people who do speak Pacific languages. 
• You can help the students use and develop their Pacific languages themselves. 
• You can talk to other people about the benefits for your students of being bilingual, and biliterate, and you can support and encourage greater use and teaching of Pacific languages.  

How do we motivate Pacific students?

Motivation results from learning as well as contributing to it. Students who have success in learning are motivated to learn more. In that sense, all the LEAP inquiries address motivation by exploring many ways of helping Pacific students  learn well.