LISTEN TO PODCASTS, MUSIC AND RADIO
study books that exist. These are full of exercises on vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation – and they often come with a CD or a link to awebsite so you can listen to the sounds as you go.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN MA¯ORI CULTURE
for Maui’s death in Ma¯ori mythology? Immersing yourself in te reo history and culture will no doubt help you remember some useful words and sentences.
A huge part of the Ma¯ori language revolves around pronunciation. Many words are accented and, if mispronounced, could mean something completely different (I’m looking at you keke [cake] and ke¯ke¯ [armpit]). Just listening to the sounds, even if you don’t understand everything, can be incredibly helpful – save some Ma¯ori radio stations to listen to on your ride to work, or have a boogie to some te reo songs while making dinner.
JOIN A LOCAL TE REO CLASS
Although learning at home is great, attending a class gives you that little boost of motivation – having a set time holds you accountable and teachers can
also correct mistakes on the spot.
Many nearby schools and community centres offer classes you can join for a small fee (browse Neighbourly organisations to find your closest spot!).
It’s also worth asking your employerwhether any te reo Ma¯ori programmes exist within your organisation.
If you’re ever at loss for the meaning of aword, just whip the Te Aka Ma¯ori app out to find out more about its origin and pronunciation. And if you’re more of a slow-burner learner, also consider subscribing to the Kupu o te Ra¯ newsletter, which emails you a new word (kupu) every day. Have Imissed anything? Let us know by sharing your learning experience on Neighbourly.