Language hub out to link culture, learning
With the Rugby World Cup just around the corner and the Olympic Games looming, Japan will be the country of choice for many travellers. But no matter what part of the world is on your travel radar, knowing a bit of the language is always an advantage. That’s where Tinaka Stewart comes to the rescue.
Tinaka has begun LinguaHub, with a team of teachers offering functional language lessons to those who are about to travel.
Tinaka lived in Japan for more than six years, where she did some translation and interpreter work. The timing of LinguaHub’s launch couldn’t be better.
“Since many people will be embarking on their journey to Japan for the Olympics, we thought its was a great language to start with. Japan is an important Pacific neighbour and the vowel sounds are similar to te reo. In the lessons for RWC we touch on the host cities and the fan zones with practical info for those going to the RWC. Next year we will tweak it again to meet the needs of the 2020 Olympics.”
She says the lessons are functional and use recall techniques rather than traditional language learning techniques, with basic exposure to other languages.
“It is important to link language and culture and so the lessons include cultural components eg, guest speakers, cooking, music, film and so on.” She has also been working on her Arabic, Spanish and Te Reo.
“I love language and the parts it opens in our minds and felt Kiwis don’t have enough exposure to it.”
LinguaHub lessons will be taken for one-and-a-half hours over three-and-a-half weeks, sometimes with a weekend or one day course thrown in. She says each lesson will always have the two components of language and culture.
“It is basic, so we will not be entering the linguistic science but rather gentle, simply structured functional phrases and responses for travelling.”
Tinaka is on the lookout for people in the community who may be available to teach their native language and says registrations for the first course, for those aged around 13-100-plus, are now open, with a four week course costing around $60.
“In the future we will look at holiday programmes for children, tour groups about to go overseas to destinations that share our languages classes, business and NGO staff going overseas, teachers, senior citizen groups — there are no limits.”
She says groups will ideally comprise a maximum of 12 people. She is aiming to give people a sense of exposure and respect for other languages and cultures.
“We will also soon be launching our courses for our tourism market which will be for overseas tourists to take up our te reo courses which will range from half a day to up to a three day experience including accommodation, other Maori based activities/tours. This is to help keep New Zealand’s own language burning away as well by exposing the importance to our tourist market.”
Tinaka says LinguaHub will be driven by demand and supply.
“Currently there is a huge interest in Spanish, which we hope to launch soon. If someone from any language wants to share it with our customers we will be practical and maybe look at doing a one-day course. Every language is important. Language defines people and their culture therefore whether 1000 people speak a declining language or 1 million — we are happy to give exposure without prejudice.”
A quiz is being held this Saturday night to kick off Rugby World Cup fever. Teams of up to eight are asked to dress up in anything Japan or rugby. There will be free sake tastings and 8th dan karate instructor and motivational speaker Edmond Otis will be quiz master.
■ To register for the quiz or for more information on LinguaHub email linguahub@gmail.com, call 027 520 6604 or visit 14 Herschell St, Napier.