Refine the pronunciation of the pepeha and practice saying it with increased competence and confidence.
This is a good time to think about the kaupapa (purpose) and ensure you are delivering your pepeha tika (correct). This is part of the tikanga.
Who is your audience?
What is the context?
Learning a new language takes māia (courage, bravery and confidence). How are you feeling with your pepeha in terms of recall and pronunciation?
Let's have a quick review of the most difficult sounds in the Māori language.
r e.g. mōrena (morning) Rāhina (Monday)
ng e.g. Whanganui, ngenge (tired)
wh e.g. whānau (family), whio (blue duck)
Words to practice
- Rotorua (the place with two lakes)
- rangirua (uncertain or in doubt)
- roro (brain)
- Ngaruawāhia (the open food pits)
- ngākau (heart)
- ngēngē (tired)
- Whakatāne (manly)
- Whangarei ( a gathering place of chiefs)
-
whakarongo (to listen)
This is our last chance to go over and practice your pepeha aloud with your kaiako.
As best you can, try kicking things off and reciting the whole pepeha while making contact with your kaiako.
Have a paper copy or electronic version at hand, but ideally try and recite it off by heart. Commit it to ngākau! (heart).
Think of it as a maunga (mountain) start at the peak and work your way down to your tangata (people)
Now, you need to seek feedback on your pronunciation.
Deliver your full and formal pepeha to your kaiako, focusing on pronunciation and fluency.
With so much great learning tech to support us, try recording your pepeha either on your smartphone as an audio file or you can do a screen recording using a Google Meet or Screencastify.
You have just made your own teaching and revision tool.
Mahi kāinga
Now with a quality recording you can listen and hear yourself speak. Pakipaki mai (give yourself a clap) and how choice that pronunciation is now sounding.
Having it on as you hikoi (walk) or taraiwa (drive around) is a good mindful practice. Keep producing the language also and using the phrasing and lines to help with memorisation.
Kua taea e koe! (You have achieved it!) Well done on completing and reciting your pepeha. Continue to practise and commit it to memory.