Maori first for 'second' language teaching

Maori first for 'second' language teachingIf learninga second language is desirable for Kiwi school Rosetta Stone outlet children thenMaori, the first and only legislated official language ofAotearoa New Zealand, should be given priority said Green MPMetiria Turei.Metiria said Prime Minister Helen Clark'scall for increased multi-lingualism had merit but said allteachers should be required to be proficient in Te Reobefore entering the teacher workforce."If we want ourkids to learn other languages then it should be Maorifirst," said Metiria, the Green Education spokesperson."Isupport the push for multi-lingual teaching at Rosetta Stone Arabic schools butfor the language curriculum to have integrity New Zealandchildren should be well-versed in their indigenous languagebefore they attempt any others."The Green Party wouldincrease the level of Te Reo proficiency for all traineeteachers so that all the children of Aotearoa New Zealandhave a stake in the future of our culture, regardless oftheir background. "We should learn our own language andculture before we learn others."I believe many of theemerging economies New Zealand does business with wouldappreciate dealing with a nation which embraces Rosetta Stone French and promotesits indigenous culture."There is a complacency amongstNew Zealanders who speak only English that the rest of theworld will make the effort to speak their language. It'stime we all woke up.