Suggestion Box

[Terrie]

I just thought it might be a good idea to have a place where `suggestions' can be posted:

[Terrie]

I know the segments where the native speakers talk is just for us to learn how to listen and pick out the particular words or phrases that we are learning in that week but perhaps, in the next series, each conversation could be worked around all the words learnt so far, so that we can get to understand the entire conversation in the end?

[Kingi]

Good idea!

I sit there listening to the whole thing only to discover that the words are said just once or twice and at the end of it I'm no wiser as to what the kaumatua are talking about.

Often I pick out words that I think I'm familiar with but without knowing what the conversation is about I don't know in what context the words are being used or if they are the words I think they are.

Perhaps any word that we have learnt up to the kaumatua's conversation should be highlighted, instead of just putting up that days word or phrase?

It would be nice to slowly learn how to understand the whole conversation but if the conversations change all the time I don't think we'll get to do that.

[Laurie]

My suggestion would be for the presenters and Quinton to slow down a bit when they talk.

My friend, Aroha, says that R & R come on at the beginning of the show speaking a greeting and introduction in Maori and although it sounds cool, it's hard for her to pick up what they are saying because it all runs into one sentence.

She says they need to take a breath between each sentence. Aroha says that if they spoke a little slower at the very beginning of the show she would be able to learn (parrot fashion) how to say hello and introduce herself and feel more confident in doing so.

As for me, I think that Quinton speaks a little too fast as well. All the words we are listening out for come out one after the other and it's a blur! Our brains don't even have time to say `hey, I recongise that word'. If he just spoke a little slower we would be able to pick the words up a little better.

What they have to remember is that we are beginners!

PS: I think the suggestion box is a cool idea.

[Kura]

Kia ora everyone.

A suggestion box is a fantastic idea. Although the first series (100 episodes) has already been completed, a 'suggestion box' would give us great ideas to consider for series 2.

Ngā mihi,

THE KURA TEAM

[ReeceRobinson]

Kia ora, e hoa mā.

I understand why some people may be frustrated with the speed of the Māori language speakers.

However my view is that this is not a bad thing. In my opinion it forces you to tune in your listening skills under real-world conditions. I.e. if you watch any of the Te Reo channel 100% Māori language programs they also speak at a fast pace. I'm not saying it is easy, but I think it is necessary to be better prepared for real-world listening.

Kia kaha.

[Poi Girl]

I understand why some people may be frustrated with the speed of the Māori language speakers....if you watch any of the Te Reo channel 100% Māori language programs they also speak at a fast pace.

None of my whānau talk at the speed of light. I reckon the professionals just talk fast because of time restraints.

We learners need the slower pace so we can learn what to say and how to say it, especially as we have been taught that when we introduce ourselves we don't just say our names but may have to let others know our tribal affiliations as well.

We need to learn the structure of our language and if Raimona and Raukura are going to show us how it is done we need to have them do it in a manner and speed in which we can pick it up.

At one stage I almost quit watching because I didn't understand what was being said. I decided to not worry about all the banter between Raimona and Raukura and just concentrate on the exercises. To be honest I expected every Māori word to be explained in English. How can we learn a word's meaning if it isn't explained?

There have been words and phrases that Raimona and Raukura have slipped into sentences that have never been explained and I've not been able to find them in the online dictionary. This, I suspect, is because I either don't know the spelling of the word, the word is made up of two words (like e-something) or it is an abbrevisation of a phrase.

I only posted this to give my views on the lightening speed of the ad-lib conversations spoken on the show but I realise that I have a suggestion too.... that any Māori word on the show should have its English translation said as well so that we can learn more quickly and stop any confusion.

I think the suggestion box is a very good idea too.

[Julie]

Tēnā Koutou Katoa

I also would like the Māori speakers and presenters to slow down. I also think that the conversations should be around what we are learning.

My suggestion is that we learn a few more sentences using the kupu hou that we are learning. For example, in English we would learn words like, cat, mat, hat, sat etc and then be taught a sentence like "the cat sat on the mat".

I would like to know how to say to the tamariki, in Māori, "put the naihi and poaka on the tēpu, please", but I can only slot in certain Māori words in an English sentence.

I also think the suggestion box is a good idea.

[jarrod]

Kia ora ki a koutou e ako nei i te reo rangatira!

Ki tōku nei whakaaro, kei te tika a Reece, nā te mea, i a rātou (arā, ko ngā tohunga reo Māori) e kōrero Māori ana, he tere! Nā reira, me whakarongo atu te tangata e ako nei i te reo Māori ki ngā rauemi Māori TŪTURU (ngā rauemi mō ngā tāngata e TINO matatau ana ki te kōrero i te reo Māori ), ahakoa kāore e tino mārama ana te kaupapa ki te tangata nei. Ka taea e te roro te whakamārama ngā ahuatanga katoa o te reo, me ōna mita anō hoki! Tirohia tēnei paetukutuku e pā ana ki tēnei kaupapa - http://www.physorg.com/news152292870.html

Whakapākehātanga:
Hi to everyone learning the language of the rangatira!

In my opinion, Reece is right, because, when fluent speakers of the Māori language are speaking, it's quick! So, the person learning the Māori language should listen to real Māori resources (resources for people who are FLUENT in Māori), even if the subject matter isn't clear to that person. The brain has the ability to make all the different parts of the language easy to understand, and also it's sounds! Look at this website for more info on this topic - http://www.physorg.com/news152292870.html

Jarrod.

[Kingi]

Five (learners) against two. We win!

I know what you are saying, bro, and appreciate your opinion, but the overriding message in the majority of posts being made by members is that at this stage of learning, everyone is struggling to understand quickly spoken sentences.

Naturally, as we all become more confident in listening and speaking Māori 'normal speaking patterns' can be resumed`