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Mō mātou

About Us

Tui Tuia | Learning Circle empowers Kāhui Ako, kaiako, teachers, school leaders and tumuaki to achieve better outcomes for students and learners.

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All languages are to be treasured

Languages, Culture & Identity

We offer programmes, workshops, in-person classroom support, online support and resources to help strengthen language learning in New Zealand schools.

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Cultural competencies

Pacific-Led Education

Empowering educators, students, and communities to shape a future of educational excellence that is firmly rooted in Pacific identity and aspirations.

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Improving instructional dexterity

Literacy and Numeracy

We work with schools to build the literacy and numeracy capability of school leaders and teachers to accelerate learning outcomes for all students.

Ko tōu reo, ko tōku reo,te tuakiri tangata
Tīhei uriuri, tīhei nakonako

Connecting Languages, Culture and Identity

Growing, strengthening, and advocating for language learning and use, and sustaining heritage languages in schools.

Build your skills and strengthen your language teaching practice with one of our hands-on workshops or programmes.

We offer programmes, workshops, in-person classroom support, online support and resources to help strengthen language learning in New Zealand schools, and many of our services are fully-funded.

We also advocate for language learning and language maintenance in New Zealand schools.

Just need access to some teaching resources or want to know the latest research? Join our vibrant community.

For school leaders

  • Provide funded PLD to sustain teacher pedagogy.
  • Explain the value of learning a language to students in the wider context of all their learning.
  • Develop a robust and sustainable language programme.
  • Highlight career opportunities for students of languages.
  • Strengthen an existing language programme.
  • Help schools build international links.
  • Support the development of teacher efficacy.
  • Plan and run cultural events to create a multicultural environment.
  • Improve outcomes for students taking languages.

For principals

  • Develop a robust and sustainable language programme.
  • Improve outcomes for students taking languages.
  • Strengthen an existing language programme.
  • Explain the value of learning a language to students in the wider context of all their learning.
  • Develop your skills as a middle leader.
  • Highlight career opportunities for students of languages.
  • Plan and run cultural events to create a multicultural environment.

For language teachers

  • Understand the importance of ongoing development for languages teachers.
  • Improve outcomes for your students.
  • Develop your skills in a wide range of research backed pedagogy.
  • Connect with other teachers around the country.
  • Provide access to grants to develop language teaching in your school.
  • Highlight career opportunities for students of languages.
  • Make languages visible.
  • Help you to become influential within your school community and an advocate for language learning.
whakawhanaketanga ngaio i roto i nga reo katoa

We provide professional development in language teaching pedagogy across all languages.

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Korean
Resources for Korean language teaching and learning are available. You can find them below!
Text Link
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French
We offer workshops focusing on French language and cultures, immersion programmes, and support from our French National Language Adviser.
Simon McGinley
Project Lead NLA & French National Adviser
Text Link
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German
We offer workshops focusing on German language and cultures, immersion programmes and support from our German National Language Adviser.
Alexandra Töniges
GERMAN National Language Adviser
Text Link
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Japanese
We offer workshops focusing on Japanese language and cultures, immersion programmes and support from our Japanese National Language Adviser.
Chisato Yoshioka
JAPANESE National Language Adviser
Text Link
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Spanish
We offer workshops focusing on Spanish language and cultures, immersion programmes and support from our Spanish National Language Adviser.
Clara Gomez Jimeno
SPANISH National Language Adviser
Text Link
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New Zealand Sign Language
Resources for New Zealand Sign Language teaching and learning are available. You can find them below.
Text Link
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Vagahau Niue
Resources for Vagahau Niue language teaching and learning are available. You can find them below.
Text Link
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Gagana Sāmoa
Resources for Gagana Sāmoa language teaching and learning are available. You can find them below.
Text Link
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Gagana Tokelau
Resources for Gagana Tokelau language teaching and learning are available. You can find them below.
Text Link
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Chinese
We offer workshops focusing on Chinese language and cultures, immersion programmes and support from our Chinese National Language Adviser.
Dr Jiwei Fu
CHINESE National Language Adviser
Text Link
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Lea Faka-Tonga
Resources for Lea Faka-Tonga language teaching and learning are available. You can find them below.
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Te Reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani
Resources for Te Reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani language teaching and learning are available. You can find them below.
Text Link
awheawhe e haere ake nei

Explore our upcoming courses & workshops

Upgrade your skills and knowledge with our courses and workshops!
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Kia ora Berlin Wall – 35 Jahre Mauerfall
Languages

Kia ora Berlin Wall – 35 Jahre Mauerfall

Get in touch with German history in New Zealand by completing an interactive scavenger hunt in German in the city centre of Christchurch.

German
Workshops
Supporting Students from Different Language Backgrounds
Teacher Aide
Languages

Supporting Students from Different Language Backgrounds

Focused on the Learning Languages area of the NZ curriculum, Kaiāwhina /Teacher Aides / Learning Assistants gain deep understanding of how languages progress as well as the ways they can support students even if they do not speak the language.

New Zealand Japan Exchange Programme Grant
Languages

New Zealand Japan Exchange Programme Grant

The NZJEP grant is available to promote deeper understanding, cultural awareness and appreciation between Japan and NZ through a program of educational and cultural exchanges.

Japanese
Grants
Auf geht’s! Zeit for German - Time für Deutsch
Languages

Auf geht’s! Zeit for German - Time für Deutsch

Have you always been keen on the German language and German culture? Learn to set up a German club at your school!

German
Workshops
Exploring te ao Māori with Japanese
Languages

Exploring te ao Māori with Japanese

Discover the unique connections between te ao Māori and Japanese cultures, uncover the underlying values and thoughts shaping cultural events, and let's explore together how to integrate Māori concepts into your teaching. Enrich your classes with fresh insights!

Japanese
Workshops
French High School Education Update
Languages

French High School Education Update

Have you heard about the changes regarding le Bac and high school in France?

French
Workshops
Building Pacific Language Teaching Success
Languages

Building Pacific Language Teaching Success

Designed specifically for teachers of Pasifika Languages to support the teaching and learning of Pasifika Languages.

Workshops
Kaffeeklatsch #Auszeit #Feierabend #DiesundDas
Languages

Kaffeeklatsch #Auszeit #Feierabend #DiesundDas

Join our German National Language Adviser monthly online after school to further enhance your German language skills over a virtual coffee break.

Live
German
Workshops
Monthly Online Nihongo Café 輪和話 (wawawa)
Languages

Monthly Online Nihongo Café 輪和話 (wawawa)

Would you like to immerse yourself in Japanese and connect with other Japanese teachers?

Japanese
Workshops

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Nau mai, haere mai!

Join the Languages Learning Circle

The Languages Learning Circle is an online destination where you will find: our Calendar of Events, our searchable and rich resource hub (Pātaka Rauemi), and much more! 

We've created this online space to allow all educators - teachers, school leaders and academics - to come together and share.

It's free to join for all NZ registered teachers. Register now using the link below!

Recent newsletters

Check out our latest newsletters for our language teaching community.

Ko ngā kōrero angitū

Making an impact

Hear from educators whose practice have been positively impacted by our innovative approach to learning and professional development.

Japan Foundation Seminar Sydney

Thank you so much, Tui Tuia and The Japan Foundation for such an awesome experience. I am so excited to use the activities and resources that were shared. The other teachers were great to meet and I look forward to keeping in touch with them.

Jennie Sieczynski, John Paul II High School, Greymouth

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Improving my Japanese

I am able to improve my Japanese during the session but also we share some thoughts and ideas of teaching and experiences that I often apply to my classes.
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Listening to spoken Japanese

I enjoyed listening to the Japanese language spoken, and trying to make myself understood in Japanese too. It gives me a greater appreciation of how difficult my students may find speaking Japanese too.
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Reviewing past lessons

The reviews of the past lessons [from the online Chinese workshops] were very valuable as they helped me to regularly consolidate my new learning. The lesson content was very relevant to my daily life which helped me to grasp concepts faster. In my practice, I will incorporate this consistent repetition to help reinforce my learners' abilities and knowledge.
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Valuable workshop experience

It was all so valuable! The workshop was interesting and practical. We left with great resources to use in the classroom as well. I wouldn't change anything - the variety of activities and presenters complemented each other. The location was comfortable and the food was delicious and generous.
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Workshop light-bulb moments

During the workshop "Unpacking the story behind the Berlin Wall," the most valuable part for me was gaining a deeper understanding of the historical context and significance of the Berlin Wall. My light-bulb moment was realising the profound impact it had on the lives of countless individuals and how it symbolised the ideological division during the Cold War.
As for the workshop on "Tracking down German Castles," the highlight for me was learning about the rich cultural heritage and architectural marvels of these castles. Discovering the diverse histories behind each castle and their role in shaping Germany's past was truly enlightening.
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Excellent ideas on Padlet

I always love the padlets that go with those workshops. There are so many excellent ideas, it is hard to decide which one is the best one.
My lightbulb moment would be to link Matariki to kite flying. I had thought about the lantern parades before but not about the kites.
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Natural Japanese speaking

Listening to the natural Japanese of our Advisor and the other Japanese national teachers was very valuable.  I need that kind of practice.  Also enjoyed making the 'Teru teru bouzu' and will probably do that with my Year 9 class soon.
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NCEA changes in Spanish

Interesting to see the NCEA changes - I am very new to NCEA so doesn't feel like a big leap to me but when they talked about comparing Maori cultural practices to Latin American cultural practices. I could see the value and ease in doing this in a languages class.
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Qué Onda radio programme

It was great to hear from Judith and Qué Onda radio programme. It will be very useful for students to have extra listening practice and also for us teachers, even for ideas for activities or texts for exams.
Even students could start their own short radio programme within their school, and prepare articles, news, etc. This would take time to organise but it can be beneficial too.
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Furoshiki workshop

I recently had the privilege of hosting our Japanese advisor, Kaori Fukazawa, who introduced my high school Japanese classes to the fascinating world of furoshiki. She brought along an assortment of beautifully patterned furoshiki cloths and the highlight of the session was undoubtedly the hands-on activity that followed. Beyond the technical aspects, the furoshiki experience provided my students with valuable life skills. They learned about sustainability and the eco-friendly nature of furoshiki as a reusable alternative to single-use wrapping materials.
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Meeting Language Teachers

Meeting with other language teachers is always refreshing and reassuring. Great ideas to take away and can apply to your teaching.
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Cross-Cultural Understanding for Chinese

I am excited to incorporate these new learnings into my teachings and continue to foster cross-cultural understanding and appreciation among our diverse student body.
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Reminder NZ Curriculum

[The workshop] was a great reminder to refer to the NZ Curriculum, the Ellis Principles, and the importance of the incorporation of cultural norms into my practice as well as the importance of making lessons 'real' for students and providing a gap for them to get information from each other.
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Increasing Target Languages

Lots of the content from today's workshop I find very useful to me. Personally it was a great reminder to me that there is a lot more I can do in my classroom. Examples such as making tasks more meaningful and authentic, don't be afraid of making mistakes and increase the input of target language in teaching, and learning different cultures together with the kids ect. I will definitely incorporate many of the valuable ideas from today's PLD into my practice.
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Spanish Benefits

Spanish enables me to think from a different perspective allowing mental flexibility and different ways of solving problems for my work.
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Love of Language

Initially I just thought it seemed like a fun language and a useful one to learn given the large number or countries where it's spoken, and then as I learnt more I just fell in love with how gorgeous of a language it is and wanted to keep discovering more of it and perfecting it.
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Great Support through PLD

Thanks so much for your support throughout this year and constantly adding more ideas or feedback with new resources or things I could try instead. It's great to receive information and ideas from yourselves and other language teachers. I will apply for another PLD for next year! Thanks again!
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Latin America and Reflexive Verbs

I plan to use reflexive verbs with the students for them to compare a day in the life of a New Zealander and someone from Latin America.
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Maori Legends in Spanish

I plan to incorporate Maori legends into the Spanish classroom.
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German History

There was a number of activities that are really appealing and easy enough to implement, like the blindfolded food degustation to learn adjectives (describing texture and taste), introducing Handball (particularly good for last period) and putting a radio show together (for senior students). I really liked the movie about an escape from East Germany and plan to show it to my senior students when talking about German history.
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Exciting Year

I don't think you can describe an experience using just 2 or 3 words. I would say this year has been really exciting, I have developed a lot of teaching skills as well as coaching skills (coaching for one school's football team), and I got to meet new people.
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Shared Experiences

The general discussion of the teachers who took part which led to the realisation that the difficulties I am experiencing are also shared by other teachers.
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Face to Face Facilitator

I enjoy having face to face contact with a facilitator in a group situation and feel that a full day is beneficial and allows plenty of time for discussion and activities without the presenter having to rush.
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Excellent Resources and Activities

The whole presentation was engaging and the resources and activities presented were excellent. We had a lot of opportunities to try out, and understand the activities and discuss how we could apply them in our classes. I will definitely include many of them.
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Student Equity

Know my students, help provide equity ensuring all students are seen as individuals who have potential and it is my job to help them reach their full potential.
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Learning Difficulty Tools

I have increased the tools in my toolbox to help students who have learning difficulties. I hope to keep using and adding on to these.
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Fighting for Language and Culture

Through the process, it helped me to think differently, plan more carefully, and respond to students more strategically. To keep thriving. To keep adding to my kete of knowledge. To be fierce in the education sector and fight for what's right for your language and culture.
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New Ways of Benefiting the Learners

Teaching is all about trying out new ways for the benefit of the learners. There isn't any one-size-fits-all method as our learners are all unique and different.
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Tongan Lanuage

As a new teacher teaching the Tongan language for the first time, this really helped a lot with giving me some ideas to implement in my teaching and make the subject interesting for students.
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Strategy of Spoken Language

My knowledge has vastly improved in terms of strategies I can use and that my students can use to use more spoken language in the classroom. The next challenge is to make it meaningful and not just do it for the sake of it.
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Target Language

I'm more confident now as the programme helped me to navigate multilevel classes, through interactive activities that the students are able to participate in using the Target Language.
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French TEMP

The facilitators from Learning Circle helped my french become better than I had imagined I was capable of. I have a newfound confidence in how well I'll be able to interact with the public for my upcoming move to Lyon.
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As a languages teacher, it is important

As a languages teacher, it is important for me to keep on learning another language so that I can explore various second language acquisition theories and put them into practice.
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Poipoia te pā harakeke
He puāwaitanga anamata

Through nurturing learners, educators, leaders and communities, our future will flourish.

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Trusted partners & donors

We work closely with many organisations including language associations, other providers of teacher training and professional development, universities, overseas governments and business associations delivering quality, support and opportunities for teachers.

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