Talanoa - Scholarly Commons Home

The Assumptions
The assumptions made are based not only on my view as the researcher conducting the
study but by the prevailing views in the field of education. I assume that as Tongan
parents migrated they bring talanoa with them. Talanoa belongs to Tongans and they
usually practise talanoa at home. Talanoa is a Tongan way of conversation although
other Pacific island nations do talanoa. Talanoa is a principle source of learning for
Tongans. Talanoa, as the habit and conduct of discourse in Tonga, is frequently
witnessed and practised by children while at home. Discourse is therefore a principal
means of home-teaching (Tagoilelagi-Leota et al., 2005) which suggests it would be a
principle and familiar means of formally teaching children.
The parents speak in Tongan to their children at home and in communities located in
New Zealand (Taumoefolau, Starks, Davies, & Bell, 2002). Therefore, having the
parents speak Tongan at home to their children helps most Tongan children living in
New Zealand to become bilingual (Aipolo & Holmes, 1990; Taufe'ulungaki, Benson, &
Pene, 2002) and those students would benefit from familiar forms of language used in
their formal education (Taufe'ulungaki, 1991). Many research studies have verified that
knowledge of and proficient use of rich language forms and expression is inseparable
from academic achievement no matter the language used.
Using talanoa, the familiar forms of expression, in school could accelerate and deepen
children's adoption of new knowledge and additional languages whether in the formal
school setting or at home.
Therefore the aspects of the study are:
1. Talanoa as a pedagogy is a Tongan practice in the home.
2. Talanoa is a source of knowledge from Tongan language and culture
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