Te Rangitahi 1

Te Ao Hou, March 1964, Page 55

Te Rangitahi 1 by Hoani Waititi Government Printer, 25/- It has been realised for a long time that a new approach was necessary in the teaching of Maori. In the past, textbooks have usually attempted to follow the methods used in teaching Latin, in defiance of the fact that the nature and structure of Maori make it as different from Latin as any language could be. Furthermore, Latin is a dead language, but Maori is a living one. Now, after a great deal of hard work and initial testing, a modern textbook designed for the teaching of Maori to pupils in Form III has been produced. It is the result of close co-operation between Mr Hoani Waititi, of the Education Department, and the Maori Language Advisory Committee. In this new textbook the grammar is not given in the form of abstract rules which have to be memorised. Instead, the vocabulary and constructions used in the lessons are so carefully presented that to some extent the rules can be absorbed without the student's realising that he is doing so, and there is a special emphasis on exercises giving plenty of practice in the use of each new construction. The text is closely linked to illustration, which are of great assistance in helping one's memory; these

drawings, and the lively modern nature of the text, make the book most attractive to use. The vocabulary is drawn from Maori as it is now spoken; that is, it freely incorporates words of recent formation. This was inevitable if the language was to be presented as a living one. ‘Te Rangitahi 1’ is a real milestone, and will make a tremendous difference to the teaching of Maori in schools. Furthermore, although it is not designed for those adults (an ever-growing band) who are learning the language on their own, many of these will find the book a great help; especially perhaps if they have some small knowledge of Maori to start with. Two other volumes in the series, intended for fourth forms and upwards, are now being prepared. It is a pity that the cost of production has made this volume so expensive, but perhaps future editions of it will be cheaper. M.O.