Te Reo Māori Pronunciation - Upskilling the Aotearoa NZ Education Workforce through Online and AI Solutions

• In Event: From Histories to Horizons: Indigenous Language Sovereignty and Artificial Intelligence in Shaping Education's Future

Abstract

Pronouncing names correctly is significant in building educational relationships with diverse stakeholders and communities. However, many language learners face challenges with pronunciation, which can affect their confidence and fluency. Pronunciation is often taught through listen-and-repeat activities, whereas mastering pronunciation requires accurate articulation (mouth shape and tongue position). This research project utilises the lenses of indigenisation, Te Tiriti-based partnerships, critical pedagogies of place and universal design for learning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of an online course in promoting the correct pronunciation of te reo Māori. The course is primarily delivered within a one-year Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme and is currently limited in assessment approach and scalability. Therefore, opportunities for integrating AI-based assessment are being explored.

Authors

• Piata Allen, University of Auckland

• Jesin James, University of Auckland

• Peter Keegan, University of Auckland

• Catherine Watson, University of Auckland