Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Mātauranga Māori endorsement)
Teaching
A course by
University of Canterbury
A three-year (full-time) Bachelor of Teaching and Learning with a Mātauranga Māori endorsement, preparing graduates to teach in early childhood and primary education settings with a strong foundation in te reo Māori, Māori knowledge and pedagogies.
Blended study
This is a mix of online learning & face-to-face sessions
University of Canterbury, Christchurch
It will take a total of 3 years
Core skills this course teaches
Bicultural teaching competence
Develop the ability to teach within early childhood or primary education, using Māori philosophies, pedagogies, and te reo Māori me ōna tikanga.
Te reo Māori immersion
Achieve high proficiency in teaching in and through te reo Māori, with over 81% immersion delivery by the third year.
Professional Practice
Undertake practical experiences and professional practice in bilingual, Māori Medium, and mainstream classrooms/settings.
What You're Signing Up For
The Mātauranga Māori Initial Teacher Education pathway at the University of Canterbury equips students to teach in early childhood and primary settings. The programme emphasises Māori philosophies, values, and knowledge, with curriculum delivery predominantly in te reo Māori from year three, and significant practicum experiences in relevant educational settings. The pathway prepares graduates for bilingual and bicultural teaching roles, fostering future educators with strong competence in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, guided by Te Whāriki, Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, and Te Aho Matua.
Course Content
- Te ao Māori philosophies and knowledge
- Te reo Māori and tikanga Māori immersion
- Bicultural and bilingual education practices
- Early childhood and primary education pedagogy
- Mana Ako (Professional Practice Exploration) in early childhood centres and kura kaupapa Māori
- Guidance by Te Whāriki and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa
- Learning via online and face-to-face blended delivery including marae stays
- Māori language immersion (by third year: 81%+ te reo Māori)
- Recognition of prior learning pathways for advanced te reo proficiency
- Core 100-, 200-, and 300-level teaching and Mātauranga Māori courses
- Block wānanga (face to face learning events) and noho marae (overnight marae stays) yearly
What you need to know first
Participation in a selection hui (interview) to evaluate te reo Māori proficiency.
For those with limited/no proficiency: must complete TREO110 OR AKOT110 in Summer School before starting.
Some prior te reo Māori knowledge preferred but not required; advanced learners may receive Recognition of Prior Learning for some courses.
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Education
Māori Medium Education
Future employment opportunities might be
Teacher in early childhood (whare kōhungahunga)
Teacher in kura tuatahi (primary school)
Kaiako roles in bilingual or Māori medium schools
Support roles in education promoting bicultural and bilingual learning