The Laei Samoa Framework: Exploring the Long-Term Impacts of Samoan Bilingual/Immersion Education on the lives of Samoan Graduates

This research investigates the impact of Samoan Bilingual/Immersion Education (SBIE) on graduates’ lives, and its effect on their wellbeing and career trajectories. Despite its status as the third most spoken language in Aotearoa NZ, there is a dearth of research on the outcomes and experiences of SBIE students. In light of concerns about language shift and potential loss of gagana Samoa (Samoan language), this study highlights the power of Indigenous Education to support language revitalisation. Graduates came from Samoan speaking homes, and were schooled in SBIE during their primary years, having a marked influence on their maintenance of gagana Samoa and their cultural wellbeing. Grounded in an interpretivist paradigm and guided by fa‘a Samoa principles, this qualitative study explores the linguistic, cultural, and educational impacts of SBIE on the lives of seven adult graduates. Employing culturally sensitive methodologies such as talanoa/talanoaga and Teu le va, the study sought to answer the question: “How have Samoan Bilingual/Immersion Education schooling experiences impacted graduates’ subsequent life journeys?” The findings revealed that SBIE graduates transitioned smoothly into Englishmedium secondary schooling, university, and the workforce, attributing their success to their embedded Samoan educational experiences. Equipped with skills and strategies acquired in Samoan bilingual units, graduates navigated challenges and forged positive future pathways. Bilingualism and biliteracy not only proved advantageous in the workplace but also held personal value for these Samoan adults in their aiga (families) and communities. The graduates’ perceptions of “success” were deeply nested in their Samoan identities, reflecting a commitment to Samoan values and ways of being. Their success in SBIE enabled them to stand strongly in their Samoan identity and to be successful in multiple worlds. These findings contribute valuable insights into the benefits of heritage language education in dominant language societies. SBIE emerges as a catalyst for producing educated, linguistically and culturally grounded role models, who are fully contributing bilingual and biliterate members of society.

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor dc:publisher

ResearchSpace@Auckland

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Aseta, Martha Fa‘amata

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Webber, Melinda
• Trinick, Tony
• Si'ilata, Rae

Statement dc:rights

• Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2292/69260

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchspace.auckland.ac.nz:2292/69260