Sia Ua Bilingual Unit
The Tongan Bilingual Unit was given the name Sia Ua by Princess Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili, when it was first established.
“Sia” is a Tongan word for weaving or putting together of the fishing net and “Ua” means two. Sia Ua, in this context is used to describe how Tongan and English languages are both used for teaching and learning.
Sia Ua aims to promote high proficiency in two languages by maintaining the Tongan language and using that to promote the acquisition of English. Students become truly bilingual thus achieving academically.
Sia Ua is made up of nine classes, which starts from New Entrants to Year 8.
| Room | Year Level | Tongan | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Year 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Year 0-1 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Year 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 6B | Year 3-4 | 80% | 20% |
| 6 | Year 3 – 4 | 50% | 50% |
| 9A | Year 5 – 6 | 60% | 40% |
| 7 | Year 5 – 6 | 50% | 50% |
| 8 | Year 7 – 8 | 50% | 50% |
| 9 | Year 7 – 8 | 50% | 50% |
Goals of Sia Ua Bilingual Unit
1. Children to use the Tongan language for learning across the curriculum
2. Graduates of Sia Ua to be proficient in Tongan and English
3. Students in Sia Ua to have good understanding of their identity
Click below for
Language Learning for Sia Ua
Click below for
Second Language Learning Programme
Kau Faiako Sia Ua
