Reminder: 2025 period 1 ESOL funding applications

Applications for 2025 Period 1 (Terms 1 and 2) funding applications are due on Monday 10 March 2025. You may notice this date is later than the 1 March date used for many years. We have extended the date for two reasons: in response to requests from schools who find it challenging to collect the information needed in the short time frame at the beginning or the year, and because from March 2025 we are implementing an automated data entry system at the Ministry. The improved system aims to speed up the ESOL funding process - the funding payment should be made within the usual timeframe even though schools will have a little longer to submit applications.

The automated data entry system relies on accurate information being supplied from schools, so please double check your application before submitting it!

The ESOL funding process will remain exactly the same for schools, including the use of the secure data portal. If you are not sure who your school’s Secure Data Portal User is, check with your principal or office manager.

International Mother Languages Day

Friday 21 February marked International Mother Language Day, a global celebration of linguistic diversity and multilingualism.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) first proclaimed International Mother Language Day in 1999 to promote linguistic diversity and multilingual education. This initiative aims to safeguard the world's linguistic heritage, recognising that languages are essential to cultural identity, social cohesion, and economic development.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, we are proud of our rich cultural heritage, with a diverse range of languages spoken across the country. Te reo Māori occupies a special place in our linguistic landscape as our unique indigenous language, a taonga. NZ Sign language is also a taonga unique to our country. Both of these are official languages here by law, while English is a de facto official language meaning its official status is presumed and not written into law.

In Aotearoa New Zealand we also recognise the importance of languages spoken by our Pacific people – Gagana Samoa, Lea Faka-Tonga, Vaghahau Niue, Te Reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani, Te Taetae ni Kiribati. Te Gagana Tokelau, Papua Niugini Tok Pisin, Solomon Aelan Pijin, Faeag Rotuam Ta, Te Gana Tuvalu, Vosa VakaViti. Each of these Pacific languages is celebrated as a language week throughout the year. Check out the Ministry for Pacific Peoples website for this year’s dates which will be available soon.

Pacific Language Weeks – Ministry for Pacific Peoples

In addition, there are many Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, African and European languages spoken here. Our education system encourages and supports students to maintain and nurture their mother languages, while also acquiring English language skills. We know that having more than one language is an advantage in our global, ever-changing world where diversity of thought and perspective are increasingly sought after. There are more than 138 languages represented in our schools.

International Mother Language Day serves as a reminder of the vital role all languages play in shaping our identities, and cultures, and the central roles these play in shaping a fulfilling and meaningful education. By embracing linguistic diversity, we can foster a sense of belonging and identity among students from diverse backgrounds, promote cross-cultural understanding and respect, support cognitive development and academic achievement through multilingual education, and preserve New Zealand's rich linguistic heritage for future generations.

Although the day itself has passed, we can continue to promote the spirit of International Mother Language Day in our schools and communities as we celebrate the rich tapestry of languages in Aotearoa and promote a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and multilingualism.

Ngā reo, ngā tikanga, ngā taonga tuku iho – Languages, cultures, and treasures passed down.

By Senior Advisor Refugee and Migrant Support Saniya Surani, with Ākonga Māori Outcomes and Ākonga Pacific Outcomes Groups

Ramadan Kareem

Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.

The first and last dates of Ramadan are determined by the lunar Islamic calendar. Muslims can usually estimate the beginning of Ramadan; however, many Muslims prefer to confirm the opening of Ramadan by direct visual observation of the crescent moon. This year Ramadan will begin around 2 March and last until 31 March. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, and is an important celebration of faith, family and food. Fasting during Ramadan means those involved do not eat or drink from before sunrise up until sunset. There are children, families and communities in Aotearoa who acknowledge and participate in Ramadan.

Common greetings that can be offered during Ramadan include Ramadan mubarak, "blessed Ramadan" and Ramadan kareem, "generous Ramadan".

Senior Advisors Refugee and Migrant Support, Aafia Yasin and Saniya Surani, have recorded a short presentation covering an introduction to Ramadan; the meaning, common practices, and guidelines for school communities to facilitate a better understanding of how to support students, colleagues and whānau who are observing Ramadan.

Community Partnerships Hub Leaders' Hui

The Community Partnerships team gathered with Hub Leaders across the motu last week to strengthen connections and share insights. Learning Community Hubs (LCH) are a place for ethnic whānau and families to learn about and engage with the New Zealand education system, helping participants feel informed and empowered. In 2024, a total of 51 Learning Community Hubs were successfully established and delivered across New Zealand; spanning Auckland, Hamilton, Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Canterbury, and Dunedin. Throughout the year, 478 workshops were conducted, providing support to 3,652 families and actively engaging 2,298 students. The initiative saw contributions from 643 schools and extended its impact to 62 ethnic communities - fostering inclusion, collaboration, and meaningful connections nationwide.

If you’d like to learn more about LCH in your region for 2025, reach out to the Senior Advisor Community Partnerships for your area:

• Email Nazreen Shaban: [email protected] for Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland.
• Email Awad Hagos at [email protected] for Kirikiriroa | Hamilton and Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland.
• Email Cinthia Soto: [email protected] for Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington.
• Email Zahra Emamzadeh: [email protected] for Te Waipounamu | South Island.

Save the date

Every term, the LCH team organises a webinar for ethnic communities which offers a closer look at an aspect of education in New Zealand. You can help by spreading the word to families and community groups that could benefit from this kōrero.

The first of the LCH termly webinars will be Monday 19 May at 6pm. The topic will be NCEA - more details to come soon.

Reminder: Information webinars 'New to delivering ESOL support'

The ESOL team is holding two webinars for any teachers, SENCO, LSCs, ESOL coordinators, and school leaders new to providing ESOL support.

Key topics will include:

• Who are our English language learners?
• How can we cater for their learning needs?

The sessions will cover the same content, so it is not necessary to attend both. The online sessions will be held on:

• Wednesday 12 March at 3:15pm: Register here.
• Thursday 20 March at 3:15pm: Register here.

Focus on learning: Cultural Leaders at Ilam School

Ilam School in Christchurch has always encouraged its ethnically diverse students to maintain their first language as they learn English. The role of cultural leader was initiated at the school more than 20 years ago.

DP Kirsten Aaron says, “It is now a highly sought after role. Cultural leaders must be strongly bilingual and willing to promote their language and culture within the school”. A cultural leader’s role includes welcoming new families at the mihi whakatau and new entrant hui, meeting and greeting parents or visitors, being a translator for a new child, presenting about their culture to the school assembly or sharing aspects of their culture with staff at a morning tea talk.

At the start, students in this role were called cultural ambassadors and there were only 4, but as the role developed the name was changed to cultural leaders and each year there are 10-12 of them representing the school.

A feature of the school year at Ilam School is their Cultural Day, celebrated in Term 1. This year there were 64 different cultures represented, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Highlights included the opening ceremony, the parade through the university, the cultural concert, and of course the shared lunch.

Useful links

English language learning progressions

English language learning progressions pathway

ESOL Online