Äiwoo Literacy Training Empowers Local Teachers

A new literacy training program in Temotu Province helps Aiwoo speakers learn to read and write in their native language.

Recognizing the importance of preserving and promoting literacy in the Aiwoo language, the Mikilinuäve Aiwoo Translation Ministry recently conducted a teacher training workshop in Ngâmane Village. The initiative aimed to equip local educators with the skills to teach Aiwoo speakers how to read and write in their native language.

Church leaders from the five Aiwoo-speaking districts selected participants for the two-week training held from March 17 to 28, 2025. The workshop was led by SITAG Literacy Specialist Martha Matzke, assisted by Timothy Matzke, and focused on phonics, reading, and writing instruction using a specially designed Aiwoo reading primer.

A highlight of the training was a practical session at Gauwâ Primary School, where the newly trained teachers had the opportunity to apply their skills in a real classroom setting. The results were immediate and inspiring. Students who had previously struggled with reading English demonstrated an ability to read and write in Aiwoo with ease, much to the surprise and delight of their teachers.

“I see that the students are progressing. They can easily write a story, make a sentence in Aiwoo, and it will be easier for them to translate those sentences into English. I think the Ministry of Education should consider this programme,” said Gauwâ Primary School head teacher Emily Bolami.

At the conclusion of the training, the newly certified literacy teachers gathered in district groups to strategize on literacy awareness initiatives and identify community members—such as school dropouts, adults, youth, and children—who would benefit from literacy classes. Many expressed a strong commitment to ensuring that every Aiwoo speaker has the opportunity to learn to read and write in their native tongue.

The training program was made possible through funding from donors in New Zealand via Wycliffe Bible Translators. Wycliffe New Zealand places a strong emphasis on literacy, aiming to make God’s Word accessible to people in their own languages.

The Mikilinuäve Aiwoo Translation Ministry is optimistic about launching literacy classes soon. Dorothy Aliko, a member of the translation team, expressed deep gratitude for the training, emphasizing that the newly trained teachers are committed to making sure no Aiwoo speaker is left behind. As Aiwoo scripture translation continues, more reading materials, including the Book of Mark, are becoming available for the community.

With growing enthusiasm for Aiwoo literacy, there is hope that this program will not only enhance language preservation but also improve overall literacy rates among Aiwoo speakers, fostering greater educational opportunities for future generations.

The primer lesson helps students understand the syllables that make up the language.

Syllables, words and sentences from the primer provide reading practice for students

Trainees prepared lessons from the Äiwoo reading primer on chart paper for presentation practice

The trainees practiced the reading methods with each other in order to gain confidence

Gauwä Primary School students and teachers showing off their story writing in Äiwoo

A Gauwâ Primary School identifies 2 syllables which form an Äiwoo word

Gauwâ Primary School wrote their first story in Äiwoo, their first language

Gauwâ Primary School created sentences which they then practiced reading

Following the programme closing, the participants posed for a group photo

The trainees learned various methods to help new readers to recognise words.

During the training, participants learned how to help students learn to read stories.

Literacy teacher trainees practice using their skills in small during the training

Source: SITAG