Literacy begins in the fale

Abstract

The problem of illiteracy is of growing international concern in Samoa as elsewhere. This article demonstrates that selected family members of a fale (traditional Samoan family residence), can be trained to begin the learning process in oral and writing skills with young children, both in English and Samoan. In addition, the matai (chiefs) who are responsible for family and village affairs, can be the facilitators of this sustainable project in their own families first, then their designated districts, where young and old alike can learn from each other in familiar settings