Learning a Pacific Language (New York, York: school, university, friendly)

[Joan144]

Hi,

I'm looking to learn a Pacific language and I'm finding it diffcult to find programs, classes (both physical and on-line), tutors, etc. in the NYC area. I'm interested in learning any Pacific langauge, like Samoan, Tongan, Maori, etc.
If you have any suggestions for where in NYC, New York, (online or not), please let me know. Thanks!!!

[springman]

Pacific? What about Chinese, Japanese, Korean.... and West coast American English?

[nyctc7]

I think you're going to have a tough time in your search as it is just not profitable for a language school or university to offer courses in languages where there aren't a whole lot of speakers.

I liked this language school, they may be able to steer you in the right direction, they are very friendly: ABC Language Exchange

You could try inquring at the Embassy or Consulate or U.N. Mission (which are right here in NYC) of the particular country where the language is spoken. They all usually have a website, and I imagine they'd be delighted to hear from someone interested in their culture and language.

[Moderate Guy]

Originally Posted by Joan144

Hi,

I'm looking to learn a Pacific language and I'm finding it diffcult to find programs, classes (both physical and on-line), tutors, etc. in the NYC area. I'm interested in learning any Pacific langauge, like Samoan, Tongan, Maori, etc.
If you have any suggestions for where in NYC, New York, (online or not), please let me know. Thanks!!!

Originally Posted by nyctc7

You could try inquring at the Embassy or Consulate or U.N. Mission (which are right here in NYC) of the particular country where the language is spoken.

Pardon my ignorance...but what would be the consulate to contact if I want to learn these languages....the consulate of Tonga for Tongan and the embassy of Maor for Maori ?

[nyctc7]

If the consulate is not in NYC, maybe the UN Mission is a better bet, but one could still call or e-mail the other.

Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations - Home
(consulate is in San Francisco)

nzembassy.com - New Zealand Mission to the United Nations
(Embassy is in Washington, D.C.)

I'm thinking one of the purposes of these Embassies, Consulates, and Missions is to promote their countries, and that they would welcome inquiries into their language and culture. Whether they would actually know where to study the language other than actually going to the country itself, I don't know. Seems worth a shot.

[Henna]

I would call the people who are already teaching these languages in the states. Academics always have colleagues in various places.

Home--Department of Indo-Pacific Languages and Literature, University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Languages
The Department provides instruction in the languages of the Indo-Pacific area to a broad spectrum of students at the University. The coverage of these languages is unique in the United States: this is the only department in the country to offer a BA degree in Philippine Language and Literature (Filipino or Ilokano) and the only one to offer every national language of Southeast Asia, as well as classical and modern Indian languages.

IPLL offers the following language courses on a regular basis: Arabic, Cambodian (Khmer), Chamorro, Filipino, Hindi, Ilokano, Indonesian, Maori, Samoan, Sanskrit, Tahitian, Thai, Tongan, and Vietnamese. Additional languages and topics may be offered on an as-needed basis.

[tineka6]

Originally Posted by Miles

the embassy of Maor for Maori ?

lol

[hyksos]

I used to work for this company, which sells self-teaching language courses. They have Samoan and Maori. Some of the programs for bigger languages are comprehensive but lot of the smaller courses were not particularly easy. Anyway, check them out at Audio-Forum - The Audio and Language Source

[Joan144]

Thanks to all your replies. I'm specifically targeting languages other than CJK-Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, because if I wanted to learn those, I wouldn't have any problems finding a course here in NYC. I'm looking at "other" Pacific languages like Maori or Samoan because I plan to take up Pacific Island studies. That said, I've found most classes are offered in the West coast, with University of Hawaii being the best place to study these languages. But I will take a look at the various links you've all posted. Thanks again!