Samoan Celebrations Bingo

Overview

This 60-minute engaging language lesson introduces Year 10 students to vocabulary and cultural knowledge about celebrations in Samoa through a collaborative and interactive bingo game. The lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum’s Learning Languages area, emphasising communication, cultural understanding, and the development of key learning competencies including using language, relating to others, and participating and contributing.

Curriculum Connections

Learning Area:

Learning Languages (New Zealand Curriculum 2007)

Students learn to communicate in another language, develop understanding of different world views, and connect culturally.

Achievement Objectives (Year 9-10, Level 5-6) - Learning Languages:

Understand and use common vocabulary and phrases related to cultural themes (e.g., celebrations)
Participate in interactions and conversations using increasingly complex language
Recognise cultural practices and explain their significance in authentic contexts

Key Competencies Addressed:

Using language, symbols, and texts: Engage with Samoan language vocabulary and phrases related to celebrations, practise listening and speaking skills.
Relating to others: Work cooperatively in pairs/groups during the bingo game and share cultural knowledge respectfully.
Participating and contributing: Contribute to a classroom community by actively engaging in the shared learning activity.
Thinking: Apply critical thinking when associating descriptions and words about Samoan celebrations.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Identify and use key Samoan vocabulary related to celebrations.
Explain simple cultural facts about Samoan celebrations.
Collaborate and communicate using Samoan language phrases during the bingo activity.
Show respect and appreciation for Samoan cultural traditions through learning and interaction.

Resources

Bingo cards with images and Samoan words/phrases relating to celebrations
Calling cards with vocabulary, definitions, or images
Whiteboard or projector for instructions and key vocabulary
Small prizes (optional) to motivate participation

Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Details	NZ Curriculum Links
0-10 mins	Introduction & Vocabulary Preview	- Briefly introduce the topic: Celebrations in Samoa - Present key vocabulary with images and pronunciation: e.g., fa‘alavelave (ceremony), siva (dance), ‘ava (kava ceremony), ‘aiga (family), fete‘ena‘i (feasting), malaga (trip/visit) - Use a short video clip or images to contextualise	Learning Languages AO: vocabulary acquisition Key Competency: Using language, symbols, and texts
10-15 mins	Vocabulary Practice	- Teacher models pronunciation and meaning - Students repeat chorally and individually - Practice simple phrases such as “O le afiafi o le fa‘alavelave” (The evening of the ceremony) - Pair students to practise asking and answering about celebrations	Learning Languages AO: oral language practice Key Competency: Relating to others, Using language
15-20 mins	Explain Bingo Rules & Set Up	- Explain how Samoan celebrations bingo will be played: players listen for words or descriptions and mark their cards - Demonstrate examples - Distribute bingo cards and calling cards	Managing self: Understanding instructions Participating and contributing: group collaboration
20-50 mins	Play Bingo Game	- Call out Samoan words, definitions, or descriptions aloud - Students mark their cards (pictures and words) - Encourage use of simple Samoan phrases during play, e.g., “Ua ‘uma lo’u bingo!” (I have bingo!) - Pause occasionally to revisit vocabulary and check understanding - Celebrate winners with acknowledgement of Samoan cultural protocols (e.g., a respectful clap)	Using language, symbols, and texts: listening and recognition Participating and contributing: group interaction and cultural respect
50-60 mins	Reflection & Discussion	- Ask students to share 1-2 new facts learned about Samoan celebrations - Encourage short phrases in Samoan or English to express their favourite part - Teacher summarises cultural significance and how language helps understanding identity and cultural pride	Key Competencies: Thinking, Relating to others Learning Languages: cultural knowledge and reflection

Assessment

Formative: Teacher observes participation, pronunciation, and use of vocabulary during bingo and discussion.
Peer Assessment: Students listen and respond to each other’s contributions.
Self-Assessment: Reflection shares summarise students’ engagement with learning and cultural insights.

Teaching Tips & Extension Ideas

Include audio clips of traditional Samoan chants or songs as part of the lesson or bingo calls.
Invite a Samoan community member or student to share stories or cultural knowledge.
Create a digital version of the bingo game for remote or blended learning contexts.
Link vocabulary and celebrations with wider Pacific language and cultural studies.
Use multimedia (images, real objects) to build more immersive vocabulary learning.

Notes on New Zealand Curriculum Integration

This lesson explicitly engages with the Learning Languages area of the New Zealand Curriculum by developing students' capacity to communicate in Samoan, understand cultural practices, and participate in social language use. The activities promote the five key competencies, crucial for success across curricula and life. The teaching reflects principles such as cultural inclusion, student engagement through authentic contexts, and building on prior knowledge and community connections, as required by the New Zealand Curriculum framework.

This lesson offers an innovative, culturally rich, and interactive learning experience that deepens students’ language skills and cultural awareness, designed to ‘wow’ teachers and students alike!

Teaching Instructions