This specialty is designed for students of all backgrounds who want to work with Pacific children, bringing an understanding of Pacific perspectives to the New Zealand curriculum. You develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes to work effectively with Pacific primary or intermediate students.
Minimum entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS (academic) 7.0 overall with all bands 7.0 or higher
Selection criteria
Interview, numeracy and literacy competency assessment, CV and experience working with young children.
Preferred school subjects
Language rich subjects from AUT’s subject list, art and design subjects, languages, mathematics subjects, Dance, Digital Technologies, Drama, Health Education, Physical Education.
Turn your passion for educating children between 5 and 12 years into a career in primary or intermediate teaching. As a graduate of this programme you’ll have the understanding, skills and academic requirements to be a primary teacher. You’ll be eligible to apply for provisional registration with the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Year 1
You complete 120 points (8 papers) across the following areas:
Professional practice
Teaching the curriculum
Studies in education
Year 2
You complete 120 papers (8 papers) across the following areas:
Professional practice
Teaching the curriculum
Studies in education
Year 3
You will continue your studies with 120 points (8 papers) in the following areas and have options to choose topics you wish to pursue in greater depth:
Teaching placements
All students need to complete a number of teaching placements in a diverse range of practicum settings (as prescribed by the Education Council). During your placements you work with children between 5 and 12 years in a variety of Pasifika primary or intermediate school settings. This workplace experience helps you become an effective, responsive and reflective teacher and achieve the Education Council Graduating Teacher Standards.
You learn to work effectively as a member of the teaching team, reflect on your practice, establish positive relationships with members of the learning community, explore how to bring Pacific perspectives into curriculum, respect diversity and develop teaching practices responsive to the needs of the learner. You also learn to recognise how the theory you’re learning in the classroom is helping you understand your role as a student teacher in supporting children’s learning. For many students this workplace experience is the highlight of the degree.
Teaching in mainstream primary or intermediate schools, centres, particularly those with a high percentage of Pacific students