Wise+Words+from+a+Tongan+Second+Language+Student

To conclude I would like to leave you with this poem from a Tongan student in my class several years back. I think it speaks volumes about learning a second language and learning **in** a second language while maintaining one's heritage language, identity, culture and values all of which are key principles in and of themselves, underlying the 10 principles discussed in this wiki.

__TO BE TONGAN__ By Penieli Misinale 6th Form MRGS

To be Tongan Educate yourself enough So you may understand The ways of other people But not too much That you may lose Your understanding of your own

Try things palagi Not so you may become palagi But so you may see the value Of things Tongan

Learn to Speak Tongan Not so you may sound Tongan But so you may Feel the essence Of being Tongan

 __TO BE TONGAN__  By Penieli Misinale 6th Form MRGS  To be Tongan  Educate yourself enough  So you may understand  The ways of other people  But not too much  That you may lose  Your understanding of your own  Try things palagi  Not so you may become palagi  But so you may see the value  Of things Tongan  Learn to Speak Tongan  Not so you may sound Tongan  But so you may <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -40px; line-height: 150%; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: -25px; width: 1px;"> Feel the essence <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -40px; line-height: 150%; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: -25px; width: 1px;"> Of being Tongan