Ōfaga Leo
The Ōfaga Leo is a Samoan language nest program that cultivates young children rooted in the faʻasāmoa, Samoan language and culture. Its total immersion approach aims to produce speakers who are proficient in their mother tongue while culturally grounded in their identity as Samoans.
Why Ōfaga Leo?
“Ōfaga” refers to a “nest” and “leo” refers to “voice” and is a metaphor for a “language nest” - a place where children’s voices are nourished and developed - both their gagana Sāmoa (Samoan language) and their voice as a tagata Sāmoa (Samoan person). As a noun “ōfaga” refers to a “nest” and as a verb it refers to being “nested” or “nourished” in a place from birth in their faʻasāmoa (Samoan language, culture, and worldview and values).
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The Ōfaga Leo is a system of early childhood education programs (primarily preschool) designed to produce proficient young speakers of Samoan language using a total immersion approach. The preschool program is a full-time program designed for three- and four- year old children. There are other supplementary activities and programs for families to support the preschool children’s retention of Samoan language.
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No. The program is open to all young children under seven years old and their families. Everyone must commit to learning Samoan and supporting their children in the development of their language and cultural skills.
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The program is still in its development phases and will initially begin in Hawaiʻi and American Sāmoa. It is the goal of the Ōfaga Leo program to reach all major Samoan communities throughout the United States. Stay tuned for updates by subscribing to our email list. You can also email us at info@ofagaleo.org.