Over 800 participate in “A’oga Samoa I Alalafaga (ASIA)” summer program

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — This local Department of Education (ASDOE) undated photo shows student participants at one of the educational centers for the ASDOE’s “A’oga Samoa I Alalafaga (ASIA)” summer program, which ran June 25- July 27, 2018. According to ASDOE, a total of 805 students participated in the ASIA project in 2018 at six educational centers: Aua, Fagatogo, Nuuuli, Petesa-tai, Faleniu, and Pavaiai.

“Using the Samoan language to teach 'ASIA' is a way to support our 95% first language Samoan speaking children within our public schools,” says ASDOE, adding that its Community Office continues this program.

Main purposes of the program are: To use the Samoan language as a medium of instruction; To develop and teach language and language skills, using CCCAS model and scripture stories to further develop language skills, such as decoding, vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, and comprehension; To help students improve their test scores in three core subjects: Reading, Writing, and Math; To teach basic math students using visuals and manipulative media as much as possible, and; Keep learning fun so that the interest remains and the student is eager to learn more.