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Joshua Tanner

Intended for anyone interested in the Kingdom of Tonga, this course will give you the building blocks to form a foundation in your Tongan language skills. Everything in this course was carefully thought out and organized to give you exactly what you need to know to grasp the Tongan language. The lessons are clear and concise. Whether you don't know a word of Tongan or you grew up with it, you are sure to gain insight from this course. 'Ofa Atu.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Speak basic tongan
  • Know basic tongan grammar
  • Read tongan
  • Understand basic tongan

Syllabus

Understand the fundamentals of the Tongan language

Introductory lesson, speaks to culture, geographic location, and some fun facts.

Learn the Alphabet, how to pronounce new letters, and learn how to greet someone in Tongan.

Read more

Learn some basic verbs, nouns, and cultural words.

Learn the 4 Tongan tenses and the words that go with them.

Learn pre-posed pronouns. This lesson is absolutely crucial to know, understand, and memorize.

Learn the other set of pronouns.

Learn Tongan prepositions.

Learn how to use the word for 'no' to say 'not' and 'don't'.

Who, what, when, where, why?

The second half of the previous lesson.

Learn how to make words plural in Tongan.

Learn how to compare two nouns with this basic sentence structure.

Learn Intransitive sentences. A sentence with a subject and a verb but no object.

Learn perhaps the most essential sentence structure in Tongan.

Learn the first set of possessive pronouns.

This lesson brings the whole course together as a review.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a foundation in Tongan language skills, which is useful for travel, cultural exchange, or connecting with Tongan-speaking communities
Begins with the alphabet and basic greetings, which builds a strong foundation for those with no prior experience in Tongan
Explores Tongan grammar, including pre-posed pronouns and sentence structures, which offers insight into Polynesian linguistics
Offers insight for those who grew up with Tongan, which can help them formalize their understanding of the language
Requires memorization of pre-posed pronouns, which may be challenging for some learners without prior language learning experience

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Reviews summary

Foundation in basic tongan language

According to learners, this course is a solid starting point for absolute beginners who want to learn the basics of the Tongan language. Many found the explanations of grammar and sentence structure particularly clear and easy to follow. Students appreciated learning essential vocabulary and the fundamental building blocks needed to start speaking and understanding Tongan. While reviewers widely agree it provides a strong foundation, some felt the course could benefit from more practice opportunities and examples to help solidify the learning.
Provides essential vocabulary and structure.
"I learned practical words and phrases that I can use right away."
"The course covers the most essential sentence structures you need to know."
"Getting the fundamental vocabulary and tense concepts down was really helpful."
"It provides all the basic tools needed to start forming simple sentences."
Ideal for those starting with no prior knowledge.
"As a complete beginner, this course gave me exactly the foundation I needed."
"If you've never spoken Tongan before, this is a perfect place to start."
"It breaks everything down into manageable steps for someone new to the language."
"I had zero experience, and this course made learning the basics feel achievable."
Grammar rules are explained well for beginners.
"The grammar is explained clearly and the sentence structure lessons were especially helpful."
"I finally understand the different tenses and how to use the pronouns thanks to the clear lessons."
"The explanations were easy to follow, even for complex concepts like sentence structure."
"Understanding the grammar rules was much easier than I expected with these lessons."
Could benefit from more exercises and examples.
"I wish there were more exercises to practice using the grammar and vocabulary."
"More examples of sentences and conversation would help reinforce the lessons."
"While the explanations are clear, practicing what you learn is key, and there wasn't enough of that."
"It would be great to have more opportunities to hear the language and try using it."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Basic Tongan Language with these activities:
Tongan Dictionary
Expand your vocabulary and understanding of Tongan by regularly consulting a Tongan dictionary.
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Show steps
  • Acquire a Tongan dictionary.
  • Look up new words encountered in lessons.
  • Review dictionary entries periodically.
Review Basic Grammar Concepts
Strengthen your understanding of fundamental grammar concepts to better grasp Tongan grammar rules.
Browse courses on Parts of speech
Show steps
  • Review English grammar rules.
  • Identify parts of speech in sentences.
  • Practice sentence construction.
Create Flashcards for Vocabulary
Memorize Tongan vocabulary more effectively by creating and using flashcards.
Show steps
  • Create flashcards with Tongan words.
  • Include English translations.
  • Review flashcards regularly.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Pronunciation Practice
Improve your Tongan pronunciation by practicing common words and phrases.
Show steps
  • Listen to native Tongan speakers.
  • Repeat words and phrases aloud.
  • Record yourself speaking Tongan.
  • Compare your pronunciation to native speakers.
Lonely Planet Tongan Phrasebook
Learn useful Tongan phrases for everyday situations by studying a Tongan phrasebook.
Show steps
  • Obtain a Tongan phrasebook.
  • Study common phrases.
  • Practice using phrases in conversations.
Write a Short Tongan Story
Reinforce your understanding of Tongan grammar and vocabulary by writing a short story.
Show steps
  • Choose a simple topic for your story.
  • Write sentences using learned vocabulary.
  • Review and revise your story.
Practice Tongan Conversation with a Partner
Improve your Tongan speaking skills by practicing with a language partner.
Show steps
  • Find a language exchange partner.
  • Schedule regular practice sessions.
  • Practice speaking Tongan together.

Career center

Learners who complete Basic Tongan Language will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Translator
A translator converts written or spoken material from one language into another, maintaining the original meaning and context. This course, which introduces the fundamentals of the Tongan language, helps build a foundation for translating Tongan texts or speech. It's particularly helpful because of its instruction in grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. This course, with its careful structure, gives a budding translator exactly what they need to grasp the Tongan language. A translator will need the grasp of the Tongan language that only this course can give.
Interpreter
An interpreter facilitates real-time communication between people who speak different languages, conveying not only the words but also the tone and intent of the speaker. This course, designed to help gain a foundation in Tongan, is particularly useful for an aspiring interpreter. The course's focus on essential grammatical structures, verb forms, and prepositions provides a strong foundation for an interpreter to understand and then convey the meaning of spoken Tongan. This course, with its clear lessons, helps a potential interpreter begin their language journey.
Language Teacher
A language teacher instructs students in the nuances of a particular language, from basic vocabulary to complex grammatical structures. This course, with its clear and concise lessons, helps a prospective language teacher gain a strong foundation in Tongan. The course’s methodical approach is conducive to the kind of systematic approach a language teacher would need. The lessons are organized to help someone grasp the Tongan language, and a potential language teacher will be sure to gain insight from this course.
Missionary
A missionary travels to new areas to share their religion and often learning a new language is part of this work. This course, designed to help gain a foundation in Tongan, may be helpful for a missionary that travels to Tonga. A missionary may find this course will give them what they need to know. The course is carefully organized to give exactly what is needed to grasp the Tongan language.
Cultural Liaison
A cultural liaison facilitates understanding and communication between people from different cultural backgrounds. This course, which introduces the Tongan language and touches on some cultural aspects, may be useful for a cultural liaison. The course is designed to help someone grasp the Tongan language, which may be key in understanding the culture itself. This course was carefully organized to give exactly what you need to know to begin to grasp the Tongan language.
Foreign Service Officer
A Foreign Service Officer represents their country in diplomatic roles abroad, often requiring language proficiency of the host country. This course, which provides fundamental knowledge of the Tongan language and its structure, may be useful for a Foreign Service Officer. The course introduces basic Tongan grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structures that help build a foundation for learning the language. Foreign service officers may find that this course gives them exactly what they need to know to grasp the Tongan language.
Travel Guide
A travel guide assists tourists in navigating a new location, often requiring knowledge of the local language and culture. This course, which gives a foundation in Tongan, may be helpful for a travel guide. The course introduces basic vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure that could assist in communicating with locals. With its well-organized lessons, this course might be useful for a travel guide who wishes to understand the Tongan language. The focus of the course helps someone grasp Tongan.
Linguist
A linguist studies the scientific aspects of language, including its structure, history, and social context. While this course focuses on the practical application of learning Tongan, it may be helpful for a linguist. This course introduces the fundamentals of the Tongan language, and it goes over important topics like verbs, nouns, pronouns, and prepositions. Because of the systematic approach of the lessons, a linguist may find it useful to study how the Tongan language is taught in this course.
International Aid Worker
An international aid worker provides assistance to communities in need, often in foreign countries, requiring some proficiency in the local language. This course, which teaches the basics of Tongan, may be useful for an aid worker. The course introduces essential vocabulary and grammar that facilitates practical communication with Tongan communities. This course was carefully thought out and organized, which will help an aid worker who wishes to learn Tongan.
Anthropologist
An anthropologist studies human societies and cultures. While this course focuses on Tongan language rather than culture, it may still be helpful for an anthropologist. A grasp of the Tongan language helps an anthropologist gain a better understanding of the culture. The course helps build that foundation, and the lessons in the course give exactly what is needed to grasp Tongan.
Journalist
A journalist researches and reports on current events, sometimes requiring the ability to understand and communicate in different languages. If a journalist is investigating topics related to Tonga, then this course may be helpful. The course gives a foundation in the fundamentals of the Tongan language. If the journalist needs to conduct interviews in Tongan, this course will be particularly helpful, as it provides exactly what is needed to begin to grasp the Tongan language.
Immigration Officer
An immigration officer processes and assesses the legal status of individuals entering or residing in a country. While this role does not directly require Tongan language skills, an officer may find value in this course. If an officer is from a Tongan-speaking region or is frequently interacting with individuals from that cultural background, this course helps build a foundation in Tongan and their language skills. Even if they grew up with it, there is sure to be insight from this course.
Customer Service Representative
A customer service representative assists customers with their questions and concerns. While this role typically does not require Tongan language skills, a representative who interacts with Tongan-speaking customers may find this course helpful. This course is designed to help someone gain a foundation in Tongan, which can be key for customer interaction. The lessons are clear and concise, which will help a customer service representative who wishes to learn Tongan.
Speech-Language Pathologist
A speech language pathologist assesses and treats communication and swallowing disorders. While this role does not inherently require Tongan, a speech language pathologist may find it useful if they evaluate clients that speak this language. This course's organization, which gives the building blocks for language and grammar, may be helpful. The lessons are clear and concise, which is conducive to learning about the Tongan language.
Teacher's Aide
A teacher's aide assists teachers in the classroom. If a teacher's aide works with Tongan-speaking students, this course may be helpful. This course provides a foundation in the Tongan language. The lessons are clear and concise, which is conducive to learning. Even if they grew up with it, there is sure to be insight from this course.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Basic Tongan Language.
This phrasebook practical guide for travelers and language learners. It contains essential Tongan phrases for various situations. While not a comprehensive grammar guide, it provides useful vocabulary and expressions for everyday communication. It is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference.

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