Kowhai Intermediate is providing a Samoan language link for children in central and west Auckland thanks to new teacher Levi Tavita.

The Kingsland school now offers bilingual Samoan classes to pupils from bilingual primary schools such as Richmond Road School in Ponsonby, and Rosebank Primary in Avondale.

"I’m very optimistic about this venture. It’s just a matter of time to see it grow," says Mr Tavita.

"Using Samoan as a medium for instruction means students are able to improve and enhance learning in all their other lessons."

Mr Tavita teaches classes three mornings a week which fits around his own post-graduate studies in applied language and linguistics.

Kowhai Intermediate School principal Paul Douglas says the initiative started by listening to parents’ requests.

"We’re trying to be responsive and as long as there is a need and it’s doable we’re happy to provide for that need."

Last year parents from Richmond Road Primary’s Samoan bilingual unit identified the benefits of continuous bilingual education from years 1 to 8.

One parent, Feeonaa Wall, says bridging the gap between bilingual primary school education, which finishes at year 6, and high school and university bilingual opportunities, just makes sense.

She says Kowhai’s management have been open to the programme, which can receive funding when it reaches a minimum roll of 20.

Currently six students are enrolled.

"There’s definitely a whole community out there who encourage this initiative," says Ms Wall.

"There is some great research happening that proves bilingual education creates amazing academic achievement and sense of identity."

John McCaffery, senior lecturer at Auckland University’s faculty of education, is among the team conducting the research.

He says to be an effective language learner, language needs to be used as a medium of instruction to teach other subjects and activities at school for at least eight years.

"It’s a far more effective way of learning the language and the curriculum," he says.

"It helps deliver quality English, quality Samoan and quality curriculum knowledge."