We undertook a vernacular literacy education survey with teachers from three language communities in Vanuatu. Our main objective was to understand more about the experiences of using the local vernacular language as the Medium of Instruction (MOI). Though this research is a pilot study, the results are intended to inform current education policy. In particular the study’s main aims are to understand:

1. Teachers’ perspectives on speaking and using the main community language in the classroom and what training they require.

2. How many children speak the main community language in each community and their enjoyment of using the language in the classroom.

3. What further teaching resources are essential for effectively using the community language as the MOI.

We wish to thank Helen Tamtam from the Curriculum Development Unit and Prof. Robert Early from the University of the South Pacific for their collaboration in developing the survey. We wish to acknowledge the help given from the three language communities of North Ambrym, Lewo and Merei, in particular, for the support from Yanick Tekon, Simeon Ben and Adam Pike. Furthermore, we wish to thank Mabel Baldry and Emily Marsh for the infographics. Finally, thank you to Penny Everson for her help in preparing the document.