MODULE CONTENT AND PEDAGOGY FOR THE MOTHER TONGUE

CHAPTER 2: IMPORTANCE OF MOTHER TONGUE IN EDUCATION

OBJECTIVES:
a. Define the importance of mother tongue in education
b. Develop a strong foundation of first language to understand
deeper to the environment.
c. Express the important role of mother tongue as a mode of
instruction in school

Teaching the mother tongue language helps nurture the children to be confident and
effective communicators in the Mother Tongue Languages. It enables our students to
appreciate the rich culture and heritage of the country through the languages. Instill the
joy of learning the Mother Tongue Languages through authentic and engaging
approaches leads them to be a successful communicator in the future.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTHER TONGUE LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION
We are living in a time of unprecedented travel, with
technological advances and globalization offering
more and more people the opportunity to explore
and live in cultures that are not their own.
International schools have been established for
decades now and are rapidly growing in popularity,
particularly amongst local populations, as they offer
easier access to higher education opportunities
around the world. As a consequence, the number of children learning in a language
other than their mother tongue is growing rapidly so it’s vital that children maintain their
first language when they begin schooling in a different language.
When children develop their mother tongue, they are simultaneously fostering a whole
host of other essential skills, such as critical thinking and literacy skills.
It’s also well known that a strong mother tongue foundation equips children with the
skills they need to learn additional languages, allowing them to transfer their
understanding of the structure of language to several new languages.
Language and mother tongue also play a huge role in the development of personal,
social and cultural identity. Children with a strong foundation in their first language often
display a deeper understanding of themselves and their place within society, along with
an increased sense of wellbeing and confidence.
OVERVIEW:
The Nurturing Early Learners Framework for Mother Tongue Languages is part of the
Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) Curriculum, a comprehensive tool kit of kindergarten
curriculum resources developed by MOE to support early childhood educators in
creating quality learning experiences for children.
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For More Knowledge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPFiZmtGPak

IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING MOTHER-TONGUE TO A CHILD

1. Medium of Expression and Communication.
Mother tongue is the best medium for the expression of one’s ideas and feelings. Thus,
it is the most potent agent for mutual communication and exchange of ideas.
2. Formation of a Social Group.
It is through language, and especially through the mother-tongue, that individuals form
themselves into a social organization.
3. Easy to Learn.
Of all the languages, the mother-tongue is the
easiest to learn. Full proficiency or mastery can
be achieved in one’s own mother tongue.
4. Best Medium for Acquiring Knowledge.
Thinking is an instrument of acquiring knowledge, and thinking is impossible without
language. “And training in the use of mother-tongue-the tongue in which a child thinks
and dreams-becomes the first essential of shoaling and the finest instrument of human
culture.” (P. B. Ballard.)
5. It brings about Intellectual Development.
Intellectual development is impossible without language. Reading, expressing oneself,
acquisition of knowledge and reasoning are the instruments for bringing about
intellectual development; and all of these are possible only through language, or the
mother-tongue of the child.
6. Instrument of Creative Self-Expression.
We may be able to communicate in any language, but creative self-expression is
possible only in one’s own mother tongue. This is clear from the fact that all great
writers could produce great literature only in their own language.
7. Instrument of Emotional Development.
Mother-tongue is the most important instrument for bringing about emotional
development of the individual.
8. Instrument of Growth of the Pupils.
The teaching of the mother tongue is important because on it depends the growth of our
pupils. Growth in their intellectual life; growth in knowledge; growth in ability to express
themselves; growth in creative and productive ability-all stem from the mother-tongue.

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9. Source of Original Ideas.

Original ideas are the product of one’s own mother tongue. On account of the facility of
thought and expression, new and original ideas take birth and get shape only in one’s
own mother tongue.
OVERVIEW:
This video, which was developed by R4D's Center for Education Innovation as part of
an Early Leaning Toolkit, explains the importance of mother-tongue instruction.

For More Knowledge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVLb9WuQwmk

SOME IMPORTANT AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF TEACHING MOTHER-TONGUE

1. To Give Command of Language
Mother-tongue teaches them to express themselves clearly and simply.
2. Acquisition of Knowledge
Another important aim of teaching mother tongue is to teach the pupils to read for
information and for pleasure. Mastery of the mother-tongue will cultivate in him the
habit of reading for the acquisition of knowledge.
3. To bring about mental and emotional development
One of the important aims of teaching mother-tongue is to give our pupils a medium
through which they can express themselves, not only for purpose of day-to-day life.
They will be able to express their feelings, thought and experiences.
4. To Develop Creative Faculties
• Developing creative faculties of the pupils is one of the most significant aims of
teaching mother tongue. The pupil has in his mother-tongue a medium through
which he can give expression, in different directions, to his creative urge.
5. To give training in logical thought and expression
• Another important aim is to give pupils training in logical thought and its expression.
This aim is in fact the aim of all education; but mother-tongue is the most suitable
instrument for providing training in logical thought and its
expression.
From another point of view, the aims of teaching mother-tongue
can be divided into the following four categories corresponding to
the four aspects of language:
1. Receptive aspect implies enabling the pupils to understand
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properly spoken and written language.

2. Expressive aspect implies enabling the pupils to express their thought orally and
in writing in the language which is clear, correct and effective.
3. Appreciative and Critical aspect implies enabling the pupils to appreciate the
beauty of literature as well as critically assess the same.
4. Creative aspect implies enabling the pupils to develop their imaginative and
creative faculties through the study of literature and thus, creating literature
themselves.
Thus, the teaching of mother tongue has diversified aims, from just learning to speak to
the creation of literature and bringing about the development of various aspects of the
personality of the pupils which is also the avowed aims of education.
“Mother-tongue instruction should be the best way for children to learn as it bridges the
gap between home language and language of instruction. Every language is sufficient
enough to give high cognitive skills to its users and there are no major or minor
languages. Therefore, mother tongue instruction should be extended as long as
possible. A Lingua Franca or a language of wider communication cannot be a substitute
for the mother tongue, and it should be avoided until the child fully acquired their mother
tongue” (UNESCO, 1953)

IMPORTANCE OF MOTHER TONGUE IN

EDUCATION AS MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTIONS.
 Küper (2003) expressed that at societal level
languages have important role in cultural changes and
introduction of new knowledge, which becomes quite
obvious in industrialized societies, where, in order to
guarantee wider diffusion of research findings and new
concepts often a more popular language level is used.
 Pattanayak (2003) highlighted that language
acquaints the children with the environment into which they have been born.
Language accumulated knowledge skills and myths are transmitted through
mother tongue from one generation to another
 Gacheche (2010) revealed referring the ‘2010 Education for All’ (EFA) report on
reaching the marginalized somberly notes that, “children who are members of a
linguistic or ethnic minority or an indigenous group, enter school with poorer
prospects of success and emerge within fewer years of education with lower
levels of achievement”. The report advices that to effectively teach children
worldwide speaking a different language at home, from the one used as medium
of instruction in schools, there is a need to teach them first in their home
language (L1) while gradually introducing the national or official language (L2).
 According to Ball (2010), throughout the world, young children learn at home
languages (mother tongues) and arrive at early learning programs such as
preschool and primary school with this precious resource of their mother tongues
different from the dominant languages used in their broader social world.
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 Agbedo et al (2012) expressed that Mother tongue education is a schooling

system, encouraging in the school teaching learning process in First Language
(L1) of children.
 Phiri (2013) expressed that, children in remote rural areas, who speak one
language at home and have no contact with the school language outside of the
classroom, often have the biggest problems in gaining any understanding of the
language taught at school. This is a significant factor contributing to poor quality
education and continuing low literacy.
 Burton (2013) stated that around the world there is a growing trend of supporting
instruction in mother tongue in the child ‘s early years of education. Educational
programs utilizing this approach are rising in number in Southeast Asia.
 Sathiaseelan (2013) asserted that the children think and dream in the mother
tongue so training in mother tongue use– is the first instrument of human culture
and the first essential of schooling.
EDUCATION IN MOTHER TONGUE, A CHILDREN RIGHT
1. Mother tongue is the first language a child speaks; the language
used at home; the language learnt from the family; the language most
competent in; the language used in the community or the ‘preferred’
language. It forms a person’s identity, their defining quality.
2. Speaking one’s own language is more and more a right. International Mother
Language Day proclaimed in 1999 by UNESCO and marked on 21 February each year,
is one example. Encouraging education in the mother tongue, alongside bilingual or
multilingual education, is one of the principles set out by UNESCO.
3 . It is also right of child to be taught in his/her mother tongue at least at primary level
because It is a language that he/she knows well and can use to form sentences and
expresses himself/ herself.
4. Mother tongue is the most appropriate means for effective teaching because it has
the learner’s experiences.
The mother tongue should be used as a medium of instruction, for educational
achievements and growth as well as for national development and reconstruction.

References:

https://consiliumeducation.com/itm/2017/08/20/mother-tongue-learning/
https://www.preservearticles.com/education/importance-of-teaching-mother-tongue-to-a-
child/18093
https://www.preservearticles.com/education/the-following-are-some-of-the-important-aims-and-
objectives-of-teaching-mother-tongue/18092
https://www.preservearticles.com/how-to/how-to-teach-mother-tongue-to-a-child/18085
http://www.isaet.org/images/extraimages/P1214011.pdf

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