TABLE OF CONTENT

01 INTRODUCTION

02 REASONS OF IMPORTANCES OF
MOTHER TONGUE
03 THE PRIDE

04 CHALLENGES OF MOTHER TONGUE

LEARNING
05 HOW TO IMPROVE TO MOTHER-
TONGUE LEARNING
06 The Importance of Mother
Tongue in Education
07 The Relationship Between
Language and Identity
08 The Importance of Mother
Tongue in the Workplace
09 CONCLUSIONS
 INTRODUCTION

Language shows a vital part in the life of a human being. The language
facilitates comprehension of surroundings, learning of concepts and
achieving several skills. A child who ably learns their heir lives, amass
extensive language skills that help them to express themselves and
develop their thinking capacity. Additionally, this language cultivates
confidence and a sense of self-worth in a child in learning other things.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.
If you talk to him in his language that goes to his head -Nelson Mandela
Mother tongue is the first language one learns as a baby, the language
one grows up knowing, which is also known as the native language. A
child first comprehends what is around them through the language they
hear their mother communicating in from before they are born and
thought their lives. Mother tongue is appreciated due to numerous
reasons. The Mother's tongue is central in framing the thinking and
emotions of individuals. Learning in school highlights the use of the
mother tongue. The mother tongue is an influential tool in advancing
learning in people.
The importance of mother tongue is studied because when children
develop their mother tongue, they are simultaneously fostering a whole host
of other essential skills, such as critical thinking and literacy skills

REASONS OF IMPORTANCES OF MOTHER TONGUE

 INTELLECTUAL DEVLOPMENT
Studies have shown that cognitive development, as well as intellectual
improvement, is relatively faster in those who are fluent in their mother
tongue. It has also been noted that if a student is educated in his/her mother
tongue, the proportion of his or her educational achievement is greater than
someone who is taught in a different medium other than their mother tongue.
  DEVELOPS A PERSONAL AND CULTURAL IDENTIY
Mother language develops a personal and cultural identity. Personal
identity emerges out of a person’s understanding of themselves, their
surroundings and their history. An individual hears their native language first
when in the womb, and it subconsciously begins determining their views and
emotions. Thus, it develops the foundation of instant connection with family,
society, culture, and identity. Its strong foundation makes a strong acceptance
of oneself through an understanding of social origin and character in the most
basic and natural manner. Additionally, by upholding the different languages
spoken in society, cultural identity arises that flows unquestionably in other
phases of an individual’s life.

 BETTER CONNECTION WITH CULTURE

Languages are the greatest significant way of keeping our culture alive.
Repeatedly the direct translation of one language to additional might not carry
the same essence as it is in the source language. Thus, the best way to
thoroughly recognize culture is to know the language. Mother tongue benefits
us stay associated with our culture and our roots.
Develops a strong foundation for learning additional languages
If one has a strong understanding of their mother tongue, it is easier for
him or her to master a new language. When a child reads out in their mother
tongue since childhood, he or she would have stronger literacy skills in
additional languages. Mother tongue advances a strong basis for learning
additional tongues. Children are capable of learning numerous languages while
young.
Hence, having a strong basis in their mother’s language equips them with the
skills to learn extra languages. Children achieve this by transferring the
different structures of language to other languages. The grammar that
advances when a child learns their native language is easily transferable,
whereby a child can easily guess the meaning or read between the meanings of
words in different languages.
  DEVELOP AND UNDERSTAND COMMUNICATION SKILLS

In childhood, when children spend their time with parents, they improve
communication skills, skills that become paramount in school locations, for
them to participate in class. Also, when parents tell stories and deliberate
matters with their children, it grows their terminology and concepts. Thus,
when learning is conducted, the children effortlessly follow and understand,
resulting in educational success. As the businesses go the native way, the
significance of mother tongues has exponentially increased. Thus, in such a
scenario, having a firm understanding of your mother tongue where you know
how to read and write is enormously helpful if you are concerned about
becoming an entrepreneur. The opportunities associated with monetizing with
the benefit of one’s mother tongues are vast in today’s market scenario.

 CREATES JOB OPPORTUNITIES

The mother tongue makes job opportunities. Increased immigration and
population advance of international students who speak additional languages
other than English characterizes the society. Thus, to facilitate effective
communication and understanding of each other, different sectors of the
economy, such as schools, health and businesses, necessitates the need for an
understanding of different languages. Consequently, the necessity for persons
competent in different languages arises in the job market. Understanding and
fluency in several native dialects hence give individuals an upper hand in
becoming language specialists, thus, gainfully employed.
  ELICITS THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG FAMILY BONDS

Mother tongue elicits the growth of strong family bonds. In numerous

households, mostly those of immigrants, some family members such as
grandparents and parents do not understand English universally utility in
different countries. Thus, when a child grows up with particular emphasis on
speaking in a language other than their mother tongue, results in a linguistic
gap with some family members, a consequence of an emotional disconnect
with other family members.

 Stimulates their confidence but also creates awareness of their

individual

The knowledge of the native language is a fundamental aspect of a

person’s life. It only stimulates their confidence but also creates awareness of
their individual and cultural identity. Facilitates learning and adoption of other
languages, create job opportunities and keeps families tightly joined.

THE PRIDE

Knowing your mother tongue well is a matter of pride. It boasts one’s

confidence and creates awareness in the individual’s mind while also helping
them connect with their cultural identity in a better manner. Mother tongue
has a huge positive influence in defining the personality of an individual;
however, the medium of education which is usually English also encourages
parents to speak to their children in their second language. Thus, this leads to
confusion in the minds of the children and hence, they face difficulties in
mastering both first and second language.
 CHALLENGES OF MOTHER TONGUE LEARNING

 The dominance of non-mother tongue education

In many developing countries, a significant proportion of children enter
school not speaking the language of the classroom. Many education systems
favour using national or ‘global’ languages instead of Mother-tongue teaching.
Education is often carried out in the old colonial language, or an international
language, such as English.

This is based on the belief that certain internationally ‘important’ languages

give children a competitive advantage in later life. UNESCO notes: “Africa is the
only continent where the majority of children start school using a foreign
language”. Education is almost universally offered in the old colonial languages
– French, English or Portuguese – which most young people do not speak at
home.
It was found that at the end of primary schooling children were unable
to read fluently or write clearly. Many failed examinations because they could
not read and understand the instructions. Reading skills were poor, even
among secondary school children. Literacy skills in tertiary education were
unsatisfactory: students failed to read and grasp information due to a lack of
reading skills and poor writing skills.
  Lack of mother-tongue learning underscores preexisting inequalities
There is a strong equity dimension in the failure to provide mother-
tongue education. The language children are taught in often reflects broader
societal inequalities or asymmetries in power.

For instance, marginalized tribal groups struggle to have their identity

and languages fully recognized, respected or understood within wider society.
The failure to provide mother-tongue teaching is a form of discrimination that
perpetuates these inequalities. Children from poorer rural areas or from ethnic
and linguistic minorities are less likely to receive a quality education, and more
likely to become non-literate adults.

Many children in minority language communities, especially those living in

remote areas, face significant challenges in accessing good quality education.
When pre-existing pockets of marginalization, poverty, or poor teaching quality
intersect with schooling in an unknown language, children may never make it
to school, or if they do, will find little meaning in the classroom to keep them
there.
 Minority groups continue to make up a large proportion of those left out
of classrooms. Ensuring more inclusive education policies which guarantee all
children’s right to education, will involve providing education to minority
groups in their own language

HOW TO IMPROVE TO MOTHER-TONGUE LEARNING

 Begin literacy teaching in mother tongue

A curriculum, rooted in the child’s known language, culture and

environment, with appropriate and locally-developed reading and curriculum
materials, is crucial for early learning success. Using the home language in the
early stages of schooling in multilingual contexts supports child-centric policies.
It starts with what is familiar and builds in new knowledge. It creates a smooth
transition between home and school; it stimulates interest and ensures greater
participation and engagement. This prepares children for the acquisition of
literacy and encourages fluency and confidence in both the mother tongue
and, later, in other languages, where this is necessary.

 Ensure availability of mother-tongue materials

Children need to be engaged in and excited about reading and learning

and this can only be done if the materials are ones that they will understand
and enjoy. In most developing countries, the only reading material children see
are school textbooks, which are often in very short supply. Other materials to
support learning are hardly ever available. Without access to good materials,
children struggle to become literate and learn. In most low- and middle-
income countries, the majority of primary schools have no library, and books
are luxuries that families cannot afford. For children from minority language
communities, the situation is even more dismal. Textbooks are rarely available
in local languages.
  Provide early childhood education in mother tongue

Literacy development starts early in life, and the home environment is

an important factor in children’s learning achievement. It helps build the
knowledge and skills children need for learning to read. Where parents and the
community are supporting literacy development, results show a marked
improvement. The earlier children are exposed to stories the better their
reading is: reading for only 15 minutes a day can expose children to one million
written words in a year, thereby helping them to develop a rich vocabulary.
Children with access to materials at home are more likely to develop fluency in
reading.

 Support effective teaching methods

Successful teaching of early literacy skills is dependent not only on the

provision of suitable materials but also on the way these skills are introduced
and taught. Rote learning and memorization, with a textbook focus, will likely
result in a child’s reading fluency and comprehension remaining limited.
Teachers need to use engaging instructional strategies, where children are
active in the learning process. Such strategies only become feasible when
children understand the language of instruction and can therefore be
interactively engaged.

 Train and deploy mother tongue teachers

Mother-tongue education requires teachers who share the language and

culture of the children. It also requires that teachers are trained in the same
language they are to teach in. Some teachers may not be truly proficient in the
language of instruction, and may struggle with teaching in a ‘dominant
language they are not fluent in themselves or they may come from a minority
language group and have been excluded from the learning process due to a
lack of training materials in their language. Sometimes a lack of understanding
can cascade down the generations where a teacher, who never fully
understood their own teacher, is attempting to teach a child who barely
understands the language.

 5 reasons why it is important to know your mother tongue

 It is the foundation for learning other languages.
 It helps you to better understand your own culture and identity.
 It allows you to communicate with your family and community members
who may not speak other languages.
 It can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
 It can help you to better understand the nuances and subtleties of
language itself.
So make sure to celebrate International Mother Language Day on February
21st by taking some time to appreciate your own mother tongue!

The Importance of Mother Tongue in Education

It is important for children to know their mother tongue well for many reasons.
First, it is the language that they first learn and it is the language that they are
most comfortable with. It is also the language that their parents and
grandparents speak, so it is important for children to be able to communicate
with them in their native language. Additionally, research has shown that
children who are proficient in their mother tongue tend to do better
academically overall than those who are not. This is because they have a
stronger foundation in reading and writing in their native language, which
transfers over to other subjects as well. Finally, knowing one's mother tongue
can help promote cultural pride and understanding.

The Relationship Between Language and Identity

It is often said that language is the key to identity. And while this may be true
to some extent, it is not the whole story. Language is only one part of what
makes us who we are. It is our culture, our values, and our experiences that
make up our identity.

That being said, language does play a role in shaping our identity. It is the way
we communicate our thoughts and feelings, and it can be a strong reflection of
our cultural background. For many people, their native language is an
important part of their identity. It can be a source of pride and a connection to
their heritage.

Learning your mother tongue well can help you to better understand your own
identity. It can also give you a greater appreciation for the diversity of cultures
in the world. International Mother Language Day is a day to celebrate all
languages and to remind us of the importance of understanding and respecting
different cultures.

The Importance of Mother Tongue in the Workplace

There are many reasons why it is important to know your mother tongue well.
February is International Mother Language Day, which is a great opportunity to
celebrate the importance of mother tongues.

One of the most important reasons to know your mother tongue well is for
communication in the workplace. In today's globalized economy, it is more
important than ever to be able to communicate with colleagues from all over
the world. If you cannot communicate effectively in a common language, it will
be difficult to build relationships and trust with your colleagues. Additionally, if
you want to advance in your career, it is essential that you be able to
communicate fluently in the language of business.

Another reason why it is important to know your mother tongue well is for
cultural understanding. Knowing about different cultures and being able to
communicate in their language can help you build stronger relationships with
people from those cultures. Additionally, if you are looking to travel or work in
a foreign country, it will be helpful to know the local language so that you can
better understand the culture and customs.

Finally, knowing your mother tongue can also help you connect with your
heritage and roots. For many people, their native language is an important part
of their identity. Learning about your mother tongue can help you better
understand where you come from and feel proud of your heritage.

So on this International Mother Language Day, take some time to celebrate

your own mother tongue or learn more about another one!

CONCLUSIONS

Many children from corner to corner of the developing world are

learning very little in school, a truth that can be connected to teaching that is
in a linguistic they do not completely understand. It is a practice that leads to
inadequate or non-existent learning and acquisition of knowledge and skills,
alienating experiences, and high dropout and repetition rates. To develop the
quality of education, language policies need to take account of mother-tongue
learning. Models of education that ignore the mother tongue in the early years
can be unproductive, ineffective and have a negative effect on children’s
learning. Mother tongue teaching at least in the early years can enable
teachers to teach, and learners to learn further effectively. For too long,
mother-tongue education has been mostly unnoticed by policymakers. While
there are encouraging signs that the policy pendulum is beginning to swing
towards a greater understanding of the importance of mother-tongue learning,
there is still a long way to go. More governments are developing policies and
programmes that take account of mother tongue in the early stages of
learning, but there is still a need to express better policies, make sure better
preparation for the introduction of second languages and ensure adequate
resources are set aside. The Global Campaign for Education believes that
evidence proposes that there is assured areas that should be prioritized in
policy development, to confirm more responsive and well-nuanced policy
development in the field of mother tongue learning.

Objective
1-Mother tongue ________

A) supports the learning of second language.

B) interferes the learning of second language

c) hinders the learning of second language.

d) neither support nor hinders second language learning.

Answer-supports the learning of second language

2-When is International Mother Language Day observed?
a) 21 January
b) 21 February
c) 21 March
d) 21 April
Answer: b) 21 February
3-What is the significance of International Mother Language Day?
a) To promote linguistic, cultural diversity, and multilingualism
b) To promote international trade and commerce
c) To promote tourism
d) To promote religious diversity
Answer: a) To promote linguistic, cultural diversity, and
multilingualism
4-Who took the initiative to celebrate International Mother
Language Day?
a) India
b) Bangladesh
c) United States
d) United Kingdom
Answer: b) Bangladesh
5-When was the International Year of Languages created?
a) 2008
b) 2010
c) 2012
d) 2014
Answer: a) 2008
6-What is the focus of the 24th edition of International Mother
Language Day?
a) To promote tourism
b) To promote religious diversity
c) To promote international trade and commerce
d) Multilingual education - a necessity to transform education
Answer: d) Multilingual education - a necessity to transform
education
7-What does UNESCO do to promote International Mother
Language Day?
a) Organizes several events and encourages people to maintain their
knowledge of their mother language and learn the use of more than
one language
b) Promotes international trade and commerce
c) Promotes religious diversity
d) Promotes tourism
Answer: a) Organizes several events and encourages people to
maintain their knowledge of their mother language and learn the use
of more than one language
8-What is the theme of International Mother Language Day 2023?
a) Using technology for multilingual learning: Challenges and
opportunities
b) Languages without borders
c) Multilingual education - a necessity to transform education
d) Promoting the preservation and protection of all languages
Answer: c) Multilingual education - a necessity to transform
education
9-Why was the International Year of Languages created?
a) To encourage unity in diversity and global understanding through
multilingualism and multiculturalism
b) To promote religious diversity
c) To promote international trade and commerce
d) To promote tourism
Answer: a) To encourage unity in diversity and global understanding
through multilingualism and multiculturalism
10-How many languages and dialects are present in India
approximately?
a) Hundreds of languages and thousands of dialects
b) 10 languages and 50 dialects
c) 25 languages and 100 dialects
d) 50 languages and 200 dialects
Answer: a) Hundreds of languages and thousands of dialects