Acknowledgment

I, Muhammed Ihzan, would like to express my

heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported me
in the successful completion of this school project.

First and foremost, I extend my sincere gratitude to

my teacher, Mrs. Sharija, for her invaluable
guidance, encouragement, and support throughout
the project. Her insightful feedback and constant
motivation helped me overcome challenges and
improve the quality of my work.

I am also deeply thankful to Crescent Public

School for providing the necessary resources, a
conducive environment, and the opportunity to
undertake this project. The support and facilities
offered by the school played a vital role in the
completion of this work.

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge my family and

friends for their unwavering encouragement and
assistance, which helped me stay focused and
motivated throughout this journey.

Thank you all for your contributions to the success

of this project
 INDEX

1.INTRODUCTION
2.MOTHER TONGUE MEANING
3.ROLE OF MOTHER TONGUE IN
DEVELOPMENT
4 IMPORTANCE OF MOTHER TONGUE
5.RELEVANCE OF MOTHER TONGUE
6.IMPORTANCE OF MOTHER TONGUE IN
EDUCATION
7.CONCLUSION
8.BIBLIOGRAPHY
 CLASS 12 PROJECT
Project report on:
Importance of mother tongue in
education
Subject:English
Subject code:301
Class:
YEAR:2024-25
 INTRODUCTION
The mother tongue, the first language learned
by an individual, holds profound importance in
shaping identity, communication, and cultural
heritage. It serves as the foundation for
learning, cognitive development, and
emotional connection, allowing individuals to
express themselves naturally and effectively.
Beyond personal growth, the mother tongue
fosters a deep connection to one’s community
and traditions, preserving cultural values and
history.
As a cornerstone of education and societal
interaction, it enables the transfer of
knowledge across generations. Recognizing the
significance of mother tongue promotes
 inclusivity, empowers communities, and
enriches the diversity that defines human
civilization.
The mother tongue meaning for a child
involves more than just language and includes
the child’s personal, social and cultural
identity.

MOTHER TONGUE
MEANING
 A first language, native tongue, native
language, or mother tongue is also known
as arterial language or L1. The meaning of
mother tongue is referred to as the first
language a child is exposed to from the
time of birth or native language which is
child speak with their parent or it is the
language that most commonly speaks in
their region. However, mother tongue
 always referencing the language that the
child has used from birth and that
impacting times in the life. This has to
carry different meanings across cultures
and wherein

ROLE OF MOTHER
TONGUE IN
DEVELOPMENT
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. The intuitive understanding of
grammar that develops when children learn
their first language can easily be passed on to
other languages.
With multilingualism becoming an increasingly
sought-after attribute within the workplace,
this advantage cannot be overstated;
globalisation and increased co-operation
between nations mean that, in many
organisations, it has become a requirement to
have language skills in addition to being a
specialist within a particular field.
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

THE IMPORTANCE OF
MOTHER TONGUE

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. It is these
skills that they take with them into formal
 education, and research tells us that any skills
and concepts gained in the learner’s home
language don’t have to be re-taught when they
transfer to a second language.
For example, if a child has developed the
ability to guess the meaning of a word through
its context, or to infer meaning by reading
between the lines, these skills are easily
transferred when they begin studying in a
second language. It is much harder, however,
to teach these abstract skills directly through a
second language.

The importance of mother tongue was studied

by Professor Jim Cummins from the University
of Toronto in Canada. He explored why is it so
important that parents speak their own mother
tongue to their children.
His research uncovers the link between a
child’s development and their mother tongue.
He found that children who develop skills in
two or even three languages, grow up to have
a deeper understanding of how to form
 sentences and expressions, making the use of
language as a whole a lot easier.
Children speaking just one mother tongue
language had a fixed mindset on how to
communicate what they want or need. He also
found that children with only one mother
tongue did not know how to use the language
in the same depth as children using two or
mother tongue languages.
He discusses how children that speak multiple
languages have more advanced critical
thinking as they have to explore how to phrase
and use the language of choice at that moment
in time.
Furthermore, Cummins found that children with
a strong mother tongue found it easier to pick
up a second language and develop their
literacy skills.
RELEVANCE OF MOTHER
TONGUE
The mother tongue holds immense relevance
in various aspects of life, serving as more than
just a tool for communication. It is foundational
to cognitive development, as it is the first
language a child learns and uses to understand
the world. Learning in one’s mother tongue
fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and
literacy skills, which form the basis for formal
education. Research shows that skills acquired
in the mother tongue are easily transferable
when learning other languages, making it an
essential bridge to multilingualism.
 Additionally, children educated in their mother
tongue often perform better academically, as
they can grasp concepts more effectively and
participate actively in learning.
The mother tongue also plays a crucial role in
preserving cultural identity and heritage. It is a
repository of traditions, values, and history,
providing a sense of belonging and pride.
Speaking one’s native language strengthens
ties to one’s community and ensures the
transmission of cultural knowledge across
generations.
Beyond cultural significance, the mother
tongue supports emotional and social
development by fostering strong bonds within
families and communities. It is often the
language of affection and personal expression,
helping individuals articulate their emotions
and connect deeply with others.
In a global context, the mother tongue
promotes linguistic diversity and cultural
exchange, contributing to mutual
understanding and cooperation. It is
instrumental in preserving regional and
national identities, especially in linguistically
diverse countries like India. By supporting
mother tongue education, societies empower
marginalized communities, ensuring greater
inclusion and equity.

 In this way, the mother tongue is not only vital

for individual growth but also for fostering
social harmony and global cultural richness.

4o
 IMPORTANCE OF
MOTHER TONGUE IN
EDUCATION

The use of the mother tongue in education

offers numerous advantages, particularly in the
foundational years of learning. It provides a
strong base for cognitive development, as
children can more easily grasp concepts and
ideas in a language they understand and are
comfortable with. This familiarity with the
language removes linguistic barriers, enabling
students to focus on learning content rather
than struggling with understanding the
medium of instruction.
One of the key advantages is the enhancement
of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Since children are naturally fluent in their
mother tongue, they can analyze and interpret
information more effectively, leading to better
comprehension and retention of knowledge.
These skills, once developed in the mother
 tongue, are transferable to other languages,
allowing for a smoother transition to
multilingual education and a more robust
overall learning experience.
The mother tongue also fosters better
communication between students and
teachers. When children are taught in a
language they speak at home, they are more
likely to participate actively in classroom
discussions and express their thoughts clearly.
This open communication builds confidence
and encourages curiosity, laying the
groundwork for lifelong learning.
Using the mother tongue in education
promotes inclusivity and equity. Children from
marginalized or rural communities often face
disadvantages when instruction is given in a
second or foreign language. By incorporating
their native language into the curriculum,
these students feel more connected to the
learning environment, which boosts their
morale and academic performance. This
approach also respects and preserves linguistic
and cultural diversity, creating a more inclusive
educational system.
Additionally, learning in the mother tongue
strengthens the connection between home and
school. Parents can be more involved in their
child’s education when instruction is in a
language they understand, facilitating better
support for learning outside the classroom.
This collaboration between home and school
significantly enhances the overall educational
experience and outcomes for students.
In summary, the use of the mother tongue in
education is a powerful tool that not only
enhances learning outcomes but also fosters
emotional, social, and cultural development. It
builds a strong foundation for academic
succeed and empowers students to transition
confidently in The mother tongue holds
immense relevance in various aspects of life,
serving as more than just a tool for
communication. It is foundational to cognitive
development, as it is the first language a child
learns and uses to understand the world.
Learning in one’s mother tongue fosters critical
thinking, problem-solving, and literacy skills,
which form the basis for formal education.
Research shows that skills acquired in the
mother tongue are easily transferable when
learning other languages, making it an
essential bridge to multilingualis cess,
promotes equity, m. Additionally, children
educated in their mother tongue often perform
better academically, as they can grasp
concepts .
CONCLUSION
 the mother tongue holds unparalleled importance
in shaping an individual's cognitive, emotional, and
social development. It serves as the foundation for
learning, critical thinking, and literacy, enabling a
smooth transition to other languages and fostering
lifelong educational growth. Beyond academics,
the mother tongue preserves cultural heritage,
strengthens identity, and nurtures emotional
connections within families and communities. Its
role in promoting inclusivity and empowering
marginalized groups further underscores its value
in building equitable and harmonious societies.
Recognizing and preserving the significance of the
mother tongue is essential for celebrating diversity,
enriching human interaction, and ensuring the
continuity of cultural traditions in a rapidly
globalizing world.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cummins, J. (2001). Language, Power, and

Pedagogy: Bilingual Children in the Crossfire.
Multilingual Matters.
Skutnabb-Kangas, T. (2000). Linguistic
Genocide in Education - or Worldwide Diversity
and Human Rights? Lawrence Erlbaum
Associates
 Ball, J. (2010). Educational Equity for Children

from Diverse Language Backgrounds: Mother

Tongue-Based Bilingual or Multilingual
Education in Early Childhood and Early Primary
School Years. UNESCO.
 FLAMINGO AND VISTAS(NCERT BOOKS)