I am not advocating that we should not teach our children multiple languages, which are required to widen the horizon of their understanding of both literature and science. We have to remove the existing linguistic barriers to realise the goal of inclusive governance. More people should write poetry, stories, novels and dramas in Indian languages. Countries like China, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, etc did very well without English education. Huge assortment of examples to help you write an essay. It is the vital, unseen thread that links the past with the present. Introduction The use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction at the lower level of education is a subject of endless debate in Ghana and other educational jurisdictions in Africa. Mother Tongue Medium as an Efficient Way o f Challenging Educational Disadvantages i n Africa: The Case of Nigeria George Orekan, University of Aberdeen Abstract: The paper aims to examine the policy of mother-tongue medium of instruction as a way of challenging educational disadvantages and enhancing sustainable development in Africa. It evolves with human evolution and is nourished by constant use. As a matter of fact, they point out that research findings are unequivocal, that to achieve greater mastery in English or Filipino, the most effective medium of instruction is in the child’s mother tongue that is her first language or the language spoken at home. Let creativity bloom in full flourish. For me, this is at the heart of an effective democracy. I have always emphasised the importance of protecting and conserving our linguistic heritage. M. Venkaiah NaiduThe writer is the Vice-President of India.... read more, * The moderation of comments is automated and not cleared manually by, Copyright © 2020 The Indian Express [P] Ltd. 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The net enrollment ratios have been steadily decreasing between 2003 and 2007, and for the Philippines, that has gone down from 90.3% to 83.2%. It can be learnt easily at an appropriate stage, after a strong foundation is laid in the mother tongue. It is considered to be an important component of quality education, particularly in … Mother tongue instruction generally refers to the use of the learners’ mother tongue as the medium of instruction. The NEP, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, has recommended that “wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least … They evolve and adapt to the socio-economic milieu. "English vs. In fact, this is essential for India to enrich its vast human resources and become a leader in the knowledge economy of today and as it evolves in the years to come. We, in India, have a number of tribal languages, many of which are headed towards extinction. Languages are never static. Governments need to be doubly careful while adopting policies regarding the medium of instruction, particularly at the primary and secondary school level. We must encourage Indian language publications, journals and children’s books. Dialects and folk literature must be given adequate focus. When a language declines, it takes with it an entire knowledge system and a unique perspective of viewing the universe. Studies in country after country bear this out. 2. It is time to open our homes and hearts to restore and re-strengthen … This is not always the case. Wherever there is a government-public interface, it should be in the language people understand. Now everyone will agree that we need greater competence in English to be competitive in a globalized world. A State level webinar on the topic “Mother Tongue as a Medium of Instruction: Implementation and Implications vis-à-vis National Education Policy 2020” was organised by the Department of English on 3rd October, 2020, with Dr Mimi Kevichusa Ezung, Associate Professor & Head, Dept of Tenyidie, Nagaland University, and Dr Chubatola Aier, Principal, C-Edge College, Dimapur, as the resource persons. Is there a grey area in cricket's concussion substitute rule? Only quality papers here. Mother tongue must be the medium of instruction to preserve India’s cultural diversity, heritage Mother tongue must be the medium of instruction to preserve India’s cultural diversity, heritage The mother tongue lays a strong foundation for the expression of creativity. English is a West Germanic language that was first spoken in early medieval England and is now a global lingua franca. It is extremely disheartening that 196 languages in India are classified as endangered. We must incentivise this energetic generation to keep alive their mother tongues and dialects. The plurality and co-existence of multiple languages add colour and vitality to our country and make it unique. India win by substitution method, heroes defy written script in first T20I, Five Instagram features you need to try out today, Apple offering free display replacement to select iPhone 11 users: How to check eligibility. The mother tongue lays a strong foundation for the expression of creativity. They play a significant role in creating and strengthening bonds among people. The quality of that education is abysmal. A number of studies conducted all over the world by different expert groups have established that teaching the mother tongue at the initial stages of education gives an impetus to the growth of mind and thought and makes children more creative and logical. This study sought to establish the relationship between the attitude of teachers in the early grades (1 and 2) towards the use of the mother tongue as a medium of instruction and the listening comprehension skills of their students in those grade. We cannot afford to regret this as yet another missed They grow, shrink, transform, merge and, sadly, die. mother tongue as a medium of educating pupils at the pre-primary and primary level throughout the country. We must start by making the mother tongue the medium of instruction in our schools, and certainly at the primary level. Many bold decisions must be made to protect and nurture our languages. Mother tongue as the medium of instruction at developing country universities in a global context One of the factors attributed to poor performance of some indigenous students at universities in developing countries is the use of a second language – mainly English and to some extent French – as the language of instruction at the universities. What is important to note, however, is the crucial role of the mother language, which, as UNESCO notes, “is a source of knowledge and innovation” and that the “command of a mother tongue facilitates general learning and learning of other languages”. Every effort must be made to nurture creativity at the formative stage. That is not all. Teaching the language, or educational content, through the target language increases the amount of exposure the learner gets to it, and the opportunities they have to communicate in it, and therefore to develop their control of it. We must teach our children to love languages and equip them to protect and nourish the beautiful legacy of languages that we have received from our ancestors. It is heartening to note that the new draft National Education Policy puts forth a number of suggestions for supporting education in home languages and mother tongues, tribal as well as sign languages. Since medium of instruction at higher level will be English, more schools which teaches in mother tongues at primary levels will shift to English. He adds, “If a regional language or mother tongue is the medium of instruction, steps will have to be taken to ensure that English or Hindi are taught at the earliest possible stage. I hope that more and more people will start using their native languages at home, in the community, in meetings and in administration. There is a misconception that only English education offers opportunities to grow in the modern world. This study will also explore the issue of whether the English or mother tongue is an effective medium of instruction. Scope and Limitations 16% have mastery in Math… 2% have mastery in Science. However, I am deeply disturbed that we are not doing enough to preserve our rich native languages. Mother Tongue and the National Policy on Education According to the National Policy on Education published in 1977, 1981, and revised in 1991 section 2(ii) “Government will ensure that the medium of instruction Our languages must serve as a means for the empowerment of the masses. For every 100 children that start grade one in our country, only 65 will reach Grade 6, the others having dropped out along the way (with 18 of the dropouts occurring between Grade 1 and Grade 2). Studies in country after country bear this out. In fact, they are the lifeblood of our identity, both individual and collective. The situation can lead to the devaluation of a mother tongue and to its ultimate disappearance in the long term.” In my view, this is a timely, important reminder. Knowing English is useful, like knowing other international languages. Children learn better in their mother tongue. The rationale of that bill is that if we want to have greater competence in English, and be in a position to take advantage, or compete in a globalized world, English must be used as the medium of instruction from Grade 3 onwards. India has the largest youth population in the world, with 65 per cent of its population being below 35 years of age. This article first appeared in the print edition on November 22, 2019 under the title ‘In our own words’. medium of instruction, limits the comprehension faculties of learners, Creole is often looked upon as the sole support. 1. Medium of Instruction is the language used by the teacher to teach. 3. Language promotion should be an integral part of good governance. 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It is a vehicle of inter-generational transmission of culture, scientific knowledge and a worldview. What this means is that even before these children are 12 years old, more than one third of them are essentially condemned to poverty. In 1999, UNESCO adopted a resolution on multilingual education and suggested the use of at least three languages in education: The mother language(s), a regional or national language and an international language. For all the latest Opinion News, download Indian Express App. As a matter of fact, they point out that research findings are unequivocal, that to achieve greater mastery in English or Filipino, the most effective medium of instruction is in the child's mother tongue that is her first language or the language spoken at home. Do you believe that English is a barrier in child’s learning? Every effort must be made to nurture creativity at the formative stage. Elementary students who already undergone mother tongue subjects, What advertising medium gives a brand the most…, Rhetorical Analysis of “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” Essay, CASE STUDY: LINH HUYNH Name: Linh Huynh Age: 35 Date…, Jeffery Epstein – Filthy Rich (Netflix Docu Series), Psychological Disorders, Therapy, and Treatment. The importance of mother tongue as a subject and medium of instruction in lower primary schools is often down played when important decisions regarding languages of education are taken. This particular study focuses on the topic “English versus mother tongue as a medium of instruction. We must accord a sense of dignity and pride to those who speak, write and communicate in these languages. Mother tongues do not necessarily have national-language status, official-language status, or status as the language of instruction. We must take concrete steps to not only have the mother tongue as the medium of instruction at the primary level, but also take all steps to make it the language of administration, banking and judicial proceedings. This can’t be extended to make a case for supplanting the mother tongue with English, as some are advocating. Incidentally, the United Nations has proclaimed 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages to preserve, revitalise and promote indigenous languages. The Supreme Court has recently decided to make available its judgments in six Indian languages, to start with. Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO, in her message on the occasion of International Mother Language Day (February 21) 2019 said: “For UNESCO, every mother tongue deserves to be known, recognised and given greater prominence in all spheres of public life. ... mother tongue based education (MTBE) and discusses the relations between MT, education and its impacts on students' academic achievement. Only 26% or a little over ¼ of 6th graders have a mastery of English, where mastery is defined as obtaining a score of 75% or higher in English, 31% of those students have a mastery of Math and 15% have a mastery of Science. The Gullas bill has very good intentions. Between the two medium of instruction, which is effective? The mother tongue is the soul of expression. The writer is Vice President of India. Local and international research has found that children learn to speak, read, and write more quickly in their first language, and can pick up a second and third language more easily if taught in their first language. Language preservation and development needs a multi-pronged approach. We cannot afford to lose the treasure we have inherited, the repository of our collective knowledge and wisdom which we have amassed over the course of the long journey of our vibrant civilisation. Gullas Bill is the proposed act strengthening and enhancing the use of English as a medium of instruction, let’s get a backgrounder on the state of education in the Philippines. It is also the medium of instruction for teaching other subjects, including Filipino and English. The study focuses on language use and challenges teachers and pupils face in the classroom in their attempt to use mother tongue in the teaching and learning of mathematics at junior primary level. The traditional livelihood patterns disappear along with our special skills, arts, crafts, cuisine and trade. Let’s nurture the mother tongue. The use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction debate has been on the cards fora long time now in Zimbabwe but has never had any genuine implementation commitment from the policy makers. Mother tongue as a medium of instruction Essay" - read this full essay for FREE. Studies in country after country bear this out. Swami Vivekananda once said that language is the chief means and index of a nation’s progress. To not do this urgently and effectively will result in serious consequences for the preservation of our unique cultural identity. Out of the 10 districts in the Kalinga division, the Lubuagan district topped the 2006 national achievement test Grade 3 reading test for both English and Filipino, with mean scores of 76.55% and 76.45 respectively, which indicates mastery. When the medium of instruction is the mother tongue or local language, the child will learn concepts faster, adjust better, and show gains in learning quicker. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines. There are only a handful of English-speaking countries like Australia, Britain, Canada, the US etc. The Tinglayan district came in a far second, registered only 63.89% and 53.58%. The finance ministry has decided to conduct the examinations for employment in Regional Rural Banks in 13 regional languages, in addition to English and Hindi.The Railways and Postal departments started conducting their exams in the states’ official languages. The language people understand to not do this urgently and effectively will in. Strengthening bonds among people as yet another missed opportunity need to be competitive in a far second, only... 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