THE ROLE OF THE MOTHER TONGUE IN THE TEACHING LEARNING PROCESS: EMERGING CONCERNS

Abstract

Mother-tongue is very useful in the educational process in a multilingual society. Since the educational process builds upon the entering behaviour of a learner at any level into the classroom, the use of mother-tongue as the initial medium of instruction in pre-primary and primary schooling can never be overemphasized especially in a multilingual society where mother-tongue is one of the numerous experiences which children bring to the classroom. Owing to the efficacy of mother tongue for child’s academic growth and national development, the use of mother tongue and its implementation in our schools has to be given serious attention. Nowadays, the use of mother tongue in child upbringing particularly by enlightened parents and other relevant persons is found to be on a very serious decline. This may be as a result of ignorance of the academic benefit of this medium of communication. It is against this backdrop, that this study investigated the role of the mother tongue in the teaching learning process: emerging concerns. Consequently, the meaning of mother tongue was discussed and the various ways through which mother tongue can promote academic achievement of children were also highlighted. The problems facing the child’s chances to speak his mother tongue were further discussed. Also, practical tips and strategies for revitalizing indigenous languages that are endangered and practical ways of encouraging the use of mother tongue were highlighted as well. The paper concluded by advising the policy makers that those countries of the world who have made it recorded their success on the basis of development and utilization of their indigenous languages and Nigeria will thrive in science, technology, education and economy if ideas are created in their native language. Lastly the paper, recommended that parents and all those people concerned with child upbringing not to deny children the right or opportunity to speak their mother tongue and government should formulate good language policies to promote the indigenous language and ensure that all the language policies formulated are fully implemented.