Mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB MLE) refers to the use of a child’s first language, known as the mother tongue, as the medium of instruction in early grades of school. This allows children to learn in a language they understand, while slowly transitioning to learn the national or official languages. MTB MLE has been shown to have many advantages for children’s learning and educational achievement.
Some key advantages of MTB MLE include:
- Improves learning outcomes: Children learn to read faster, gain stronger literacy skills, and grasp concepts more easily when taught in their first language.
- Promotes equity: Levels the playing field for minority/indigenous language speaking children to have equal access to education.
- Affirms identity: Value is placed on minority languages and cultures, which supports children’s self-esteem.
- Facilitates transition: Children who are firmly grounded in their first language are better equipped to learn a second language.
- Increases access: More children enroll in and complete school when the language barrier is removed.
In this article, we will explore the research and evidence behind these advantages in more depth.
Improves Learning Outcomes
Numerous studies conducted around the world over past decades have consistently shown that students learn better and master material faster when taught in a language they speak and understand. This is because they do not have to first translate the language before grasping the concept.
For example, a 3-year study on indigenous children in Guatemala found:
- Children in MTB MLE preschools performed much higher in school readiness tests than those in traditional Spanish-only schools.
- By grade 3, MTB MLE students scored higher in reading and comprehension tests in both their Mayan language and Spanish than non-MTB students being taught only in Spanish.
Similar findings have been documented with Native American languages in the US, tribal languages in India, and immigrant minority languages around the world. When students develop initial literacy and content knowledge in their mother tongue, they are better equipped to achieve mastery when transitioning to the national language.
Table 1: Literacy Rates with MTB MLE vs. Second Language Only
| Language Program Model | Student Literacy Rate |
|---|---|
| Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual | 90% |
| Second Language Only | 70% |
As summarized in Table 1, multiple studies have shown literacy rates among indigenous and minority language students to be 20-30% higher when they are taught using MTB MLE approaches compared to second language only immersion models.
Promotes Equity
When minority language speaking students are forced to study solely in a second language from day one, it puts them at a huge disadvantage compared to native speakers of the dominant language. This contributes to higher rates of grade repetition, dropout, and lower achievement over the long run.
MTB MLE helps level the playing field by enabling all students to learn in a familiar language during the crucial early grades. It removes the double burden of trying to simultaneously grasp new concepts and new vocabulary in an unfamiliar language.
For example, research in the Mexican school system found:
- Indigenous language speaking students were twice as likely to score below basic reading proficiency when taught only in Spanish.
- These students were 5 times more likely to drop out by grade 6.
Programs that transition students too quickly to the dominant language for instruction are inefficient and undermine equity. MTB MLE allows quality education to be more accessible for linguistic minority students.
Affirms Identity
MTB MLE programs value and increase the status of minority languages in the education system. This sends the message that children’s mother tongues and cultures are legitimate and worth preserving.
When instruction is only offered in the dominant language, it implies that minority languages are inferior or unacceptable for academic development. This damages students’ cultural identity and self-confidence.
In contrast, research from MTB MLE programs documents positive social and emotional effects:
- Children demonstrate greater self-assurance, engagement, and pride in their cultural heritage.
- Parents feel more respected and involved when welcomed into schools.
- Communities take ownership over local language curriculum and materials development.
Gaining an education through the mother tongue allows minority students to become more empowered rather than marginalized in society.
Facilitates Second Language Acquisition
Critics sometimes argue that teaching in minority languages isolates students and hinders their ability to learn the dominant language. However, research clearly shows the opposite effect.
When students first establish foundational literacy and academic knowledge in their mother tongue, they are better equipped to transfer these skills to a second language. Some key findings include:
- Strong literacy in the native language accelerates the development of literacy in a second language.
- Students taught to read first in their native language were able to catch up and reach grade level reading proficiency in the second language within 2-3 years of transition.
- Bilingual students consistently outperform monolingual students in academic achievement in the long run.
MTB MLE facilitates biliteracy. The mother tongue provides a stepping stone rather than a barrier to successful acquisition of a second language.
Table 2: Second Language Proficiency with MTB MLE vs. Second Language Only
| Instructional Model | Reading Proficiency After Transition to Second Language |
|---|---|
| Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual | Grade Level in 2-3 Years |
| Second Language Only | Below Grade Level |
As shown in Table 2, the MTB MLE model enables students to reach reading proficiency in the second language within 2-3 years after transitioning. The second language only model results in below grade level abilities for students.
Increases Access & Retention
Top-down second language only policies have contributed to high dropout rates and low academic achievement among minority language students worldwide. When students struggle to understand instruction, many become discouraged and leave school.
Access to education expands dramatically when children are taught in a familiar language. Key results include:
- Increased enrollment: Primary school enrollment rose from 20-85% in minority communities within 1-2 years of implementing MTB MLE programs in various countries.
- Reduced dropout rates: Longitudinal data from MTB MLE models show the percentage of students dropping out before grade 6 declined from 60% to less than 8% in studied regions.
- Higher continuation to secondary school: The share of indigenous students transitioning to secondary education increased from 11% to over 70% after adoption of MTB MLE policies in Guatemala.
MTB MLE removes the exclusionary effect of language barriers. When their participation is encouraged rather than hampered, many more minority students gain access to schooling.
Table 3: Educational Access with MTB MLE vs. Second Language Only
| Language Model | Primary Enrollment | Dropout Before Grade 6 | Transition to Secondary School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual | 85% | 8% | 70% |
| Second Language Only | 20% | 60% | 11% |
The data in Table 3 demonstrates that MTB MLE approaches lead to dramatic improvements in enrollment, retention, and continuation rates compared to rigid second language only policies.
Conclusion
In summary, a wealth of evidence shows that mother tongue-based multilingual education provides clear academic, social, and economic benefits. Children gain stronger literacy and learning outcomes when instruction begins in their first language. MTB MLE promotes inclusion and equity, values diverse cultural identities, and enables effective acquisition of second and third languages. For minority linguistic communities, it is truly a transformational approach to unlocking the potential of education.
Moving forward, expanding MTB MLE should be a priority for more school systems around the world aiming to improve student achievement, increase access and retention, and reduce disparities. While there are challenges in implementation, these are outweighed by the substantial advantages for children and societies. With appropriate policies and resources, MTB MLE can empower millions more students to thrive in school and beyond.