MOTHER-TONGUE AT ITS BEST

MARY ANN M. SANGALANG

The best way to communicate is through the use of language which is familiar with both the speaker and the listener. Active interaction happens when both parties can comprehend every message that is being transferred from one to another. In linguistics, a child learns first the language of their home that they use on a daily basis. It is their mother tongue.

Republic Act 10533 stipulates that mother tongue should be taught from Kinder to Grade 3 as a subject and also as a medium of instruction. It is expected that using the mother tongue, learners will be able to participate in the classroom discussion by freely expressing themselves and their thoughts in their minds.

The use of mother tongue improves pupils’ confidence because they can communicate with ease with their teacher and among their peers. As a child, it is very important that their learning should not be stopped by language barriers. It is the best time to develop their cognitive skills through classroom interaction and discovery of knowledge.

The role of language as a medium of instruction invites debates around the world whether mother tongue is effective in classroom teaching. Even though there are arguments regarding its effectiveness, it cannot be denied that it is the language that motivates the pupils to participate.

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The author is Teacher I at Rizal Concepcion Elementary School, Lubao North District