NORTHERN MINDANAO COLLEGES, INC.

City of Cabadbaran
COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
MODULE 1

EMT 301 Content and Pedagogy in Mother Tongue

Title Literature in the mother tongue
Overview Using mother tongue learners learn to think, to communicate and acquire
an intuitive understanding of grammar
Objectives 1. Learn basic skills of the learner’s first language
2. Have strong foundation that leads to a much better understanding
in learning the language
3. Find out the reasons why Filipino children learn better while using
their mother tongue
Discussion What is Mother Tongue Education?
Mother tongue education refers to any form of schooling that makes use
of the language or languages that children are most familiar with (FIRST
LANGUAGE). This is usually the language that children speak at home with
their family. The ‘mother tongue’ does not have to be the language
spoken by the mother. Children can and often do speak more than one or
even two languages at home. For example, they may speak one language
with their mother, another with their father and a third with their
grandparents.
Although there is overwhelming evidence that children learn best in and
through their mother tongues, millions of children around the world
receive education in a different language. This is usually the dominant
language of the country they live in.

Four Aspects of Development

The Mother Tongue strengthens the development of the appropriate
cognitive and reasoning skills enabling children to operate equally in
different languages—starting with the mother tongue.
1. Language Development. Students will establish a strong
educational foundation in the language they know best; they will
build a good “bridge” to the school language(s), and they will be
prepared to use both/all of their languages for success in school
and for life-long learning.
2. Cognitive Development. School activities will engage learners to
move well beyond the basic questions of who, what, when, and
where to cover all higher order thinking skills in the learners’
language of thought.
These higher order thinking skills will: (1) transfer to the other
languages once enough Filipino or English has been acquired to
use these skills in thinking and articulating thought; and (2) be
used in the process of acquiring English and Filipino more
effectively.
3. Academic Development. Students will achieve the necessary
 competencies in each subject area and, at the end of the program,
they will be prepared to enter and achieve well in the mainstream
education system.
4. Socio-Cultural Development. Students will be proud of their
heritage language and culture, and respect the languages and
cultures of others; they will be prepared to contribute
productively to their own community and to the larger society.
Furthermore, students will learn and develop holistically. When
learners are first instructed in the language they know best, they
are able to build a good “bridge” toward learning another
language. Multilinguals also enjoy benefits that go beyond
linguistic knowledge. They are also able to learn with more
flexibility.

Benefits of mother tongue education

There are many benefits associated with an education that takes into
account children’s mother tongues:

-Children learn better and faster in a language they can understand

(preventing delays in learning)
-They enjoy school more, they feel more at home
-Pupils tend to show increased self-esteem
-Parents participation is increased. Parents can help with homework and
can participate in school activities
-Studies have reported that when children take advantage of their
multilingualism, they also enjoy higher socioeconomic status, including
higher earnings
-On average, the schools perform better, reporting less repetition
-Finally, schools report children stay in school longer
Evaluation Students will answer Activity 1 of Worksheet
Reference Dubbel, Janssen M. (2021). What is Mother Tongue Education?. Rutu
Foundation. Retrieved July 23, 2012 from
https://www.rutufoundation.org/what-is-mother-tongue education/

DepEd (2016). MOTHER TONGUE-BASED LEARNING MAKES

LESSONSMORE INTERACTIVE AND EASIER FOR STUDENTS. Retrieved July
23, 2012 from
https://www.deped.gov.ph/2016/10/24/mother-tongue-based-learning-
makes-lessonsmore-interactive-and-easier-for-students/

Name______________________________________ Course & Year______________________

Instructor: Ma. Rachelle Anne H. Rosalejos Date of Submission_________________

WORKSHEET 1
of
MODULE 1

Topic Literature in the Mother Tongue

Learning 1. Learn basic skills of the learner’s first language
Objectives 2. Have strong foundation that leads to a much better
understanding in learning the language
3. Find out the reasons why Filipino children learn better
while using their mother tongue
Time to Learn Activity 1
Answer briefly the following questions in the spaces provided
for.
1. In 1 or 2 statements: What do you know about mother
tongue?

2. What is your language spoken at home? Give your

reason/s why you speak that language.

3. What other languages spoken at home? Are you

comfortable in using this? Why?

Time to think How can informal and non-formal learning opportunities in

the mother tongue best support or supplement school
settings, particularly when the formal school system is unable
to serve as a venue for mother tongue–based multilingual
education?

Time to act What can be done in contexts where teachers have

inadequate oral fluency or literacy skills in one or more of the
languages being used in the program?

Time to reflect Search: ( write your answer in a separate paper.)

Write at least 10 reasons why Filipino children learn better
while using their mother tongue.

Prepared by: MA. RACHELLE ANNE H. ROSALEJOS