The challenge for
educators : all rights of
citizens are respected
Mother Tongue
Development
1.Bilingualism has positive
effects on children’s
linguistic
Understanding of
language and how
to use it effectively
Practice in processing language
flexibility in their thinking
2. The level of
children’s mother tongue is a
strong predictor of their second
language
Transfer acrosss languages
3. Spending instructional time through a
minority language does not
hurt children’s academic development
When children are learning through a
minority language they are not only
learning this language they are learning
concepts and intellectual skills that are
equally relevant to their ability to
function in the majority language
4. Children can lose their ability to
communicate in their mother tongue
within 2-3 years of starting school
5. Teachers must be proactive to
affirm children’s linguistic
identity
6. Every child has the right
to have their talents
recognized and promoted
within the school