mtb

• Study notes on content and pedagogy in Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE).

Key Components of an MTB-MLE program

• MTB-MLE builds a strong foundation in the learner's first language (L1) and transitions to additional languages like Filipino and English
• This approach supports both language learning and cognitive development
• It fosters lifelong learning through the development of cognitive and reasoning skills in various languages
• MTB-MLE employs a learner-centered model where children construct knowledge based on prior understanding
• Culturally relevant concepts are used to teach basic curriculum content, ensuring lessons are connected to the learner's context and experiences
• Reading and writing skills are initially taught in the child's first language to reinforce literacy
• Vocabulary is expanded first in the mother tongue, then in the second language, which is completed through communicative and participatory methods
• Cognitive skill development occurs in the first language, supporting meta-cognitive processes in a familiar language
• MTB-MLE prioritizes understanding, meaning, and communication alongside skill development, so language learning emphasizes accuracy and effective communication

Key Concepts in MTB-MLE

• Mother tongue plays a key role in cognitive, emotional, and social development
• Teaching should enhance critical thinking, literacy, and engagement

Language Acquisition and Development

• Language is acquired through stages, influenced by theories like those by Krashen, Vygotsky, and Piaget
• Educators should scaffold learning and create supportive environments

Pedagogical Approaches to Mother Tongue Instruction

• Methods include Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT), and storytelling
• Teachers should use interactive strategies like discussions, debates, and multimedia

Curriculum Design for Mother Tongue Education:

• Curriculum should align with students' developmental needs and integrate reading, writing, speaking, and listening
• Teachers need to design age-appropriate lessons and select suitable materials

Sociolinguistics and Cultural Context

• Language shapes identity and is influenced by cultural context
• Educators should respect and incorporate local customs and values in teaching

Assessment of Language Learning

• Language proficiency assessed using formative and summative tools
• Educators should use assessments to inform and improve instruction

Literacy Development

• Literacy development spans from phonics to critical literacy
• Teachers should teach foundational literacy skills and consider learner diversity

Multilingualism and Code-Switching

• Students often navigate multiple languages daily
• Educators should leverage multilingualism to support language development and second-language acquisition

Differentiated Instruction

• Lessons should be adapted to meet diverse student needs, abilities, and interests
• Accessibility for learners at all levels should be ensured

Integrating Technology in Language Teaching

• Digital tools and multimedia can enhance learning
• Teachers should incorporate technology to engage students and assist language acquisition

The Importance of Student-Centered Learning

• Focus should be on active learning where students take responsibility
• Teachers should design activities for peer teaching, problem-solving, and self-reflection

Language as a Tool for Critical Thinking and Expression

• Language helps students think critically and express themselves
• Teachers should foster an environment for discussion, questioning, and reflection on societal issues

Inclusive Education in Language Instruction

• Equal opportunities must be provided for all students, including those with disabilities
• Teachers should develop inclusive strategies for diverse learners

The Psychological and Emotional Aspects of Language Learning

• Language learning is tied to identity and emotional well-being
• Teachers should create a supportive environment to build student confidence

General Principles of Mother Tongue Education

• Focus on developing both language proficiency and cultural understanding
• Language is not just a tool for communication but also an essential part of a person's identity, cognitive development, and connection to their cultural heritage

Cultural Relevance and Identity

• The mother tongue is tied to culture and identity
• Lessons should incorporate local stories, traditions, and history to promote cultural pride

Language as a Living Tool for Communication

• The mother tongue is a dynamic tool for expression
• Engage students in real-life communication through storytelling, discussions, and group activities

Active Participation and Student-Centered Learning

• Learning should be student-driven with active exploration
• Collaborative learning, role-playing, and project-based activities for practical language use is encouraged

Development of Linguistic Skills in a Balanced Manner

• All language skills should be developed, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing
• Balanced tasks like paired reading and writing, and interactive speaking activities should be provided

Scaffolded Learning

• Language acquisition is gradual and requires scaffolding
• One should start with simpler concepts, gradually increasing complexity with visuals, repetition, and peer support

Focus on Meaning and Communication

• Communication and meaning should be prioritized over isolated grammar. Use real-life tasks like storytelling and problem-solving to encourage practical language use

Inclusivity and Differentiated Instruction

• Teaching should be adjusted to meet diverse proficiency levels and learning styles
• Differentiated activities and personalized tasks for various learners should be offered

Assessment as a Tool for Growth

• Assessment should guide learning, not just measure it
• Formative assessments like observations and peer reviews should be used to track progress

Integration of Multimodal Learning

• Language learning is enhanced with multimodal resources
• Videos, songs, and hands-on activities should be incorporated to engage various learning styles

Encouraging Critical Thinking

• Critical thinking in mother-tongue instruction should pushed
• Analysis, discussion, and reflection on texts and ideas in the native language is encouraged

The National and Official Languages in the Philippines

• Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English are the official languages
• Filipino has 8 major dialects: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon (Ilonggo), Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
• There are more than 176 local dialects

Linguistic Characteristics

• All Philippine languages are part of the Austronesian language family (Malayo-Polynesian)
• Filipino serves as the common language for speakers of different native languages, although they are not mutually intelligible
• English is used in government and higher education

Language Distribution and Importance

• About 10 languages are spoken by 90% of the population
• Pilipino, based on Tagalog, is the de facto national language but is mainly spoken in Manila and central Luzon
• Cebuano, Ilocano, and Tagalog have their own literary traditions and dialects, and are regionally important

Language Development and Loan Words

• Filipino is evolving with loan words from other language (Spanish and English)
• 20% of Tagalog words come from Spanish (e.g., Diyos, eskwele, kalye).

Extinction of Languages

• Some languages in the Taiwan-Philippines language group are endangered, such as Arta, Bubuza, and Pazeh

• In the late 1980s, 11 languages and 87 dialects were spoken

• The Austronesian family includes languages from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Polynesia

The Spanish Influence in the Philippines

• About 20% of Tagalog vocabulary is derived from Spanish (e.g., Diyos = god, eskwele = school)
• Spanish influenced numbers, the money system, place names, and food culture during their rule and was compulsory until 1968 and is rarely used today

Decline of Spanish:

• After 1898 Spanish was replaced by English when the Philippines became a U.S. colony
• Spanish was removed as an official language in 1987 and, in the 1990s, 1 in 8 Filipinos could understand some Spanish, but it is no longer widely spoken

Cultural Rootedness of the Mother Tongue As A Medium Of Instruction

• There is a deep connection between a child's mother tongue and cultural identity
• Language acts as the vessel for cultural elements and culture and language are inseparable
• An individual's culture and personality is reflected in their language

Why use Mother Tongue as Medium of Instruction?

Role of Language in Cultural Change

• Languages play a crucial role in societal cultural changes
• The mother tongue (MT) is important for introducing new knowledge and research findings
• When the everyday language differs from the language of instruction and media, it creates challenges

Language and Childhood Development

• Language is the primary means through which children engage with their environment
• The mother tongue is essential for transmitting knowledge, skills, and cultural values across generations

Educational Disadvantages for Minority Children

• Children from linguistic or ethnic minorities often face challenges in school, entering with lower chances of success and achievement levels

UNESCO's Recommendation

• Children who speak a different language at home should first be taught in their mother tongue (L1) and then gradually introduced to the national language (L2) to enhance learning

Importance of Mother Tongue in Early Education

• Children think and dream in their mother tongue, and using it as the medium of instruction boosts children's confidence
• Early education in the mother tongue provides a firm foundation for learning and cultural and educational development

Pedagogical Support for Mother Tongue

• The mother tongue is considered the best medium for concept formation, particularly in primary education (up to 10 years old)
• Children's emotional and physical needs are best supported when taught in their native language, allowing them to explore and understand their environment

Practical Evidence

• Students instructed in their home language transitioned to reading more easily compared to those who had to learn a new language

International Support for Mother Tongue Education

• The importance of mother tongue education is widely acknowledged and supported by international conventions, resolutions, and legislation
• It is seen it as vital for linguistic competence and children's rights.