Multilingual education is recognized as essential for inclusive education and sustainable development. UNESCO promotes multilingual education based on the learner’s mother tongue or first language. This is to bridge the gap between home and school and enable better learning. Multilingualism supports the coexistence of multiple cultures, worldviews, and knowledge systems.
The 2023 International Mother Language Day theme is “Multilingual education – a necessity to transform education.” There should be an emphasis on the importance of enhancing multilingual education, supporting learning through multilingualism, and revitalizing disappearing languages.
The day is observed every year to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. At least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered. And International Mother Language Day aims to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world.
For example, in the countries where I have lived and worked, many languages are spoken in the home: Mongolia (6), Thailand (71), Nepal (123), and Armenia (16)
Reference Links:
- UNESCO – International Mother Language Day
- Wikipedia.org – International Mother Language Day
- International Mother Language Day 2023: Know Date, Theme, History, Significance and Key Facts
Activies for Mother Language Day:
- twinkl.com – International Mother Language Day
- English Lesson on International Mother Language Day
- 12 Things You Can Do on International Mother Language Day
- British Council – Learn English – International Mother Language Day
- Celebrate International Mother Language Day
- Quick and Easy Ideas to Celebrate International Mother-Language Day with your Students
- Ideas for celebrating International Mother Language Day in your class
How did you celebrate International Mother Language Day? Let us know!!
