Schools . International Mother Language Day : “Multilingual education is a pillar of intergenerational learning"

 

International Mother Language Day

https://www.unesco.org/

Multilingual and multicultural societies thrive through the preservation of their languages, which serve as conduits for traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. 

However, linguistic diversity faces increasing threats as more languages vanish. Currently, 40% of the global population lacks access to education in their native language, a figure that exceeds 90% in certain regions. 

Research underscores the benefits of using learners' native languages in education, fostering better learning outcomes, self-esteem, and critical thinking skills. This approach also supports intergenerational learning and cultural preservation.

• Theme 2024:

Multilingual education – a pillar of learning and intergenerational learning”.

Today, 250 million children and young people still do not attend school and 763 million adults do not master basic literacy skills. Mother tongue education supports learning, literacy and the acquisition of additional languages.

Multilingual education – a pillar of learning and intergenerational learning”, are crucial for inclusive education and the preservation of indigenous languages. 

By starting education in the learner's mother tongue and gradually introducing other languages, barriers between home and school are bridged, facilitating effective learning.

Technology has the potential to address some of the greatest challenges in education today. It can accelerate efforts towards ensuring equitable and inclusive lifelong learning opportunities for all if it is guided by the core principles of inclusion and equity.

Multilingual education based on mother tongue is a key component of inclusion in education.

• What is Intergenerational learning ?

Intergenerational learning is defined as learning that happens across different age groups and generations. Integral to concept is the multi-directionality of learning: children can learn from adults, adults from children, younger children from older siblings, and from other relatives. It is a collective learning process in which the whole family learns together.

What makes us human

Victor D.O. Santos

credit: cover photo  Eerdmans/UNESCO, USA. 

Release data March 4, 2024

https://www.unesco.org/

• Book

A book that, before its first release in Brazil, was selected in 2022 by the specialized jury of The Unpublished Picture Book Showcase by dPICTUS for the dazzling illustrations by Italian artist Anna Forlati and the powerful text by Brazilian author and linguist Victor D.O. Santos. 

The book was furthermore selected for the 2023 Bologna Children’s Book Fair exhibition "Beauty and the World: The New Nonfiction Picture Book".

What Makes Us Human has also been included in The White Ravens 2023 selection as one of the 200 best publications for children released worldwide this year.

Illustration for “What Makes Us Human”. 

© Anna Forlati

https://www.unesco.org/

The book is published in several languages. For the moment 12 languages. Look here the countries where What makes us human is translated in mother languages.

• The role of teachers:

The overall aim of IMLD 2024 is to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 by recognizing the role of teachers in promoting multilingual teaching and learning through reading and technology. in different languages

Students : Share key messages via this social media pack.

"The scientific studies are clear: learning in one’s mother tongue is essential to success at school. (...) "Advocating multilingualism in schools also means preserving and promoting linguistic plurality, especially with regard to languages which have only a few remaining speakers."

Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, message 2024

G-Souto

21.02.2024

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Schools ! International Mother Language Day : “Multilingual education is a pillar of intergenerational learning" by GinaSouto is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.