Known to unknown…. This is the principle to take into consideration in teaching nowadays. Experts stated that it is necessary to improve language accuracy, fluency and clarity. While there are many factors involved in delivering quality basic education, language is clearly the key to communication and understanding in the classroom , the use of mother tongue and translation can serve as tool in improving language skills. They made it clear to educators that the use of a familiar language to teach beginning literacy facilitates an understanding of sound-symbol or meaning-symbol correspondence.
With DepEd’s new principle in using the mother tongue – based schooling for educational quality, learners can freely express themselves in the most comfortable way. When students can express themselves, teachers can diagnose what has been learned, what remains to be taught and which students need further assistance. Not to mention that classroom participation has a positive effect and helps in gaining self-esteem .Well-documented empirical studies of mother tongue-based programs in developing countries began appearing in the 1970s and still form the basis of what is done in the field today.
Mastering the native language can be a good start before we plunge them in further mess which is extremely new to them . Learning and mastering a new language must begin with his own native language to make it more effective. And learning something new does not necessarily mean to disregard the mother – tongue for this is where everything begins after all.
By: MS. JASMIN B. NAVARRO | Teacher I | Orion Elementary School
