More Than English: Why Every Child Should Learn Their Mother Tongue
By Dickson Tumuramye
In
many urban homes today, especially among middle-class and corporate families,
children grow up speaking almost exclusively English. Some cannot comfortably
speak their mother tongue, while others struggle to communicate in the local
languages spoken by their parents, neighbours, relatives and communities. Many
parents consider English a sign of good education and social advancement. Yet,
children will still learn this language in school at any level, but the mother tongue
is mostly learned at home and from parents. While English is important, raising
children who speak only one language may mean denying them valuable cultural,
social, and intellectual opportunities.
Our
Mother Tongue Is Part of Our Identity
A
mother tongue connects a child to their roots, history, values, and cultural
heritage. Through language, children learn the stories, proverbs, traditions, and wisdom passed down by their grandparents and older relatives. When children
cannot speak their parents' language, communication across generations becomes
difficult, and some of this cultural knowledge may gradually disappear.
Parents
should therefore resist the temptation to abandon their mother tongue in favour
of English. Speaking our indigenous languages does not make children less
intelligent, less modern or less competitive. Instead, it helps them appreciate
who they are and where they come from.
Children
Need Languages Beyond Their Homes
Learning
one's mother tongue is only the beginning. Children should also learn the
languages spoken in the communities where they live, study, and interact. For
instance, a child from Ankole, Acholi, Teso, or another Ugandan community who
grows up in Central Uganda can learn Luganda to communicate more effectively
with neighbours, friends, traders, and other community members.
Such
children should not have to abandon their mother tongue to fit into their
environment. They can retain their original language while learning Luganda and
continuing to develop their English. Multilingualism enables children to build
friendships across cultural boundaries, appreciate diversity, and participate
more confidently in community life.
More
Languages, More Opportunities
Learning
multiple languages can strengthen children's communication skills, cultural
awareness and ability to navigate different social environments. Research also
suggests that bilingual and multilingual experiences can support certain
aspects of language awareness and learning, although cognitive benefits vary
and should not be exaggerated.
Beyond
local languages, parents can introduce children to international languages such
as French, Swahili, Arabic, Chinese, German, or Spanish, depending on their
interests and future aspirations. In an increasingly interconnected world,
additional languages can help young people access educational opportunities,
international networks, employment and cross-cultural experiences.
However,
parents should not turn language learning into another source of pressure.
Children need consistent exposure, encouragement and opportunities to practise
rather than criticism when they make mistakes. Our schools should also be open
to teaching various languages, especially in this new competency-based
curriculum.
What
Parents Can Do
Parents
are their children's first language teachers. Speak your mother tongue at home,
tell traditional stories, sing songs, and encourage children to converse with
grandparents and other relatives. Do not ridicule them when they struggle to
find the right words. Correct them gently and celebrate their progress.
Where
possible, organise play opportunities with children who speak different
languages, encourage participation in cultural activities and use
age-appropriate books, radio programmes, songs and educational content in
different languages. Parents can also make language learning enjoyable through
games, storytelling and everyday conversations.
Most
importantly, let children see you valuing the languages you want them to learn.
A language that parents are ashamed to speak will be difficult to persuade
children to appreciate.
Raising
Children Who Belong Everywhere
Our
responsibility is not merely to raise children who speak excellent English. It
is to raise confident, culturally grounded young people who can communicate
across generations, communities and national borders.
English
can open international doors, but our mother tongues keep us connected to our
roots, while other community and international languages widen our
relationships and opportunities. We do not have to choose between modernity and
cultural identity. Our children can embrace both.
Let
us raise children who can speak to the world without losing the language of
home. But also let us remember. Schools should not ignore the teaching of mother
tongues as per the curriculum or the syllabus.
The
writer is the executive director of Hope Regeneration Africa, a parenting
coach, marriage counsellor, and founder of the Men of Purpose Mentorship
Program.
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