Languages matter for learning and harmonious development

Languages matter in the quest to eliminate illiteracy and facilitate better learning, as emphasized in the global Education for All movement. They matter in fostering openness towards diversity and tolerance of other cultures, which is essential to building inclusive societies. They matter for peace and mutual understanding in areas of inter-ethnic conflict. Indeed, the role of languages in the educational, cultural and economic fabric of our societies is too great to be ignored.

Evidence from around the world shows that children learn best when taught in their mother language in the initial years at school. Yet, too often, in many countries children are immersed in classrooms and taught in a language that they do not recognize. Children are expected to effortlessly learn in the school language without additional support. Typically less than 15 per cent are able to do so and achieve acceptable marks; the majority does not. While they are physically included in school, the language barrier excludes them from effective learning.

For children of minority language background, learning in their own language in the early years is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right to access educational opportunities. Furthermore, their ability to acquire second and additional languages is determined by the strength of their linguistic foundations in the first language. Therefore learning in the mother language is also the right way to promote better learning of the national language.

Home to 55 ethnic groups, China has rich ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity. Ethnic population accounts for almost 8.5 percent of its total population. China's commitment to mother tongue education, particularly for its ethnic minorities is embedded in its language policies that enable each linguistic community to use its first language, or mother tongue, while also mastering the national language. The Government considers "multilingualism" an effective strategy for culture-based development and the formation of a harmonious society. This is further highlighted in China's recently formulated Medium and Long Term Education Reform Plan 2010 – 2020.

UNESCO supports China's endeavors of promoting mother tongue and bi/multilingual education at all levels of schooling as a means of furthering social and gender equality, improving education quality and enhancing cultural and linguistic diversity. The annual celebration of International Mother Language Day in China since 2006 organized by the China Education Association for International Exchange and the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO in cooperation with the UNESCO Beijing Office has become a major event in China for promoting mother tongue and multilingual education, advocating cultural diversity and sharing of international and national best practices.

International Mother Language Day provides an opportunity for us all to reflect on the vital importance of language to ourselves, to our nations, and to our world.

So let us delight in cultural diversity. Learn other languages. Share our language with others. But never forget the intrinsic value of each person's mother language.

The author is director and representative of the UNESCO Beijing Office.