Question

How does the Multilingual Approach (Mother Tongue Support) benefit English language learners?

• A. It discourages the use of the learner's native language
• B. It creates a barrier between prior knowledge and new language
• C. It uses the mother tongue to bridge prior knowledge and build confidence
• D. It insists on immediate immersion in English only

Answer 1

Answer:

C. It uses the mother tongue to bridge prior knowledge and build confidence

• Bridging Prior Knowledge:

  • Leveraging the learner's mother tongue allows them to access and activate existing knowledge and experiences related to the target language concepts.
  • This creates a familiar foundation upon which new English vocabulary and grammar can be built, making the learning process more intuitive.

• Building Confidence:

  • When learners can understand explanations and instructions in their native language, it reduces anxiety and fosters a sense of security in the learning environment.
  • This positive emotional state is crucial for effective language acquisition, encouraging active participation and risk-taking in using English.

• Enhanced Comprehension:

  • Complex grammatical structures or abstract concepts can be more easily grasped when initially explained in a language the learner already masters.
  • This ensures a deeper understanding of the underlying principles before requiring the learner to process them solely in English.

• Facilitating Meaning-Making:

  • The mother tongue acts as a tool for negotiation of meaning, allowing learners to clarify doubts and discuss nuances in a way that might be challenging in English at early stages.
  • This active engagement with the material in a comfortable linguistic space supports more robust learning.

• Cognitive Benefits:

  • Research in second language acquisition suggests that multilingualism enhances cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills.
  • By supporting the mother tongue, educators encourage the development of these broader cognitive advantages.

• Pedagogical Rationale:

  • This approach aligns with constructivist learning theories, where learners actively build knowledge based on their existing understanding.
  • It is also supported by the principle of scaffolding, providing necessary support to help learners reach higher levels of proficiency.