Right of Knowing and Using Mother Tongue: A Mixed Method Study

Abstract

Language is a crucial factor for the academic achievement of minority people. Speaking the mother tongue in school increases self-confidence and thinking skills, and conveys freedom of speech. Mother tongue is an inseparable element of his or her culture and that everyone has the right to learn his or her mother tongue. The main objective of this current study is to illustrate the need for a language curriculum and to investigate what parameters will influence the development of a mother tongue. This study used an explanatory sequential mixed method, conducted in two phases: a quantitative phase followed by a qualitative phase. For quantitative data collection, 140 participants responded the survey instrument. For qualitative data collection, 12 participants were interviewed. The results indicated that everyone has the right to be taught in their mother tongue. Mother tongue education is necessary for a student to have an equal access to education and gain benefits from education as do others. Mother tongue education has a crucial role in ensuring school attendance, raising the quality of education, and integrating children into society. Therefore, the findings reflected that a bilingual education program is necessary to be educated in mother tongue.