Teacher Preparation in Mother Tongue Education

Abstract

Mother tongue, the home language of a nation (e.g., Greek in Greece), reflects its culture and identity. Not surprisingly, this affects and shapes mother tongue education in teacher education in the universities and as school subject. Cultural diversity around the globe and transmigrations resulting in multicultural nations make it continually difficult to define a shared understanding of the core concepts and skills required in teacher education and in the schools. This article focuses on three common aspects of mother tongue teacher education: subject-matter knowledge; professional and pedagogical knowledge; and field-based experiences. In addition, it recommends continued international dialog and research in preparing teachers in ways that reflect the changing nature, knowledge, and practices of mother tongue education.