Just Learned

International Mother Language Day was observed across the globe on Saturday, February 21, 2009 to promote the recognition and significance of mother tongue languages.

International Mother Language Day was declared in 1999 by UNESCO, and has since been celebrated annually on February 21^st, recognizing the sanctity and preservation of all vernacular languages in the world in hopes of promoting linguistic and cultural diversity, and multilingualism The date of February 21^st was chosen to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives on this date in Dhaka in 1952.

 About 6,800 languages are thought to exist today. However, social, demographic and political factors have contributed to the continuing and rapid disappearance. Our young, early childhood aged children are the ones particularly vulnerable to language loss, consequently resulting not only in the loss of the mother tongue, but also a sad absence of culture, heritage, and individuality.

International schools across the planet typically host a diverse population of students that represent a wide range of mother tongue languages. In such environments, it is easy to get carried away with the dominance of the English language.  However, it is important to recognize that our home languages are powerful and remain at the heart of all social, economic and cultural life. UNESCO recognizes and celebrates the research that shows that instruction in the mother tongue is more effective for achievement both in the home language and success with additional language learning, such as English in an international school environment.

In our international school communities, we, as teachers, parents, and community members, need to unite our efforts to promote the dissemination of mother tongue languages. This will not only encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education for ourselves and our children, but also develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world. 

Happy International Mother Language Day!