INTRODUCTION TO THE MOTHER TONGUE

“Hammerly (1991) estimates that the judicious use of the mother tongue (MT) in carefully crafted techniques can be twice as efficient (i.e. reach the same level of second language proficiency in half the time), without any loss in effectiveness, as instruction that ignores the students‟ native language” (Hammerly, 1999, as cited in Butzkamm, 2003, pp.36-37).
An individual's mother tongue is a means for a person to participate in the knowledge of the social work. Another influence of the mother tongue is that it causes the reflection and learning of successful social patterns of acting and speaking. It is, in fact, in charge of differentiating the linguistic competence of acting. Language is the most impressive instrument in the progress of any human being. It is the greatest asset we possess. A good understanding of language is equal with a sound ability to think. In other words, language and thought cannot be separated. Language has an important part in supporting person′s identity and in helping people understand where they fit in the new environment. The acquisition of language is essential not only to person′s cognitive development, but also to their social development and wellbeing. The early years are recognized as the foundation years for person′s development. In particular, the first six years are crucial for young children in developing their first language and cultural identity, and it is during these early years that children build up their knowledge of the world around them (Clarke, 2009).