Learning in a mother language (first language) is incredibly important to children’s further development and education. Early grade reading instruction should be in a language children speak and understand. When instruction is in an unfamiliar language, an enormous amount of time must be spent first teaching children to understand, speak, read, and write that foreign language. This is difficult in low resource contexts and wastes valuable time in the early grades. (USAID 2013)
Learning in a familiar language improves school outcomes, reduces repetition and reduces dropout. Children with instruction in their mother tongue are significantly more likely to be enrolled and attending school. Children learn to read faster if they speak the language of instruction, because they already have vocabulary, knowledge of the construction of the language, and the ability to pronounce the sounds of the language. This knowledge facilitates children’s learning to read and understanding what they read. (USAID 2013)
