Opinion | Addressing language barrier in early grade learning
Summary
Children in Nepal often face language barriers in early education as instruction typically begins in Nepali, which may not be their mother tongue. Addressing this through inclusive teaching strategies and materials in local languages boosts literacy and participation.
Key Points
- Children in Nepal commonly face challenges in early education due to instruction being in Nepali while many speak different mother tongues.
- Nepal has over 124 mother tongues, but educational materials and instruction rarely incorporate this linguistic diversity.
- Educational approaches like translanguaging and scaffolding, along with teaching materials in mother tongues, improve learning outcomes.
- Programs like those in Kapilvastu district demonstrate success by training teachers and using mother tongue materials to support literacy.
