The Utilization of Mother Tongue in Teaching Young Learners: Its Implications to Pre-Service Teachers

Abstract

This study ascertained the implications of the utilization of mother tongue as a medium of instruction to the pre-service teachers in teaching mathematics and science to Grade 3 learners. The study was conducted at Bukidnon State University Elementary Laboratory School during the SY 2014-2015. It utilized the descriptive method. The result revealed that learners performed well when the medium of instruction used in teaching science and mathematics was English. Therefore, Grade 3 learners achieved high score in Science and Mathematics subjects when they are taught using the English language as the medium of instruction. This result implies that English language is the preferred medium of instruction of the Grade 3 learners and that in-service teachers should encourage the pre-service teachers to utilize English as the medium of instruction when teaching science and mathematics to young learners, or should also consider the language of the learners when they teach these tool subjects during their practice teaching.