Authors: Kanyembo Emmah (Zambia) and Ngenda (Zambia) | Published on 13 November 2025
Question: How can we make sure our students are learning in a class where the students have several different mother tongues?
Answer: Develop materials to support learning, involve the community, be flexible with language use, use a language monitor system.
Teaching to classes where learners have a different mother tongue comes with its challenges but also opportunities. Every learner brings a unique background and experience into the classroom, and as a teacher, it is your role to help them feel included while guiding them toward better language skills. By understanding their needs and using flexible strategies, you can create a supportive learning environment that helps everyone grow.
1. What is a mother tongue?
Mother tongue is the first language a person learns at home in childhood. It is the language they understand best and often feel most comfortable using. For some learners who grow up with more than one language, their mother tongue is usually the one they used most often before starting school.
2.Challenges of teaching to classes where learners have a different mother tongue.
Language barriers: Learners may struggle to understand lessons taught in the Language of Instruction, making it hard to follow instructions or participate fully.
Lack of relevant materials: Many schools don’t have books or resources in learners’ home languages, making it harder for them to connect new knowledge to what they already know.
Limited teacher training: Teachers are often not trained in how to handle multilingual classrooms and may lack the tools or methods to support learners effectively.
Time pressure: Covering the syllabus while also supporting language needs can be overwhelming.
Low participation: Learners may shy away from speaking if they fear making mistakes.
Large classes: With many learners, it becomes harder for teachers to give individual attention.
3. Strategies to address the challenges
Mother tongue-based education (MTB-MLE): Where possible, use learners’ first language to explain new concepts before switching to English.
Developing materials: Create storybooks, charts, and posters in local languages alongside English resources.
Flexible language use (translanguaging): Allow learners to use both English and their mother tongue to help them understand and express ideas. Use pictures, diagrams and realia (not just language) to introduce concepts to the learners.
Language monitor system: If one student speaker of a local language is strong in English, seat them with other speakers of that local language. The strong English user can explain instructions to the rest of the group.
Learn a little of the local languages: A teacher who knows a few words can give simple instructions or help students when they have a problem.
Involve parents: Call meetings and encourage parents to support English learning at home, for example by asking their children to retell stories from school using English.
4. Summary
- Every classroom is full of languages and cultures; this should be seen as a strength.
- With creativity, patience, and the right strategies, teachers can help learners overcome language barriers.
- Collaboration between teachers, learners, and parents is key to making English learning successful in multilingual classrooms.