{"id":18703,"date":"2025-02-18T01:52:54","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T18:52:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.inovasi.or.id\/publication\/unlocking-learning-through-language-how-embracing-mother-tongue-language-can-change-lives\/"},"modified":"2025-12-13T08:45:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T01:45:55","slug":"unlocking-learning-through-language-how-embracing-mother-tongue-language-can-change-lives","status":"publish","type":"publication","link":"https:\/\/www.inovasi.or.id\/en\/publication\/unlocking-learning-through-language-how-embracing-mother-tongue-language-can-change-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"Unlocking Learning Through Language: How Embracing Mother Tongue Language Can Change Lives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>
Teachers use local-language storybooks to increase students\u2019 reading interest at PAUD St. Klara, Nagekeo, NTT. PAUD St. Klara is one of the pioneering schools for the transition from local languages to Indonesian in Nagekeo. (\u00a9 Photo by INOVASI Communication Team) (\u00a9 Photo by INOVASI Communication Team)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

By Erix Hutasoit<\/p>\n\n

Indonesia is home to over 700 local languages, each deeply rooted in culture and identity. But for many children, stepping into school means leaving behind the language they know best. Lessons are taught in Bahasa Indonesia \u2013 a language some have never spoken at home, making learning a daily struggle.<\/p>\n\n

One promising approach is mother tongue-based education, where children begin their learning journey in their native language before gradually transitioning to Bahasa Indonesia. Recognising this, INOVASI has been working with local governments to address the gap.<\/p>\n\n

The Struggle to Learn<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

In Nagekeo District, East Nusa Tenggara, Yasinta Mau Ghari has seen firsthand what happens when children can\u2019t understand the language used in school. As a second-grade teacher at SD Inpres Wudu, she remembers how her students would struggle with even the simplest reading tasks. \u201cThey would look at the words on the page, but the letters didn\u2019t mean anything to them,\u201d she said. \u201cMany of them had never spoken Indonesian at home, so everything felt new and difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

A Bridge to Literacy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Determined to address this issue, Nagekeo\u2019s local government partnered with INOVASI and Sulinama Foundation to introduce the approach for transitioning from mother tongue to the Indonesian language. The idea was simple but powerful: let children learn in their home language first, then gradually introduce Indonesian.<\/p>\n\n

In Nagekeo, INOVASI provided technical assistance to support the local government\u2019s pilot program for regional language transition, launched in 2020. The program used the Nage language as a bridge to Indonesian in 10 early childhood education centers (PAUD) and 10 primary schools (SD), significantly improving basic literacy and writing skills. With training and support from the Curriculum Development Management Team (TMPK), the pilot schools achieved nearly 100% literacy proficiency in early grades. Building on this success, the Nagekeo government is now scaling the initiative to all schools in the region using local funding.<\/p>\n\n

Teachers like Yasinta received training on how to make this transition smooth. In her classroom, she now spends the first 30 minutes of literacy lessons using Nagekeo\u2019s local language before shifting to Bahasa Indonesia. She also uses books written in both languages, allowing students to make connections between the words they know and the new words they are learning. The results have been remarkable.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cNow, by the time they reach second grade, my students can recognise letters, understand words, and even start writing,\u201d Yasinta shared. \u201cThey are excited to learn, rather than being scared.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

At preschool Santa Clara, teacher Maria Margaretha Elu has noticed the same thing. Using mother tongue language in the class has transformed how her students engage with learning. \u201cThey are more confident, more eager to participate,\u201d she said. \u201cBefore, they were hesitant to speak. Now, they respond, ask questions, and express themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

A Model for Change<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The success of Nagekeo\u2019s approach is a glimpse of what is possible when children are given the right foundation. The issue is bigger than just learning a language; it\u2019s about giving children a fair chance to succeed. at risk of being left behind.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
The Head of the Nagekeo Education and Culture Office (Kadisdikbud), Venantius Minggu, has made strengthening literacy, numeracy, and character development a priority policy for regional development. This policy includes adopting the transition from local languages to Indonesian as a key learning approach. (\u00a9 Photo by INOVASI Communication Team) \u201cThe policy regarding the adoption of the transition from local languages to Indonesian as a key learning approach also serves as an encouragement to preserve the mother tongue in every region. (\u00a9 Photo by INOVASI Communication Team)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Venantius Minggu, Head of the Nagekeo Education and Culture Office, believes this approach can be a game-changer. \u201cThe policy regarding the adoption of the transition from local languages to Indonesian as a key learning approach also serves as an encouragement to preserve the mother tongue in every region. With support from various parties such as INOVASI, the central government, and educational institutions, we hope this program can set a good example for other regions facing similar challenges\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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