Indian classrooms are multilingual classrooms. Keeping the multilingual context which one of the following is most appropriate about multilingual classroom at primary stage?

Indian classrooms are multilingual classrooms. Keeping the multilingual context which one of the following is most appropriate about multilingual classroom at primary stage? Correct Answer The teacher should encourage learners to communicate and express themselves in their own language and respect their views.

India is a multilingual country with numerous languages and dialects. There are approximately 1652 languages and dialects that belong to the five different language families in the country.

• Multilingualism refers to speaking more than one language competently. The term multilingualism is derived from two Latin words namely “multi” which means many and “lingua” which means language.
• Thus multilingualism is referred to as the ability of a speaker to express himself or herself in several languages with equal and native-like proficiency.

Key Points

• Indian classrooms are multilingual classrooms. Keeping the multilingual context, the teacher should encourage learners to communicate and express themselves in their own language and respect their views.
• Encouraging learners to communicate and express themselves ensures that all students could feel accepted and valued with whatever language, social and cultural background he/she comes from. 
• The teacher should use multilingualism as a resource to teach English in the classroom to bring effectiveness to learning. It promotes the cognitive flexibility to express the thought in multiple ways with an apprehension of a better innate understanding of how language works.