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KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 6

Since gaining independence, many former colonies have faced the dilemma of whether to continue using the colonial language in the education system or revert to their native language.

Some countries maintained the colonial language as the language of instruction in schools while others replaced the colonial language with their local language. To some, teaching students in their native language seems like an obvious choice. But to others, teaching in a non-native colonial or mainstream or foreign language seems more useful.

Unfortunately, this choice can be difficult to make in countries with dozens of different languages and dialects spoken, or in contexts where students speak one language at home and another language in the playground. Having a well-designed language policy can make a difference to student learning in a multilinguistic environment.

But how to best impart various languages on children, without sacrificing their ability to develop core skills, is a major concern for many policymakers and families. - blog.wb.org/blogs

A version of this article appears in the print on February 7, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.