Att främja språkutveckling och engagemang:Modersmålsundervisning i kvalitativ belysning : Fostering language development and engagement:mother-tounge education i focus

Abstract An overall purpose of the present study is to gain increased knowledge and insights about mother tongue teaching. Another purpose of the study is to investigate and analyze the interaction between teachers and students in mother tongue teaching in the primary years of compulsory school. The study responds to the need of research into mother tongue teaching in Sweden. The theory is Cummins model for classroom interaction in language teaching. The model consists of three parts that concern content, language and language use. The method in the study is qualitative research methods, classroom observations and interviews. I have observed five lessons in mother tongue and interviewed three mother tongue teachers. The findings are that the classroom interaction is characterized by commitment and a permissive atmosphere. The language is used, among other things, to strengthen students’ intellectual, aesthetic and social identities. While the mother tongue is an important resource for learning in other school subjects, this study highlights and discusses its intrinsic value. Keywords: Mother tongue language, First language, Mother tongue teaching, Second language, Multilingual student