THE ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF MOTHER TONGUE EDUCATION IN THE MODERNIZATION PROCESS

Student, Termiz State Pedagogical Institute

Abstract:

This article analyzes modern approaches to the modernization of mother tongue education within the general education system. It focuses on the goals and objectives of mother tongue teaching, its role in developing students’ language competence, and the implementation of innovative pedagogical technologies. Existing textbooks and curricula are analyzed, current challenges are identified, and recommendations for addressing them are provided. Results from experimental lessons organized using modern educational technologies confirm the effectiveness of new methods.

Keywords: mother tongue, educational modernization, language competence, curricula, innovative technologies, pedagogical process

Introduction:

In today’s era of globalization and digital development, modernizing the education system is considered a pressing task, as the socio-economic development of society, spiritual and moral growth, and the thinking and worldview of the younger generation are directly linked to the quality of education. From this perspective, modernizing mother tongue education is of particular importance.

The mother tongue serves as a primary tool for expressing national identity, shaping thought, and enhancing spirituality. It is not only a means of communication but also a key factor in transmitting cultural heritage and moral values from generation to generation. Therefore, re-examining the role and significance of the mother tongue within modern education and organizing its teaching through innovative approaches is one of the current pedagogical challenges.

Modernizing mother tongue education helps enhance students’ speech culture, develop critical and creative thinking skills, and educate them as individuals loyal to national and universal values, capable of competing in society. Studying this topic has both theoretical and practical significance.

The Concept of Modernization in Education:

Modernization (from Latin modernus – contemporary, renewed) refers to reorganizing, improving, and developing an existing system based on current requirements. In education, modernization involves updating the learning process using advanced achievements, modern pedagogical technologies, and digital tools.

Key aspects of educational modernization include:

Aligning curricula and standards with contemporary requirements

Strengthening interdisciplinary integration

Implementing competency-based education

Combining traditional teaching methods with interactive approaches

Creating tasks to develop creative and critical thinking

Applying student-centered education

Integrating digital technologies into the learning process (e-textbooks, online platforms, artificial intelligence)

Utilizing multimedia, virtual laboratories, and simulations

Implementing modern management systems in educational institutions

Regularly enhancing teachers’ qualifications

Adapting international experiences to the national education system

Educational modernization aims to develop students comprehensively and cultivate them as well-rounded individuals with competencies suited to the demands of the global information society.

Goals and Objectives of Mother Tongue Education:

Mother tongue education is essential in any society for preserving national values, promoting culture, and enhancing intellectual potential. Its primary goal is to develop students’ language competence: the ability to use the mother tongue correctly, fluently, and effectively, as well as to enhance communication and thinking skills.

General Goals:

Develop linguistic understanding and literacy

Teach phonetic, lexical, and grammatical norms to foster proper speech culture

Enrich students’ thinking and critical reasoning

Instill national identity, moral values, and patriotism

Encourage creativity and active participation in society

Objectives:

Teach literacy and written communication, ensuring correct spelling, style, and writing skills

Develop speech culture, including proper pronunciation, literary norms, and communication etiquette

Promote logical thinking through language study

Develop skills in analyzing, retelling, and creative writing

Implement innovative and communicative approaches using modern technologies

Prepare students to use language effectively in real-life situations

Theoretical Approaches:

Didactic approach: Integrates theoretical knowledge and practical skills

Communicative approach: Focuses on language as a tool for real-life communication

Competency-based approach: Emphasizes applying knowledge, problem-solving, and effective participation

Cultural and moral approach: Instills national values and enhances spirituality

Modernization in National and International Literature:

Recent national and international studies focus on updating content, developing competency-based skills, implementing ICT, and increasing teaching effectiveness. Uzbek researchers emphasize that mother tongue classes should go beyond grammar, fostering independent thinking, creativity, and communication skills. Foreign scholars highlight the importance of competency-based approaches, active learning, and communicative methods.

Competency-Based Approach:

The primary goal is to develop students’ language competence. Students should apply knowledge in real-life situations and communicate effectively. This approach enhances:

Communicative tasks in lessons

Critical and creative thinking

Speech culture for active societal participation

Information literacy, including sourcing and presenting materials

Integration of ICT in Mother Tongue Education:

ICT plays a critical role in modernizing mother tongue lessons. Digital resources such as e-textbooks, multimedia, interactive presentations, online tests, and platforms develop both language knowledge and independent learning skills. Benefits include:

Increasing lesson engagement and interactivity

Supporting individualized learning

Teaching multimodal literacy (text, audio, video, graphics)

Developing information literacy

Aligning with international educational standards

Scientific Foundations:

Modernization relies on various scientific approaches:

Didactic: Based on general laws and principles of teaching

Psychological: Accounts for age, cognition, and motivation

Pedagogical: Combines student-centered learning, educational goals, and communication

Methods:

Literature analysis of national and international sources

Observation and interviews with teachers and students

Experimental lessons using innovative methods and ICT

Surveys and questionnaires to identify problems and suggestions

Current Challenges:

Dominance of traditional approaches, focusing on grammar over communication and creativity

Outdated textbooks and curricula

Limited teacher preparedness for innovation

Insufficient use of ICT

Assessment systems emphasizing theory over creativity and communication

Analysis of Textbooks and Curricula:

Strengths: Coverage of national values, literary norms, and literacy topics

Weaknesses: Limited focus on communicative needs, creativity, and critical thinking; outdated or repetitive topics; misalignment with competency-based assessment

Effectiveness of Competency Development:

Competency assessment considers:

Speech competence

Linguistic competence

Communicative competence

Creative competence

Information competence

Experimental lessons using modern technologies showed increased student engagement, independent learning, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills, with a 25–30% higher activity compared to control groups.

Conclusion:

The modernization of mother tongue education should go beyond grammar to develop students’ linguistic, communicative, and creative competencies. Mother tongue education is vital for intellectual, moral, and social development, requiring a combination of didactic, psychological, and pedagogical approaches. Competency-based methods and modern technologies effectively enhance student engagement, language competence, and creativity. Current challenges include teacher preparedness, assessment limitations, and the need to improve textbooks and curricula. Modernization remains crucial for improving education quality and preparing students as active participants in contemporary society.

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