The International School Eindhoven recently paused its usual Dutch and English curriculum to celebrate International Mother Language Day. For one full day, stories were read aloud in the students’ native languages rather than the school’s primary languages.
Melissa Pienaar, a primary school teacher, explained that while the children might not understand every word, the event helps them appreciate the vast range of languages. The school community includes students from more than forty different backgrounds, including Turkish, Greek, Italian, and Russian.
To mark the occasion, the school unveiled two Language Roots Trees. These handmade displays were created with help from the students. According to Pienaar, each leaf on the trees contains information about a student’s mother tongue. The goal was to ensure that every child sees a part of their identity reflected as they enter the building each day.
Parents also participated by reading to the classes. One father shared a story in Estonian, noting that it is a particularly challenging language to learn as an adult. A mother from Russia chose to read Puss in Boots, known in Russia as The Booted Cat. She selected the book because the story is famous worldwide, allowing children to follow along even if they do not speak the language.
The students found the experience engaging. Lev, a student from Russia, enjoyed listening to a story in German, while his classmate Arina appreciated hearing her native Russian, noting that she does not often hear others speaking it at school.
The Russian mother added that there is a deeper purpose to the celebration. She suggested that by embracing all languages, the school demonstrates that all cultures are equal, helping to counter historical ideas of national superiority.
@studio040 | NEWS BRAINPORT
