The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released a new set of guidelines aimed at transforming the language learning process in schools across India. The guidelines come under the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-2023), which aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This initiative is set to bring a significant shift in how languages are taught, with a special focus on using the home language or mother tongue in early education.
Key Highlights of the New Language Instruction Guidelines
The NCF-2023 places more importance on a multilingual approach to language education. Here’s a breakdown of the key points that are important for schools, students, and educators.
1. Mother Tongue as the Medium of Instruction (R1)
At the heart of the new framework is the idea that a child should begin their education in a language they are most familiar with, preferably their mother tongue or a regional language. This is referred to as R1. According to the NCF, this approach leverages a child's existing linguistic, cultural, and cognitive resources, leading to better engagement and effective literacy development.
If, for practical reasons, such as classroom diversity or lack of written forms in a language, R1 isn’t feasible, the State Language can be used. The mother tongue or regional language must be the medium of instruction until the child achieves literacy in another language.
2. Foundational Stage (Ages 3–8)
The guidelines highlight that in the Foundational Stage (pre-primary to Grade 2), the mother tongue (R1) must be the primary language of instruction. The goal is to ensure children attain foundational literacy and numeracy.
At this stage, children will be expected to:
- Develop listening and speaking skills: They should be able to comprehend and express themselves orally.
- Read fluently in R1: By the end of this stage, students should be able to read and understand what they read, as well as write sentences in their mother tongue to express simple ideas.
For younger learners in the Balvatika stage, schools can use resources like the Jadui Pitara and E-Jadui Pitara to enhance learning. These are play-based, activity-oriented materials available in various Indian languages.
3. Preparatory Stage (Ages 8–11)
In the Preparatory Stage (Grades 3–5), students will continue learning in R1. However, schools may also offer R2 (another language) as an option, provided the student has achieved foundational literacy in that language.
At this stage, students will focus on:
- Strengthening oral language skills: They will engage in conversations, storytelling, and presentations, using more complex sentence structures.
- Reading comprehension: Students will use strategies like predicting, inferring, and visualizing to understand texts.
- Writing skills: They will progress from writing simple sentences to creating coherent paragraphs and more complex text types like poems and dialogues.
The R2 (secondary language) will focus on improving communication skills, listening comprehension, and reading fluency, with an emphasis on vocabulary development and writing creative content.
4. Pedagogy and Resources
To support the multilingual approach, teachers are encouraged to use various pedagogical strategies, including:
- Translation and vocabulary comparison between R1 and R2.
- Language games to foster engagement.
- NCERT textbooks available in different languages to support learning.
For more information on these resources, schools can refer to the official NCERT website: https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php
5. Special Considerations for Children with Disabilities
The guidelines also address the needs of children with disabilities, aligning with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. This includes:
- Extra time during exams.
- The option of a scribe for writing exams.
- Exemptions from second and third language courses for students with special needs.
6. Implementation Timeline and Action Plan
The implementation of these guidelines will begin in the 2025-26 academic session. Key dates include:
- May 2025: Schools must form an NCF Implementation Committee to align resources and adjust the curriculum.
- Summer 2025: Curriculum and teaching materials must be realigned to incorporate the new language guidelines.
- July 2025: Official implementation will start, with monthly progress reports submitted by the 5th of each month.
For schools needing extra time for adjustments, such as procuring resources or reallocating teachers, there is some flexibility, but the changes should not be delayed unnecessarily.
7. The Vision for Multilingual Education
The NCF-2023 is built on the principles of equity, inclusion, and cognitive empowerment. By promoting learning in a language students are familiar with, the framework aims to create a deeper connection to learning, ensuring linguistic dignity and cultural unity. The goal is to preserve India’s linguistic diversity while introducing additional languages in a structured and meaningful manner.
In Conclusion
The new language instruction guidelines under NCF-2023 are a significant step towards improving the quality of education in India. By focusing on mother tongues and fostering multilingualism, these guidelines aim to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive in their early years and beyond. Schools and educators are encouraged to embrace this change, which will contribute to a more inclusive, engaging, and culturally rooted educational experience for all students.
For further updates or to submit progress reports, schools can visit the official link provided by CBSE: Click Here
Source
Official Notification by CBSE, 22 May, 2025: click here to read.
Kindly note that any and all information is subject to change as per the CBSE, Ministry of Education, and Government of India.
