PURPOSE: The International Mother Language Day observed every year on 21 February, encourages us to support multilingualism and the use of mother tongues, both at school and in everyday life. The Day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ which focus on leaving no one behind. Today, 250 million children and young people still do not attend school and 763 million adults do not master basic literacy skills. Mother tongue education supports learning, literacy and the acquisition of additional languages. The day is an opportunity to remind the international community that multilingual education enhances learning when the language of instruction is the learner’s first language. The use of learners’ own languages for literacy and learning provides a solid pillar for education, and for transfer of skills and knowledge to additional languages.
FORUM: "Languages matter: Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day" International Mother Language Day 2025. The UNESCO estimates that there are 8,324 languages, spoken or signed. Out of these, around 7,000 languages are still in use. However, linguistic diversity is under threat, with many languages disappearing at an accelerated pace in our rapidly changing world. Learning in one’s mother tongue enhances comprehension, engagement, and critical thinking, but 40% of learners lack this opportunity. Multilingual education addresses these gaps, boosting participation, retention, and socio-emotional development, while also supporting global goals like gender equality, climate action, and sustainable communities. UNESCO champions multilingualism as a powerful tool for inclusive education and meaningful global engagement. In February, UNESCO will celebrate the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day, reaffirming the importance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism in fostering dignity, peace, and understanding. This milestone highlights decades of efforts to preserve mother tongues, safeguard cultural heritage, and improve education. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #IMLD2025, #MotherLanguageDay, #mothertongue; #21February, #Multilingualeducation, #LanguagesMatter.
EVENT: On February 21st; The symposium to mark the 25th edition and the International Mother Language Day 2025 will take place from 10:00 am to 13:00 pm in Room X at UNESCO House (Fontenoy). This year anniversary will highlight a quarter-century of dedicated efforts to preserve linguistic diversity and promote the use of mother tongues. The event will underscore the urgency of accelerating progress on linguistic diversity and on multilingual education based on mother tongues to build a more inclusive and sustainable world. The event will be held over two days, featuring technical dialogues on 20 February and a high-level segment on 21 February. The event will review progress, showcase successful multilingual education practices, and advocate for inclusive language policies that respect all communities. The celebration will highlight the importance of implementing multilingual education policies and practices as a pillar to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 which calls for inclusive, quality education and lifelong learning for all. It also supports the the International Decade on Indigenous Languages (2022 – 2032) emphasizing the role of languages in achieving global development goals. Learn more about the celebration, register to participate in person and watch the livestream!
PUBLICATION: Languages matter: global guidance on multilingual education published by UNESCO.
PODCASTS: In many countries around the world where it is common practice to use more than one language in daily life, education takes place in multilingual contexts. Yet, many countries adopt monolingual systems of education and see multilingualism – the use of several languages within an area – as a challenge. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Providing education in only one language that is not necessarily shared by all learners may impact negatively on learning performance, and the development of socio-emotional and foundational literacy skills. Join the IMLD 2025 Campaign"Languages matter: Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day". Get the communication materials!
How MTB-MLE contributes to Sustainable Development Goal4? The mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) is a realistic and cost-effective way to make significant progress towards SDG 4. Successful pilot projects continue to contribute to transform language policies that respect and encourage the diversity of communities.
You have to speak a language before you can learn to read and write that language (Targets 4.1, 4.4, 4.6 )
Early childhood education of high quality is only possible in the child’s first language (Targets 4.2, 4.5, 4.7)
Well trained and supported multilingual teachers boost learners’ performances (Targets 4.1, 4.5, 4.c)
MTB-MLE enables life-long learning (Targets 4.2, 4.4)
MTB-MLE helps to address gender inequality by allowing girls and women to engage fully in their own learning (Targets 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6)
Respect for cultural and linguistic diversity leads to peace, social cohesion and sustainable development (Targets 4.5, 4.7)
WHY WE CELEBRATE IT?
Since SDG 4 is so foundational to the other Sustainable Development Goals, without mother tongue-based multilingual education the other 16 goals will remain unachievable. The potential of multilingual education is enormous. However, implementation rarely takes place due to misconceptions surrounding multilingualism. Transforming education entails changing the perception of multilingualism, so that it is seen as an asset for learning in formal, informal and non-formal educational settings. There is growing evidence demonstrating the positive outcomes of multilingual education.
Research shows that education in the mother tongue is a key factor for inclusion and quality learning, and it also improves learning outcomes and academic performance. This is crucial, especially in primary school to avoid knowledge gaps and increase the speed of learning and comprehension. And most importantly, multilingual education based on the mother tongue empowers all learners to fully take part in society.
ACTIONS
Promote the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity, and multilingualism for peaceful and sustainable societies.
Enhance multilingual education as a necessity to transform education in multilingual contexts from early childhood education and well beyond;
Support learning through multilingual education and multilingualism in our fast-changing global contexts and in crisis situations including emergencies contexts;
Revitalize languages that are disappearing or are threatened with extinction.
Sensitize actors in education, teachers, education policy-makers on the transformative power of multilingualism and multilingual education
Support actors in education, teachers, education policy-makers in strengthening of multilingualism and multilingual education
Highlight and share the innovative policies and practices.
PARTNERS
The International Mother language Day is oganized in collobaration with the UNDGACM UNESCO permanent delegations; The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL); The Asian Development Bank; the Permanent missions of U.N. in new York. With the participation of stakeholders in education, education policy-makers, teachers; Non-governmental organizations, foundations and other bodies supporting multilingualism.
For further information, please contact inclusion@unesco.org
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