Mother Tongue Instruction (MTI): Empowerment- Involvement-Achievement Theory Amidst Pandemic

Abstract

This paper seeks to create a theory that highlights the role of Mother Tongue Instruction (MTI) as an effective method towards the empowerment of home tutors to increase their involvement in the teaching-learning process for the learners to maintain academic achievement amidst pandemic. The potential for improved learning outcomes increases when the school curriculum is delivered in a language that pupils are familiar with and in which they can receive support from their parents as home tutors in the absence of face-to-face classes. In order to achieve this goal, the researchers use the deductive axiomatic approach to generate theories, following the steps outlined by Padua (2012). The following five axioms have been developed: (1) Empowerment is interconnected with achievement.; (2) Mother Tongue Instruction (MTI) is a predictor of academic achievement; (3) Involvement is a way to excellence; (4) Parental involvement plays a vital role towards learners’ commitment; and (5) Mother Tongue Instruction encourages parents’ involvement and commitment and puts them in charge of their children's education especially during pandemic. From these five axioms, 8 propositions were formulated; These are the propositions: (1) Greater Mother Tongue Instruction (MTI) engagement increases academic achievement; (2) Perceived academic achievement motivates parental involvement; (3) MTI should contextualize the needed resources/materials; (4) MTI should innovate learning materials adoptive in this time of pandemic; (5) MTI should enhance activities with a language easy to understand; (6) Mother Tongue Instruction (MTI) should stimulate higher order thinking skills; (7) Mother Tongue Instruction “MTI” should incorporate cultural literacy; and (8) Parents involvement and commitment must be strengthened by MTI in this time of pandemic. With these propositions, the Empowerment-Involvement-Achievement Theory Amidst Pandemic for Mother Tongue Instruction (MTI) in Education was generated.