Mother Tongue

through the language they speak. The respondents of the study shared the perception on the matter that mother tongue helps to instill a sense of cultural uniqueness in the life of the young immigrants.

The extracts below from the transcripts of the interviews conducted as a way of collating data for the study is indicative of this theme. Native language education (MAI) is meant for students whose native language is something other than Finnish or Swedish. The education strengthens linguistic skills and the cultural identity. Also students who have learnt the language abroad can participate in the teaching.

(First Respondent) The second respondent also shares similar perception. The respondent affirms that:

Language is the key to learning.

We support them to preserve their cultural identity and at the same time we make them familiar with the Finnish school culture and studying without depriving from their own culture. I see this in many ways an advantage for pupils and parents. It is important that the child also receives cultural support from the school in addition to the home. And parents also see this important; because the culture of the family and the common language are preserved.

(Third Respondent)

In the view of the fourth respondent, he has this perception to share about the contribution of the mother tongue to the promotion of cultural identity:

The importance of those programs is that the children feel that they have a language that they should protect it and proud of it, and the objective is to support the pupil's bilingual growth and become culturally a member of the society

And

The most effective way to know your past, origin and your personality is by knowing your own language well. If one cannot master his/her own language well he/she cannot study or learn about their origins and their existence here in

The perception of the teachers who facilitate the teaching of mother tongue programs in the various Complementary schools in Turku concerning how the programs help in promoting cultural identity among immigrants was positive. They believe that through the mother tongue programs especially OMO and MAI, young immigrants can have the benefit of a cultural uniqueness.

4.2.4 A Tool for Personality and Character Development.

Another theme that was dominant after the categorization was the contribution mother tongue makes towards the personality and character development of young immigrants. Respondents hold the perception that mother tongue education in the form of the delivery of OMO and MAI teachings to young immigrants within the complementary schools in Turku, contributes effectively towards their personality and character formation. Three extracts have been sampled as evidence for the above role of the OMO and MAI plays in the lives of young immigrants in Turku:

In addition, mother language forms in a child a multi faceted and wholesome character and broadens their thought dimensions and enriches and evolves their