Redefinicja roli języka ojczystego w glottodydaktyce
Redefinition of the role of the mother tongue in glottodidactics

Summary/Abstract: The role of the mother tongue in foreign language teaching has evolved, reflecting dominant concepts and methods, ranging from full acceptance to complete exclusion. Today, its educational and psychological value is increasingly recognized. Limited research and classroom observations suggest that the native language fosters metalinguistic awareness, supports the acquisition of linguistic competences, and helps reduce anxiety and insecurity during learning. Nevertheless, studies addressing subjective theories about the functions of the mother tongue in language education remain scarce. This paper aims to partly bridge this gap by presenting the results of a qualitative study involving philology students. Data were collected through focus group interviews and written self-narratives. Participants identified areas where, in their view, the use of the native language is indispensable and highlighted its various roles in the learning process. The research presentation is preceded by a concise analysis of how the mother tongue has been positioned within different teaching methods and in contemporary metadidactic reflection.

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