St Andrews High School Celebrates UN International Mother Language Day 2025

International Mother Language Day  is celebrated every year on the 21st of February to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. Established by UNESCO in 1999, the day commemorates the 1952 Bengali Language Movement in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where students lost their lives defending their right to speak their mother tongue. It highlights the importance of languages in preserving cultural heritage, fostering inclusion, and ensuring quality education. Protecting linguistic diversity also supports Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes fair and inclusive education for all.

On Friday, 21 February 2025, St Andrews International School Bangkok marked the occasion with a special event organised by the Language Department. Language teachers, students from Years 9 to 11, and guests from cultural and language institutions across Thailand and Southeast Asia came together to celebrate the rich diversity within the school community. The event encouraged reflection on how language shapes identity and strengthens global understanding.

Dr. Brian Pranata, Director of the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Quality Improvement of Teachers and Education Personnel in Language (QITEP in Language), explained: 

“Southeast Asia is home to over 1,300 languages, each carrying rich cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. Protecting mother tongues is essential not only for preserving intangible heritage but also for strengthening identity, fostering intercultural understanding, and promoting respect for diversity. Multilingual education empowers children to embrace their roots while engaging meaningfully with other cultures. SEAMEO, in collaboration with UNESCO, is actively advocating for the integration of mother tongue-based education across our member states. By institutionalising mother tongue learning, we can enhance foundational skills and improve student outcomes. We hope that the approval of the Roadmap in April will mark a significant step toward ensuring that language diversity becomes a pillar of quality education in Southeast Asia.”

Mr. Hans-Ulrich Südbeck,  Deputy Ambassador, German Embassy Bangkok, added:

“Learning one's mother tongue is also essential for students who may wish to return to their country of origin in the future and integrate into its education system, which can sometimes be more affordable, for example, German universities.”

Ms Katia Mohandi, Deputy Director, Alliance Française, shared:

“There are both challenges and benefits in one’s relationship with their mother tongue. What matters most is understanding what your mother tongue represents to you. What do you associate it with? What meaning does it hold in your life? And how do you want to use it? Recognising the purpose of learning and speaking your mother tongue helps deepen your connection to it, making it an important part of your identity and personal growth.”

Mr. Chang Tai-Ming (Teddy), Mandarin Teachers Head, Nihao Academy, remarked:

“The mother tongue helps connect families across generations, carrying an important part of culture, values, and traditions. It enables us to share our feelings and connect with others in a way that only a native language can.”

Dr. Sarinthorn Vidhayasirinun, School Director, St Andrews International School, concluded: 

"Mother language is a tool for truly understanding yourself and others. With over five languages taught through the St Andrews First Language Programme, along with many others available through the IB and self-taught programmes, the school’s Language Department offers a wide range of opportunities for students to learn their languages."

Through this celebration, the school reaffirmed its commitment to multiculturalism and lifelong learning, playing a key role in helping students develop a deep appreciation for their own languages while learning to value those of others. By embracing linguistic and cultural diversity, the school continues to nurture global perspectives and connections.