Abstract:With the deepening of economic globalization and the development of information society, people pay more attention to the learning of lingua franca and tend to overlook mother tongue education. This study analyzes the evolution of UNESCO's "International Mother Language Day" and explores the theme evolution in the past fifteen years. The "International Mother Language Day" initiated by the UNESCO favors endangered languages and proclaims cultural diversity. The concepts in these activities have exerted an impact on Chinese scholars, and have hence had a popularized process in China. The study appeals to attach greater importance to mother languages and absorb the world's best mother-language education experience, and at the same time suggests creating a good ecological environment to coordinate the relation between mother language education and foreign language education.

Key words: International Mother Language Day; UNESCO; mother language education; mother language protection

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Literature Review and Theoretical Framework..2

2.1 Introduction of the International Mother Language Day

  2.2 Theoretical Framework 

3. The History of the UNESCO’s Mother Language Concepts.5

3.1 Mother Language Education

3.2 Mother Language Right

3.3 Mother Language Protection

4. The Influence of the UNESCO’s Mother Language Concepts on China...7

4.1 The Importance of Mother Language Education in Primary Education

4.2 The Status of Mother Language Education in Multilingual Society

4.3 The Role of Mother Language Education in Intercultural Communication

5. China's Greater Role in the UNESCO.10

5.1 Mother Language Education with Chinese Characteristics

5.2 Mother Language Education and Foreign Language Education

6. Conclusion.11

Bibliography.13

Acknowledgements..14