Mother Tongue and Multilingual Education in Teacher Training: Pedagogical Advantages and Challenges

Mother tongue and multilingual education have long been recognized as vital components of effective teaching and learning. For teacher training, these approaches provide future educators with the tools to connect meaningfully with learners, preserve cultural identity, and improve conceptual understanding. This paper explores the pedagogical advantages and challenges of mother tongue and multilingual education, synthesizing existing research while contextualizing the discussion in Indian teacher education. It highlights the efforts of Mata Sundri Girls College of Education, Dhade, Bathinda, in promoting Punjabi language and culture as part of its institutional vision, alongside the integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) through proverbs, folklore, and oral traditions. The paper underscores the role of teacher education colleges in equipping future teachers to balance global competencies with regional linguistic and cultural pride.