What is native language?

A native language (also known as a mother tongue or first language) is the language a person learns from birth and typically speaks most fluently. It is acquired naturally in early childhood through daily interaction with parents, caregivers, and the surrounding environment. The native language plays a key role in shaping a child’s communication skills, cultural identity, and cognitive development. In education, recognising a student’s native language is essential for supporting language learning, especially when introducing a second or foreign language