INFLUENCE OF MOTHER TONGUE ON PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN’S PERFORMANCE IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN GACHOKA DIVISION, EMBU COUNTY

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of mother tongue on pre-school children’s performance in the English language in Gachoka Division, Embu County. The study used a descriptive survey design which used both quantitative and qualitative approaches to collect data. The participants included headteachers, pre-school teachers and preschool parents from eight pre-schools. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. Data was analyzed using percentages and frequencies and was presented in tables and charts. The study reveals that mother tongue contributes positively towards the learning of the English language in pre-schools. It further reveals that parents have a negative attitude towards the use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction. The study concludes that the language policy should be implemented in pre-schools. It recommends that the stakeholders should ensure that there are enough learning materials in pre-schools which are written in mother tongue and English.