Using Mother Tongue in Teaching of STEM for Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This chapter submits that the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is perceived as one of the key to the economic development of Africa. Africa is grappling with the challenge of economic development, and strengthening the teaching of STEM across the curriculum can have a positive effect on the continent. The chapter submits that teaching STEM in a foreign language hinders the sustainable development and the opportunity for learners to acquire knowledge in mother tongue and also to innovate in critical areas that are desperately needed in Zimbabwe as they spent a lot of time learning English in STEM at the expense of acquiring scientific knowledge. The chapter advocates the use of tranlanguaging and multilingualism in order to improve student performance in the teaching of STEM.