Language understanding and mother tongue in preparing and training language teachers

Abstract

This paper suggests that analytical thinking, critical understanding and perception of intercultural contexts, always with solid investments in humanity, should guide the preparation and training of language teachers. With this in view, we present a discussion grounded in science and conditioned by history, as well as art and technique in teaching practice. This paper also suggests that the university should provide solid theoretical concepts and a well-conformed educational politics, as well as attend to the needs of the social-cultural context of basic level education. The present discussion approaches matters such as: a school-based view of language; the necessary ingredients for the educational process with language and mother-tongue (goals, teacher’s training, curricula, teaching methodologies); the responsibility of promoting education in the true sense of the word. This last point is developed by way of illustration. The main conclusion here arrived at is that such a reality gives ground to forming professionals in the field of education, which demands a clear understanding of language and language use.