Mother tongue influence can be effectively minimized in the classroom by—

The correct option is giving inputs from the target language in a simple, graded manner.

Mother tongue influence (MTI) occurs when a learner's first language interferes with their learning and usage of a second or target language. This often happens because learners default to the grammar, syntax, or vocabulary rules of their native language when trying to communicate in the new language.

To effectively minimize mother tongue influence in a classroom setting, language pedagogy emphasizes providing comprehensible input. Giving inputs from the target language in a simple and graded manner helps learners gradually acquire the structure, vocabulary, and patterns of the new language without feeling overwhelmed. As students progressively absorb content structured according to their level of understanding, their dependence on translating from their mother tongue naturally diminishes.

Let us analyze why the other options are less effective:

• Using the mother tongue more often: This increases reliance on the native language rather than minimizing its influence.
• Giving examples from the mother tongue: While useful for initial clarification, excessive reliance on native language examples keeps the learner's thinking anchored in their first language.
• Giving a lot of exposure in the target language: Unstructured or overwhelming exposure without grading can confuse learners, causing them to fall back on their mother tongue to cope with the difficulty.