Medium of instruction is defined as the language used in teaching. In the Philippines, where there are more than 100 languages used across the country, medium of instruction has always been an issue. A lot of people argues of what language should be used in studying. This entry talks about two house bills discussing what medium of instruction is best for the Philippines. Would it still be the English language?
Back in 2003, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo commanded the Department of Education to return English as the medium of instruction in all public and private schools in the Philippines. Surveys conducted before affirmed that between 2003 and 2007, the literacy rate of Filipinos have been firmly decreasing. This is when the House Bill 5619 or Consolidated English-Only Bill also known as The Gullas Bill became popular. Cebu Representative Eduardo Gullas believes that this bill can help Filipinos raise their English proficiency and become more competitive because students' mother tongue will be used as the medium of instruction in their early years in school, from preschool to Grade 3 to be specific, but from Grade 4 to all levels of college, English should be the language of interaction. It also aims to modify the current Bilingual Education Program (BEP) of DepEd. BEP requires the use of Filipino language as the medium of instruction in academic subjects like Social Studies, Physical Education, Values Education, and Home Economics. According to Gullas, exposure is the key to mastery but the use of Filipino language somehow limits the learning exposure of the students in learning English thus, mastery is not attained.
On the other hand, previous studies found out that learning is faster and more effective with mother tongue as the primary medium of instruction. 70% of minority language students can hardly speak and comprehend English hence, it is hard for them to master their lessons. If they use language that is more familiar to them from preschool to Grade 6, however, it would be easy for them to understand what they are studying and can possibly appreciate their own cultural and language heritage. This is what Multilingual Education (MLE) is all about. MLE, also named as first-language-first education, refers to learning subjects including Math and Science with the use of students' mother tongue or first language. As they build a strong foundation in their mother tongue, they will be gradually introduced to different languages, specifically the English language.
In my own opinion, I actually think both Gullas Bill and Multilingual Education Program would be of great help to students because they can easily develop their skills, cognitive and linguistic skills to be specific, if they are taught in a familiar language. After building a strong foundation with the use of their mother tongue, they can eventually learn different languages like English. The English language is important because it helps one country to compete with other countries around the world. The only thing that hinders me from totally agreeing to Multilingual Education Program is that studying subjects like Math and Science would be difficult with the use of first language because there are mathematical and scientific terms that do not have counterpart in other languages. Lastly, I guess, acquiring English language would not be that easy because of the fact that students were used to their mother tongue as medium of the instruction for so many years. It would be difficult for them to adjust. How about you, guys? Which do you prefer? The English Bill or the MLE Bill?
Source(s):
Your topic is very interesting. I have to thank you for sharing this to us. I think you have explained it well also. Very nice :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that studying the subjects Math and Science would be tough and painful if they used the Filipino language. Our brain cells would have died long ago. :))
ReplyDeleteI commend you for this informative entry. It is very interesting. Gret job, Yona! :)
You definitely have a good eye for such interesting and controversial topic. Moreover, I appreciate the effort you put into making this blog post that can even level articles printed on newspapers. I also commend you for writing in a systematic way wherein you still managed to keep "The Boredom Monster" at bay.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion about your blog post is that I agree with the English bill because I think that learning in that way would be easier since English can be practiced and mastered by the students on a day to day basis unlike the MLE Bill. I also agree with your point of view that there are terms that cannot be translated using our mother tongue so there might be a confusion between the students and the teachers on the concepts of that subject.
Great job!
I agree with you Yona, both Gullas Bill and Multilingual Education Program must be use in our country. You expressed your thoughts very clearly and thank you so much for the information! Job well done. :)
ReplyDeleteI congratulate you for producing such a splendid blog. I enjoyed reading every sentence because it was loaded with information strategically placed together. Though, your blog is a bit long, you did not fail to lose my interest and attention from reading it, every sentence goes perfectly well with one another.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I think I would go with the MLE bill, because in my own opinion basic concepts should first be instructed using the mother tongue so students could grasp ideas easily. In the case of using English in teaching math or science I think this could be resolve by using both languages in instructing the subjects.
Your research skills are commendable, and so are your writing skills. You did a very good job on your topic as well; I don't think most people know that Math was taught in Filipino a few years back. As for your question, both have their pros and cons, therefore if you take a positive out of Guillas' bill and incorporate it into the MLE bill, wouldn't it be rainbows and lollipops from then on? Congratulations, Yona! :)
ReplyDeleteYou have researched your topic well, nice job. I agree with Lyka that studying Math and Science would be too difficult if we were use the Filipino language.
ReplyDelete"In my own opinion, I actually think both Gullas Bill and Multilingual Education Program would be of great help to students because they can easily develop their skills, cognitive and linguistic skills to be specific, if they are taught in a familiar language."
ReplyDeleteUsing em dashes instead of commas after "skills" and "specific" would have made the sentence less confusing. Anyway, you did a very good job with this post. Congratulations! :)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other, you really do have an exceptional research background. Though, I was cut short on the last paragraph, it would've been better if you dug even deeper in your opinion about the two bills/programs. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI am really against that Multilingual Education Program. The school of my siblings here in Pampanga follows that program and we are very much disappointed about it. Every time I will look at their notes, I was like, “Oh why do they have to study such things in this manner!”.
ReplyDeleteHere are some notes of my little brother:
Tunug da ring animalis
1. Asu- aw-aw-aw
2. Manuk- kokok-kokok
3. Bibi- kwak-kwak-kwak
4. Damulag- ungaaaaaaaaaaa
Another one:
Basan mula reng salitang magumpisa Tunog Uu.
ulad ulam ubas utak
I agree with Lyks. "Parisukat ugat ng ekis" is deadly. Haha! This is a great topic, Yona.
ReplyDeleteI'd go for the English bill, though I agree with Linelle that both bills have their pros and cons. I could not imagine Math and Science being discussed in Filipino. I could also take the challenge of learning them using my mother tongue as the medium of instruction, though.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for coming up with such an informative and entertaining blog, Yona. :)
I prefer English Bill to MLE Bill because I think many Filipinos fail on English proficiency. Also, mother tongues can easily be studied at home.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is indeed informative and at the same time, interesting. Good job, Yona!
If you're going to ask me which of the two bills will I choose, I choose both. Why? Just like what Linelle said, both bills have pros and cons. These bills will help a lot in improving the skills of students. It doesn't mean that the teachers will teach Math and Science, for example in one's native language or dialect. Scientific and mathematical terminologies will be still in English, but the way teachers will discuss the topic will be in the students' native language or dialect.(Bilingual way of teaching is what I meant.)
ReplyDeleteYonniebear! Your blog is absolutely great! :D
ReplyDeleteI love how it's packed with so much information. You really took the time to research, didn't you? Although it is a bit long, it's still fun to read.
As for the bill thing, I think I'd stick with the BEP. If I were to walk into a classroom, and the teacher would be saying "Ano ang parisukat ugat ng apat?", I would take my bag, walk right out, and move to America.
It was my first time to read about the MLE thingy. Thanks for the new information, Yona! You expressed your thoughts clearly and I commend you for a great research skills. Good job!
ReplyDeleteMy life will surely be doomed if Math and Science will be taught in English. Hehe! This is good. Congratulations Yona for a job well done!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anna. Nice choice of topic. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteHi Yona! I agree with you. Both bills would be helpful. I believe the MLE Bill is somehow practiced at home. A child starts learning using his/her mother tongue and soon learns with English as a medium of instruction in school. So, I think the MLE Bill is no longer needed.
ReplyDeleteYou wrote, "In my own opinion". It think it's better to just say, In my opinion. My plus own sounds redundant.
Great job, Yona!
Your post was good. It's very informative. It is the evidence that you took your time making your post and that you are a good writer as well as a good researcher. You should be proud. Congratulations. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Yona. Thank you for a well-written article. I think both bills would be useful, with proper orientation.
ReplyDeleteYour post is very much appreciated. I, too, was impressed with your writing skills. You were consistent with your tenses and ideas throughout your post. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, block mates. I appreciate your opinions and commendations. Rest assured, I will strive harder to improve my writing skills. God bless! :)
ReplyDeleteCOMMENTS
ReplyDeleteThis is faster than commenting on individual comments:
1. Camille ConcepcionJuly 27, 2012 6:36 AM
Your topic is very interesting. I have to thank you for sharing this to us. I think you have explained it well also. Very nice :)
Comments:
Phrasal verb error
2.
Lyka Eilene SerranoJuly 27, 2012 7:18 AM
I agree that studying the subjects Math and Science would be tough and painful if they used the Filipino language. Our brain cells would have died long ago. :))
I commend you for this informative entry. It is very interesting. Gret job, Yona! :)
Comments:
And yet studies back the effectiveness of using the mother tongue in learning maths and science. Look it up,
Unnecessary capitalization
“painful if they used the Filipino language.” Incorrect tense. Also, who is “they”? Use an indefinite pronoun. Guess which indefinite pronoun is best.
3.
Jose Carlo De LeonJuly 27, 2012 7:32 AM
You definitely have a good eye for such interesting and controversial topic. Moreover, I appreciate the effort you put into making this blog post that can even level articles printed on newspapers. I also commend you for writing in a systematic way wherein you still managed to keep "The Boredom Monster" at bay.
My opinion about your blog post is that I agree with the English bill because I think that learning in that way would be easier since English can be practiced and mastered by the students on a day to day basis unlike the MLE Bill. I also agree with your point of view that there are terms that cannot be translated using our mother tongue so there might be a confusion between the students and the teachers on the concepts of that subject.
Great job!
Comments:
“You definitely have a good eye for such interesting and controversial topic” – Topics (plural)
“into making this blog post” – one WRITES a blog post – it is not “made”
“this blog post that can even level articles printed on newspapers” -- can level WITH NEWSPAPER articles. Short and sweet, people.
4.
Andrea Nichole GatbontonJuly 27, 2012 7:55 AM
I agree with you Yona, both Gullas Bill and Multilingual Education Program must be use in our country. You expressed your thoughts very clearly and thank you so much for the information! Job well done. :)
Comments:
Missing articles
“must be use” – What’s wrong with this?
5.
John Louie De LeonJuly 27, 2012 8:40 AM
I congratulate you for producing such a splendid blog. I enjoyed reading every sentence because it was loaded with information strategically placed together. Though, your blog is a bit long, you did not fail to lose my interest and attention from reading it, every sentence goes perfectly well with one another.
To answer your question, I think I would go with the MLE bill, because in my own opinion basic concepts should first be instructed using the mother tongue so students could grasp ideas easily. In the case of using English in teaching math or science I think this could be resolve by using both languages in instructing the subjects.
Comments:
“Though, your blog is a bit long” – unnecessary comma
“you did not fail to lose my interest and attention from reading it” – So she succeeded in losing your attention? Let’s revise: Though your blog entry is long, it held my attention/ it kept me interested.
“every sentence goes perfectly well with one another.” All sentences go well with one another (?) Every sentence logically follows the one before it (?)
Unnecessary punctuation before a subordinating conjunction
“this could be resolve” – Resolved.
“using both languages in instructing the subjects.” – in teaching the subjects. “Instructing” here sounds as if one is teaching the subjects themselves to do something.
6.
ReplyDeleteLinelle MercadoJuly 27, 2012 5:25 PM
Your research skills are commendable, and so are your writing skills. You did a very good job on your topic as well; I don't think most people know that Math was taught in Filipino a few years back. As for your question, both have their pros and cons, therefore if you take a positive out of Guillas' bill and incorporate it into the MLE bill, wouldn't it be rainbows and lollipops from then on? Congratulations, Yona! :)
Comments:
Capitalization
Punctuation
7.
Ernest BenjaminJuly 27, 2012 7:16 PM
You have researched your topic well, nice job. I agree with Lyka that studying Math and Science would be too difficult if we were use the Filipino language.
Comments:
Punctuation
Capitalization
Missing preposition
8.
Camille Joie VitugJuly 27, 2012 8:43 PM
"In my own opinion, I actually think both Gullas Bill and Multilingual Education Program would be of great help to students because they can easily develop their skills, cognitive and linguistic skills to be specific, if they are taught in a familiar language."
Using em dashes instead of commas after "skills" and "specific" would have made the sentence less confusing. Anyway, you did a very good job with this post. Congratulations! :)
Comments:
I agree with the correction.
9.
10.
Lawrence YuzonJuly 28, 2012 5:06 AM
I agree with the other, you really do have an exceptional research background. Though, I was cut short on the last paragraph, it would've been better if you dug even deeper in your opinion about the two bills/programs. Congratulations.
Comments:
“I agree with the other” – who is that “other”?
“have an exceptional research background” – did exceptional background research (no article)
“Though,” – comma unnecessary here
“I was cut short on the last paragraph” – no, you weren’t. You can only get “cut off” when you’re the one talking. If you mean “nabitin”, you could probably say “left hanging”.
11.
ReplyDeleteElaine CunananJuly 28, 2012 5:59 AM
I am really against that Multilingual Education Program. The school of my siblings here in Pampanga follows that program and we are very much disappointed about it. Every time I will look at their notes, I was like, “Oh why do they have to study such things in this manner!”.
Here are some notes of my little brother:
Tunug da ring animalis
1. Asu- aw-aw-aw
2. Manuk- kokok-kokok
3. Bibi- kwak-kwak-kwak
4. Damulag- ungaaaaaaaaaaa
Another one:
Basan mula reng salitang magumpisa Tunog Uu.
ulad ulam ubas utak
Comments:
“I am really against that Multilingual Education Program.” – I’d say I’m “really against” something only when somebody doubts the truth of my objection or when I suspect that somebody doubts it. Otherwise, (if I just want to declare the DEGREE of my objection) I’d use some other adverb such “completely”, “totally”, “entirely”, “vehemently”, “wholeheartedly”, etc.
“we are very much disappointed about it.” – “very disappointed” should suffice.
Chelsea SalvadorJuly 28, 2012 7:51 AM
I agree with Lyks. "Parisukat ugat ng ekis" is deadly. Haha! This is a great topic, Yona.
12.
Angel Mae MangulabnanJuly 28, 2012 7:51 AM
I'd go for the English bill, though I agree with Linelle that both bills have their pros and cons. I could not imagine Math and Science being discussed in Filipino. I could also take the challenge of learning them using my mother tongue as the medium of instruction, though.
Congratulations for coming up with such an informative and entertaining blog, Yona. :)
Comments:
Capitalization. You guys probably get it by now.
13.
Nicole DavidJuly 28, 2012 8:05 PM
I prefer English Bill to MLE Bill because I think many Filipinos fail on English proficiency. Also, mother tongues can easily be studied at home.
Your blog is indeed informative and at the same time, interesting. Good job, Yona!
Comments:
Missing article
14.
John Carlo AgasangJuly 28, 2012 8:21 PM
If you're going to ask me which of the two bills will I choose, I choose both. Why? Just like what Linelle said, both bills have pros and cons. These bills will help a lot in improving the skills of students. It doesn't mean that the teachers will teach Math and Science, for example in one's native language or dialect. Scientific and mathematical terminologies will be still in English, but the way teachers will discuss the topic will be in the students' native language or dialect.(Bilingual way of teaching is what I meant.)
Comments:
“which of the two bills will I choose” – What’s wrong with this one?
“Scientific and mathematical terminologies will be still in English” – Same error.
“Just like what Linelle said,” – As Linelle said…
Capitalization
“Scientific and mathematical terminologies will be still in English, but the way teachers will discuss the topic will be in the students' native language or dialect.” – You nailed it!
15.
Trisha Dela Cruz Luna ☠July 28, 2012 8:51 PM
Yonniebear! Your blog is absolutely great! :D
I love how it's packed with so much information. You really took the time to research, didn't you? Although it is a bit long, it's still fun to read.
As for the bill thing, I think I'd stick with the BEP. If I were to walk into a classroom, and the teacher would be saying "Ano ang parisukat ugat ng apat?", I would take my bag, walk right out, and move to America.
Comments:
People, it’s a blog entry, not a blog. This whole site is our blog.
“As for the bill thing,” – Let’s use a less informal word like “issue” here instead of “thing”.
“I would take my bag, walk right out, and move to America.” – We wish it were that easy. As an iskolar ng bayan, may I suggest that you help do something about it first before you leave us, the taxpayers, to our “parisukat ugat”? ;)
16.
ReplyDeleteJessica AlmendaresJuly 28, 2012 10:21 PM
It was my first time to read about the MLE thingy. Thanks for the new information, Yona! You expressed your thoughts clearly and I commend you for a great research skills. Good job!
Comments:
Thingy, huh? Please do not use that word here again. =) It’s lazy. It won’t help you learn to express yourself better in English.
“for a great research skills” – “Spot the error.
17.
Anna Rosette CruzJuly 28, 2012 11:12 PM
My life will surely be doomed if Math and Science will be taught in English. Hehe! This is good. Congratulations Yona for a job well done!
Comments:
Capitalization
“My life will surely be doomed if Math and Science will be taught in English.” – I’m confused.
18.
Sai SapnuJuly 29, 2012 1:06 AM
I agree with Anna. Nice choice of topic. Congratulations!
ReplyDelete
19.
Pauline ParamioJuly 29, 2012 4:14 AM
Hi Yona! I agree with you. Both bills would be helpful. I believe the MLE Bill is somehow practiced at home. A child starts learning using his/her mother tongue and soon learns with English as a medium of instruction in school. So, I think the MLE Bill is no longer needed.
You wrote, "In my own opinion". It think it's better to just say, In my opinion. My plusown sounds redundant.
Great job, Yona!
Comments:
I approve the correction.
20.
Angelo De jesusJuly 29, 2012 6:03 AM
Your post was good. It's very informative. It is the evidence that you took your time making your post and that you are a good writer as well as a good researcher. You should be proud. Congratulations. :)
Comments:
Tense inconsistencies.
“you took your time making your post” – “writing” your post. You “make” a sandwich and “make” a mess, but you don’t “make” a post.
21.
Albie hereJuly 29, 2012 7:47 AM
Congratulations Yona. Thank you for a well-written article. I think both bills would be useful, with proper orientation.
Comments:
“with proper orientation.” – and, more importantly,
22.
Marjorie PalmaJuly 29, 2012 8:55 AM
Your post is very much appreciated. I, too, was impressed with your writing skills. You were consistent with your tenses and ideas throughout your post. :)
23.
Yona ManabatJuly 29, 2012 11:29 AM
Thank you, block mates. I appreciate your opinions and commendations. Rest assured, I will strive harder to improve my writing skills. God bless! :)
No comment. ;)
The following is Yona’s entry, edited (grammar, style, content). I included the Gunigundo Bill because Yona mentions its contents without identifying it, possibly confusing it with the MLE, which is not a bill but a policy. In the Philippine context, multilingual education means mother tongue (Kapampangan, Tagalog, Visayan, etc.) plus English (plus Spanish?), bilingual education means Filipino (our national language; not to be confused with Tagalog) and English, and monolingual education means well, either English or Filipino. Also, she says “two bills”, so there should be two bills, right? =)
ReplyDeleteGreat job choosing this topic, Yona!
Medium of Instruction: English vs. Mother Tongue
ReplyDeleteBy “medium of instruction,” one means “language used in teaching.” In the Philippines where there are more than 100 languages used across the country, the medium of instruction has always been an issue and a point of argument. This entry talks about multilingual education (MLE) vs. English-only instruction in the Philippines. Specifically, it discusses the pros and cons of the Gulas Bill and the Gunigundo Multilingual Education Bill.
Back in 2003, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo commanded the Department of Education to bring back English as the medium of instruction in all public and private schools in the Philippines. Surveys indicate that, as a result, the literacy rate of Filipinos steadily declined between 2003 and 2007. In response to this, Cebu Representative Eduardo Gullas proposed House Bill 5619 or Consolidated English-Only Billl: “Strengthening and Enhancing the Use of English as the Medium of Instruction Act”. Under the Gullas Bill, the students’ mother tongue will be used as the medium of instruction from preschool to Grade 3; from Grade 4 to secondary school, English will be used as the medium of instruction and interaction. This means that Kapampangan students will be taught in Kapampangan until Grade 3, Visayan students will be taught in Visayan, and so on, allowing them to learn basic literacy using a language that they already know and understand rather than English--a language that many are still in the process of learning at that young age. As they build a strong foundation in their mother tongue, they will be gradually introduced to different languages, specifically the English language.
In this sense, the Gulas Bill supports the 2008 Gunigundo Multilingual Education Bill or “The Multi-Lingual Education and Literacy Act of 2010”.. Multilingual education (MLE) or first-language-first education refers to learning subjects including math and science with the use of a child’s mother tongue or first language from pre-school up to the end of the child’s elementary education.
Previous studies found that learning is faster and more effective with the mother tongue as the primary medium of instruction. Seventy percent of minority language students can hardly speak and comprehend English; hence, it is hard for them to master their lessons. If they use a language that is more familiar to them from preschool to Grade 6, however, it would be easy for them to understand what they are studying and can possibly appreciate their own cultural and language heritage.
ReplyDeleteThe bills aim to modify the current Bilingual Education Program (BEP) of DepEd. BEP requires the use of Filipino language as the medium of instruction in academic subjects like social studies, physical education, values education, and home economics at all levels. Rep. Gullas argues that the use of Filipino in all of these subjects somehow limits the exposure of students to English, and—exposure being the key to mastering a language—this hinders mastery of English. Cebu Representative Eduardo Gullas believes that using only English to teach these subjects from the fourth grade onwards will provide students sufficient exposure to English and therefore help Filipinos raise their English proficiency.
In my opinion, I think both bills would be of great help to students because students can easily develop their skills—cognitive and linguistic skills, to be specific—if they are taught in a familiar language. After building a strong foundation with the use of their mother tongue, they can eventually learn different languages like English. The English language is important because it helps a country compete with other countries around the world. The only thing that hinders me from totally agreeing to the Multilingual Education Program is that studying subjects like Math and Science would be difficult with the use of first language because there are mathematical and scientific terms that do not have counterparts in our languages. Lastly, I think that learning English would not be that easy for students who are used to their mother tongue as the medium of the instruction for so many years. It would be difficult for them to adjust.
How about you, guys? Which do you prefer: multi-lingual education or English-only instruction?
Hey there! Many foreign students can hardly speak and comprehend English. This is a big issue to be resolved within the nearest future possible. Let's find out the pros and cons of bilingualism -http://skywritingservice.com/blog/bilingualism-pros-and-cons
ReplyDelete