LANGUAGE POLICIES IN THE PHILIPPINES| Sir David TV

Summary

The Philippine language policies, as outlined in the 1987 Constitution, prioritize Filipino as the national language, with English as an auxiliary. Key policies include the establishment of a National Language Commission and the promotion of Filipino in government communications. The educational system implements a bilingual policy, aiming for national competence in Filipino and English. The K-12 program introduces Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB MLE) to enhance language proficiency, starting with regional languages in early grades and transitioning to Filipino and English in later years.

Takeaways

• 📜 The 1987 Philippine Constitution designates Filipino as the national language and acknowledges its evolution from other dialects and languages.
• 🏛️ Section 7 of the Constitution mandates Filipino and English as the official languages for communication and instruction.
• 🏫 Section 9 of the Constitution established the National Language Commission to develop, propagate, and preserve the Filipino language.
• 📝 Executive Order 335 by President Corazon Aquino in 1988 directed government entities to use Filipino in official communications and correspondences.
• 🗣️ Resolution 1-92 defined Filipino as the native language spoken in urban centers and used for inter-ethnic communication.
• 🔤 The Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) Order No. 81 in 1987 provided guidelines for the Filipino alphabet and spelling rules.
• 🎓 The bilingual language policy in the education system aims to achieve national competence in Filipino and English through their use as media of instruction.
• 🏛️ CHED's 1994 General Education Curriculum (GEC) required higher education institutions to offer Filipino language courses and align with the bilingual education policy.
• 🏫 The K-12 program, launched in 2011, introduced Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) to build proficiency in Filipino and English starting from kindergarten.
• 🌐 The MTBMLE program expanded to include more regional languages, aiming to transition students to English and Filipino as primary languages of instruction by junior high school.

Q & A

What is the national language of the Philippines as defined by the 1987 Constitution?

The 1987 Constitution defines Filipino as the country's national language.

What is the role of the national language commission mandated by the 1987 Constitution?

The national language commission is tasked to undertake, coordinate, and promote researches for the development, propagation, and preservation of Filipino and other languages.

Which executive order by President Corazon Aquino mandated the use of Filipino in government communications?

Executive Order Number 335 by President Corazon Aquino in 1988 mandated the use of Filipino in government transactions, communications, and correspondence.

What does Resolution 1-92 by the Commission on the Filipino Language describe Filipino as?

Resolution 1-92 describes Filipino as the native language spoken and written in the national capital region and other urban centers in the Philippines, and used as the language of communication between ethnic groups.

What is the composition of the Filipino alphabet as per Department of Education, Culture, and Sports Order Number 81?

The Filipino alphabet is composed of 28 letters, which include the original 26 letters of the English alphabet, plus the letters 'ñ', 'á', and 'ng'.

What is the aim of the bilingual language policy in the Philippine education system?

The aim of the bilingual language policy is to attain Filipino and English competence at a national level through their use as media of instruction at all levels.

How does the K-12 program's Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) approach language instruction?

The K-12 program's MTB-MLE approach starts basic education with the first language of learners from kindergarten up to grade 3, and gradually introduces Filipino and English as media of instruction.

What was the controversy surrounding the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) new General Education Curriculum (GEC) in 2013?

The controversy was that the new GEC set for 2018 contained no Filipino language courses, leading to accusations that CHED was failing to intellectualize Filipino and displacing thousands of Filipino professors and instructors.

How does the 1987 Constitution address the development of Filipino as a language?

The 1987 Constitution acknowledges that Filipino is evolving and shall be developed and enriched on the basis of other existing dialects and languages.

What is the role of regional dialects in the initial language for literacy according to the bilingual language policy?

Regional dialects are used as auxiliary media of instruction in the initial language for literacy when needed.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Language Policies in the Philippines

The 1987 Philippine Constitution establishes Filipino as the national language, recognizing its evolution and the need to develop it further. The government is directed to promote its use in official communication and education. Section 7 of Article 14 designates Filipino and English as official languages for communication and instruction. Section 9 mandates the creation of the National Language Commission (Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino or KWF) to develop, propagate, and preserve Filipino and other languages. Executive Order 335 by President Corazon Aquino in 1988 further emphasizes the use of Filipino in government transactions and communications, including the translation of office names into Filipino. Resolution 1-92 by the KWF in 1992 provides a working description of Filipino, acknowledging its development through language loans and its role as a lingua franca among different ethnic groups in the Philippines.

05:02

🏫 Bilingual Language Policy and Education Policies

The bilingual language policy in the Philippines' education system aims to achieve national proficiency in Filipino and English. This policy promotes Filipino as a language of literacy and scholarly discourse, while also using regional dialects as auxiliary instructional tools. The Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) Order No. 81 in 1987 provided guidelines for the Filipino alphabet and spelling. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issued a policy in 1994 requiring higher education institutions to offer Filipino language courses, aligning with the bilingual education policy. However, the new General Education Curriculum (GEC) proposed in 2013 faced criticism for potentially reducing the role of Filipino language education. The K-12 program, launched in 2011 and made law in 2013, introduced Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) to build proficiency in Filipino and English, starting with the mother tongue in early education and gradually introducing Filipino and English as primary languages of instruction.

10:03

🌐 K-12 Program and MTBMLE Expansion

The K-12 program, which became law in 2013, introduced the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) in 2012 to enhance language proficiency. MTBMLE focuses on using the mother tongue or first language of learners as the medium of instruction from kindergarten to grade 3. From grade 1, Filipino and English are taught as subjects, with a gradual transition to using them as media of instruction from grades four to six. By junior and senior high school, the goal is for Filipino and English to be the primary languages of instruction. Initially, the program included 12 regional languages, with additional languages like Ibanag, Ivatan, Sambals, Aklanon Kinaray-a, Yakan, and Surigaon being added in July 2013, expanding the program's reach and inclusivity.

Keywords

💡Filipino Language

Filipino is the national language of the Philippines, as defined by the 1987 constitution. It is an evolving language that is developed and enriched based on other existing dialects and languages in the country. The video script outlines how the government is directed to promote its use in official communication and education. The term 'Filipino' in the script is used to describe the language that serves as the medium for national unity and instruction, highlighting its importance in the country's language policy.

💡1987 Constitution

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines is a foundational document that sets the framework for the country's governance and policies, including language policy. The script mentions that it defines Filipino as the national language and acknowledges its evolution, directing the government to develop and enrich it. This constitutional backing is crucial for the implementation of language policies and the promotion of Filipino as the national language.

💡National Language Commission

The National Language Commission, also known as Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), is mandated by the 1987 Constitution to promote, develop, and preserve the Filipino language. Established in 1991, the commission plays a pivotal role in coordinating and undertaking research for the language's development. The script highlights the commission's creation as part of the government's initiative to institutionalize the promotion of Filipino.

💡Executive Order No. 335

This executive order, issued by President Corazon Aquino in 1988, is a policy directive that instructs all government departments to use the Filipino language in their transactions, communications, and correspondence. The script mentions the order's requirement for each office to have personnel in charge of Filipino communication, emphasizing the government's commitment to using Filipino in official capacities.

💡Resolution 1-92

Passed by the KWF in 1992, Resolution 1-92 provides a working description of the Filipino language. It describes Filipino as the native language spoken and written in urban centers and used for inter-ethnic communication. The resolution acknowledges the language's dynamic nature, borrowing from other Philippine languages and adapting to various social situations. This resolution is significant as it helps define the scope and characteristics of the Filipino language in the context of the country's linguistic diversity.

💡Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS)

DECS Order No. 81, mentioned in the script, pertains to the alphabet and spelling guide for the Filipino language. It establishes the 28-letter Filipino alphabet, including additional letters not found in the English alphabet, and provides rules on spelling. This order is essential for standardizing the language and facilitating its use in education and official communication.

💡Bilingual Language Policy

The Bilingual Language Policy in the Philippines aims to achieve competence in both Filipino and English at a national level. The policy, as discussed in the script, uses both languages as media of instruction in the education system, with the goal of propagating Filipino as a language of literacy and scholarly discourse. This policy is integral to the country's educational framework, emphasizing the importance of both national and international languages.

💡Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

CHED is responsible for higher education in the Philippines and has issued policies related to language education, such as the General Education Curriculum (GEC). The script refers to CHED's role in requiring higher education institutions to offer Filipino language courses and align with the bilingual education policy. CHED's decisions, like the revision of the GEC, have significant implications for language education and the use of Filipino in academia.

💡K-12 Program

Launched in 2011, the K-12 Program is a significant educational reform in the Philippines that includes a focus on language proficiency. The script explains that the program introduces Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE), starting education with the child's first language and gradually introducing Filipino and English. This approach is designed to build a strong foundation in language skills, with the goal of making Filipino and English the primary languages of instruction by the later years of schooling.

💡Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE)

MTBMLE is a component of the K-12 Program that emphasizes the use of a child's first language as the medium of instruction in the early years of education. As described in the script, this method aims to develop proficiency in Filipino and English by starting with the mother tongue, which is the language first learned by a child. The policy was expanded to include more regional languages, promoting linguistic diversity while working towards a common educational goal.

Highlights

The 1987 Philippine Constitution defines Filipino as the national language and acknowledges its evolution based on other dialects and languages.

The government is directed to promote the use of Filipino as the medium of official communication and in the educational system.

Section 7 of Article 14 states that Filipino and English are the official languages for communication and instruction.

Section 9 mandates the creation of a National Language Commission to develop, propagate, and preserve Filipino and other languages.

The Commission on the Filipino Language (KWF) was established in 1991 to implement language development policies.

Executive Order 335 by President Corazon Aquino in 1988 required government offices to use Filipino in official communications.

Resolution 1-92 describes Filipino as the native language spoken in urban centers and as a lingua franca among different ethnic groups.

The Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) Order 81 in 1987 provided guidelines for the Filipino alphabet and spelling.

The bilingual language policy in the education system aims to achieve national competence in Filipino and English.

Regional dialects are used as auxiliary media of instruction in the initial stages of literacy.

CHED's 1994 General Education Curriculum (GEC) requires at least nine units of Filipino language courses in higher education.

The K-12 program, launched in 2011, introduced Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) to enhance language proficiency.

MTBMLE starts basic education with the first language of learners and gradually introduces Filipino and English.

By junior high school, Filipino and English are to become the primary languages of instruction.

The initial MTBMLE program included 12 regional languages, with additional languages added in 2013.

CHED's new GEC faced criticism for potentially displacing Filipino language educators and reducing the status of Filipino in higher education.

CHED defended the new GEC, stating it complements the K-12 program and reduces redundancy in college education.

Transcripts

[Music]

language policies in the philippines

the 1987 constitution defines filipino

as the country's national language

it also acknowledges that filipino is

evolving

and that it shall be developed and

enriched on the basis of other existing

dialects and languages

the constitution directs the government

to take steps that will initiate and

sustain the use of filipino as the

medium of official communication and as

a language of instruction in the

educational system

let's have the first language policy

under the 1987 constitution

sections 6-9 of article 14 outline the

main language policy in the country

section 7 states that for the purposes

of communication and instruction

filipino and until otherwise provided by

law

english are the official languages of

the philippines

section 9 mandates the foundation of a

national language commission

tasked to undertake

coordinate and promote researches for

the development

propagation and preservation of filipino

and other languages pursuant to this

section the commissioner filipino or

commission on the filipino language or

kwf was created in 1991.

[Music]

let's proceed to the second language

policy in the philippines executive

order number 335

president corazon aquino ordered in 1988

all government departments bureaus

offices

agencies and instrumentalities to take

steps in using the filipino language in

transactions communications and

correspondence

this executive order assigns personnel

in every office who will be in charge of

all communication

and correspondence written in filipino

it tasks government entities to

translate names of offices

division of instrumentalities and even

oats of office into filipino and to make

proficiency in the use of filipino in

official communications and

correspondences as part of personal

training programs

third language policy

resolution 1-92

the kwf passed in 1992 a resolution

adopting a working description of

filipino for the purpose of

accomplishing commission tasks

it describes filipino as the native

language spoken and written in the

national capital region and other urban

centers in the philippines

and is used as the language of

communication between ethnic groups

filipino as with any living language is

recognized to be in the process of

development via loans from other

philippine languages and non-native

varieties of the language for various

social situations

among speakers of different backgrounds

and for topics of conversation and

scholarly discourse

due to the fact that there are eight

major native languages in the

philippines whose speakers outnumber

tagalog users the notion of a

tagalog-based national language has long

been

the center of an ongoing argument

regarding the national language of the

philippines with debates dating as far

back as 1937 when tagalog was declared

the basis of the national language

number four department of education

culture and sports or dex order number

81

in 1987 the dex released the alphabet

and a guide for spelling in the filipino

language

laying down the letters of filipino

alphabet and rules on spelling

according to the order the filipino

alphabet is composed of 28 letters the

original 26 letters of the english

alphabet

plus letters n a and n g

the order also details how the letters

should be read

it discussed grammar and spelling in the

filipino language

rules regarding diction spelling

translation how and when to use

loanwords

syllables and syllabication of words and

the use of dashes commas and accents

let's proceed to the fifth language

policy in the philippines the bilingual

language

policy the bilingual language policy in

the country's education system

seeks to attain filipino and english

competence at a national level

through their use as media of

instruction at all levels

the policy aims to propagate filipino as

a language of literacy to cultivate and

develop filipino as a language of

scholarly discourse and to further its

development as a national language

the policy also states that regional

dialects shall also be used as auxiliary

media of instruction in the initial

language for literacy when needed

[Music]

dex issued this policy in 1974 along

with dex order number 25 which allotted

filipino as the medium of instruction

for social sciences

arts physical education home economics

practical arts and character education

subjects

in turn english is the medium of

instruction for mathematics and science

and technology

with the signing of the 1987

constitution

filipino and english are mandated to be

used as media for instruction

language policy number five college

general education curriculum's language

policy

the commission on higher education or

ched issued in 1994 the new general

educational curriculum or gec under shed

memorandum order number 59

the gec requires higher education

institution or heis to have at least

nine units of filipino language courses

in addition to coordinate with the

department of education or deped's

bilingual education policy

language courses whether philippine or

english should be taught in that

language

courses in humanities and social

sciences should preferably be taught in

filipino

furthermore at the discretion of heis

literature subjects may be taught in

filipino english or in any other

language

so long as there are enough

instructional materials students and

instructors competent in the language a

revised syllabi or filipino courses 1 2

and 3 was issued in 2007 under chad

memorandum order number 54.

the shed has been under fire by

proponents of the filipino language and

language education since cmo number 20

series of 2013 was issued which outlined

a new revised gec set for 2018 that

contained no filipino language courses

filipino language education proponents

accused shed of failing to

intellectualize a filipino and that the

new gec would displace thousands of

filipino professors and instructors

ched defended its decision by stating

that the planned new gec will work in

conjunction with the k-12 program and

that many remedial courses like filipino

and english will be taught in senior

high school years thereby making them

redundant in college

ched also pointed out that filipino

status as a medium of instruction in

higher education courses shall not be

affected

the chad also noted that filipino

faculty members aren't the only ones

affected by the new gec as literature

mathematics humanities and social

sciences courses were also removed

in july 2014 the house of

representatives committee asked the chad

to report how many educators will be

affected by the k-12 system as a

prerequisite to a proposal to fund

displaced education

workers let's proceed to the sixth

language policy the k-12 program and the

mother tongue-based multilingual

education or the mtb

mle

depad launched in 2011 the k-12 program

which became law only in 2013. along

with other curricular and policy reforms

introduced the k-12 program sought to

build proficiency through language via

mtb mla

introduced in 2012

the mother tongue or first language

refers to the languages or dialects

first learned by a child and with which

the child identifies with

mtb mla aims to develop filipino an

english proficiency by starting basic

education with the first language of

learners

starting in kindergarten up to grade 3

the medium of instruction shall be in

the mother tongue of the students

beginning in grade 1 filipino and

english will be taught as subject areas

com grades four to six depends shall

formulate a mother tongue transition

program in which english and filipino

are introduced as media of instruction

so that by junior high school and senior

high school the two can become the

primary languages of instruction

initially there were 12 regional

languages under the mtb mle program

tagalog

[Music]

in july 2013

ibanag

ivatan

sambal

aklanon kinaraya

jakan and surigaon were added to the

program

[Music]

you