INTRODUCTION LANGUAGE PROGRAMS & POLICIES IN A MULTILINGUAL SOCIETY

Summary

This video delves into the language policies and programs in multilingual societies, emphasizing language diversity, bilingualism, and the role of official languages in education. It highlights the Philippines' complex linguistic landscape with over 170 languages spoken, its national language policy, and the challenges posed by the dominance of English. The video also addresses the implications of the country's language proficiency, the debate over Filipino's place in higher education, and the pressing need to preserve indigenous languages. It underscores the importance of language policies in shaping communication, education, and economic competitiveness in a multilingual society.

Takeaways

• 😀 Language diversity refers to the existence of 6,000-7,000 languages spoken globally, with the Philippines having 171 living languages.
• 😀 The majority language is the language spoken by most people in a region, often considered to have high status in multilingual societies.
• 😀 Bilingualism is the ability to speak two languages, while multilingualism refers to the ability to communicate in three or more languages.
• 😀 The national language of the Philippines is Filipino, based on Tagalog, with English serving as an official language.
• 😀 The Philippines has a rich linguistic landscape with regional languages like Cebuano, Hiligaynon, and Ilokano spoken across various parts of the country.
• 😀 Language policies in the Philippines aim to protect and promote regional and ethnic languages whose viability is threatened by globalization.
• 😀 The Philippines’ **Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE)** model incorporates multiple languages in education, promoting the use of the mother tongue, a regional language, and an international language.
• 😀 English proficiency remains a competitive advantage for the Philippines, with the country being a top destination for voice outsourcing.
• 😀 Despite the Philippines' high English proficiency, there is a decline in reading comprehension skills, as reflected in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
• 😀 The ongoing debate regarding the future of Filipino in higher education revolves around proposals to remove Filipino as a core language in university curricula, which could lead to the erosion of Filipino's importance in education.
• 😀 The Philippines faces challenges in preserving indigenous languages, with some languages nearing extinction and requiring government action for revitalization.

Q & A

What does language diversity refer to in a multilingual society?

Language diversity refers to the existence of a multitude of languages spoken worldwide, which is estimated to be between 6,000 and 7,000 languages.

What is the 'majority language' in a multilingual society?

The majority language is typically spoken by the majority of the population in a country or region, and it is often considered a high-status language in that society.

What does bilingualism mean?

Bilingualism refers to the ability of a person to speak and understand two languages, one being their primary language and the other a secondary language.

How does the official language differ from the national language?

The official language is given a special legal status in a country for official communication, while the national language is typically designated for cultural or ethnic reasons, as in the case of Filipino in the Philippines.

What is the significance of 'mother tongue instruction' in education?

Mother tongue instruction refers to using a child's native language for teaching, ensuring that education is accessible and meaningful by leveraging the language with which the child is most familiar.

How does multilingual education differ from bilingual education?

Multilingual education involves the use of at least three languages in the educational process, typically including the mother tongue, a national language, and an international language. Bilingual education, on the other hand, uses only two languages as mediums of instruction.

What are linguistic rights and why are they important?

Linguistic rights protect the individual's and collective right to choose their language for communication, both in private and public spheres. These rights are crucial for maintaining linguistic diversity and ensuring social inclusion.

Why is Filipino (Tagalog) important in the Philippines' educational system?

Filipino is the national language of the Philippines and is mandated for use in education. Its promotion aims to strengthen national identity and ensure cultural cohesion, although debates over its role in higher education continue.

What is the role of the Philippines in the global English proficiency index?

The Philippines ranks high in English proficiency, securing a spot in the top 20 globally. Despite a slight decline in its ranking over the years, it maintains a competitive advantage, especially in the outsourcing industry.

What are the challenges surrounding the preservation of indigenous languages in the Philippines?

Many of the indigenous languages in the Philippines are endangered. While there are efforts to preserve them, a lack of funding and systematic research makes it difficult to assess and protect these languages effectively.