SHOULD English be the medium of instruction in our schools?
We now have a lively debate in our Vox Populi blog, which gives readers not just the chance to give feedback, but also post their own blog entries, subject to editorial discretion of course.
Check out “Medium not the issue, says reader,” “English ‘a must for development,’” and “English not anti-poor” for more on this issue. And tell us what you think.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:35 am
i think teaching english as a subject is a must. but it should be the “quality” english, correct grammar, strictly implemented in primary school, except in Filipino class (purely filipino and the real tagalog-madami na kasi tayong nakakalimutan na totoong tagalog words at maling gamit).
Most subject are taught in english where we can really practice oral english in the other subjects. We really need to be eloquent and articulate so that when we go to battle we can defend our servles.
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Both Filipino and English should be mastered. International language English gives us the competitive edge while mastery of Filipino will promote more understanding, unity, and nationalism.
It’s nice to know more than 1 language due to the flexibility it gives in interacting with other cultures. A third or even fourth or even more languages is ideal.
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Be proud being a Filipino!
Be proud that English is our official language! as an experience outside the Philippines,we have the edge,we often say that in our country we speak English.
We really need to appreciate that!dont let others look down on us.
English is a gift,an asset,our tool to progress.
Not forsaking our own language,im just saying the practicality and that made us unique people around the world.
May 10th, 2007 at 10:18 am
coming from me, it may be a surprise that i do support english-only system at school, pero sana we dont judge people who speak in taglish or pure filipino….
May 4th, 2007 at 10:57 am
For me I think we should teach English as our medium of instructions to our schools just like in my time way back 1970’s. I still remember that in my time also that they introduce the billingual system of instruction which I think help us more in understanding both Pilipino ang English. Making us understand English opens many doors of opportunities for our people specially those who wishes to work abroad, and I dont think that teaching English makes our children forgot their own language which is Tagalog we can always talk to them in our language thus making them more aware to both Pilipino and English.
May 4th, 2007 at 3:41 am
English, as a meduim of instruction at school, must be re-instated. Then Tagagalog must be thought strongly as a compulsory subject in the Philippine curriculum. This is it how it used to be before! That was year 1956, when I 1st started my Grade 1. I was 1st honour then, when I started. Textbooks were in English at the time. I am so sorry to say, that nowadays, I/we found out that our new generations grammatical forms, spelling & ways of speaking English are very poor. Comprehension is poor. I admire those who can still grasp the proper English grammar. I don’t intend to address those who are speaking English correctly, because our beloved Philippines is full of so much talented people. Let us take a look now what is happening. Almost everyone is speaking the so-called “Tag-lish” misnomers. What is this! It is very funny to listen, thus we are trying to deviate from using proper English or Tagalog languages. It is NOT just right! Is it because of the new technology influence? Not a reason at all! If the child is taught correctly & passionately with these 2 languages, there’s no reason at all that he can’t be able to comprehend what is taught verbally by teachers and so after reading the textbook he will easily grasp the content too. We have to go back to our old language curriculum. Spanish language must be re-implemented too, just as what I had been taught before. “When we want to speak in English, speak it in English; when in Tagalog, speak it in Tagalog”. That will sound better, not in tag-lish. One English guy once said to me, “What language is your friend (my relative, a teacher) talking?”
May 3rd, 2007 at 7:37 pm
imo, english should be the medium of instruction for reasons,
1. Many of the companies requires applicants to be fluent/knowlegeable in english. Hindi ka man graduate ng college pero you can converse in english, they may consider you for the position.
2. Many of the filipinos are OFWs. Filipinos are preferred abroad because of the friendly and hardworking attitude. However, its better if their employers can converse with them.
3. Technology-wise, it is very complicated to translate technology terms into filipino. For programmers like me, lalo lang kami hindi magkakaintindihan ng co-programmer ko.
4. Maraming tourists sa Philippines. They will feel welcome and comfortable if they can converse with locals.
While kids are young, they should be taught with things that will be useful when they grow older. Hindi pa nila marerealise ang importance ng english kasi they’re not out there in the real world yet. Sabi nga nila, wag kang susugod sa gera ng walang dalang baril. Lets be practical and safe, we’ve got nothing to lose, we’ve got more to gain pa nga e.
May 3rd, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Sa palagay ko,hindi kailangang ang wikang ginagamit sa pagtuturo ay Ingles,sa kadahilanang; una, kung kailangan nating mas matutoto ng mga anak natin sa paaralan hindi kinakailangan na ang pagtuturo ay sa Ingles, mas naiintindihan siguro ng bata maigi ang mageeksplika ng guro kung hindi Ingles ang pagsasalita nila, yun nga lang ang problema malaking pagbabago ang mangyayari sa kdahilanang marami sa wikang Ingles lalo na ang ibang mga termino sa ating mga libro na ang basihan ay wikang Ingles, pero kung hindi natin uumpisahan ng unti unti, malamang sa susunod na mga taon unti unti ng mawawala ang mga ibang wika natin na sa ngayon ay nangyayari na. Humahanga ako sa isa kong kaibigan na sa kanilang bansa ang ginagamit nilang wika sa paaralan ay hindi Inges pero ang wika nila at mas marami syang natutunan dahil nga naiintindihan niyang mabuti ang sinasabi ng kanyang guro.
Ang mahirap nga lang sa ating mga Pilipino, yung pagiisip na pag nakakapagsalita ka ng fluent na Ingles,para bang ang tingin sa iyo napakataas at napapabilang sa mga nasa alta sosyodad o mga elitista ng lipunan,hindi naman siguro ganun,dahil hindi ang wika ang basihan kung bakit ang isang tao ay may mataas kaysa sa iba.
Mas maganda siguro pag ang ginagamit nating wika sa paaralan ay Tagalog upang sa ganun mas madaling matutoto ang bata lalo na ang mga estudyante na mga mahihirap at hindi nila kayang pumunta sa mga matataas na paaralan.Hindi man siguro natin kayang baguhin lahat ngayon pero unti unti makakaya natin. Pero dapat ay umpisahan na!!
May 2nd, 2007 at 8:34 pm
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