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.
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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