The Whats, Whys and Hows of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE)

The Whats Speakers Note: Why is there a need for language teaching to be communicative? Here are some of the objectives of Communicative Language Teaching: Students will learn to use language as a means of expression Students will use language as a means of expressing values and judgments Students will learn to express the functions that best meet their own communication needs.

What is Multilingual Education Mother tongue-based multilingual education (MLE) is education, formal or non - formal, in which the learner’s mother tongue and additional languages are used in the classroom. Learners begin their education in the language they understand best - their mother tongue - and develop a strong foundation in their mother language before adding additional languages.

Multilingual Education is a structured program of language learning and cognitive development providing a strong educational foundation in the first language successful bridging to one or more additional languages enabling the use of both/all languages for life-long learning

Multilingual Education is based in the child’s own known environment and bridges to the wider world. “Known to Unknown”

Multilingual Education maintains local language and culture while providing national/ international language acquisition and instruction

Multilingual Education promotes learners’ integration into the national society without forcing them to sacrifice their linguistic and cultural heritage.

Multilingual Education Meaning based education enables students to learn well because they understand what the teacher is saying.

Multilingual Education Using the culture the child knows enables immediate comprehension from which new concepts can be built – going from the known to the unknown.

Multilingual Education Reading in the mother tongue enables immediate comprehension

Multilingual Education Once we learn to read we never have to learn again – “We only learn to READ once”

Multilingual Education The purpose of a multilingual education program is to develop appropriate cognitive and reasoning skills enabling children to operate equally in different languages - starting in the mother tongue.

Together read this paragraph Melek aksara adalah kemampuan untuk mengidentifikasi, mengerti, menerjemahkan, membuat, mengkomunikasikan dan mengolah isi dari rangkaian teks yang terdapat pada bahan-bahan cetak dan tulisan yang berkaitan dengan berbagai situasi. What does this mean? What did you learn? Why? Can you read? Do you understand the script? What prevented you from understanding the text? The topic is literacy. Can you find anything familiar that might mean literacy?

Read and discuss this paragraph. La République des Philippines est un pays constituée d'un archipel de 7 107 îles dont onze d'entre elles totalisent plus de 90 % des terres et un peu plus de 2 000 seulement sont habitées, alors qu'environ 2 400 îles n'ont même pas reçu de nom. On distingue trois zones géographiques : Luçon, les Visayas et Mindanao. Luçon est l'île la plus vaste et la plus septentrionale, et qui abrite sa capitale, Manille, et la plus grande ville du pays, Quezon City. Do you recognize this script? What parts are not familiar? What did you understand in this text? Why? What is the topic? How do you know this? What strategies did you use to figure that out? What words are part of your speaking vocabulary? When children begin their schooling, how does their ability compare with what you just did? – are they literate? In what language(s)? Are they skilled learners? When they begin reading English, what is their speaking ability in English? What English vocabulary do they use everyday and how does that compare to the vocabulary of the texts they read. What happens as a result?

The Whys Speakers Note: Why is there a need for language teaching to be communicative? Here are some of the objectives of Communicative Language Teaching: Students will learn to use language as a means of expression Students will use language as a means of expressing values and judgments Students will learn to express the functions that best meet their own communication needs.

STATEMENT FROM PRES. NOYNOY AQUINO… “My view on this is larger than just the classroom. We should become tri-lingual as a country; Learn English well and connect to the world. Learn Filipino well and connect to our country. Retain your mother tongue and connect to your heritage."

LEGAL BASES The child has the right to an education and to learn and use the language of his family (Articles 28, 30) (a) ECCD Curriculum - which focuses on children's total development according to their individual needs and socio-cultural background. It shall promote the delivery of complementary and integrative services for health care, nutrition, early childhood education, sanitation, and cultural activities. It shall use the child's first language as the medium of instruction.

LEGAL BASES DepED Order No. 74, s. 2009 “Institutionalizing Mother Tongue- Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE)” The child has the right to an education and to learn and use the language of his family (Articles 28, 30) (a) ECCD Curriculum - which focuses on children's total development according to their individual needs and socio-cultural background. It shall promote the delivery of complementary and integrative services for health care, nutrition, early childhood education, sanitation, and cultural activities. It shall use the child's first language as the medium of instruction.

1987 Constitution (Article XIV Sec 7) LEGAL BASES 1987 Constitution (Article XIV Sec 7) For purposes of communication and instruction, the official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English. The regional languages are the auxiliary official languages in the regions and shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction therein. The child has the right to an education and to learn and use the language of his family (Articles 28, 30) (a) ECCD Curriculum - which focuses on children's total development according to their individual needs and socio-cultural background. It shall promote the delivery of complementary and integrative services for health care, nutrition, early childhood education, sanitation, and cultural activities. It shall use the child's first language as the medium of instruction.

1987 Constitution (Article XXVIII Sec 30) LEGAL BASES 1987 Constitution (Article XXVIII Sec 30) The child has the right to an education and to learn and use the language of his family. The child has the right to an education and to learn and use the language of his family (Articles 28, 30) (a) ECCD Curriculum - which focuses on children's total development according to their individual needs and socio-cultural background. It shall promote the delivery of complementary and integrative services for health care, nutrition, early childhood education, sanitation, and cultural activities. It shall use the child's first language as the medium of instruction.

LEGAL BASES RA 8980 ECCD Law (Sec 5a) It shall use the child’s first language as the medium of instruction. (a) ECCD Curriculum (Early Childhood care and Development)- which focuses on children's total development according to their individual needs and socio-cultural background. It shall promote the delivery of complementary and integrative services for health care, nutrition, early childhood education, sanitation, and cultural activities. It shall use the child's first language as the medium of instruction.

LEGAL BASES RA 9155 or EFA/MDG Education for all should enable everyone to speak in the vernacular, Filipino and English. RA 9155 (Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001) MDG (Millennium Development Goals)

LEGAL BASES BESRA KRT 3 All persons beyond school-age regardless of their level of schooling should acquire the essential competence to be considered functionally literate in their mother tongue, in Filipino or in English. BESRA KRT (Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda Key Result Thrust)

The Salient Feature of MTB-MLE Curriculum

Four Aspects of Development Language Development Cognitive Development Speakers Note: Do we also realize the world of opportunities a child is into, if he can communicate his thoughts; his feelings; his interests? Academic Development Socio-Cultural Development

1. Language development: Students will establish a strong educational foundation in the language they know best; Developmental Theory of Learning by Jean Piaget Schema TL by Anderson Social LT by Albert Bandura Sociocultural LT by Lev Vygotsky (Russian) 26

they will build a good “bridge” to the school language(s), and they will be prepared to use both / all of their languages for success in school and for life-long learning. 27

Cognitive development begins at home at birth. School activities will engage learners to move well beyond the basic questions of who, what, when and where to cover all higher order thinking skills in the learners L1, their language of thought.

These higher order thinking skills will: - transfer to the other languages once enough Filipino or English has been acquired to use these skills in thinking and articulating thought, and - be used in the process of acquiring English and Filipino more effectively

3. Academic development: Students will achieve academic competencies in each subject area and, at the end of the program; they will be prepared to enter and achieve well in the mainstream education system. 30

4. Social-cultural development: Students will be proud of their heritage language and culture, and respect the languages and cultures of others; they will be prepared to contribute productively to their own community and to the larger society.

THE END RESULT: CHILDREN WHO ARE … Multilingual Multi-literate Multi-cultural 32

Same competencies but different paths Mainstream children who speak the school language L1 (school language) Competencies to be achieved by the end of Grade 3 L1 (home language) L2 (school language) + Mainstream children who do NOT speak the school language 33

Initiatives in MLE A. Experiments: a. First Iloilo Experiment (1948-1954) : Hiligaynon as MOI in Grades 1 & II b. Second Iloilo Language Experiment (1961- 1964) Hiligaynon is used in first two grades

c. Rizal Experiment (1960 – 1966) - Tagalog as MOI in Grade I d c. Rizal Experiment (1960 – 1966) - Tagalog as MOI in Grade I d. First Language Component-Bridging Program (FLC-BP) on “transitional” education (1986 – 1993) – Children’s L1 in Grades 1 & 2 and transition to Filipino and English

B. The Lingua Franca Education (LFE) Pilot Study – 1999-2002 Define and implement national bridging program from mother tongue to Filipino and English to develop initial literacy

Use 4 of largest lingua francas as MOI in grades 1 and 2:Tagalog, Hiligaynon, Cebuano and Ilocano Attempt to bridge learned concept from MT to Filipino and English

C. Lubuagan Kalinga MLE Program Implemented by Summer Institute of Linguistics for 10 years 3 experimental classes implementing MTB-MLE approach

3 control classes using traditional method of immersion in English and Filipino Schools are of same SES (Social Economic Status)

Results of different initiatives Children who began school in first language with bridging to two second languages were significantly more competent in all areas of study than their counterparts outperformed English-taught students in reading, math and social studies learn to read more quickly and learn better in Math and Science were observed to be actively participating in different classroom activities Drop-out and repetition rates decreased

The hows Speakers Note: Why is there a need for language teaching to be communicative? Here are some of the objectives of Communicative Language Teaching: Students will learn to use language as a means of expression Students will use language as a means of expressing values and judgments Students will learn to express the functions that best meet their own communication needs.

MTB MLE For Relevant And Quality Education For All Children VISION: MTB MLE For Relevant And Quality Education For All Children

Desired Impact: Learners are enjoying relevant and quality education which supports their home languages and cultures; learning outcomes are improved countrywide; and the Philippine is succeeding in its goal for Education for All.

Taking The right steps…. National Strategic Planning for the Country- wide Implementation of Mother Tongue – Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) a. Draft of Strategic Plan – November 2009 participated by 60+ educators, advocates, NGO education practitioners and DepEd personnel b. Final Strategic Plan – February 2010

Six Focused Areas COMPONENTS OF MTB-MLE STRATEGIC PLAN Pre-Service Teacher Education Social Preparation and Advocacy Six Focused Areas In-Service Training (INSET) of Teachers and School Managers Policy Development and Resource Mobilization Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation Materials Development

MOI per Grade Level and Subject Area High School Mother Tongue Subject Math Science Araling Panlipunan Filipino English Grade VI MT Grade V Grade IV LSRW Grade III LSVRW LS VRW Grade II MT, Math, Edukasyong Pagpapakatao, Araling Panlipunan in Mother Tongue as Language of Instruction (LOI) LSRWV Oral - LSRWV Grade I MT, Math, Edukasyong Pagpapakatao, Araling Panlipunan in Mother Tongue as Language of Instruction (LOI) Oral Kindergarten Mother Tongue as Language of Instruction - all subjects Transition Period/Bridging Start of the Transition Period

How mother tongue will bridge learning Primary medium of instruction for all pre-school subjects; Use L1 in MT subject, Math, Eduk. Pagpapakatao, Araling Panlipunan for grades I, II and III

Strongly scaffold English/Filipino as MOI in grade I Language Arts/Culture subjects from grade IV to high school will strengthen literacy in L1 develop awareness on local socio-cultural concerns address learning difficulties in classes with L2/L3 MOI

Mother Tongue - language, math, values etc. MTBMLE BRIDGING PLAN IN A 12 YEAR PROGRAM L1 AS ENGLISH, L2 AS FILIPINO, ANOTHER L3 HS L1 English Math Sci Araling Panlipunan Fil L3 Grade VI L1 Eng Grade V Grade IV L1 Eng Grade III Fil LSRW Oral then RW L3 Grade II Oral Fil Oral L3 Grade I L1 - L, S, R, W, V K Mother Tongue - language, math, values etc.

GRADE I – Learning Areas Time Allotment Medium of Instruction Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao 40 Mother tongue Math MT Araling Panlipunan 30 MAPEH Mother Tongue English (oral fluency) Filipino

“It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”

THANK YOU! and GOOD DAY!