Schedar D. Jocson University of the Philippines

The study aims to show that…  Language selection is a political assertion and domination  Language choice in the medium of instruction, specifically in the Philippines, has been affected by global concerns on education  MTBMLE is a mechanism for students’ learning capacities to be fully enhanced yet such language policy has divided pro-Filipino academicians

Selection as  A process of choice  no absolute freedom because politics is affected by different ruling ideologies or perceptions  What hotel will I be getting? What airline will I be getting?  What language will I be using?  Limited option

Ideology of the medium of instruction in the Philippines  Debate started during the American colonial period  Spanish colonial period’s language policy was clear  Pro-vernacular versus pro-English  In the Philippines, why is it that the MOI is at the core of the debates in the education sector?  Delivery vis-à-vis content  Cultural literacy

Reasons people lobbied for the MTBMLE and its ideological perception  Cognitive development  Linguistic human rights | Linguistic democracy  Inclusive Education  EFA Movement

Department Orders creating MTBMLE  DO 74, s.2009 “Institutionalizing Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education”  Basic Education System Reform Agenda (BESRA)  Lingua Franca Project  Lubuagan Experiment  DO 16, s.2012  SIL, Save the Children  Selection of languages included

Selection of languages included Pangasinense Iloko Bikol Tagalog Maranao Hiligaynon Waray Cebuano Tausug Maguindanaoan Chabacano Kapampangan

Pangasinense Iloko Bikol Tagalog Maranao Hiligaynon Waray Cebuano Tausug Maguindanaoan Chabacano Kapampangan Geographic division Selection of languages included

Pangasinense Iloko Bikol Tagalog Maranao Hiligaynon Waray Cebuano Tausug Maguindanaoan Chabacano Kapampangan Number of users/speakers 6.9 M 1.6M 1.9 M 15.8 M 776 L 900 L 293 L 5.7 M 2.5 M 21.5 M 4.7 M 1.M Binisaya Selection of languages included

Pangasinense Iloko Bikol Tagalog Maranao Hiligaynon Waray Cebuano Tausug Maguindanaoan Kapampangan Inclusion of Chavacano 6.9 M 1.6M 1.9 M 15.8 M 776 L 900 L Chabacano 293 L 5.7 M 2.5 M 21.5 M 4.7 M 1.M Kiniray-a 378 L Ibanag 500 L Capiznon 639 L Masbatenyo 539 L Selection of languages included

Maranao Tausug Maguindanaoan Chabacano Languages in areas where Muslim Filipinos are dominant Selection of languages included

Multilingual education in Philippine society  DEPED’s preparedness  The national language as the medium of instruction  Economics  Lack of the democratic process  Globalizing world

Will MTBMLE help develop the national language?  Filipino as a product of all languages in the Philippines. If all languages are being used, hence, Filipino will be useful.  Will regional languages kill the national language?

Salamat!!!

Schedar D. Jocson University of the Philippines