[lg policy] Philippines: National Language Summit in the works for 2011

[Harold Schiffman]

National Language Summit in the works for 2011

By JM Agreda

EDUCATORS and Filipino language advocates said the National Language
Summit will be the answer to the deterioration of the mother tongue
and other major languages in the country. In the latest Multilingual
Forum at the University of the Philippines Baguio, discussion revealed
a few public schools have adopted the Department of Education's policy
on mother tongue-based education. University of the Philippines Baguio
Sentro ng Wikang Filipino coordinator Junley Lazaga said since the
order's promulgation in 2009, Filipino language use in the curricula
has never gained foothold.

As part of their commitment for the progress of the national language,
DepEd-Baguio division superintendent Ellen Donato said public schools
have been complying with this policy despite many teachers still
preferring English as a medium in class discussions. "It is our
concern to know the status and implementation of this policy as
studies have shown that using Filipino language as a medium in
teaching subjects in school is effective," Lazaga said.

Donato, meanwhile, said the use of Filipino in class discussions is
really proven effective but there are some subjects such as
Mathematics and the Sciences which are better taught in English
because of numerous technical terms. Education stakeholders who
included principals and teachers from private and public schools
agreed this mother-tongue based policy should be given focus as a new
approach in the teaching profession.

With this, UP Baguio has planned to conduct a National Language Summit
next year to enjoin not just local language stakeholders but already
with a nationwide scope. The Pambansang Summit sa Wika 2011 is a
gathering of leading authorities and professionals in language policy.
Lazaga said the summit will evaluate the Filipino and other languages
in the country for policy reforms and recommendations to be given to
educators and leaders in the country.

He added as early as now they are now calling for paper presenters on
Filipino language topics in the fields of education, culture and
society, media, government and industry and technology. Abstract of
paper discussions may be submitted before Oct. 30.
For those interested to attend the National Language Summit next year,
the registration fee will be P1,500 which will include seminar kits,
food and certificate of participation. Interested parties may contact
UP Baguio College of Arts and Communication at (074) 444-8393.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/national-language-summit-works-2011

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