College of Education

Language Policies and Programs in Multilingual Societies

ENGELT1
AY 2019-2020

Name: Lorielyn D. Austria Date: Dec. 22, 2019

CRITIQUE OF AN EXSITING LANGUAGE POLICY

GENERAL DIRECTION: Accomplish the policy critique below by filling in the details asked of you.
Avoid too much erasures.

Policy title: DO 52, S. 1987 – THE 1987 POLICY ON BILINGUAL EDUCATION

A. Give a brief background about the policy. (content- 3 pts.; grammar & mechanics- 2 pts.)

The policy was first implemented in 1974 when DECS issued Dept. Order No. 25, s. 1974
titled, “Implementing Guidelines for the Policy on Bilingual Education.”

In consonance with this mandate the declared policy of the Department of Education and
Culture on bilingualism in the schools (NBE Resolution No. 73-7, s. 1973), the Department
of Education, Culture and Sports hereby promulgates the following policy:

The Policy on Bilingual Education aims at the achievement of competence in both Filipino
and English at the national level, through the teaching of both languages and their use as
media of instruction at all levels. The regional languages shall be used as auxiliary
languages in Grades I and II. The aspiration of the Filipino is to enable them to perform
their functions and duties as Filipino citizens and in English in order to meet the needs of
the country in the community of nations.

B. What are the provisions of the policy? (content- 3 pts.; grammar & mechanics- 2 pts.)

This Language provision in the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines which
are embodied in Article XIV, Sec. 6 provided the legal basis for the various language
policies that are being implemented in the country. English has become the language
used for wider communication and Filipino as the National Language of the Country.

The provision of Article XIV Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution states:

“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.”

Eventually, this language provision has become the Philippine Bilingual Education Policy
or BEP. Furthermore, this policy follows the provision “Filipino and English shall be
used as media of instruction, the use allocated to specific subjects in the curriculum” as
indicated in the Department Order No. 25, s. 1974. And so, because of this, it has become
one of the responsibilities of the teachers to aim for bilingual competency, to be able to
teach in both languages and to deliver meaningful instruction with use of both languages.

C. Cite the strengths of the policy. (content- 3 pts.; grammar & mechanics- 2 pts.)

 In a Bilingual Education, students are exposed to a new language, new culture and new
findings and this eventually adds knowledge to him.

 Often Bilingual Education is also considered to elevate the literacy skills and the content
knowledge of the students.
  With increased knowledge, Bilingual education can make children adapt different
languages that may help them to achieve more options for a successful career.

 Once students are able to learn the second language they become acceptable to
learning more languages, thus with improved communication standards, they can have
a brighter career.

 Bilingual languages also make a person capable of producing new sounds learned from
different languages. They can improve any anxieties or loneliness and improve their
personalities overall.

 Bilingual Education renders students of outstanding merit, as it makes them adaptable

to learn and adjust new things easily

D. Cite the weaknesses of the policy. (content- 3 pts.; grammar & mechanics- 2 pts.)

 Bilingual Languages can prove unworthy as there might be an attitude of ignorance from
students who might not like to study new languages and accept new culture.

 Often seen that when a student learns a second language, he /she loses interest to
study other subjects, which can also result in an adverse effect on the overall academic
development.

 Often seen that Bilingual Education suffers a great deal due to a scarcity of experienced
and good quality faculties.

 It is expensive to have a program of Bilingual Education.

 It also makes sense that without learning several languages for communicating, if a
student learns just one common language that can as well help him to communicate.

E. Choose 2 questions, and briefly answer each. (content- 3 pts.; grammar & mechanics- 2 pts.)
1. What is/are the impact/s of the policy language teaching and learning in general?
2. What is/are the impact/s of the policy to the society/ community?
3. How can this policy prepare the learner to be globally competitive and inclusive in
the future?

1. The impact/s of Bilingual Education in terms of teaching; for teachers, they should be
competent enough or knowledgeable in teaching both languages for the students become
competitive in using the Filipino and English languages. While on learning in general it can
create students knowing different languages, while on the other hand it can also make
ignorant students who might have a little knowledge about everything but lack the best
knowledge of all. Therefore as bilingual education has both positive and negative effects.

2. Bilingual Education in the society/community plays a significant role. Simply because,

this make the people more competent and intellectual when it comes to applying or using
the Filipino and English languages in different areas. This also makes people in society be
equipped in terms of communicating with other people and English as a standard language.
 F. Re-design the policy so that it will be adjusted and be more beneficial for Filipino
learners of English, thus preparing them for the future. Focus on the provisions and/or
guidelines of your chosen policy.

As per this policy that follows the provision “Filipino and English shall be used as media of
instruction, the use allocated to specific subjects in the curriculum” as indicated in the
Department Order No. 25, s. 1974 and its guideline that Filipino language as a medium of
Kindergarten to Grade 3 while English language should be utilized in Grade 4 and above, well,
for me it should be changed or consider to be revised. If I will re-design that provision/guideline,
I will implement the English language starting from Grade 1. Because knowing the fact that in
today’s generation, many Pilipino are struggling in terms of using the English language as a
second language or for communicating with foreign people. So by implementing it from the
beginning of grade school, then the students can be molded and be more equipped in using
both languages. Though it is hard for the students to acquire the different languages at the
same time but at least at a very young age they are starting to step up and embody the English
language as their medium for wider communication as well.

So by the intermediate time, the students are already familiarize and have a prior
knowledge in using and applying both languages in communicating to their classmates with
other languages but using English as their medium, teachers, and other people as well. By
teaching English language on Grade 1 students they are having minimal learning and can start
adapting the basic English language as how they learn the mother tongue. Even though it is
hard for children to learn both languages at least the teachers are starting feeding them basic
English for them not to be language shocked in the future. Moreover, the students can be
globally competent at a very young age.

Criteria Description Score

Content Ideas are clear and points are well supported with a balance of original thoughts and examples,
10 points accuracy, and supporting information.
Knowledge and inquiry Output demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the concepts discussed.
5 points
Application Activity is well thought of, and idesigned based on the skills, abilities and needs of learners and the
5 points wider community.
Grammar and Utilized appropriate language conventions of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage that are free
Mechanics of most errors.
5 points

Reference/s:

Retrieved from: https://www.deped.gov.ph/1987/05/21/do-52-s-1987-the-1987-policy-on-

bilingual-education/

Alemania, M. A. (2014). Language Confusion in Our Own Education. Retrieved from:

https://philippineeducationalsystembyeduc100.wordpress.com/tag/philippine-
bilingual-education-policy/