English Language attitudes in the Philippines

By Ahmar Mahboob and Priscilla Cruz

What is the paper about?

- The paper problematize the proposed use of mother-tongue based instruction in the
Philippines.

- The authors argue that the favoring of English has led to specific attitudes to language that will
impact the success of mother tongue based education.
(Based on the survey on language (perception on the role of English and other Philippine
languages in education) attitudes conducted in the Philippines)

Main Argument: Though mother tongue initiatives are admirable, the need to be examined in terms
of attitudes to language, which may or may not value mother tongue.

Second Argument: In order for the mother based education to succeed, there is a need to change
these attitudes to language via principles- based approach to language policy.

I. INTRODUCTION
The international community, there is a growing awareness that local languages need to be
positioned more strategically within the educational landscape.

Goal:

Relevance: This study is necessary because it will add to the current discussions on mother tongue
based education in the Philippines by considering the results of the attitudinal survey (reflecting
the perceive role(s) of English and local languages in education.

MAIN ARGUMENT: The authors argue that MTBE policies are sound and supportive of the national
identity, however, considerations in the area of attitudes to the language to determine its potential
impact.

Without addressing the attitude, MTBE policies may further strengthen the linguistic imperialist
position of English the Philippine ‘polarize’ class relations.

Third, the need to institutionalize with MTBE side by side strategies that raise the vertical
discursiveness of languages in order to strengthen their position as languages of major social,
political, economic, political, educational domain.

BODY

I. Current debates on MTBE in the history of English and Philippine Language Policy and
Planning

Root the language attitudes revealed by the survey in historical processes LPP that have shaped the
attitude. (Unless mother tongue based learning policies address deeply rooted language
attitudes, there is a strong possibility that it will not bring its intended effect)

The wealthy (illustrado) who supported the advocacies of the Spanish were given access to
education and language learning.
II. Results of the attitudinal survey

-Methodology – The survey was intended to collect perceptions of Filipinos towards English, Filipino
and non Filipino mother tongues on a number of questions.

-Survey Monkey – Link is advertised in social networking sites and the universities.

-232 were the participants of the research 127 (females) and 105 (males) Average age 22
participants age range 15 – 63.

-High school graduates – post graduates and with doctoral degrees

- 64% consider themselves as proficient in English (Majority claims that they are strong in this)
Meanwhile, they have perceived themselves as poor in local language and the local language.