Articulo, Jesselle Kayla C.

Prof. Kay Arden Q. Gallo, M. Ed.

MAELL 702: Theories of Language and Language Learning
October 14, 2019

PART 1
House Bill No. 5091: A Language Policy in the Philippines

Throughout my more than 20 years of education, I have always thought that the language

policies we have here in the Philippines have always been the same. But having read an article

by Luzvie Estrada entitled “The Language Policies in the Philippines”, from which the writer

enumerated the different language policies passed since Spanish colonization era to the present

and that there are more than 30 language policies observed, I am therefore, corrected from

erroneous beliefs. Included from these various language policies is the House Bill No. 5091 “An

Act to Strengthen and Enhance the Use of English as the Medium of Instruction in the

Educational System”, which was updated two years ago on February 21, 2017 and instigated by

the former President, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This is the recent language

policy we have and it wants to strengthen and enhance the use of the English language as the

medium of instruction (MOI) in the educational system from preschool to the tertiary level. To

be honest, I have always believed that this is what we have been doing all these years because I

grew up following such policy. But it is quite surprising that this House Bill had to be specified.

Under House Bill 5091, English shall be taught as a second language, starting with the First

Grade and shall be used as the MOI for English, Mathematics, and Science from at least the

Third Grade level. However, the Filipino language shall continue to be the medium of instruction

in the learning areas of Filipino and Araling Panlipunan, in accordance to the bill. To properly
ascertain the policy, the next pages are the complete copies of the House Bill 5091 retrieved

from the official website of the Philippine Government.

PART 2
Advantages and Disadvantages of House Bill No. 5091

As I have mentioned earlier that although this bill had been implemented before & only

strengthened up to this point, it has clear indication of advantage for us to be as globally

competitive as we always have, especially for those of us who are seeking jobs in English-

speaking countries. Even though our previous language policy of having English language as a

medium of instruction from preschool to tertiary level have altered to First Grade onwards, I do

believe this still has its merits. Krashen’s Monitor Model wherein language learning is done by

the formal study of language where learners have to learn the rules to monitor their words. The

usage of English language from early childhood has already been proven to allow learners the

mastery of the language as they progress level after level. The common practice of the language

in school will develop the habit of learners to utilize it in order to accomplish designated tasks or

goals. As also indicated in the Operant-Conditioning Theory that good habits are rewarded while

bad habits are punished to stop any mistakes in the usage of the language in educational settings.

As promising as these all may seem, there are still disadvantages for the said policy. The

Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) stated their disapproval for the passage of this bill because

it violates and disrespects the Constitution of the Filipino language. They said that the

government must focus, instead on how to improve the learning of Filipino subjects in our

country and not remove them from Colleges. The commissioners of KWF believe that the

Arroyo bill is anti-poor, anti-Filipino and against the United Nations Educational Scientific and

Cultural Organization (UNESCO) study that the mother tongue is indispensable. Furthermore,

House Bill 5091 is seeking to use English as a medium of instruction in 70 percent of school

subjects and institutions, including vocational schools, limiting Filipino to 10 percent of standard
tests, and focus on the evaluation of proficiency in the English language. Lastly, KWF stated

that, “By nature and purpose, HB 5091 is a direct assault to the indigenous Philippine languages

as well as Filipino…. the lingua franca …. as unifying agent for the diverse regional cultures and

languages,”.
PART 3
Impact of House Bill No. 5091 to SLA or Foreign Language Acquisition

The effect of House Bill No. 5091 to SLA or Foreign Language Acquisition with

emphasis on the former, is without a doubt, positive. We are well aware that the English

language is our second language and given this language policy which reinforces its utilization in

the educational system is absolutely to our benefit. It will definitely boost the second language

acquisition at a faster pace in comparison to not implementing it. Learners exposure to the target

language daily in schools will likely to form the habit of using the language until they are able to

master it as they further progress. In Acculturation Theory wherein the learner undergoes the

process of becoming adapted to a new culture and is dependent upon the degree he or she

acculturates to the target language group will control the degree to which he or she acquires the

second language. In our case here in the Philippines, although we are not surrounded by native

English speakers to maximize our adaptation of the English language, we do have other factors

to promote quality learning. Apart from the usage of English as the medium of instruction, the

availability of English reading materials, various media resources such as videos, music, and

films are what provide the ideal environment for the adaptation of the English language.
 REFERENCES

Online Sites

https://www.slideshare.net/LuzvieEstrada/language-policies-in-the-philippines-122135345

Accessed: October 12, 2019

http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB05091.pdf

Accessed: October 13, 2019

https://www.manilatimes.net/2017/07/07/news/national/gma-bill-making-english-instruction-

medium-opposed/337156/

Accessed: October 13, 2019