English and mother tongue-based multilingual education:

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.