First and foremost, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the stakeholders of this

degree program from this university headed by our very own serene and dynamic chairperson,
Tatay Prof. Arsub Varquez. Also, to our very beautiful and profound faculties of the English
department, my sincerest gratitude as well po. To our freshmen students, ladies and gentlemen,
good morning!
It is with great esteem and pleasure to have this orientation program as it will bring many
facets to encourage ourselves about the significance and relevance of the BA ELS program in our
real world we live. Firstly, BA ELS or Bachelor of Arts in English language studies is a four-years
degree program that specializes on linguistics which is the systematic study of language, their
origin, evolution, development, and their social significance to men. Yes, this program mainly
focuses on studying English language and the components of language in general. You may
sometime had thought that studying language is not too important because it is a natural course
that one may learn and acquire. However, did you know that language is the most indispensable
asset and resource of a man which plays the most pivotal key to existence? From the moment we
born, it is language that indicated our existence and not any other matter. Do you know why? This
is because language and human being are inseparable to one another. We are intertwined with
language in any aspect and form. Even deaf people are essentially taking part of the significance
of language. Their circumstances are full of meanings we can discern without necessarily relating
it to us through words. Hence, language is about having a meaningful world, not only as a tool to
communicate but most primarily, it is about establishing a beautiful world.

In relation to this program, studying English language requires you to understand the
concepts on how language works and how it is being constructed. In return, you will appreciate
why English language offers countless importance and significance.

To begin with, let us talk about the statements of the Commission on Higher Education about this
program. According to CHED memorandum order no. 24 series of 2017, the courses in the BA
ELS program are designed to integrate theory and practice to prepare the students for effective
communication in English in a diverse contexts and situations. The goals of the program are:
To provide a comprehensive knowledge of the English language -its origin, growth,
development, structures and uses.
 To enhance the students’ competencies in the use of English language in the real-world
contexts.
To present appropriate strategies of language use through a heightened awareness on how
English works in situations in the Philippines, in Asia, and in the rest of the world.

With these goals, the CHED posed that the graduates of this program are in demand in the
field which require effective use of English language to realize specific goals. The career
opportunities await for them after taking up the program includes but not limited to academic and
scholarly works such as teaching, classroom researching, evaluating language policies, designing
curriculum, publishing and writing. As for the job industries, this program is demand in business
correspondence, public relations, law, media and advertising, documentation, translation, editing,
and diplomatic services. We will tackle about these professions and fields of specialization
individually.

Firstly, let us talk about the significance of the English language in a global context.
Undoubtedly, we know that English is a universal language. It is our lingua Franca, a commonly
used language around the globe. Thus, to have a profound knowledge about the English language
is a huge ground to compete globally and locally. Basically, English is used as a medium of
instruction, business, transportation, media and politics. Therefore, learning English language
through this program is a big stepping stone to confront the challenges of the world. It will build
you a strong relationship with other people for the sake of necessities and other purposes.

Secondly, academic works such as teaching and classroom researcher. This program offers
two tracks of specialization, BPO’s and ELT track. As for the latter, you can be an English teacher
after graduating in this program as you are equipped with some considerable knowledge in
teaching which are to be taught in your Major cognates, particularly in English 160 to English 165.
Also, you can be a classroom researcher through learning the aspects of pedagogy and language
policies and programs. In the future, you can be a curriculum developer and evaluator through
conducting needs analysis, syllabus review and case studies to pedagogy.
 As for documenting and writing, our program is designed to hone your skills in various
creative writing courses such as the language on non-literary texts. As for becoming a researcher
and publisher in the near future, our program requires the students to have published and presented
at least one paper in an international realm or locally. As the new design of the curriculum which
is about outcome-based, we put emphasis on what could our students can bring in the table as the
final output of learning a language. Thus, after graduating in this program, you are equipped
already in research matters.

As for becoming a lawyer and public servants who offers diplomatic services, BA ELS
program is designed to study the language of laws and politics through discourse analysis, critical
discourse analysis, rhetorical analysis and other means of analysis.

As for becoming an agent in Business Process Outsourcing such as call center agent,
communication specialist, administrative officer or assistant, clerk, and project investigator, the
BA ELS program have many subjects in line to these area of specializations. Therefore, it is with
great felicity and success to be part of the BA ELS program. Countless job opportunities await for
you in many industries, institutions, and offices.

Congratulations and welcome to the BA ELS program.