Fearing English in the Philippines - 4/12/08 4/13/08 12:31 PM

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COMMENTARY

Commentary : Fearing English in the

Philippines
By Isabel Pefianco Martin
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: April 12, 2008

Sometime ago, at a teacher training session I conducted, I made the mistake of suggesting
that Math and Science teachers consider code switching (using English and Tagalog) as a
strategy for making lessons less difficult for their students. I did not know that the school
had just implemented an English-only policy in the classrooms, corridors and faculty
lounges. No wonder teachers and students rushed to the quadrangle during break time!

This practice of enforcing English-only zones in schools is symptomatic of the lack of

awareness among school heads about the nature of languages, as well as the basics of
learning a language. One important reality that many overlook is that students will not learn
a language if they fear it.

In the Philippines, the language most feared is English. I see this in my students who joke
that their noses bleed after they talk in English; in my friends who claim that they speak
English only when they’re drunk; and in my doctor who suddenly switches to Tagalog after
I tell him that I teach English. We see this fear of English in classes where students feel
stupid because they mispronounced a word; in contact centers where applicants take
accent neutralization sessions; and in English review centers that continue to mushroom
throughout Metro Manila. Fear of English is also manifested in predictions that the country
is approaching an English-deprived future; in House bills that seek to make English the sole
medium of instruction in schools; and in courses or training programs that focus only on
developing grammatical accuracy.

Many research studies prove that learning a language becomes more effective when
emotional barriers are eliminated. Linguist and educational researcher Stephen Krashen
refers to these emotional barriers as “affective filters.” The formula for success in learning a
language is painfully simple: the lower the feelings of fear (low affective filter), the higher
the chances of learning.
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Fearing English in the Philippines - 4/12/08 4/13/08 12:31 PM

the chances of learning.

One famous Filipino who exemplifies the lack of fear of English is boxer Manny Pacquiao. I
have observed with delight how Pacquiao, in his post-fight interviews, confidently and
effortlessly churn out so-called “carabao” English to share his joy over his victories.
Pacquiao does not fear Barrera or Morales. Why on earth should he fear English?

Just recently, 17-year-old Janina San Miguel was crowned Bb. Pilipinas World 2008
despite her “funny” English during the pageant’s Q&A. Janina’s experience proves that
personal successes need not be dependent on proficiency in English. Why fear English
then?

From a linguistic standpoint, all languages are equally perfect and complete. This means
that there really is no reason to fear English. Nothing in the sound system or writing system
of English makes it superior to other languages. Conversely, nothing in the sound system
or writing system of the national and local languages makes these languages inferior to
English. It is the Filipinos’ attitude toward English that elevates the language to a prestige
form. It is this same attitude that makes it difficult for most Filipinos to learn it.

Another reason English should not be feared is that the language is not owned by one
country or one race, as many Filipinos believe. The profile of English today reveals that
ownership of the language is already shared across continents and cultures. In international
English Language Teaching circles, academics do not talk about English in singular terms
anymore. There is widespread recognition that several Englishes exist—American English,
British English, Australian English, but also, Malaysian English, Singapore English, and yes,
Philippine English. In addition, “non-native” speakers of English are beginning to outnumber
“native” speakers in the world today.

To be sure, English occupies an important place in Philippine society. But, it is only one
language among the 150 that exist today. It is believed that most Filipinos speak at least
three different languages. For these Filipinos, English might not even be one of the
languages they speak. So when English is first introduced to them, it should be introduced
slowly and gently, with much respect for their first languages.

Teaching and learning English in the Philippines may be a difficult task, but it need not be a
frightening experience. So much has already been spent on testing the proficiency of
teachers and then training these teachers to become more proficient in the language. But
simply focusing on testing and training, without recognizing the multilingual context of
teaching and learning English in the Philippines, only reinforces fear of the language.

This year, the International Year of Languages, all language education stakeholders are
invited to reflect on their policies and practices so that Filipinos will finally regard their
languages, including English, not with fear, but with confidence and pride.

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Fearing English in the Philippines - 4/12/08 4/13/08 12:31 PM

Isabel Pefianco Martin is president of the Linguistic Society of the Philippines (LSP)
and a member of the International Year of Languages Committee Philippines. The
LSP is hosting an international conference on April 28 to 30 at the University of
Santo Tomas. This conference features the theme “World Englishes and Second
Language Teaching and Learning.” For feedback and information, please email
linguisticsoc@gmail.com or visit www.lsphil.org.

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