3.2 Written Works

3.2 Written Works

By Maria Mella

Open Ended

Activity 1: Know, Want, and Learned

Fill out the table on what you know and what you want to know about the topic. The third column will be filled in with what you have learned after going through all the activities. [3 PTS each]

​Activity 2: WEIGH IN!

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Evaluate the argument in this editorial excerpt from the Philippine Daily Inquirer featured on May 21, 2002.

​Language Advantage

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In not so distant past, Filipinos were envied in Asia for their proficiency in the English Language.  Filipinos  were  invariably  chosen  presiding  officers  or  rapporteurs  at  international conferences in Asia. Filipinos were considered as No. 1 on the recruitment list for overseas jobs that require good knowledge of English.

Soon, this may no longer be true. Our Asian neighbors have realized the value of English as an international language in business, science and technology, and communication, and are working double time to gain proficiency in it. Thousands are enrolling in English language schools in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, and Tokyo - all eager to learn the language in the shortest possible time.

And now, we stand to lose our language advantage - our superiority in the use of English. One factor that has been blamed for the deterioration of English usage for Filipinos is what has been called the “schizophrenic” bilingual education policy of the school system. Some subjects are taught in Filipino and some in English. Almost equal emphasis is given to the teaching of Filipino and English, or if there is bias, that bias is in favor of Filipino.

Studies  have  shown  that  the  content  of  school  subject  is  understood  more  quickly, assimilated more easily and retained much longer when it is taught in the native language than when it is taught in foreign language. But there may be courses like Science and Mathematics or Information Technology that are better taught in English. And the use of Filipino as the medium of instruction in most subjects should not be promoted at the expense of teaching English as a second language.

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Up to the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, English was taught well in the public and private schools.

Every day, there were grammar quizzes. Students were made to read, read, and read some more. Teachers devoted a lot of time or composition in English, and students were made to rewrite their “themes” until they were almost letter perfect. Thus, most students became proficient in grammatical Standard English (perhaps something like this old teaching regimen should be adopted in today’s schools)

Now, this is no longer the case. Even the English of some graduates of the University of the Philippines leaves a lot to be desired, and if many teachers in public schools cannot write or speak correct English, what are they passing on to their students?

A native language expresses best the thoughts, aspirations, and the soul of a people. Bu like the other people on earth, we have to wake up to the reality that English has become the global lingua franca. It has become the leading medium for the transmission of information and knowledge,​ and for the conduct of business and communication. It is now the language of socio-economic mobility and educational and professional advancement. This being the case, we have to be proficient in it to stay in touch with the rest of the world, and to be globally competitive. We cannot afford to lose our language advantage.

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Open Ended

1. How does the title reveal the topic of the essay?

Open Ended

2. How is the argument introduced?

Open Ended

3. What pattern or technique is employed in this writing?

Open Ended

4. What examples are used to illustrate the point?

Open Ended

5. Does the conclusion resonate with the introduction?

Open Ended

6. Generally, what is the challenge posed by the editorial?