20 January 2009

Paradox of Philippine education

I have often wondered why Filipinos who speak bad English, who have no doctorates in English language or linguistics, who have never lived or worked in the USA or UK, who have never taught in the public schools, or whose children do not study in public schools are the most vocal advocates of the exclusive use of the English language as the medium of instruction in all our public schools. On the other hand, Filipino language scholars with American doctorates in linguistics, who speak English as good as if not better than Americans, who have published books and scholarly articles in English in international journals, or who have been in the Department of Education and know the problems of public education firsthand are unanimous in opposing such stupid moves. Only in the Philippines!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Think about elitism in education. On the other hand, there is real need to improve public speaking in the English program of Philippine schools.

marcus_erasmus said...

indeed, it is elitism and political grandstanding!these politicians better listen to our linguists and educationists..

Bayani Santos Jr. said...

Listen to Cerge Remonde of Gloria Arroyo's administration which started this stupid plan of using English exclusively. And you will know what I mean about very bad English. I have heard him talk in Tagalog, however, and he was perfectly better in it. But I squirm when I hear him speak in English.

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