ENGLISH AS MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS

REA S. SERRANO

English is the most widely used language. We take pride in being one of the world’s best English speakers, but as generations move on, the ability to use English diminishes with time.

K-12 curriculum suggests the use of Mother Tongue Based Instruction in the primary level as a bridge in learning Filipino and English. Likewise, the use of English language in Math, Science, Reading and Grammar is practiced in the intermediate and secondary.

This is our practice in the K-12 curriculum. Hence, the English proficiency of both teachers and pupils is declining. Some teachers usually revert to using the native language in teaching Science and Math because they want to cater the needs of the so called “struggling pupils”.

How are we going to initiate the use of English as a second language? Even if the curriculum tells us to use the mother tongue in the primary grades, teachers must integrate teaching English word drills to develop the vocabulary of their pupils.

As many people would say, the best way to improve is to go back to the basics. Teachers must observe the correct subject and verb agreement. They should also observe the correct usage of words, increase their vocabulary through frequent reading, and acquaint themselves with the latest and updated news through the habit of reading the newspaper and watching news. As teachers themselves become proficient in the use of English, they can require and guide their pupils in expressing themselves using the English language.

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The author is Teacher III at Cutcut Elementary School, Deped Angeles City