INTEGRATING FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES IN K-12

MIA P. VALENZUELA

The Department of Education (DepEd), in a House resolution, was urged to integrate foreign language studies, other than English, into the K to 12 Basic Education program. House Resolution 1502 calls for foreign language learning within the basic education curriculum to improve the employability of K to 12 graduates. Officials said foreign language skills shall reinforce the competitive advantage of Filipino students in the global labor markets of the 21st century. They added that since the whole world has become a global village with integrated multilingual labor markets, there is now a strong demand for workers with foreign language skills. Global corporations based in the United States, China and Japan, they noted, prefer hiring staff who can speak a second foreign language besides English. Thus, Filipino graduates equipped with foreign language skills shall reinforce the labor export strategy that has made the Philippines the world's fourth largest recipient of foreign exchange remittances from overseas workers, next only to India, Mexico, and China, they said. The proposal would be in line with Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte's goal to make the basic education curriculum produce more competent, job-ready, active, and responsible citizens of the country. During her Basic Education Report (BER) 2024 on Jan. 25, the Education Chief said DepEd is now preparing for the nationwide phased implementation of the MATATAG K-10 Curriculum, the rollout of the National Math Program and the National Science and Technology Program, and the institutionalization of their comprehensive Peace Education Program which are the results of thorough review and utilization of the results of both national and international assessments. MATATAG stands for MAke the curriculum relevant to produce competent and job-ready, active, and responsible citizens; TAke steps to accelerate delivery of basic education facilities and services; TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education, and a positive learning environment; and Give support to teachers to teach better.

-oOoThe author is Teacher III at Sto.Rosario Elementary School