A CALL TO WIN THIS BATTLE

Stephen Tracy E. Tabamo

Nowadays, English has become one of the most common languages in most developing countries. Everyone knows that in this era of globalization, most reputable companies, large corporations require their candidates to be proficient in English communication skills. The English communication fluency not only brings greater chances for students to enter large popular corporations or leading international companies but also provides them various opportunities in new working environment, which requires high competition of promotion and training opportunities (ThiHuongLan D., et al. (2017).

Sadly speaking, the quality of education in the Philippines seems to be declining based on the recent results of PISA or Programme for International Student Assessment.

Results of the PISA 2018, which compared the quality of basic education of the 79 member and partner countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), showed the Philippines ranking at the bottom for performance in reading, and second-lowest for both Mathematics and Science. The Philippines scored 340 points in reading, below the average of 487 points of OECD member and partner countries, 353 points in Mathematical Literacy, below the average of 489 points, and 357 points in Science, below the average of 489 points (Dela Cruz, 2019).

The poor performance of our students reflects many things especially in the field of education. Much is expected of us teachers now. We have to address this problem as soon as possible. I certainly believe that education plays a vital key towards one’s success.

We, teachers, can improve our performance if we continue on learning various strategies to teach English, Math, and Science. We have to be updated when it comes to teaching techniques or pedagogies. One useful strategy I was able to read is the experiential learning approach.

Experiential learning approach encourages different activities where students can reflect, develop knowledge and apply what they learn to a new situation in their daily life. It is about learning which depends on the basic skills and accomplishing or acting on more complicated skills in the future. The teaching-learning time can be extended to include off school learning activities and experiences which eventually are being reflected in the transfer of learning tasks into products and performances that constitute the constructed knowledge and skills out of these activities and experiences (Agsalog, 2019).

Teachers are known to be creative. I know that aside from the aforementioned approach, they can think of several other effective teaching strategies that can address the unique problems their students are experiencing especially during this time of pandemic. But no matter what strategy will be used, there is a common battle now, that is the battle to improve the performances of the Filipino students in English that will lead to the improvement of Math, Science, and other fields. There is a call to win this battle. We must win this battle and raise the level of excellence when it comes to the academics.

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The author is a Teacher from Balanti High School of Tarlac City Schools Division.