LANGUAGE-IN-EDUCATION
POLICY EVOLUTION
EXECUTI VEORDER NO.210
DEPED MEMORANDUM NO.81,S. 2003
DEPED MEMORANDUM NO. 74, S.2009
Language Programs and Policies in Multilingual Societies
BSED-ENGLISH II-1
Mary Francine G. Magalong Language-in-Education Policy Evolution
2.
INTRODUCTION
The Philippines hasundergone significant shifts in its
language-in-education policies, moving from an
English-centric approach to a multilingual framework.
This lesson examines three key policies: Executive
Order No. 210 (2003), DepEd Memorandum No. 81, s.
2003, and DepEd Memorandum No. 74, s. 2009.
These policies reflect the evolving perspectives on
language use in education and their impact on national
development.
Language-in-Education Policy Evolution
LESSON 2
Language Programs and Policies in Multilingual Societies
3.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
2
LESSON 2
Toanalyze the role of these policies in the
evolution of the Language-in-Education
framework in the Philippines.
1
To understand the key provisions of
Executive Order No. 210, DepEd
Memorandum No. 81, s. 2003, and
DepEd Memorandum No. 74, s. 2009.
3
To assess the challenges in implementing
these policies and their contributions to
strengthening the national language.
Language Programs and Policies in Multilingual Societies Language-in-Education Policy Evolution
4.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.210
(MAY 17, 2003)
Establishing the policy to strengthen the use of the
English language as a medium of instruction in the
educational system
Executive Order No. 210 was signed by President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2003, reinforcing English as
the primary medium of instruction to improve the
country's global competitiveness.
It was based on concerns about declining English
proficiency among students and its potential impact on
employment opportunities and economic growth.
Executive Order No. 210 (May 17, 2003)
LEGAL BASIS
Strengthening the Use of English in Education
6.
KEY PROVISIONS
English asthe Medium of
Instruction
Instructional Time
Allocation
English in School
Communication and Activities
In high school, English should be the
language of instruction for at least 70% of
total teaching time.
English must be used in teaching English,
Science, and Mathematics at all
educational levels.
Schools were encouraged to use English
in official communications, student
publications, and co-curricular activities.
LEGAL BASIS
Executive Order No. 210 (May 17, 2003) Strengthening the Use of English in Education
7.
Teacher Competency
Many teachers,particularly in rural areas, lacked the proficiency to teach
effectively in English.
LEGAL BASIS
CHALLENGES IN
IMPLEMENTATION
Students with limited exposure to English struggled to grasp lessons,
leading to learning gaps.
Some schools lacked adequate English teaching materials and training
programs.
Student Comprehension Issues
Resource Constraints
Executive Order No. 210 (May 17, 2003) Strengthening the Use of English in Education
8.
IMPACT ON
NATIONAL LANGUAGE
WhileEO 210 strengthened English proficiency, it raised
concerns about the diminished role of Filipino and regional
languages in education.
Critics argued that excessive focus on English could weaken
national identity and limit students' ability to engage in
discussions on local and national issues.
LEGAL BASIS
Executive Order No. 210 (May 17, 2003) Strengthening the Use of English in Education
9.
CASE STUDY: OPPOSITIONTO EXECUTIVE
ORDER NO. 210
In 2007, a group of Filipino writers, academicians, and
linguists filed a petition before the Supreme Court to halt
the implementation of Executive Order No. 210.
They argued that prescribing English as the country's
second language, starting from the first grade, could
undermine the development and use of the Filipino
language.
This legal challenge highlighted the tension
between promoting English proficiency and
preserving the national language.
LEGAL BASIS
Executive Order No. 210 (May 17, 2003) Strengthening the Use of English in Education
10.
DEPED MEMORANDUM NO.
81,S. 2003
English language be used as medium of instruction
DepEd Memorandum No. 81, issued in 2003, was a
directive reinforcing EO 210.
It specified the proper implementation of English as the
medium of instruction and aimed to improve English
language proficiency among Filipino students.
DepEd Memorandum No. 81, s. 2003
LEGAL BASIS
English language be used as medium of instruction
11.
KEY PROVISIONS
English Exclusivityin English
Subjects
Promotion of English
through School Programs
Training for Teachers
Schools were directed to conduct
activities that would encourage students
to use English in various settings,
including debates, essay writing, and
student publications.
Teachers were required to use only
English when teaching the English
subject.
The memorandum emphasized the need
for teacher training programs to enhance
their English communication skills.
LEGAL BASIS
English language be used as medium of instruction
DepEd Memorandum No. 81, s. 2003
12.
Resistance from Educatorsand Students
Many teachers and students were more comfortable using Filipino or
their native language, making the transition difficult.
LEGAL BASIS
CHALLENGES IN
IMPLEMENTATION
Not all schools had access to teacher training and quality English
learning resources.
The emphasis on English led to concerns about the marginalization of
Filipino and local dialects in education and daily communication.
Limited Infrastructure and Support
Social and Cultural Concerns
English language be used as medium of instruction
DepEd Memorandum No. 81, s. 2003
13.
IMPACT ON
NATIONAL LANGUAGE
Whilethis policy aimed to enhance English proficiency, it further
reduced the prominence of Filipino in the classroom.
The strict enforcement of English usage sometimes discouraged
students from expressing themselves in their native language,
which could affect their appreciation of their national identity.
LEGAL BASIS
English language be used as medium of instruction
DepEd Memorandum No. 81, s. 2003
14.
CASE STUDY: CRITIQUEOF DEPED
MEMORANDUM NO. 81, S. 2003
A critique paper on DepEd Memorandum No. 81, s.
2003 highlighted concerns regarding the policy's
potential to undermine the Filipino language and cultural
identity.
The paper argued that strengthening English as the
medium of instruction might lead to the erosion of the
national language's role in education and society.
LEGAL BASIS
English language be used as medium of instruction
DepEd Memorandum No. 81, s. 2003
15.
DEPED MEMORANDUM NO.
74,S. 2009
Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-
MLE)
DepEd Memorandum No. 74, s. 2009 marked a major
shift in the language policy of the Philippines.
It introduced the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual
Education (MTB-MLE) approach, recognizing the
benefits of using students' first language (L1) in early
education.
This was based on studies showing that children learn
more effectively when taught in a language they
understand.
DepEd Memorandum No. 74, s. 2009
LEGAL BASIS
Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE)
16.
KEY PROVISIONS
Use ofMother Tongue in Early
Education
Gradual Transition to
Filipino and English
Cognitive and Cultural Benefits
Filipino and English were introduced as
additional languages in later grades to
ensure multilingual competency.
From Kindergarten to Grade 3, students
would be taught using their first language
(L1) as the primary medium of instruction.
The policy emphasized that learning in
one's mother tongue enhances
comprehension and critical thinking while
preserving cultural identity.
LEGAL BASIS
DepEd Memorandum No. 74, s. 2009 Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE)
17.
Lack of LearningMaterials
Many schools struggled to develop instructional materials in various local
languages.
LEGAL BASIS
CHALLENGES IN
IMPLEMENTATION
Teachers needed additional training to effectively teach using multiple
languages.
The Philippines has over 170 languages, making the uniform
implementation of MTB-MLE complex.
Teacher Preparedness
Standardization Issues
DepEd Memorandum No. 74, s. 2009 Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE)
18.
IMPACT ON
NATIONAL LANGUAGE
Thispolicy helped revitalize the role of Filipino and regional
languages in education.
By promoting mother tongue instruction, it strengthened cultural
identity and improved literacy rates.
However, some critics argued that it could slow down English
language acquisition, which remains important for global
competitiveness.
LEGAL BASIS
DepEd Memorandum No. 74, s. 2009 Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE)
19.
CASE STUDY: MOTHERTONGUE INSTRUCTION
IN LUBUAGAN
A case study in Lubuagan, Kalinga, explored the
implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual
Education (MTB-MLE).
The study found that using the native language as the
primary medium of instruction enabled students to
understand lessons better and integrate learning into
their knowledge systems, rather than merely
memorizing information.
This approach led to improved academic
performance and greater engagement in the
learning process.
LEGAL BASIS
DepEd Memorandum No. 74, s. 2009 Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE)
20.
"LANGUAGE IS THEBRIDGE TO KNOWLEDGE—WHETHER
STRENGTHENING ENGLISH FOR GLOBAL COMPETENCE OR
EMBRACING THE MOTHER TONGUE FOR DEEPER LEARNING,
EDUCATION THRIVES THROUGH LINGUISTIC EMPOWERMENT."
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
LEGAL BASIS
Mary Francine G. Magalong Language-in-Education Policy Evolution BSED-ENGLISH II-1