This document discusses the language policy and legal bases of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines. It provides the historical background of language policy from 1946 to 2004. It also outlines the key provisions in the Philippine Constitution and laws like the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 that establish Filipino and English as the official languages and mandate the use of mother tongue as the primary medium of instruction in kindergarten to grade 3. The document specifies the major languages to be offered in schools and clarifies the implementation of language learning areas from grades 1 to 2.

2.  Historical Background of the Language
Policy
 The Role of English in the Philippines
 Language Policy in the Philippines
 Legal Bases of MTB-MLE
2
Point of Discussion

3. Historical
Background of the
Language Policy

4. 4

5. 5

6. 6

7. 7

8. 1
In 1946 – 1974,
English was the
medium of
classroom
instruction but the
government
allowed
Experimental
Bilingual
Education.
2
In 1948, the
Bureau of Public
schools start
experimenting
with local
languages to put
an end to the
language issue.
3
Implementation
of 1957
Vernacular
Teaching Policy.
4
Philippines
implemented
Bilingual
Education Policy
(BEP) through
Dept. Order No.
25
5
Through E.O. No
210 of 2003,
English became
the second
language in the
educational
system.
8
1946 1948 1950’s 1974 2004

10. Passing of House Bill 4701 on “Strengthening and
Enhancing the Use of English as the Medium of
Instruction in the Philippine Schools and certified by
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The use of English become related to Philippines’ global
competitiveness and comparative advantage in its large
English-speaking work force.

17. Article XIV - Language
Section 6. The national language of the Philippines is
Filipino. As it evolves, it shall be further developed and
enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other
languages.
Subject to provisions of law and as the Congress may
deem appropriate, the Government shall take steps to
initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of
official communication and as language of instruction in
the educational system.

18. Article XIV - Language
Section 7. For purposes of communication and instruction,
the official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and,
until otherwise provided by law, English.
The regional languages are the auxiliary official languages
in the regions and shall serve as auxiliary media of
instruction therein.
Spanish and Arabic shall be promoted on a voluntary and
optional basis.

19. Article XIV - Language
Section 8. This Constitution shall be promulgated in
Filipino and English and shall be translated into major
regional languages, Arabic, and Spanish.

20. Section 9. The Congress shall establish a national
language commission composed of representatives of
various regions and disciplines which shall undertake,
coordinate, and promote researches for the
development, propagation, and preservation of Filipino
and other languages.
Article XIV - Language

21. Section 14. The State shall foster the preservation,
enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national
culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a
climate of free artistic and intellectual expression.
Article XIV – Arts and Culture

22. Section 15. Arts and letters shall enjoy the patronage of
the State. The State shall conserve, promote, and
popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage
and resources, as well as artistic creations.
Article XIV – Arts and Culture

23. Section 17. The State shall recognize, respect, and
protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to
preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and
institutions. It shall consider these rights in the
formulation of national plans and policies.
Article XIV – Arts and Culture

24. Section 18. (1) The State shall ensure equal access to
cultural opportunities through the educational system,
public or private cultural entities, scholarships, grants
and other incentives, and community cultural centers,
and other public venues.
Article XIV – Arts and Culture

25. SEC. 5. Medium of Instruction. – The State shall hereby
adopt the mother tongue-based multilingual education
(MTB-MLE) method. The mother tongue of the learner
shall be the primary medium of instruction for teaching
and learning in the kindergarten level.
“Kindergarten Act of 2011”

26. SEC. 2. …Basic education shall be delivered in
languages understood by the learners as the language
plays a strategic role in shaping the formative years of
learners.
“Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”

27. Section 2 (Declaration of Policy). (c) Make education
learner-oriented and responsive to the needs, cognitive
and cultural capacity, the circumstances and diversity of
learners, schools and communities through the
appropriate languages of teaching and learning,
including mother tongue as a learning resource.
“Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”

28. Section 4. For kindergarten and the first three (3) years of
elementary education, instruction, teaching materials and
assessment shall be in the regional or native language of the
learners. The Department of Education (DepED) shall formulate
a mother language transition program from Grade 4 to Grade 6
so that Filipino and English shall be gradually introduced as
languages of instruction until such time when these two (2)
languages can become the primary languages of instruction at
the secondary level.
“Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”

29. Section 5. Curriculum Development. The
standards and principles which served as guide in
the development of the K to 12 curriculum that
have the bearing on MTBMLE are:
“Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”

30. “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”
(a) The curriculum shall be learner-centered,
inclusive and developmentally appropriate;
(b) The curriculum shall be relevant, responsive
and research-based;
(c) The curriculum shall be culture-sensitive;
(d) The curriculum shall be contextualized and
global;

31. “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”
(f) The curriculum shall adhere to the principles and
framework of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education
(MTB-MLE) which starts from where the learners are and
from what they already knew proceeding from the known
to the unknown; instructional materials and capable
teachers to implement the MTB-MLE curriculum shall be
available;

32. “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”
(h) The curriculum shall be flexible enough to enable and allow
schools to localize, indigenize and enhance the same based on
their respective educational and social contexts. The production
and development of locally produced teaching materials shall be
encouraged and approval of these materials shall devolve to the
regional and division education units.

33. “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”
(h) The curriculum shall be flexible enough to enable and allow
schools to localize, indigenize and enhance the same based on
their respective educational and social contexts. The production
and development of locally produced teaching materials shall be
encouraged and approval of these materials shall devolve to the
regional and division education units.

34. Institutionalizing Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education
(MLE)
1. The lessons and findings of various local initiatives and
international studies in basic education have validated the
superiority of the use of the learner’s mother tongue or first
language in improving learning outcomes and promoting
Education for All (EFA).

35. Institutionalizing Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education
(MLE)
2. Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education, hereinafter
referred to as MLE, is the effective use of more than two
languages for literacy and instruction. Henceforth, it shall be
institutionalized as a fundamental educational policy and program
in this Department in the whole stretch of formal education
including pre-school and in the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

36. Institutionalizing Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education
(MTB-MLE)
3. The learners first language (L1) is the primary medium of
instruction (MOI) from pre-school until, at least grade three.
During such period, L1 shall be the main vehicle to teach
understanding and mastery of all subjects areas.

37. Guidelines on the Implementation of The Mother Tongue-Based-
Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE)
Starting School Year (SY) 2012-2013, public schools are
required, specifically in Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2, and 3, to
implement the Mother Tongue Based-Multilingual Education as
part of the K to 12 Basic Education Program.

38. “Institutionalizing Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education
(MTB-MLE)”
Eight (8) major languages or Lingua Franca and others as cited
below shall be offered as a learning area and utilized as language
of instruction for SY 2012-2013:
a. Tagalog; g. Hiligaynon;
b. Kapampangan; h. Waray;
c. Pangasinense; i. Tausug;
d. Iloko; j. Maguindanaoan;
e. Bikol; k. Maranao; and
f. Cebuano; l. Chabacano

39. “Clarifications on the Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of
the Language Learning Areas and Their Time Allotment in Grades
1 and 2 of the K to 12 Basic Education Program”
a. Mother Tongue is used as a Medium of Instruction (MOI)
for Grades 1 and 2 for teaching Mathematics, Araling
Panlipunan (AP), Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health
(MAPEH) and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP);
b. Mother Tongue is taught as a separate Learning Area in
Grades 1 and 2;

40. “Clarifications on the Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of the
Language Learning Areas and Their Time Allotment in Grades 1 and 2 of the
K to 12 Basic Education Program”
c. Filipino, as a Learning Area, is first introduced in
Grade 1 during the second quarter (2nd Q)/grading
period;
d. English, as a Learning Area, is first introduced in
Grade 1 during the third quarter (3rd Q)/grading
period…

41. “Establishing Iloko as an Official Provincial Language of La
Union and Institutionalizing its Use in Relevant Sectors,
Alongside Existing National and Official Language”

42. SECTION 14. Inclusion of Local Language in Education. With lloko as La
Union’s main heritage language and mother tongue, educational
establishments at all levels shall be encouraged:
14.1. To include it in their daily administrative activities, including their
regular
interactions with students;
14.2. Not to prohibit anyone from expressing himself/herself in lloko or
other native
languages in the province, unless when another language is the specific
demand of the situation, and if so, must be done in a spirit of respect,
goodwill, and consideration for the limitations of the individual;

43. 14.3. To set up their own resource centers or library sections for lloko
and other
indigenous language related-titles;
14.4. To host annually activities showcasing and celebrating the value,
depth, breadth, and history of the llokano people, language, and
culture, and other groups native to the province, as parts of Filipino
heritage; and
14"6. To observe Buwan ng Wka in a pluralistic manner, in consonance
with the
constitutional mandate of the Commission on Filipino Language to
develop, propagate, and preserve Filipino and other languages.

44. SEC Basic Education. This Code provides on basic education the
following:
15.1. As the principal mother tongue of the province, lloko shall be used
as the main vehicle of teaching and learning in daycare, pre-school, and
primary education in accordance with Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual
Education;
15.2. In secondary education, educational authorities shall establish
curricular enrichment programs or separate language subjects so as to
ensure adequate exposure to Iloko for students. In all subject teaching
staff are encouraged and entitled to incorporate lloko in the classroom
as an auxiliary medium of instruction as granted by the Constitution of
the Philippines.

45. 15.4. No discriminatory practices shallbe allowed based on language;
15.7. ln areas where tribal languages of La Union are primarily spoken,
application of
these educational policies can be with regard to the community's
indigenous language, instead
of or alongside lloko, and taking into account existing national and local
laws on indigenous
people's education.