EDITORIAL – Back to English

Advocating the use of a foreign language can be painful to national pride. Under present circumstances, however, Filipinos have no choice but to improve the teaching of English. There are more than seven million Filipinos working abroad, and their numbers continue to grow. Among the qualifications that won them their jobs overseas was proficiency in English. Over the years, however, that proficiency has deteriorated so much that employers overseas are now complaining about our workers’ grasp of English and turning to other foreign workers.

Even in the Philippines the problem is being felt. A recent report said vacancies for thousands of jobs as te-lephone operators or call handlers can’t be filled because applicants keep failing English proficiency tests and job interviews.

Meanwhile, other countries such as China are rushing to improve their citizens’ English proficiency. Even without this proficiency, China already poses formidable competition for foreign investments in the region. The Philippines used to enjoy an edge because of its English-speaking workforce. But now we are being overtaken even by countries such as Thailand. Other countries are putting an emphasis on English because it is the lingua franca of information technology – something our people need to master to remain competitive in the 21st century.

The other day President Arroyo announced a return to the use of English as the medium of instruction for key subjects in all schools. Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus clarified that as early as June last year, the Department of Education had reverted to the use of English as the medium of instruction for subjects such as science and mathematics. The shift is embodied in the controversial Restructured Basic Education Curriculum, which increased by 40 minutes the daily time allotment for English instruction in public schools.

Because the English aspect of the revised curriculum was never emphasized, however, the President’s announcement was widely applauded. The move does not mean abandoning our national language, which will still be used for teaching certain subjects. What the move should do is promote bilingualism — proficiency in both Filipino and English. It’s not yet too late to catch up with the rest of the world.