At least seven more languages have been added to the Department of Education’s Mother-Tongue-Based Multi-Lingual Education (MTB-MLE) program.
The DepEd said this brought to 19 the number of major local languages used as medium of instruction from Kinder to Grade 3.
– Ybanag for pupils in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, and Isabela
– Ivatan for Batanes
– Sambal in Zambales
– Aklanon in Aklan, Capiz
– Kinaray-a in Capiz, Aklan
– Yakan in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
– Surigaonon covering Surigao City and provinces.
The other 12 local languages used in MTB-MLE are:
– Tagalog
– Kapampangan
– Pangasinense
– Iloko
– Bikol
– Cebuano
– Hiligaynon
– Waray
– Tausug
– Maguindanaoan
– Maranao
– Chabacano.
MTB-MLE is implemented in two modules: first, as a learning/subject area; and second, as a medium of instruction.
DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro said the use of the same language spoken at home in the early grades “helps improve the pupils’ language and cognitive development in addition to strengthening their socio-cultural awareness.”
Citing local and international studies, the DepEd said using the mother tongue inside the classroom during the learners’ early years of schooling may produce better and faster learners who can easily adapt to learn a second (Filipino) and third language (English). — ELR, GMA News
