Learning in one’s first language

Learning in one’s first language (Day 44)

by Rey Laguda

(This is the 44th day of 50-day journey of DepEd Undersecretary Rey Laguda as being serialized here with his permission, culled from his Facebook account - Blogger/owner)

Anong the major reforms under the K to 12 Program is the institutionalization of the Mother-Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) for students in Kinder to Grade 3. The adoption of MTB-MLE is a critical shift in education, because here we put forward and center the learning needs of the Filipino child.

The principle behind MTB-MLE is to start the learner in a language he or she is comfortable with to make learning easier for the child. By using the first language of the child as a medium of instruction, the child is able to understand and grasp concepts easier. Local and international studies have backed this up, saying that the use of mother tongue in the early years of the learner’s schooling will help produce faster and better learners.

DepEd started with 19 mother tongues Tagalog, Kapampangan, Pangasinense, Iloko, Bikol, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray, Tausug, Maguindanaoan, Maranao, Chavacano, Ivatan, Ybanag, Sambal, Akianon, Kinara-a, Surigaonon, and Yakan. Through the help of educators with technical knowledge in these languages, DepEd was able to develop orthographies, dictionaries, and learner materials in these 19 mother tongues. And DepEd continues to expand these languages in a more far-reaching context.

For more information about MTB-MLE, read:

http://www.deped.gov.ph/orders/do-28-s-2013
http://www.deped.gov.ph/orders/do-16-s-2012

source: https://www.facebook.com/reylags/posts/10153526764047307