MY friend, Ludy Ongkeko sent me a copy of her column in the Philippine News where she cited the decision of the US Senate which is to pass an amendment making English the national language. She therefore asks, "Does this mean consumers and the citizenry won't see nor hear any further notices in other foreign languages, and English will be the only language on anything that requires reading?" And then she quotes a statement by Senator Arlen Specter, chairman of the Judiciary Committee on one immigration requirement touching on language skills -- "They have to pay back taxes, they have to learn English and they have to go to the back of the line." She interprets this to mean that all immigration policies and information on immigration will be done in plain English and that no translations will be necessary.
English as Primary Medium of Instruction?
It appears that it is not only our country that is facing rapid deterioration in the educational standards. In the United States, the reports have not been favorable regarding the English language skills that high school students have shown after going through nationwide tests. They too have been described as sub-standard.
Philippine News columnist Ongkeko cited the admonition of the European Chamber of Commerce that 75 percent of the Philippines' annual 400,000 college graduates have "substandard English skills" and Senator Angara's statement that we have squandered our intellectual capital, in referring to the state of English language inadequacies. This sad state has been blamed on the exodus of teachers, especially in English and Math to better paying jobs overseas.
However, I know that many would agree with me that the recent Executive Order by President Arroyo to "make English the primary medium of instruction nationwide" and Rep.
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