Multilingual English Language Teaching in the Philippines

In English language teaching (ELT) circles, the English used in the Philippines is traditionally labelled as ESL. However, that label, including the attitudes and practices that it brings, does not accurately capture the complex language situation in the country. In this article, we argue that Engli...

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Main Authors: Jovie D. Espino, Dan Henry F. Gonzales, Isabel Pefianco Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cranmore Publishing 2021-10-01
Series:International Journal of TESOL Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tesolunion.org/attachments/files/5MZY33MTDL8MMUZFZDVL1NGUW5MZZM8Y2M5FYZAY4MMQYBNDE43N2NIBOGZM8MTG59YZYXFMJYW3MWYW3NTA3CMDGWFLJK18NDGX8MZE53LJU2.pdf
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author Jovie D. Espino
Dan Henry F. Gonzales
Isabel Pefianco Martin
author_facet Jovie D. Espino
Dan Henry F. Gonzales
Isabel Pefianco Martin
author_sort Jovie D. Espino
collection DOAJ
description In English language teaching (ELT) circles, the English used in the Philippines is traditionally labelled as ESL. However, that label, including the attitudes and practices that it brings, does not accurately capture the complex language situation in the country. In this article, we argue that English education in the Philippines does not account for the multilingual and linguistically diverse context of use in the country. We argue that monolingual perspectives and approaches in ELT continue to dominate the field. Issues of language variation, the existence of varieties of English, and the reality of translanguaging practices are not addressed. From curriculum design, assessment policies and practices, to classroom teaching, ELT in the Philippines persists in taking a one-size-fits-all approach that only privileges so-called ‘native speaker’ norms. English in the Philippines is best characterized as Englishes. Although an educated Philippine variety of English exists (Bautista, 2008), it cannot be concluded that this is the variety of widespread use across the archipelago. The language situation of the Philippines is complex, thereby eluding labels and categories that only betray a nativespeakerism perspective and a monolingual bias. We argue that Englishes in the Philippines are more appropriately approached as ENL, ESL, and EFL. The implications of these categorizations on ELT in the country are discussed in this paper.
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spelling doaj.art-8e015f77be0b4fc5be3739461bbea1d92022-12-21T16:35:06ZengCranmore PublishingInternational Journal of TESOL Studies2632-67792633-68982021-10-013311012510.46451/ijts.2021.10.03Multilingual English Language Teaching in the PhilippinesJovie D. Espino0Dan Henry F. Gonzales1Isabel Pefianco Martin2Ateneo de Manila University, PhilippinesAteneo de Manila University, PhilippinesAteneo de Manila University, PhilippinesIn English language teaching (ELT) circles, the English used in the Philippines is traditionally labelled as ESL. However, that label, including the attitudes and practices that it brings, does not accurately capture the complex language situation in the country. In this article, we argue that English education in the Philippines does not account for the multilingual and linguistically diverse context of use in the country. We argue that monolingual perspectives and approaches in ELT continue to dominate the field. Issues of language variation, the existence of varieties of English, and the reality of translanguaging practices are not addressed. From curriculum design, assessment policies and practices, to classroom teaching, ELT in the Philippines persists in taking a one-size-fits-all approach that only privileges so-called ‘native speaker’ norms. English in the Philippines is best characterized as Englishes. Although an educated Philippine variety of English exists (Bautista, 2008), it cannot be concluded that this is the variety of widespread use across the archipelago. The language situation of the Philippines is complex, thereby eluding labels and categories that only betray a nativespeakerism perspective and a monolingual bias. We argue that Englishes in the Philippines are more appropriately approached as ENL, ESL, and EFL. The implications of these categorizations on ELT in the country are discussed in this paper.https://www.tesolunion.org/attachments/files/5MZY33MTDL8MMUZFZDVL1NGUW5MZZM8Y2M5FYZAY4MMQYBNDE43N2NIBOGZM8MTG59YZYXFMJYW3MWYW3NTA3CMDGWFLJK18NDGX8MZE53LJU2.pdfphilippine englishphilippine englishesmonolingual biasmultilingual pedagogical paradigmenglish language teaching
spellingShingle Jovie D. Espino
Dan Henry F. Gonzales
Isabel Pefianco Martin
Multilingual English Language Teaching in the Philippines
International Journal of TESOL Studies
philippine english
philippine englishes
monolingual bias
multilingual pedagogical paradigm
english language teaching
title Multilingual English Language Teaching in the Philippines
title_full Multilingual English Language Teaching in the Philippines
title_fullStr Multilingual English Language Teaching in the Philippines
title_full_unstemmed Multilingual English Language Teaching in the Philippines
title_short Multilingual English Language Teaching in the Philippines
title_sort multilingual english language teaching in the philippines
topic philippine english
philippine englishes
monolingual bias
multilingual pedagogical paradigm
english language teaching
url https://www.tesolunion.org/attachments/files/5MZY33MTDL8MMUZFZDVL1NGUW5MZZM8Y2M5FYZAY4MMQYBNDE43N2NIBOGZM8MTG59YZYXFMJYW3MWYW3NTA3CMDGWFLJK18NDGX8MZE53LJU2.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT joviedespino multilingualenglishlanguageteachinginthephilippines
AT danhenryfgonzales multilingualenglishlanguageteachinginthephilippines
AT isabelpefiancomartin multilingualenglishlanguageteachinginthephilippines