Before the EDSA Revolution of 1986, the Philippines have the highest rate of English language proficiency among Asians and accordingly, the country is 3rd in rank as English speaking nations in the world. And in 1987 the pseudo nationalists government of the then Aquino administration, had decided to changed the educational system of the land by removing English as the medium of instructions in schools. And later Spanish language was likewise taken out as a college subject.
After two decades of separation from English and Spanish languages, the Philippines is hardly catching up in terms of English and Spanish proficiency. The educational system was greatly affected. Teachers and students alike are not good English speakers anymore. Although, English is now the dominant language in the world, the Philippines has yet to restore the language of Uncle Sam, the son of Great Britain. The politicians and the nationalists in the academe are not collectively in agreement to restore the English language. The pros and cons boils down to the irreconcilable opinions on both sides.
Fortunately, latest move by congress to pass the English language bill is gaining ground in the lower House of Representatives. The bill seeks to restore the English language as a medium of instructions in schools. The congressmen have signified their intention to pass the bill as urgent.
The decision to pass the bill is in support to the growing demand in the BPO or the business process outsourcing industries. BPO is now one of the biggest employment generating industries in the country. India is the number one BPO service providers in the world.
On the Spanish language, the idea to restore the lingua franca of Don Quixote, which had been deleted in Universities and colleges, have called the attention of the government to bring back Spanish as mandatory subject for college students. The need to learn the Spanish language is a requirement for employment opportunities in mother Spain and the re-establishment of cultural, social and political ties between two nations. “Bien, empeccemos la clase,” “El estudiante aprende el espanol.”