Insights on English Teaching and Curriculum

Aug 18, 2024

ACEL Webinar: Understanding the Context of English Language Teaching in the Matatag Curriculum

Welcome and Introduction

  • Dr. Cecilia A. Suarez introduces the webinar.
  • ASEL Team: Ms. Vicky Calderon, Ms. Carm Sarsigal, Ms. Margo Florenciano.
  • Webinar Focus: English language teaching in the Matatag curriculum.

Panel Members

  • Ms. Ayet Feryals: Curriculum Specialist in English at DepEd, involved in curriculum development and teacher capacity building.
  • Dr. Marianne Rachel G. Perfecto: Associate Professor at Ateneo, focused on materials and curriculum development, language and literature teaching.

Matatag Curriculum Explanation by Ms. Ayet Feryals

  • Background: Initiated as Revised Basic Education Curriculum, integrated into Matatag agenda by VP Sara Duterte.
  • Matatag Stands For: Curriculum relevance, job readiness, promoting learner well-being, inclusive education, and teacher support.
  • Development Timeline: Began in 2018, concluded in 2023.
  • Collaboration: Involvement of ACT-RC and experts from UP and University of Melbourne.

Features of Matatag Curriculum

  • Focus Areas: Relevance to produce competent, responsible citizens, and addressing gaps in K-12 education.
  • Streamlined Competencies: Avoid cognitive overload, ensure content relevance.

Support for MTB-MLE Program

  • Language Framework: Emphasis on the role of L1 (mother tongue) in teaching additional languages.
  • Implementation Strategy: Two new language offerings in Grade 1 to solidify mother tongue foundation.

Translanguaging in Teaching Englis Explanation by Dr. Marianne Rachel G. Perfecto

  • Definition: Ability to use multiple languages as a communicative tool.
  • Pedagogical Tool: Enables students to use their full linguistic repertoire.
  • Benefits Facilitates learning, comprehension, writing, and creates a fair educational environment.

Classroom Implementation

  • Spontaneous Translanguaging Code-switching, translation, metalinguistic explanation.
  • Pedagogical Translanguaging: Planned strategies for using various languages in teaching.

Importance of Translanguaging -Research-Based: Enhances understanding and output quality.

  • Social Justice: Ensures equity and inclusivity in education.

Discussion and Q&A -English-Only Policy: No official DepEd policy enforcing this.

  • Translanguaging as Oppression: Using only English could be seen as oppressive in multilingual settings.
  • Concerns on MTB-MLE: Issues with implementation, contextualization, and language resources.

Conclusion

  • Empowerment through Education: Teachers encouraged to find agency and adapt curriculum contextually.
  • Future Considerations: Continued support for MTB-MLE, potential discussions on world Englishes, and Philippine English in education.