Foreign Language Education Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUG -5 P3:40 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED B S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, OTHER THAN ENGLISH, AS AN ELECTIVE COURSE IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION CURRICULUM EXPLANATORY NOTE The Department of Education (DepEd) is currently implementing the Special Program in Foreign Language (SPFL) classes in public schools for Grade 7 to 12 students. The program started in 2009 in select schools and only offered Spanish language. It then expanded to include Nihongo, French, German, Mandarin and Korean. It is only elective and will not in any way replace Filipino subject which is a core subject. The program aims to enhance the ability of students to engage in meaningful interaction in a linguistically and culturally diverse workplace. To be able to continue this important program of DepEd, this measure seeks to institutionalize the inclusion of foreign language other than English as an elective course in the Higher Education curriculum. Learning foreign language will make the Filipino students adequately equipped to be a 21st-century learner. The learners would be able to connect with the world and be more globally competitive in their future workplaces.

This would be beneficial to Filipino students as they will be able to communicate efficiently with other foreign nationals and will have better job opportunities in companies that require multilingual employees. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) AUG -5 P3:40 SENATE RECEIVED 8N S. No. 918 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, OTHER THAN ENGLISH, AS AN ELECTIVE COURSE IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION CURRICULUM Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Foreign Language

Education Act".

Sec. 2. Inclusion of a Foreign Language in Higher Education Curriculum. -

4 The teaching of a foreign language other than English, as an elective course, shall be included in the curriculum of higher education. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), pursuant to its mandate under 7 Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994", shall develop the program to execute and implement this Act. The foreign language elective course shall be a basic course for beginners ad shall be designed as a three (3)-unit subject to be offered in all higher education institutions.

Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from

the effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall issue the rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, letters of instructions,

2 rules and regulations or provisions thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act shall be held invalid or

unconstitutional, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the other provisions hereof which shall remain I n full force effect.

Sec. 6. Effectivity Clause. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,