Foreign Language Education in The Philippines (III)

Foreign language teaching in the Philippines - so far so good! The demand in high-schools and university teachers is indeed big.

During my last stay in Manila I learned that the Department of Education, in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Manila, has launched a program that introduces German as foreign language to High Schools in the Philippines (Pilot). In order for this program, proven to be a success since its formation, to establish itself further and to meet the demand for teachers, Goethe Insitut is offering 16 teacher scholarships for Philippine universities in 2011.

Participation in this scholarship program will enable universities to incorporate the study of German into their curriculum as well as be part of the German network. The scholarships will occupy a period of six months of German teacher training (April - October 2011)  at the Goethe Institut Philippinen in Manila. 

Of course, applications are only viable through the universities and departments that focus on the establishment of German as a foreign language in their schools. Private applications will not be accepted. in addition to this, applicants must be already employed by the university at the time of application and have a long-term contract with the school.

Foreign language education in the Philippines - in this case the German language - and such scholarships of the Goethe Institut Manila - another big step into the future. 

Understanding each other is good. Gut, wenn wir uns verstehen.

Foreign Language Education in The Philippines

As faculty member (German Language, Institute of Languages) I do enjoy teaching at the University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City, starting almost three years ago. Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Goetheinstitut in Manila, USEP became one of its partner schools:

http://www.goethe.de/ins/ph/map/net/ska/enindex.htm

I'll be attending the collaborative conference  on "Sustainable Development of Foreign Language Education in the Philippines (Secondary and Tertiary Levels)" in Manila, organized by the Alliance Francaise de Manille, Embassy of France, Embassy of Germany, Embassy of Japan, Embassy of Spain, Embassy of Italy, Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes, and the japan Foundation, Manila.

I like to quote Japan Foundation Manila Director Shuji Takatori:

"The said event will showcase the cooperative efforts of various foreign government cultural/language agencies and pertinent institutions in promoting a long-term implementation of the Philippin Government's program in foreign language education, it's significant for foreign organizations to be engaged in a laudable endeavor - the Filipino student's communicative competence in foreign language as well as in depth understanding and appreciation of foreign culture in preparation for a linguistically diverse workplace; thus, the undertaking - "working hand-in-hand / strengthened partnership" with the host country leading to the inclusion of Foreign Language Education in the standard academic curriculum is for the attainment of the Filipino's youth's global competitiveness."

The Department of Education and the CHED will inform about the current situation of the participating languages in the Philippines in High-Schools as well as in universities (e.g.existing language programs, possible teacher trainings, teacher education, evaluation, quality standards, needs, program goals and questions.

I am sure, it will be an exciting time for me while joining this event. I am also sure, that I'll be reporting more details about this topic after being back from Manila.