PANEL DISCUSSION

INTRODUCTION:

MODERATOR:

English Speaking is the communication tool being used in senate, business meetings and event
presentation. The Department of Education implemented the English Speaking Policy here in our
country. On the other hand, experts say that we Filipinos are too fond in other foreign languages
although we have our own.

Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Mariz E. Mariano and it is my privilege to be the

Should the Speak-in-English Policy be implemented in every school? Let’s see what the
side of the Pros tell.

PRO: (Vann)

Learning to speak and write in English in this age of globalization is necessary especially if we
would like to be able to compete in the knowledge-based world. This skill is basically learned in
classrooms, which is why the Department of Education implemented the Speak-in-English
Policy. If this implementation is done most of the time in every school, students will get used to
speak in English and they can be able to develop and nurture it as a huge skill to have.

CON: (Denzel)

You are right on that point, but in the matter of having intellectual property to compete in the
knowledge-based world, one can learn something in a language they can fully understand. It is
not necessary to use English as a communication tool in teaching. Imagine a child being taught
in Mathematics, which is usually taught by speaking in English, and the teacher is using Mother
Tongue, the child is not just learning arithmetic but also translating each native words to English.
It is a very good practice to develop the child in speaking English without really realizing he’s
learning English.

PRO: (Christopher)

Yes, that’s right, but most of the subjects that are being taught to today’s students are all taught
with the English language. When the students are not using the English language regularly and
do not want to learn the language, they will not know how their grades would come up. Plus,
speaking in English is a way to communicate in the whole world, which can help the future
businessmen to negotiate to the other countries.
CON: (Joella)

You have the point, but the policy is one way for foreign colonizers to enter our premises. The
knowledge taught to the students and pupils can be used for their advantage. Because they know
more about English, they can manipulate their way of communicating in persuading people to
adapt with them. Another thing is that fact that we are promoting the language of our colonizers
and we are committing treason against our own country.

MODERATOR:

The Pros and Cons have already presented their opinions. Now let us Vann disagree to what
Joella had stated. Does speaking in English is committing treason against our own country?

PRO: (Vann)

Speaking in English does not strongly means as treason against our own country’s language. It is
just learning to be formal in our modern world wherein people, speak in English to truly
communicate. And having this skill is a great advantage because when you have mastered the
science of English, where ever you will go, people will understand you. As the root of having
this skill, teachers should speak in English while teaching so the students will not be surprised
when they encounter the language.

CON: (Sheena)

You’re right, but teachers need to impose a certain language as the primary medium of
instruction, which is understandable to all of the students. Teachers must be allowed to use the
most effective communication tools that will allow them to articulate their lesson plans that can
help their students to grasp the material better and truly learn. In our country, the most common
language used by the citizens is Filipino language.

PRO: (Arjohn)

In addition to what he had said earlier, the policy develops us to become globally competitive
citizens or students. It develops our confidence to speak up publicly and to other people. And it
helps us to boost our self-esteem to be known as an English speaker, which can make us attract
professionals as a great impression.

CON: (Denzel)

I agree with you, but as we all know giving speeches or public speaking is tremendously feared
by most people. The student may not even try to present their speeches in front because they are
afraid of how they speak the English language. It causes them to cringe in front of the audience,
drop their natural warmth to zero as they talk with professionals in the future.
MODERATOR:

Very well said Pros and Cons, Christopher, would you like to say something about what she just
said? How can you disagree to what he had stated?

PRO: (Christopher)

Yes, thank you. (Turns to Denzel) I’m sorry to tell you this, but actually, that is one example
why the students need the Speak-in-English Policy. If the students do not use the language
regularly, they will never really have confidence to present their ideas in the English language.

CON: (Joella)

You are right on that part, on the other hand, the English language doesn’t actually help in how
the students will understand the lessons being taught. With that, I agree of the implementation of
treating Mother Tongue as a great opportunity for students or pupils to understand.

PRO: (Arjohn)

Yes, Mother Tongue can also be implemented at the same time. But the English-speaking policy
should be done more than the mother tongue. How can the students reteach to the others the
lesson through English if they only know it by mother tongue? Of course, the effective solution
is to teach the subjects by speaking in English regardless to the native subjects.

CON: (Sheena)

I also believe that speaking the English language takes much time to master. In contrast, the
Filipino language, which we usually use to speak, lessons will be much easier to understand. And
it is not necessarily to reteach lessons through speaking in English just because it was stated in
English in the books. It would be easier to the learner to know through what he can fully
understand.

MODERATOR:

The pros have strongly disagreed to the cons and once said that we can teach and reteach by
using English, and that learning English will help us to have high grades. Meanwhile, the cons
have effectively disagreed to the pros and once stated that that speaking the English language
takes much time to master. Now, let us hear the pros and cons final wave of disagreeing, firstly
presented by Vann.

PRO: (Vann)

I see your point, but that’s one of the sacrifices that the students have to make for them to learn
and use the English language. The time that will cost one will benefit one. Since most of the
companies wants English speaker to their institution, more students will get more jobs they are
capable of in the future if they have made the sacrifices.

CON: (Sheena)

Yes, that may be right, but learning English and speaking it does not mean you’ll get better in
your work. It’s in what’s in the head of today’s students. It is not necessary to learn the language
because you only want to work. Besides, when you are only working in Philippines, why would
we bother to speak in English if all of us in the institution were Filipino?

PRO: (Christopher)
When we are professionals, it is automatically a requirement to be an English speaker. When we
speak it during office hour we are able to develop what we have developed and nurture what we
have nurtured. It is also the formality in every company to speak in English so that they can do
business matters to everyone. I think that it is really necessary to implement the Speak-in-
English policy in schools to have the first step towards success.

CON: (Denzel)

In addition, the students may be hesitant in approaching teachers because they are afraid of how
the teachers may react about the grammar and their use of words. They might feel less of a
person just because of that. So I think that it really is not necessary to implement the Speak-in-
English policy in schools. Students can just learn English on their own and when the subject
comes on their school days.

MODERATOR:

We have heard from the Pros and Cons opinions regarding on our subject,” Speak-in-English
Policy should be implemented in every school”. Although they have disagreed to each other, it is
still on the individual’s choice if we agree or not. The Pros and Cons have just presented their
opinions to the subject, it is not necessary to agree to what everyone had said. Still, the language
of English should not just be discussed we should learn it, even just a bit of it.

Therefore, having Filipino as the only language we speak can certainly break down social
communication to the world that would hinder our global competition for advancement. With the
ideas and facts presented, one thing we could not deny is that English language is still the
universal language and Filipino nationalists cannot argue with that. English language is still the
key to boost our economic status. Speak English Policy would be a great help to help us connect
to the world, and it does not lead to the decay of our cultural heritage.