With the present implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in the Ph... more With the present implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines, the study investigated the teacher-and learner-participants' language practices in the teaching and learning of English as a second language in two third grade classrooms in a multilingual city in the Philippines. Using qualitative measures (classroom observations, semi-structured interviews), the study primarily found that the participants used language practices, which the study argues to be subsumed under translanguaging, either explicitly or implicitly, to mediate their communicative functions that are crucial in ESL classrooms. Through translanguaging, the teacher-participants were able to present their lessons, conduct classroom discussions, enhance students' understanding, and manage students' behaviors more effectively and efficiently; and the student-participants, in turn, were able to participate in classroom discussions and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding substantially. The study, then, posits that multilingual teachers and learners bring their language practices in the classroom to make meaning between themselves and between themselves and their tasks. The study further argues that since translanguaging is manifested by the participants as their inherent practice as multilinguals, it can be better understood when viewed from the perspective of multilingualism.
This paper examines the linguistic landscape of two major Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail... more This paper examines the linguistic landscape of two major Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) stations in Metro Manila, Philippines. Using Ben-Rafael et al.'s (2006) notion of Top-Down and Bottom-Up signs and Scollon and Scollon's (2003) concept of Place Semiotics, the paper seeks to determine the languages used, the ways these languages are used, and the possible explanations to the ways these languages are used in the 76 signs found in the two stations. The paper shows that English and Filipino languages are mainly used in the signs; however, between the two languages English dominates as there are overwhelmingly more signs in English only than in Filipino only. In signs where both languages (English-Filipino) are used, English is found to be more preferred than Filipino. Preferential use of English is indicated by writing the English versions either in the center, on top, or on the left of the English-Filipino signs, having more English words than Filipino ones, and emphasizing English words either by highlighting, underlining, circling, or capitalizing in English-Filipino Codemixing signs. Given that the analysed signs are found in the train stations, the paper concludes that English is used to exact two forms of "order": one that makes readers "follow order" like proper behaviors in train stations, and another that encourages readers to "make order" like buying of food in commercial establishments in the areas. The effectiveness of English in purporting these "orders" among Filipinos may be explained by the positive attitude of Filipinos towards Americans. Use of English has not only been associated with the "progressive" American ideals of "enlightenment," "democracy," and "self-governance" (Lorente, 2007, p. 90) but also with anything that is "good" for the Filipino people. Thus, the dominant use of English in the signs in the train stations supposes that Filipino LRT and MRT commuters will obey these signs or "orders" as doing so is beneficial not only for the self but also for all. Keywords: Linguistic landscape of the Philippines, language of order, English in the Philippines
With the present implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in the Ph... more With the present implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines, the study investigated the teacher-and learner-participants' language practices in the teaching and learning of English as a second language in two third grade classrooms in a multilingual city in the Philippines. Using qualitative measures (classroom observations, semi-structured interviews), the study primarily found that the participants used language practices, which the study argues to be subsumed under translanguaging, either explicitly or implicitly, to mediate their communicative functions that are crucial in ESL classrooms. Through translanguaging, the teacher-participants were able to present their lessons, conduct classroom discussions, enhance students' understanding, and manage students' behaviors more effectively and efficiently; and the student-participants, in turn, were able to participate in classroom discussions and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding substantially. The study, then, posits that multilingual teachers and learners bring their language practices in the classroom to make meaning between themselves and between themselves and their tasks. The study further argues that since translanguaging is manifested by the participants as their inherent practice as multilinguals, it can be better understood when viewed from the perspective of multilingualism.
This paper examines the linguistic landscape of two major Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail... more This paper examines the linguistic landscape of two major Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) stations in Metro Manila, Philippines. Using Ben-Rafael et al.'s (2006) notion of Top-Down and Bottom-Up signs and Scollon and Scollon's (2003) concept of Place Semiotics, the paper seeks to determine the languages used, the ways these languages are used, and the possible explanations to the ways these languages are used in the 76 signs found in the two stations. The paper shows that English and Filipino languages are mainly used in the signs; however, between the two languages English dominates as there are overwhelmingly more signs in English only than in Filipino only. In signs where both languages (English-Filipino) are used, English is found to be more preferred than Filipino. Preferential use of English is indicated by writing the English versions either in the center, on top, or on the left of the English-Filipino signs, having more English words than Filipino ones, and emphasizing English words either by highlighting, underlining, circling, or capitalizing in English-Filipino Codemixing signs. Given that the analysed signs are found in the train stations, the paper concludes that English is used to exact two forms of "order": one that makes readers "follow order" like proper behaviors in train stations, and another that encourages readers to "make order" like buying of food in commercial establishments in the areas. The effectiveness of English in purporting these "orders" among Filipinos may be explained by the positive attitude of Filipinos towards Americans. Use of English has not only been associated with the "progressive" American ideals of "enlightenment," "democracy," and "self-governance" (Lorente, 2007, p. 90) but also with anything that is "good" for the Filipino people. Thus, the dominant use of English in the signs in the train stations supposes that Filipino LRT and MRT commuters will obey these signs or "orders" as doing so is beneficial not only for the self but also for all. Keywords: Linguistic landscape of the Philippines, language of order, English in the Philippines
Uploads
Papers by Rob Reyes