Pursuant to DepEd Order 021, s. 2019 titled Policy Guidelines on the K to 12 Basic Education Program, that education for K to 12 curriculum should be learner-oriented and responsive to the needs, cognitive and cultural capacity, and the circumstances of learners, schools, and communities using appropriate mediums of teaching and learning, including mother tongue.  

        Consequently, Mother Tongue Based-Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) policy in the Philippine K-3 Curriculum involves implementation of local mother tongues as the language of instruction. Educators must first understand that the way students write, along with the way they speak, is constantly evolving even at the introduction of the language of instruction. Hence, practicing a sensitive and fair language is very important in teaching because whatever words that will be used by the teachers could affect their learners’ identities and cultures.

        However, for some issues, the sensitivity to which language should be reined in teaching has emerged because teachers need to consider careful use of words or language in communicating with children. To avoid the appearance of bias, it is necessary to recognize, respect, and if possible, think about whether the language in presenting lessons is not only relevant but also unoffending before mentioning it. So, it is important for educators to choose clear, accurate, and unbiased words in application of knowledge to achieve a democratic climate.

By: Mary Dae D. Cabral | Teacher I | Cataning Elementary School