Home⇛Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives⇛vol. 2 no. 8 (2024)

The Grassroots Reality: A Scoping Review of the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) Implementation in the Philippines

Czarina Alexandria P. Wata | Charis G. Oraiz | John Louie D. Galang | Cristian V. Dones

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

This study employed a scoping review methodology and thematic analysis to examine the grassroots-level implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines. The research emphasized the importance of exploring the experiences and perspectives of those directly involved in policy execution and recognizing their critical roles. Mapping the existing literature, the study identified four emerging themes: teacher preparedness and training; limited resources and difficulty in translation; language diversity and language selection difficulty; and community engagement and support. These themes underscored the complexities surrounding MTB-MLE implementation, highlighting areas for improvement and policy refinement. A functional framework was formulated to provide a structured approach to understanding and addressing the identified issues. The framework recommended in-service training and workshops for educators, resource development and iterative translation, language proficiency assessments for students, and community-based initiatives. These elements are crucial for overcoming current challenges and establishing a sustainable foundation for the ongoing success of MTBMLE initiatives. Although MTB-MLE has positive policy aims, its implementation at the ground level remains a subject of academic inquiry due to specific limitations. This study aimed to contribute to the vital discussion on the complex interplay between language policy directives and grassroots realities and provide practical recommendations for improving MTB-MLE implementation and associated educational initiatives.



References:

  1. Aguasan, J., De Ocampo, K., Domingo, E., Pacol, J., Parchamento, J., Santos, M.A., & Fabrigas, N. (2023). Issues and concerns in teaching mother tongue-based multilingual education during the pandemic. IOER International Multidisciplinary Research Journal, Vol. 5, No.2. doi: 10.54476/ioer-imrj/521443
  2. Alberto, M. R. (2016). Challenges and coping strategies in the implementation of Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines. People: International Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2)
  3. Balane, J., Rodriguez, M., & Gonzales, J. (2018). The availability of mother tongue-based teaching materials and resources: A critical factor in the success of Mother Tongue- Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) policy implementation in the Philippines. Journal of Educational Research, 111(4), 271-282
  4. Boligol, M., Longakit, M.A., Pacaldo, L., & Derasin, L.M. (2023). Mountain school teachers on MTB-MLE program: A hermeneutic phenomenological inquiry. Eur.Chem.Bull (Special Issue 7), 2145-2163. doi: 10.31838/ecb/2023.07.si07.013
  5. Burton, L. A. (2013). Mother tongue-based multilingual education in the Philippines: Studying top-down policy implementation from the bottom up. Budapest International Research and Critics in Linguistics and Education (BirLE) Journal, 5(4), 422-431
  6. Cabansag, J. (2016). The implementation of mother tongue-based multilingual education: Seeing it from the stakeholders’ perspective. International Journal of English Linguistics, Vol.6, No.5, 1923-8703. doi:10.5539/ijel.v6n5p43
  7. Cansino, J. (2023). The Philippines MTB-MLE program: Reconciling its utilitarian and ideological rationales. East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol 2, No. 2:780-798. doi: 10.55927/eajmr.v2i2.2996
  8. Cariaga, R. (2015). Challenges encountered in the implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines. People: International Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2).
  9. Department Order No. 74, s. 2009. Institutionalizing Mother-tounged based Multilingual Education (MLE). https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/DO_s2009_74.pdf
  10. DepEd Order No. 16, s. 2012. Guidelines on the Implementation of the Mother Tongue- Based-Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE). https://www.deped.gov.ph/2012/02/17/do-16-s-2012-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-the-mother-tongue-based-multilingual-education-mtb-mle/
  11. Eclipse, A. N., & Tenedero, P. P. P. (2018). The linguistic landscape of Manila central post office: A macro-linguistic analysis. Asian Journal of English Language Studies (AJELS). https://doi.org/10.59960/6.a6
  12. Eslit, R. M. (2017). General assessment of the implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines. People: International Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2)
  13. Espada, M. L. F. (2017). Challenges encountered in the implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines. People: International Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2). doi: 10.1007/s11159-011-9254-6
  14. Gaylo, P. J. B. (2020). Implementing Mother Tongue Based–Multilingual Education (MTB- MLE): Outcomes and challenges. International Social Science Review, 2, 148-183
  15. Gilmore, A. (2007). Authentic materials and authenticity in foreign language learning. Language teaching, 40(2), 97-118. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0261444807004144.
  16. Gonzales, J., Rodriguez, M., & Tan, M. (2018). Language use and student learning outcomes in Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) policy in the Philippines. Journal of Educational Research, 111(4), 271-282
  17. Hornberger, N. H. (2002). The continua of biliteracy and educational language policy in the United States. Language and Education, 14(3), 235-256. doi: 10.1080/09500780208666824
  18. Hunahunan, S. F. (2017). Challenges and coping strategies in the implementation of mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines. People: International Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2)
  19. Jimenez, R., Mendoza, J., & Santos, M. (2015). The impact of in-service training on teacher knowledge and confidence in implementing the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) policy in the Philippines. Journal of Education and Human Development, 4(2), 1-10
  20. Medilo, (2016). The experience of mother tongue-based multilingual education teachers in southern Leyte, Philippines. International Forum Journal, 19(2), 64-79
  21. Melchor, J. L. (2020). The suitability of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB- MLE) learning materials: An analysis of K to 12 Ilocano short stories. University of the Philippines-Diliman
  22. Mendoza, J., Jimenez, R., & Santos, M. (2020). The impact of language proficiency assessments on student placement and learning outcomes in Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) policy in the Philippines. Journal of Educational Research, 113(2), 151-162
  23. Metila, R. A., Pradilla, L. A. S., & Williams, A. B. (2016). Investigating best practices in the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) program in the Philippines. Quezon City: University of the Philippines
  24. Mondez, R. (2013). Appropriateness of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB- MLE) in urban areas: a synthesis study. International Journal of Science and Research, India Online ISSN: 2319-7064
  25. Monie, J. C., Monie, J. C., Monie, J. C., Monie, J. C., & Monie, J. C. (2017). Challenges in the implementation of mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines. People: International Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2)
  26. Oliveros, C. J. G. (2024). Challenges in the implementation of mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines. People: International Journal of Social Sciences, 8(1)
  27. Ong’uti, L., Indoshi, F. C., & Okwach, T. (2016). Attitudes of teachers and learners towards the use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction in lower primary schools in Kenya. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 6(9), 106-117
  28. Purcia, E. L., & Castante, N. S. (2023). The lens of MTB-MLE teachers in public elementary schools. American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation, 2(4), 83–92. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajmri.v2i4.1818
  29. Rakusin, M. (2024). Breaking norms, accelerating learning recovery, building a case of equity in the Philippines. CIES 2024 Presentation. https://shared.rti.org/sub- topic/language-instruction
  30. Rakusin, M. (2024). Longitudinal study of literacy and language acquisition in the Philippines. CIES 2024 Presentation. https://shared.rti.org/sub-topic/language- instruction
  31. Rossi, P. H., Lipsey, M. W., & Freeman, H. E. (2024). Evaluation: A systematic approach. 7th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
  32. RTI International. (2024). Longitudinal study of literacy and language acquisition in the Philippines [CIES 2024 presentation]. https://shared.rti.org/content/longitudinal- study-literacy-and-language-acquisition-philippines-cies-2024-presentation[4]
  33. Sanchez, G., Tomas, C., & Pe, S. (2023). Mother tongue-based multilingual education: the case of Cervantes District. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Studies, ISSN: 2663-7197. doi: 10.32996/jhsss
  34. Skoropinski, X. (2013). An exploration of the responses of stakeholders to a mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) programme being implemented in pilot schools in Mindanao, Philippines. Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation, 2(4), 83–92. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajmri.v2i4.1818
  35. Tan, M., Rodriguez, M., & Gonzales, J. (2020). The iterative translation process: A critical factor in ensuring accuracy and relevance of translated materials for Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) policy in the Philippines. Journal of Teacher Education, 71(3), 243-255. doi: 10.1177/0022487119900020
  36. Tañiza, F. N., Kilag, O.K., Andrin, G., Groenewald, E. S., Abella, J., & Cordova, N. (2024). Top-down implementation of mother tongue-based multilingual education from grassroots perspectives. Excellencia International Multi-Disciplinary Journal of Education. Volume II, Issue No.1, 2994-9521. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.10548040
  37. Valerio, M. (2015). Stakeholders’ perceptions of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) implementation in the Philippines. People: International Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2)
  38. Villacañas de Castro, L. S. (2016). The pedagogical turn in the research on cross-language transfer: Re-thinking the language interdependence and the language threshold hypotheses. Tejuelo (Trujillo), Vol. 23, p. 201-227
  39. Williams, A. B., Metila, R. A., Pradilla, L. A. S., & Digo, L. D. (2014). The challenge of implementing MTB-MLE in a multilingual setting. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 39(6), 154-168. doi: 10.14221/ajte.2014v39n6.11
  40. Yap-Dequina, et al. (2022). Exploring English teachers’ experiences on Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE). International Multidisciplinary Journal of Research for Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence (IMJRISE), 1(3), 1-10

Tools

All Comments (1)


Copyright © 2024  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic