‘English-only policy: Get out of your comfort zone’
Credit to Author: Büm D. Tenorio Jr.| Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — The Pamantasan ng Cabuyao has faced criticism for its “English-only” policy, but the PNC’s highest official remains steadfast in his commitment to educating students to “think out of the box and learn English.”
“I understand the reception of the school community to the program. The usual expectation is that people do not like to go out of their comfort zone. They don’t like to struggle,” said PNC president-OIC Librado Dimaunahan.
“You never grow if you don’t want to go out of the box or your comfort zone. Try something new; we have to challenge the people, the students. I intend to do that. I’m convinced we need English proficiency,” he added.
Dimaunahan clarified that the viral backlash could have been avoided if the management information system (MIS) department of the university had been more careful with its job.
The university is currently under fire for its language policy that requires everyone who steps on campus to communicate exclusively in English in the name of producing “globally competent” graduates.
“I did not use the ‘English-only policy.’ Those are not my words. My program is for the PNC to be an English-speaking campus,” he said.
“Our MIS section added the ‘English-Only Policy’ (in the social media post). Again, those are not my words. They posted it (art card) without clearing it with me. But the harm has been done. We have moved forward,” he added.
The STAR attempted to reach the MIS department of the PNC, also known as University of Cabuyao, but has yet to receive a reply.
Despite the criticisms, the 67-year-old university official expressed his satisfaction that the issue has sparked a national debate about the importance of English proficiency, viewing the controversy as a chance to highlight the real purpose of the English-speaking campus initiative.
“The real aim of an English-speaking campus is for the university to train world-class and globally competitive students and graduates. English proficiency is a tool for that. If they are proficient in English, they can be world-class,” Dimaunahan told The STAR in a phone interview.
He clarified that he is not opposed to the use of the Filipino language, but believes that developing a second language like English is vital in adapting to the changing times, citing the successful English proficiency program implemented by Lee Kwan Yew in Singapore.
“I’m not against our own language. It’s not true that I don’t love our mother tongue. But I would like to have in that program (an English-speaking campus) a development of a second language,” Dimaunahan said.
“We know it (mother tongue) from birth. But we have to adapt to the changing times. We can only adapt to these developments by raising the English proficiency of our students and graduates,” he added.
However, Albert Madrigal, a former president of PNC, countered this, arguing that the English-only policy undermines inclusivity and effective learning.
“Quality education is not solely defined by fluency in English but rather by the ability to think critically, solve problems and communicate effectively in various contexts and languages,” he said.
Madrigal also warned that imposing such a policy could create unnecessary barriers, particularly for students and employees from diverse backgrounds, leading to potential learning loss and reduced confidence.
“Instead of fostering a productive academic and professional environment, such a policy may alienate individuals and hinder meaningful collaborations, especially inside the classroom,” he claimed.
Madrigal further questioned the timing of the executive order, pointing out that the university is facing more urgent issues, such as accreditation lapses and long-neglected matters that require immediate attention.
He believes that prioritizing the English-only policy over these pressing concerns has contributed to the backlash from within the university community.
Defending the university’s English-speaking campus program implementation, Dimaunahan said that English proficiency can be improved in two ways: by practicing the language and by reading.
Part of the program, according to Dimaunahan, is the D-E-A-R method, or drop-everything-and-read program.
“The campus will turn silent every day for 10 minutes to give students opportunity to read,” he said.
Dimaunahan also revealed that he informed the Commission on Higher Education that the English-speaking campus program will be implemented over five years.
Defending the program, he said the majority of students support the policy.
“Our students, a majority of them like the English-speaking program,” he said, adding that the critics are doing so “para maging sikat (to be famous).”
The STAR reached out to some PNC students, but most declined to comment, saying “we don’t want to get caught in the middle.”
One graduating engineering student, who asked to remain anonymous, said that while the use of English is important for students to become more proficient in the language, he felt the policy undermines the Filipino language and restricts freedom of expression.
Some faculty members also declined to comment “because we have to seek permission first from the university.”