Learning Filipino: The Language
When your high school students were younger, they most likely came across the usual fare of Filipino alamat and pabula. Tales like “Ang Tsonggo at ang Pagong” or “Ibong Adarna” may have sparked their imaginations when they were young.
These stories, written in the lingua franca of the country was once described as “wikang kompromiso”, being a combination of most Philippine languages, and have evolved into including “Tagalized” English and Spanish words.
The evolution has not ended yet, however, what with the exposure to various media and cultures.
As
a way to contribute in furthering the national language, more than
teaching how to use it, why not help your students learn more and
understand it better?
Here are some online resources that can assist you in finding more about the Filipino language:
PCIJ Literature and Literacy – It contains articles and insights on the evolution of the national language.
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Teachers_Page/teachers_pagefs.htm
– It has everything-from possible communication activities, to lesson
plans for Filipino teachers, to Philippine folktales and
literature-that can improve your students’ vocabularies.
Of special interest are those on “Language Learning for the Future” and practical ways to help anxious language learners.
What Tagalog Experts Say - It contains features on the Tagalog language, with “Mga Salita ng Taon” highlights, and Tagalog bloggers. They can also direct the users to Viloria.com which has Tagalog podcasts and to a wordhouse bookstore in Amazon.
Below are more websites promoting the Filipino language:
- Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts and Practices (AILAP)
- Ateneo De Manila Library of Women's Writings
- Cultural Center of the Philippines
- De La Salle University Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center
- Eating the Sun - Ian Rosales Casocot, fictionist
- JoeyAyala.Com - Joey Ayala
- Likhaan Online
- Lumbera.PH - Bienvenido Lumbera
- National Commission for Culture and the Arts
- National Library of the Philippines
- notes from the peanut gallery - Dean Francis Alfar, fictionist
- NVM Gonzalez: An Affair With Letters - N. V. M. Gonzalez
- Pinoy Penman - Jose "Butch" Dalisay Jr., fictionist
- Silliman University CAS Department of English and Literature
- UST Creative Writing Center
It
always helps to have all the resources handy. So research and be
prepared to answer questions your students might ask regarding the
national language!
Did You Know?
In both 1990 and 2000 US Census, Filipino was the second most commonly spoken Asian language.
Sources:
n.a. (n.d.) Reading lessons. Retrieved January 27, 2008 from
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/New_Intermediate_Tagalog/Reading_Lessons/Framesets/reading_lessonsfs.htm
Rubrico, Jessie Grace. (n.d.) The Metamorphosis of Filipino as National Language. Retrieved January 27, 2008 from
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/essay_on_philippine_languages_fs.htm
n.a. (n.d.) Teachers page. Retrieved January 27, 2008 from
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Teachers_Page/teachers_pagefs.htm
n.a. (n.d.) What Tagalog Experts Say. Retrieved January 27, 2008 from
http://www.english-to-tagalog.com/tagalog-experts.html
(Published 11 February 2008, Smart Schools Program)
