Gullas: Use TV to teach English

House Deputy Majority Leader Eduardo Gullas has urged Malacañang to tap the state-owned Peoples Television Network, Radio Philippines Network and Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation for distant learning programs that would reinforce the English Communication skills of Filipinos.

Gullas, who is also an educator and the author of the bill reinstating English as the medium of instruction in schools, said that the government has been losing good money subsidizing these unprofitable networks. "We might as well use them to teach English," he said.

He added that the three networks should forge partnerships, possibly with the Philippine Business for Social Progress, Business Processing Association of the Philippines and the University of the Philippines English Department to get the remote learning programs up and running.

"TV is a potent tool for mass coaching. If three networks can devote just one hour each day teaching English, over time, this would go a long way in bridging our English gap," Gullas pointed out.

In other countries, he noted that TV networks whether state-run or privately owned are increasingly engaged in English instruction.

He cited Australian Broadcasting Corporation, which has a TV service that facilitates the learning of English in all school levels.

"We are puzzled that up to now, the state-owned TV networks, on their own, have done nothing creative and concrete with respect to English promotion," Gullas lamented.

"The rapid decline in the English skills of the average Filipino is a pressing issue. The problem has been depriving even college graduates of a good paying job and might later discourage investors who require a steady supply of fluent English-speaking workers," Gullas warned.

Gullas proposed multiple levels of English instruction for toddlers, for out-of-school youth and adults learning English for the first time, for grade and high school students and for college students, graduates and young professionals.

Surveys have shown that many Filipinos are now aware of the need to master English for them to compete in more lucrative job markets here and abroad.

Gullas also said he still supports the sale of RPN and IBC to private investors.

"Government can still use the two networks until they are sold. Assuming they are sold, government would still have PTV which can still get the job done," he pointed out.

Government has already engaged in the services of financial advisers to expedite the sale of RPN and IBC and a number of private investors have already expressed interest in acquiring the networks. - Jasmin R. Uy