DepEd notes improvement in English proficiency

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Education has noted an improvement in English proficiency of students in public schools as the department continues to invest in teachers training to further improve student performances in English.

“English proficiency starts with teachers who are proficient on this subject matter. This is what they will impart to the students,” says DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus in a press statement sent to The FREEMAN.

Lapus said that they have observed the continuous improvement in performance of students in the National Achievement Test within the five-year analysis particularly in English subject.

Lapus said that English proficiency is very vital as it is critical in learning other important subjects such as Science and Mathematics.

The DepEd chief added that Filipinos’ edge in the English language is also vital as more work opportunities here and abroad place premium on language skills.

DepEd has initiated a project dubbed “Turning Around Low Performance in English” which is aimed to reverse the low performance in English of elementary and high schools in the 2007 NAT.

The said project likewise enhances teachers’ oral and written communication skills. They were further trained in teaching students who are beginning, developmental and remedial readers.

On the other hand, to further improve the students’ English language skills, they were given supplementary reading materials and continue to receive medical, dental and food assistance to improve their nutrition status and academic performance.

As a result of DepEd’s intervention, significant improvements were seen in English among identified low performing schools in Grade 6 and Second Year in 2007-2008.

Some 79 percent (1,453) of the identified 1,898 low performing elementary schools increased achievement level in English (from low mastery to average mastery). Some 82 percent (215) of the identified 265 low performing high schools also registered improvement in achievement level in English (from low mastery to average mastery), the statement added. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)