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Spanish subject to make a comeback in RP schools


The Spanish subject is set to make a comeback in schools soon. Speaking at a news forum on Sunday, Jose Rodriguez, director of Instituto Cervantes, said the Spanish language would be included in the school curriculum of some selected public and private schools at the soonest possible time. “The Spanish government through Instituto Cervantes has launched programs for teaching and relearning Spanish language among Filipinos in the country," he said during the Balitaan sa Tinapayan news forum in Sampaloc, Manila. “Every year, 100 Spanish language teachers are undergoing seminars to become good instructors of Spanish language as they will be tapped to teach the language in selected public and private schools," he said. Instituto Cervantes is a public institution created by Spain to promote and to teach the Spanish language and culture worldwide. The undertaking is in accordance with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Memorandum Order No. 276, which directs the Department of Education (DepEd,) Commission on Higher Education (CHED,) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to encourage the teaching and learning of Spanish throughout the country. President Arroyo herself is a fluent Spanish speaker and has been heard speaking the language to her daughter Luli. Some members of the upper class still speak Spanish at home. The Arroyo memorandum was signed in 2007. The support of the Spanish government in the teaching of the language will be implemented in two phases, from 2009-2010 to 2013-2014 school years. Rodriguez said it would be good for the economy if many Filipinos know the Spanish language since it could lead to job offers in Spanish-speaking countries. “It will open for more job opportunities for Filipinos who know the language. Many countries use Spanish as first language and the Filipinos who are learning Spanish can maximize this opportunity," he said. At first, the language will be taught in 15 public and private high schools. Spanish was an official language in the Philippines from the beginning of the Spanish invasion in the 16th century until the country's Constitution was changed in 1973. - KBK, GMANews.TV

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