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What was the medium of instruction in public schools during the American occupation of the Philippines?

Author

Matthew Cannon

Updated on February 21, 2026

What was the medium of instruction in public schools during the American occupation of the Philippines?

Under the Americans, English was not only taught to every Filipino school child but was adopted as the medium of instruction in all public schools. This was provided by Act No. 74 of the Philippine Commission, the same act which established the American public school system in the Islands.

Simply so, what is the medium of instruction in the Philippines?

In Philippines, the learner's first language should be the primary medium of instruction at least until grade three. In the secondary education, Filipino and English are primary medium of instruction.

Similarly, why is English being used as a medium of instruction in Philippine schools? Conclusions English language is used as a medium of instruction in Filipino schools and universities. Because of this, Filipino teachers as well as the students are really challenged to understand each other and communicate using the English language fluently.

Keeping this in view, what was the status of education in the Philippines during the American military government?

There were three levels of education during the American period. The "elementary" level consisted of four primary years and 3 intermediate years. The "secondary" or high school level consisted of four years; and the third was the "college" or tertiary level. Religion was not part of the curriculum of the schools.

What happened during American period in the Philippines?

The Spanish-American war which started in Cuba, changed the history of the Philippines. ? On May 1, 1898, the Americans led by U.S. Navy Admiral George Dewey, in participation of Emilio Aguinaldo, attacked the Spanish Navy in Manila Bay.

What is the meaning of medium of instruction?

A medium of instruction (plural: media of instruction, or mediums of instruction) is a language used in teaching. It may or may not be the official language of the country or territory. Bilingual or multilingual education may involve the use of more than one language of instruction.

Why is English a medium of instruction?

The medium of instruction is the language used by the teacher to teach. English is used from the beginning of a course as the main language in class, and the teacher adapts their methodology to support meaning, by using a lot of visual information and non-verbal communication to support meaning.

Why Rizal became the inspiration of the Filipino writers?

It inspires many people by Rizal's books and words as he wanted freedom. Jose wrote two novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo to show people how the Philippines were being bondaged by Spain. Jose made the Philippine League to get their first reform group and to get their freedom from Spain.

How do you write a medium of instruction?

Medium of Instruction format and points to be considered
  1. Get this certificate for your graduation (bachelor's degree) course and not for any other degree (post graduation or higher)
  2. It has to be on an official letter header from the awarding institution.
  3. It should contain the candidate's name.
  4. The name of the degree obtained.
  5. The date of award.

What would be the primary medium of education?

Explanation: The policy has emphasised mother tongue/local language/regional language as the medium of instruction atleast till grade 5, but preferably till grade 8 and beyond.

What is the name of the digital learning platform launched by the government?

Under the 'Digital India' Initiative of Government of India, one of the thrust area is 'Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs)'. MHRD, Government of India has embarked on a major initiative called 'Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds' (SWAYAM), to provide an integrated platform and portal for online.

How do I get a medium of instruction certificate?

To get the Medium of Instruction Certificate, the graduate students are suggested to send an email to request about the same (with their complete postal address) mentioning the registration number, name, etc.

Why did the US give up the Philippines?

Americans who advocated annexation evinced a variety of motivations: desire for commercial opportunities in Asia, concern that the Filipinos were incapable of self-rule, and fear that if the United States did not take control of the islands, another power (such as Germany or Japan) might do so.

What is the greatest contribution of American in Philippine literature?

3. Education and the School System • America's greatest achievement in the Philippine was the introduction of the public school system. Overall, the public school system increased the number of Filipinos who knew how to read and write. In 1903, the literacy rate was 44.2%.

What are the contribution of American period in the educational system in the Philippines?

The students were given free school materials. There were three levels of education during the American period. The "elementary" level consisted of four primary years and 3 intermediate years. The "secondary" or high school level consisted of four years; and the third was the "college" or tertiary level.

Who brought education to the Philippines?

These religious orders opened the first schools and universities as early as the 16th century. Spanish missionaries established schools immediately after reaching the islands. The Augustinians opened a parochial school in Cebu in 1565.

Why is education in the Philippines important?

Filipino parents value education as one of the most important legacies they can impart to their children. They believe that having a better education opens opportunities that would ensure a good future and eventually lift them out of poverty.

What kind of government did the US establish in the Philippines?

Establishment of civil government

On March 3, 1901 the US Congress passed the Army Appropriation Act containing (along with the Platt Amendment on Cuba) the Spooner Amendment, which provided the President with the legislative authority to establish a civil government in the Philippines.

In what ways and who influences the education in the Philippines?

The education system of the Philippines has been highly influenced by the country's colonial history. That history has included periods of Spanish, American and Japanese rule and occupation. The most important and lasting contributions came during America's occupation of the country, which began in 1898.

How English became an official status in the Philippines?

English did become an official language, as a result of decades of American colonial rule and the language was imposed upon Filipinos who lived through Filipino-American War, in order for Filipinos to be dissuaded from joining future revolutionary insurrections which would have used Spanish as a medium to unite

What is the importance of learning English as a Filipino?

Having an understanding of the English language and knowing that you can speak it fluently is one of the advancements of Filipino people. They can interact with other countries and explore their culture and tradition of their own land. It helps you to your personal and professional needs.

What is the role and status of English in the Philippines?

The status of English in the Philippines is unique among countries in Southeast Asia. Under the official policy, both Filipino and English are taught as language subjects in public schools, with English being the sole language used in science, mathematics and technology courses.

What are the disadvantages of mother tongue?

Four out of six key informants believed that the disadvantage of teaching Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education is that some students rely on their mother tongue. They may have the tendency to forget and may decrease their capacity to learn other languages, more importantly the English language.

What do you think can help people be better in English?

Be confident. People can only correct your mistakes when they hear you make them. -Keep a notebook of new words you learn. Use them in sentences and try to say them at least 3 times when you speak.

How will watching English films help me?

This is because watching in English with English subtitles will help you to learn the sound, familiarise the word and thereby making it easier to recognise in future. So, in the space of one movie, you learn new vocabulary, pronunciation, context and conversation.

What should be the medium of instruction in education essay?

The argument why English should be the only medium of instruction is that it is spoken all over the world. Being a language of scientific knowledge, we can be benefited from the technological advancement of other countries by reading English. Therefore English is very much suitable as the medium of instruction.

Do you think the English we use in the Philippines is one variety of English language?

Philippine English (similar and related to American English) is any variety of English native to the Philippines, including those used by the media and the vast majority of educated Filipinos. English is taught in schools as one of the two official languages of the country, the other being Filipino (Tagalog).

What are the different literary periods in Philippine literature?

The different literary periods in Philippine literature include the pre-colonial period, the Spanish colonial era, the American colonial era and the contemporary period. Literature in the Philippines evolved as part of the country's changing history.

What is the relationship between the US and the Philippines?

U.S.-Philippine relations are based on strong historical and cultural linkages and a shared commitment to democracy and human rights. The 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty provides a strong foundation for our robust security partnership, which began during World War II.

Who really owns the Philippines?

The Philippine Commonwealth was established in 1935, as a 10-year interim step prior to full independence. However, in 1942 during World War II, Japan occupied the Philippines. The U.S. military overpowered the Japanese in 1945. The Treaty of Manila in 1946 established the independent Philippine Republic.

When did the US take control of the Philippines?

The Philippine Declaration of Independence was not recognized by either the United States or Spain, and the Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, which was signed on December 10, 1898, in consideration for an indemnity for Spanish expenses and assets lost.

Is the Philippines a US territory?

Historically, territories were created to administer newly acquired land, and most eventually attained statehood. Others, such as the Philippines, The FSM, the Marshall Islands and Palau, later became independent. Many organized incorporated territories of the United States existed from 1789 to 1959.

How did the Philippines gain independence from the US?

The U.S. government declared military rule in the Philippines on December 21, 1898. Emilio Aguinaldo, a Filipino nationalist, proclaimed the independence of the Philippines on January 5, 1899.

What if the Philippines was never colonized by America?

What if the Philippines was never colonized by America? American-style democracy is nil. Since the United States never colonized the Philippines, they won't school the Filipino statesmen into the art of American democracy. Thus, no Philippine Senate.