Chapter 11. Diffusion and directions

This chapter presents the English language from the viewpoint of language policy. English was first introduced to the Filipinos through the American public school system and, for half a century, the language was systematically promoted as a civilizing tool. Today, beliefs and attitudes about English, as well as the various ways in which the language is used, may be traced to the Filipino experience of American colonial education. A brief survey of the English language policy situation in the Philippines from the American colonial period to contemporary times reveals diffusions in language policy formulation. Such diffusion has resulted in conflicting policies and practices that marginalize Philippine languages and contribute to the further deterioration of education among Filipino children.