Multicultural integration and future pathways: an analysis of Chinese language education policies and practices in Philippine public secondary schools

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper examines the integration of Chinese language education within the Philippine public secondary school system, highlighting its role in promoting multicultural understanding and enhancing global competitiveness. Through a mixed-methods approach, involving surveys and interviews with educators, and administrators across a representative sample of schools, the study explores the current state of Chinese language policies as part of the SPFL (Special Program in Foreign Languages) foreign language education, curriculum designs, personnel training, community engagement, and resource allocation. The findings reveal several challenges, including limited instructional time, inadequate teacher training, scarce teaching resources, and a nascent stage of digital resource development. The study also delves into the societal and educational aspirations driving the demand for Chinese language education, against the backdrop of the Philippines' broader goals for national talent development and cultural integration. Recommendations are proposed to address the identified gaps, emphasizing the need for curriculum standards that more closely integrate language with multicultural activities, enhanced teacher support, community-based language activities, a multidimensional approach to language proficiency evaluation and leveraging digital education, etc., The paper advocates for an expanded notion of communicative competence that encompasses the ability for cultural exchange and digital literacy.