Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.6 494

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Learning foreign language at an early age offers a wide possible set of benefits
and opportunities for children, The study conducted by the Harvard University confirms
that learning additional foreign languages develops critical thinking skills, improves
academic achievement, and enriches cultural awareness in young children!, Moreover,
it gives children an advantage to be globally competitive.

This bill seeks to establish a partnership program in foreign language education.
Patterned with the Foreign Language Partnership Program bill filed in the United States
of America’s House of Representatives, 113t Congress, this bill provides grants for
partnerships that can develop and maintain a foreign language program for select
students from kindergarten through high school.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

LFREDO D. VARGAS IIT

* Ford, C, (2014), “Children should start learning languages at age three.” The Telegraph. Available at:
[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/11151726/Children-should-start-learning-
languages-at-age-three.htmi] (Retrieved 29 January 2016},


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo, 8494

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE
EDUCATION

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the "Foreign Language Education
Partnership Act.”

SECTION 2. Purpose. - The purpose of this Act is to provide grants for developing and
maintaining model programs of articulated foreign language learning for select students
from kindergarten through high school that increase the number of students graduating
from high school with an advanced level of proficiency in at least one foreign language.

SECTION 3. Grant. - The Secretary of Education (hereinafter “Secretary” shall make
grants to eligible partnerships to develop and maintain, or to improve and expand,
model programs that support articulated foreign language learning from kindergarten
through high school for select students who exhibit aptitude for learning foreign
language.

SECTION 4. Applications. - Each eligible partnership, desiring a grant under this Act,
shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may require, Each application shall ~
(A) Identify each member of the partnership, provide contact information and letters
of commitment for each such member, and describe the responsibilities of each
such member, including -
a. Identifying the member that will receive and manage the grant;
b. Specifying how each member will be involved in the planning, development,
and implementation of the activities proposed under the grant;
Describing the resources to be provided by each member; and
d. Describing how each member will contribute to ensuring the continuity of
student progress in proficiency from kindergarten through high school in not
less than one foreign language to which the program relates;


(B) Describe how an articulated curriculum for students to achieve an advanced
level of proficiency upon graduation in high school in the foreign language will
be developed and implemented;

(C) Identity target proficiency levels in the foreign language for students at critical
benchmarks, and describe how progress toward those proficiency levels will be
assessed at the benchmarks;

(D)Describe how the partnership will support and continue the program after the
grant has expired, including how the partnership will seek support from the
other sources, such as State and local governments, foundations, and the private
sector; and

(E) Describe what assessments will be used or, if assessments are not available, how
assessments will be developed.

SECTION 5. Use of Grant. - An eligible partnership receiving a grant under this

section shall use grant funds to ~

(A) Design model programs and teaching strategies relating to not less than one
foreign language that are informed by the best practices recognized by the field
and by available research;

(B)Develop, for the foreign language to which the model program relates,
curriculum materials based on an articulated framework or approach designed
to bring students to an advanced level of proficiency upon graduation in high
school;

(C) Recruit students and teachers for the foreign language, such as individuals from
heritage populations; and

(D)Carry out teacher in-service and pre-service professional development
programs, including summer institutes, that support the model programs.

SECTION 6. Evaluation. - The Secretary shall provide an objective assessment and
evaluation system for the beneficiaries of this grant. The Secretary shall include in
the implementing rules of this Act the grounds for discontinuance of grant to non-
performing beneficiaries,

SECTION 7. Reporting, - Two years after the initial implementation of this Act and
every two years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the proper
committees in Congress. The said report shall contain the recommendations on the
improvement of or cessation, if so warranted, of this program.

SECTION 8, Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decree, orders, and issuances, or portions
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.


SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,