FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
"12 
JAN 12 :'.157 
SENhJ"E 
S. No. 
(5U94 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As the information age progresses, the global community becomes more of a reality to 
our countrymen. As such, we must continue to pursue means of betterment that will allow our 
student to be cognizant of foreign cultures, including languages" By learning foreign languages, 
our citizens will be more competitive in the global market. 
In order for a foreign language program to be effective, it must be initiated at the earliest 
age possible. Thus, we must explore foreign languages programs that ties up with our basic 
education system from kindergmlen onwards. On pilot implementation of this program, we can 
also limit the implementation of this bill to select students only who have clear aptitude when it 
comes to learning foreign languages. This way, we can maximize our chances of succeeding by 
focusing our resources on students who can benefit most from this program. 
This bill provides grants to partnerships who can develop a foreign language educatiop 
program to select students in our basic education system. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
'12 
JAN 12'/1 :57 
__________________ S_.N_O_SE=~N=~=Ta=9=4~! __________ i_'i_;. __ 
.. _._"~r~~ 
__ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
I 
AN ACT 
2 
ESTABLISHING A PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
3 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Foreign Language Education 
4 
Partnership Act." 
5 
SECTION 2. Purpose. - The purpose of this Act is to provide grants for developing and 
6 
maintaining model programs of articulated foreign language learning for select students from 
7 
kindergarten through high school that increase the number of students graduating from high 
8 
school with an advanced level of proficiency in at least one foreign language. 
9 
SECTION 3. Grant. - The Secretary of Education (hereinafter "Secretary") shall make 
10 
wants to eligible partnerships to develop and maintain, or to improve and expand, model 
II 
programs that support articulated foreign language learning in kindergarten through high school 
12 
for select students who exhibits aptitude for learning foreign language. 
13 
SECTION 4. Applications. - Each eligible partnership, desiring a grant under this Act, 
14 
shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
15 
information as the Secretary may require. Each application shall-
16 
(A) 
identify each member of the partnership, provide contact information and 
17 
letters of commitment for each such member, and describe the 
18 
responsibilities of each such member, including --
19 
(1) 
identifying the member that will receive and manage the grant; 
1 


2 
3 
4 
S 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
(B) 
(C) 
(D) 
(E) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
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 
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 (1) foreign language to 
which the program relates; 
describe how an articulated cun-iculum for students to achieve an 
advanced level of proficiency upon graduation in high school in the 
foreign language will be developed and implemented; 
identify 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; 
describe how the partnership will support and continue the program after 
the grant has expired, including how the partnership will seek support 
from other sources, such as State and local governments, foundations, and 
the private sector; and 
describe what assessments will be used or, if assessments are not 
20 
available, how assessments will be developed. 
21 
SECTION S. Use a/Grant. - An eligible partnership receiving a grant under this section 
22 
shall use grant funds to -
23 
24 
2S 
(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; 
2 


2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
(B) 
(C) 
(D) 
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 proticiency upon 
graduation in high school; 
recruit students and teachers for the foreign language, such as individuals 
from heritage populations; and 
carry out teacher in-service and pre-service professional development 
8 
programs, including summer institutes, that support the model programs. 
9 
SECTION 6. Evaluation. - The Secretary shall provide for an objective assessment and 
10 
evaluation system for the beneficiaries of this grant. The Secretary shall include in the 
11 
implementing rules of this Act the grounds for discontinuance of grant to non-performing 
12 
beneficiaries. 
13 
SECTION 7. Reporting. - Two (2) years after the initial implementation of this Act and 
14 
every two (2) years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the proper committees in 
15 
Congress. The said report shall contain the recommendations on the improvement of or 
16 
cessation, if so warranted, ofthis program. 
17 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
18 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
19 
accordingly. 
20 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
21 
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not 
22 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
23 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
24 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
3