BGHTEEIMTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
E-FILED 
July 22 2020
3:20 p.m.
SENATE 
S. No. 1716
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE OTHER THAN 
ENGLISH, AS AN ELECTIVE COURSE IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION 
CURRICULUM
Eyolanatorv Note
In 2013, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issued Memorandum 
Order No. 20 referring to the General Education Curriculum (GEC)forthe tertiary level. 
While the GEC met controversies for making Filipino and English language subjects 
optional, it also opened freedom and flexibility to Higher Education Institutions (HBs) 
in the offering of language programs1.
While learning the Philippine language connects us to our history, culture and 
identity as Filipinos, learning foreign languages also has its own set of advantages.
Foreign language skills is an important 21st century social skill that fosters 
intercultural and international awareness, knowledge, and understanding, critical 
thinking, and effective communicative skills. Moreover, the Organization for Economic 
Co-operation and Development (OECD) said that "global competence requires 
numerous skills, including the ability to: communicate in more than one language; 
communicate appropriately and effectively with people from other cultures or 
countries; comprehend other people's thoughts, beliefs and feelings, and see the 
world from their perspectives; adjust one's thoughts, feelings or behaviors to fit new 
contexts and situations; and analyze and think critically in order to scrutinize and 
appraise information and meanings." By providing an avenue for Filipino learners to 
learn a foreign language, we are making them locally and internationally competitive.
1 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/07/03/sc-rules-language-subjects-are-optional-in-college/


It also expands their global opportunities for employment, travel, cross-cultural 
exchange, diplomacy, international education, and business.
This measure seeks to institutionalize the integration of foreign languages, 
other than English, as an elective course in the Higher Education curriculum. This shall 
be a 3-unit beginner course taught by accredited foreign language teachers as 
recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is a must.
ij GRACE POE


BGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
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SENATE 
S. No. 1716
S date; Ju|y222020 
if> tu.ipv .3:20 p.m
E-FILED
iKfoex
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF A FOREIGN LANGUAGE OTHER THAN 
ENGLISH, AS AN ELECTIVE COURSE IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION 
CURRICULUM
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Foreign Language
2 
Education Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the fast growing global
4 
economy and the need for Filipinos to remain competitive in the global arena that is
5 
composed of different people, cultures and languages. It shall therefore be the policy
6 
of the State to include foreign language education, other than English, as an elective
7 
course in the higher education cumcula, with the goal of equipping Filipinos with
8 
sufficient aptitude and skills to be more competitive and thereafter, enjoy better job
9 
opportunities, travel, business, education, among others, globally.
10 
Sec. 3. Foreign Language Education. - The teaching of a foreign language other
11 
than English, as an elective course, shall be included in the curriculum of higher
12 
education. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), pursuant to its mandate
13 
under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994",
14 
shall determine the specific foreign languages, the start of the integration, and other
15 
necessary guidelines and policies to implement this Act.


1 
The foreign language elective course shall be a basic course for beginners and
2 
shall be designed as a three (3)-unit subject to be offered in all higher education
3 
institutions.
4 
Sec. 4. Foreign Language Teachers. - To attend to the needs of foreign
5 
language teachers in higher education, CHED shall promote a field of specialization in
6 
each of the identified foreign languages. CHED shall coordinate with education offices
7 
or similar offices of foreign embassies in formulating the foreign language training
8 
programs and curricula for Filipino teachers.
9 
Teachers and college graduates who will take up a Master's degree in the
10 
corresponding foreign language shall be accredited as foreign language teachers.
11 
CHED shall also Include the teaching of foreign languages as a field of study In the
12 
teacher education program.
13 
Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
14 
effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall issue the rules and regulations as may be
15 
necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.
16 
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
17 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall remain
18 
in force and effect circulation.
19 
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions,
20 
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are
21 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
22 
Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
23 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general.
Approved,