NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2341
oi tl'p U-Pl.in>
23 JUL 24 Pr-23
RKCEIVlDBV;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, OTHER THAN 
ENGLISH, AS AN ELECTIVE COURSE IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION 
CURRICULUM
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Department of Education (DepEd) is currently implementing the Special 
Program in Foreign Language (SPFL) classes in public schools for Grade 7 to 12 
students. The program started in 2009 in select schools and only offered Spanish 
language. It then expanded to include Nihongo, French, German, Mandarin and 
Korean. It is only elective and will not in any way replace Filipino subject which is a 
core subject. The program aims to enhance the ability of students to engage in 
meaningful interaction in a linguistically and culturally diverse workplace.
To be able to continue this important program of DepEd, this measure seeks 
to institutionalize the inclusion of foreign language other than English as an elective 
course in the Higher Education curriculum. Learning foreign language will make the 
Filipino students adequately equipped to be a 21st-century learner. The learners 
would be able to connect with the world and be more globally competitive in their 
future workplaces.


This would be beneficial to Filipino students as they will be able to 
communicate efficiently with other foreign nationals and will have better job 
opportunities in companies that require multilingual employees.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
L
JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2341
of t!:c
23 JUL24 PI 24
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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 assem bled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Foreign Language
2 
Education Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Inclusion of a Foreign Language in Higher Education Curriculum. -
4 
The teaching of a foreign language other than English, as an elective course, shall
5 
be included in the curriculum of higher education.
6 
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), pursuant to its mandate under
7 
Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994", shall
8 
develop the program to execute and implement this Act.
9 
The foreign language elective course shall be a basic course for beginners ad
10 
shall be designed as a three (3)-unit subject to be offered in all higher education
11 
institutions.
12 
Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
13 
the effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall issue the rules and regulations as may be
14 
necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.


1 
Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, letters of instructions,
2 
rules and regulations or provisions thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are
3 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
4 
Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act shall be held invalid or
5 
unconstitutional, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the other
6 
provisions hereof which shall remain I n full force effect.
7 
Sec. 6. Efbectivity Clause. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
8 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,