Language is an element that helps people distinguish the variations in cultural orientations of a particular community/society. Through language, people are able to differentiate themselves from the other. Also, it serves as a primary medium through which culture is passed on from one generation to the next. According to scholars, children acquire knowledge through contacts and interactions with people around them, then later assimilates and internalizes this knowledge to add it in their personal value. They acquire it through the stories told by the elders, words being uttered and used in their daily lives, and even the signs and symbols that are embedded in daily conversations. For instance, languages often have vocabulary that is greatly influenced by the community/society that may not have direct translations and counterparts in the target languages. For example, the Filipino word “bayanihan”—refers to a spirit of communal unity and cooperation that needs mutual assistance in which the members of a particular community/society work together to accomplish a difficult task without expecting anything in return, which is embodied and rooted in the Filipino identity and tradition. Likewise, the Japanese concept of “amae”—refers to emotional bonding and interdependence within relationships, typically found in mother-child relationships, that emphasizes emotional reliance and mutual support with each other. The examples provided tries to illustrate how language and culture might affect the way we perceive and understand the cultural identity and tradition of one’s culture.

Culture through language influences people’s thinking which may affect knowledge, beliefs, behaviors, perspectives, and goals in life. The difference in cultures may impact on people’s habitual thinking and behavior that may affect the way they communicate and interact with others, even the non-verbal cues, usage of words, and how they behave in the community/society. Many Asian cultures, like Korean and Japanese, demonstrated respect through acknowledging someone using a title and surname and there is a variation in the speech levels depending on the age or status of someone you are talking to. Contrary to Western cultures, they usually put a lot of value on personal freedom, leaders and subordinates are expected to listen and have an equal structure in society, and when talking to someone, they tend to be clear and direct with the words they utter. These differences require an understanding and awareness of the diverse culture of other communities/societies, not just knowing and understanding merely the vocabulary, grammar, and other concepts.

According to anthropologists, they would have difficulty understanding a culture without becoming familiar with its language and vice versa; that is why the relationship between language and culture becomes evident in multilingual communities/societies. Countries like the Philippines where numerous languages exist, diction may signify one’s identity, perceptions, beliefs, and expectations in a particular community/society. For example, the use of Filipino language may reflect national pride and identity while local languages like Cebuano and Iloco may reflect local pride, identity, and belongingness. Moreover, the English language signifies education and formality across culture since it is considered as the medium of instruction and communication to really understand one another. Due to differences in language choices, there is a high probability that a message will be misunderstood and distorted. Hence, multilingual speakers are typically sensitive enough when speaking to people who have a different culture to them.

Globalization poses challenges to the preservation of language and culture. Dominant languages like the English language becomes increasingly widespread whilst regional languages are at risk of extinction that largely due to lack of multigenerational transmission. When a particular language dies, the cultural knowledge and identity embodied within will be lost and vanished as well. As a result, people’s efforts in preserving and protecting their regional languages may be considered crucial for maintaining cultural diversity and uniqueness. Nowadays, many communities/societies are revitalizing and strengthening their language through integrating it into education like seminar-workshops, creating a media station that will air news, songs, stories and so on using the language, and incorporate cultural activities that will actively be participated by the people.

Furthermore, globalization creates opportunities and mutual understanding for intercultural communication. As people learn new languages, they will most likely expose themselves to many cultures and perspectives. Language learning develops 21^st century skills, broadens one’s thinking, helps understand diverse cultures, and contributes to global competence. In line with this, it fosters career prospects, decision-making, and helps build connections and understand other cultures. It enables people to communicate and interact to participate in meaningful and multilingual communities at home and around the world. Through meaningful intercultural communication, people can build bridges of understanding and overcoming across social and cultural boundaries.

To conclude, language and culture are intrinsically intertwined, mutually shaping and reinforcing each other. Language serves as an organizer of knowledge and a means of social communication whereas culture is an inherited and innate ideas, attitudes, beliefs, values, and knowledge, comprising or forming the shared foundations of social action. Thus, language is the symbolic presentation of a culture. Almira S. Paraguas

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“Pababa, pataas tsaka matumal ang benta… Dahil nga siguro sa bagyo, tignan niyo yung mga nabaha sa baba [Maynila]. Wala nang masyadong pumupuntang mga turista rito… lalo na at mataas ang presyo ng gulay” Ani Marjorie Kidlo, apat na taon nang tindera na dating OFW.

Ayon sa Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), pumalo sa 5.5% ang inflation rate ng lungsod simula nitong Oktubre 2024 dahil sa mga sunod-sunod na pasok ng bagyo sa bansa.

Mula naman sa Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC), umangat sa 140% ang presyo ng ilang gulay nitong unang dalawang linggo ng Nobyembre 2024 sa probinsya matapos ang sunud-sunod na pagbagyo. 

Karaniwang tumataas ang presyo ng mga gulay sa pagpatak ng ikaapat na kwarter ng taon, pero dahil sa sunod-sunod na bagyo, mas tumaas ang presyo ng mga bilihin ngayong taon kumpara sa mga nagdaang panahon ayon na rin mismo sa mga manininda.

Ayon sa PSA nitong 2023 tinatayang nasa ₱11,600 ang poverty line sa rehiyon ng Cordillera.

Kaya naman sa panahon ng ka-paskohan, lahat ng klase ng pagtitipid ay handang gawin ng mga mamimili, magkaroon lang ng maihahanda.  

Kaniya-kaniyang diskarte na rin ang ginagawa ng mga mamimili para sa darating pasko at bagong taon.

Hindi lang ang budget para sa pasko at bagong taon ang apektado kung hindi pati narin ang budget ng mga estudyante linggo-linggo.

“Malaki ang epekto ng inflation sa budget ko, dahil fixed ang allowance na natatanggap ko every month, kailangan kong mag-adjust o gumawa ng paraan para makatipid,” ayon kay Florian Mercado, isang mag-aaral sa kolehiyo.” 

Pati ang budget para sa ibang mga bilihin ay apektado dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pagkain sa palengke at lahat ng pamilihan.

“Imbis na kumain sa labas ay magluluto na lang ako o kaya naman ay yung mga kinakailangang mga bagay lang muna ang bibilhin ko,” dagdag pa nito. 

“Nakakalungkot at nakaka-stress yung pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, lalo na at hindi maiiwasan ang gastusin na kailangan sa school. Mahirap makipagsabayan sa pagtaas ng presyo, kaya syempre kailangan mas maging wise sa paggastos ng pera,” aniya. 

Dahil sa pagtaas ng mga presyo, marami ang apektado partikular ang mga nagtitinda at mamimili. 

Ang minimum wage ng bawat residente sa   Cordillera ay nasa ₱400 kada araw kaya naman malaking problema para sa kanila ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga gulay gaya ng repolyo, bawang, sibuyas, lettuce, bokchoy, sayote, atpb.

Iba’t ibang diskarte ang ginagawa ng bawat mamimili para pagkasyahin ang kanilang badyet gaya ng pagbawas sa kanilang mga binibili at kanilang inuunang bilhin ang mga gulay na kanilang kailangan.

“Malaking epekto ang inflation, dati isang kilo ng sibuyas ang binibili ko pero ngayon kalahati na lang at pinagkakasya ko ito.” Bigkas ni Loida Allawan, isang senior citizen na namimili sa Baguio Public Market.

Magkahalong galit at pagkadimasya ang emosyong nararamdaman ng mga mamimili gaya ni Allawan dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng mga presyo.

“Syempre, nagagalit ako sa ganun kasi naghihirap yung family… I feel helpless kasi I cannot do something anything about it kasi kung yung mga government officials, wala ngang ginagawa. Helpless ang ordinary citizens just like me,” ani Allawan. By Alexis Aubrey P. Asalil, University of the Philippines – Baguio, Student Jounalist in Training 

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The proposed measure aims to enhance the safety, security, and peaceful utilization of nuclear energy in the country.

Filed under Committee Report No. 429 on December 10, 2024, Senate Bill No. 2899 or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act seeks to institutionalize PhilATOM as an independent regulatory body with exclusive authority over nuclear safety and security.

Its mandate includes developing policies, setting safety standards, conducting inspections, and overseeing the transport, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials.

“Doon sa mga may agam-agam, may doubt sa nuclear power plant at nuclear energy: this bill is not to put up a nuclear power plant. It’s precisely to have the institution and the right people to be able to assess the use of nuclear energy in our country,” Cayetano said.

The legislation consolidates provisions from existing laws and international guidelines to ensure comprehensive oversight. It specifies penalties for unauthorized handling or misuse of nuclear materials and prioritizes public health, safety, and environmental protection.

The bill also mandates PhilATOM to develop a national plan for off-site nuclear or radiological emergencies, integrate these plans with national disaster frameworks, and coordinate with international organizations like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Cayetano highlighted the potential benefits of nuclear energy, including its role in advancing medicine and agriculture and addressing climate change.

As the Philippines anticipates the integration of nuclear energy into its energy mix, Cayetano assured the public of stringent safety measures, transparency, and accountability under the proposed regulatory framework.

The bill has gained support from various stakeholders, including scientists, energy experts, and policymakers who view it as a step toward a modern and sustainable future.

“For the purpose of passing this bill, we’ll try as much as possible to separate it so that hindi tayo ma-delay… I’ll really try to get it on the floor ASAP,” Cayetano said.

The bill is expected to undergo further deliberation in the Senate during the current session. NLMonitor

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With this, I would like to suggest integrating the tool Reading Coach thru Microsoft Office 365 in order to help the learners improve their reading fluency in the English language. In my opinion, this kind of material would be useful in language acquisition, especially when the learner is reluctant to read when there is someone around them.

Reading Coach in Microsoft is an effective tool in tracking the reading progress of our learners. It can help them practice independently thereby improving their reading fluency and their pronunciation.  They are also motivated to read the content and it fuels their desire to learn the English language. This Reading Coach has the features to give personalized feedback regarding the reading progress of the students and provides challenging words that educators might look at. This way, the student can improve their reading fluency because the application identifies mispronounced words by highlighting the text and gives outright feedback and audio tutorial about it. It also enhances or broadens their vocabulary since the application tool suggests repository of words and meanings as the student points the unfamiliar word highlighted. Moreover, when they encounter a challenging word, they can click the dashboard to save it and they can also click the button to learn how to read it properly. As such, the learners are free to learn the second language without any hesitation by reading on their own if they want to. If you are wondering if this tool is for free, don’t worry, because this tool is for free and it is applicable both in urban and rural setting. As long as, there is a data connection or wireless fidelity (WiFi), this reading coach can be accessed.

Overall, integrating such kind of reading tool is effective in attracting the learners and allows them to explore the use of advance technology while learning the second language. Reading with the aid of Reading Coach thru Microsoft Office 365, coupled with the guidance of teachers will definitely enhance reading and in addition, they may use this tool anytime and anywhere. Renalyn M. Garcia

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English language materials do not always reflect the local culture of the place, values, and experiences of Filipino students, making it difficult for them to relate to the lesson. For example, a reading comprehension about the Western Holidays like Thanksgiving and Halloween. Learners who haven’t heard of such holidays will not be able to resonate with them because they’ve never experienced it. As much as possible, teachers must make use of local events or festivities that learners are familiar. Teachers must also be conscious of their student’s ethnicity so that they can also use materials that they can relate to.

There are significant differences in classroom dynamics, with some schools having large class sizes and others offering smaller, more personalized settings. These variations greatly influence the delivery of materials, teaching methods, grouping practices, classroom management, the quality of peer interactions, the nature of tasks assigned to students, and the time teachers have for assessments and understanding individual students’ needs. For instance, group activities designed for smaller classes may not be practical in larger classrooms, while activities for larger groups typically require more time to complete.

Standardized assessments and evaluations can also be tricky because of the misalignment with the curriculum or the students’ local contexts, making it difficult to accurately evaluate their English language proficiency. An example would be a test focusing heavily on grammar that is not relevant to the students’ everyday communication needs.

In conclusion, context should be given importance when creating successful language materials. Without it, students could find it difficult to relate to the material, particularly in classrooms with different cultural backgrounds and experiences. Furthermore, if standardized tests aren’t designed with students’ regular communication needs in mind, they might not be able to assess language proficiency accurately. To facilitate effective communication outside of the classroom, teachers must provide resources that are culturally and contextually relevant, engaging students and enhancing their practical language abilities.  Yvonne Cysel Monday

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Taking into consideration the innumerable body of literature, AI has proven, time and again, its effectiveness in improving the English proficiency of second language learners. Diving deeper into the educational aspect of AI, one can say it encapsulates technology-enhanced language learning where technological tools are integrated into language teaching. While it is unavoidable that learners of this day and age are digitally fluent, language educators can strategically guide them into utilizing these tools as mediators in addressing learner needs and interests and providing them with an engaging and facilitated learning environment. Scholars have also found that learners reported to have increased motivation and positive feedback on the integration of AI into language learning. As such, language educators are encouraged to embrace the changing preferences and learning styles of their students and be receptive to the pedagogical opportunities that this phenomenon has to offer.

Lesson planning and learning material preparation has always been a taxing job, even for passionate educators, in a country where administrative loads have become embedded into teaching responsibilities. In response, AI tools can aid in providing both level-appropriate and challenging materials for language learners. Some organizations such as the British Council, which have been benchmarking the best practices of language experts across the globe, offer suggestions on the strategic use of AI. To wit, language educators can delegate their tasks to the personalization and adaptation of language materials through generative AI. It is undoubtedly astonishing how AI can convert high-level language materials into easier ones to suit a learner’s proficiency level.

Similarly, authentic materials are usually difficult to align with the learners’ proficiency level, especially for the younger ones. However, teachers can consult with AI on the suitability assessment of authentic materials in gauging learners’ language skills at a slightly more advanced level, thereby adhering to Krashen’s comprehensible input. With this, learners are exposed to communicative learning while gradually developing their linguistic competence.

In a nutshell, AI can serve as a valuable copilot for educators in the language teaching and learning process as it enhances learning facilitation and fosters language skills development through the incorporation of reliable materials. By leveraging AI’s capabilities, teachers can transform potential threats into opportunities, revolutionizing the language pedagogy with strategic, modern approaches.  Aiza W. Ortega-Bastian

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In order to promote flexible multilingualism in the classroom and help students develop their linguistic fluidity, dexterity, and identity while broadening their linguistic repertoire, language educators and researchers in the Philippines could start looking into the usage of translanguaging techniques. The teaching and learning approach known as translanguaging involves having pupils switch between two or more languages in order to acquire experiences, knowledge, and understanding which in my humble opinion works well with children. In translanguaging, we do not just view somebody as ‘first language user’ or ‘second language user’; we view an individual as somebody who uses two or more languages and who smoothly shifts from one language to the other. Also, we do not simply refer to the process of using languages as code-switching; instead, individuals maximize their linguistic repertoire as a resource for learning. Ofelia Garcia, a notable educator and researcher in the field of bilingualism and bilingual education, forwarded that the premise of translanguaging is ‘action’ and ‘practice’ rather than a discrete collection of skills or a straightforward system of structures. She added that translanguaging as pedagogy means that the teacher actively and flexibly uses the students’ linguistic repertoire to educate them, knowing that it extends beyond the language activities in the classroom. A translanguaging classroom considers a visual space and its organization, whereas a translanguaging teacher employs scaffolding and differentiation to deliver rigorous instruction while focusing on student-centredness, language and material, and offering opportunities for discussion, reflection, and debriefing with classmates.

Overall, I have simply provided snapshots of how translanguaging could be a veritable alternative. Further research and application are still necessary to test its effectiveness in lieu of the Mother Tongue Based-Multilingual Education.

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It is known that knowledge and creativity correlates with each other. Our language defines our identity, and our identity portrays the beauty of our cultures. Likewise, we may also say that we are also a product of our ancestors’ creativity. Language is also a way to experience the world. So why do we allow artificial intelligence to experience what we’re supposed to experience? Of course, there are reasons why some of us result in using Artificial Intelligence, and these include: Laziness, lack of time and even the lack of resources. Another reason would be the use of Artificial Intelligence as a source of inspiration rather than creating content ourselves. Hence, it should be discussed the lengths of Artificial Intelligence and its application to writing. It is useful as a tool for helping basic structure and looking for ideas. However, human intervention is mostly needed in order to create a more creative output.

With the recent announcement that the Philippines ranked second-lowest on creativity according to the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa). We may need to reevaluate our methods in teaching. In a language setting, the knocking of A.I in our classrooms requires teachers to be sharper in catching students that use A.I in their outputs. Hence, in order to raise our creativity score for the next creativity assessment, there is a need for language teachers to reevaluate their pedagogies in teaching. It all starts in fostering creativity in the classroom. For example, in a conducive classroom, allow students to create their mistakes, not define themselves by their mistake. To foster creativity in language, it requires teachers to allow their students to explore the language, and allow them to garner a positive outlook. To create, and to explore the things that are considered unknown to them. However, it is important to prevent students from using artificial intelligence. They are here to master the language, not use a tool in order to gain a passing grade.

Artificial Intelligence is inevitable. The speed of its development is frightening. Some people use it to get things done as soon as possible at the cost of creativity. We should not be overly dependent on Artificial Intelligence when it comes to language and creativity. It is a tool, an assistance on what we are trying to accomplish. Nothing more. Exploiting Artificial is similar to exploiting ourselves and sacrificing our authenticity as humans. Let us be reminded that we humans should always be at the steering wheel for our own creations.

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