UP, TESDA working on a context-sensitive Spanish language textbook
The University of the Philippines (UP) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are collaborating on a Spanish language textbook that will be Filipino-sensitive.
Developed by the UP Department of European Languages, the upcoming book has been described to be a "context-sensitive, culturally responsive, and open-access digital textbook-cum-workbook" for Spanish language teachers and learners.
According to TESDA, the book will differ from others as it will be "comprehensive and culturally-sensitive" and "reflect the rich ethnolinguistic diversity" of the Philippines.
The material will be available online for free and can be printed for P250.
The Spanish language highly influenced Filipino and was formerly the official language of the country during the late 16th century. Spain colonized the Philippines for 333 years, with Tagalog borrowing words from Spanish.
The Philippine Spanish Language Restoration Movement called this effort a "commendable initiative' while adding that it could also be used by schools as well.
"This is a commendable initiative from TESDA and UP, but what we need is for [the Department of Education] to do as well for the basic education level," it wrote on Facebook.
TESDA is currently offering a 100-hour Spanish Language for Different Vocations course.
Previously, the agency announced that it was launching a course on content creation teaching concepts for social media posting, translation of concepts into multimedia content, and propagation of content.
Aside from Spanish, TESDA is also offering language courses in English and Japanese.