OUTLINE Introduction: A common language is the most obvious binding element in any society.

-Michael Howard In a fast-paced and rapidly changing world, Filipinos need to keep up with the rest of the world so as not to be left behind; we have to be competitive and correlate with other countries and to do so we have to master the global language: the English language. As a developing country, the Philippines needs to make use of English language to prove its international power. This can be based on the efficiency of tertiary education since by making it as a medium of instruction; we will be able to produce skilled professionals armed with superior English skills. Consequently, English then, should be medium of instruction at universities. Topic Sentence: In order to prove Philippines international power, we need to learn and master the English language. A. Adhering to Filipino as medium of instruction for our major subjects will only reduce our superior capabilities in communicating in the English language. - the 2007 survey in Hongkong, where Hongkong Officials saw a decline of English proficiency in the country when they imposed Cantonese as medium of instruction. - in 2004 by David Graddol of English Company in England stated that English is now regarded as a basic skill, like computer skills; and businesses whose employees are not multilingual will find themselves at a disadvantage. - in the findings of English First last August of this year, it stated that countries with higher income per capita tend to be more proficient in English language. B. Changing our medium of instruction to Filipino will only prove to be counterproductive. - the study conducted by European Chamber of Commerce in 2006, stating that 75 percent of countrys annual 400,000 college graduates have substandard English skills -a statement in an interview from JayJay Viray, general manager of JobsDB.com, said that most of their clients complained of applicants who lack good communication skills and have trouble expressing themselves in English.

C. Using Filipino as the medium of instruction for our major subjects becomes useless when we try to land a job after we graduate. -Government examinations like the professional board and bar exams are administered in the English language -The language used in making application letters, business correspondence and other legal documents is English. Conclusion: Theres no doubt English proficiency is important and changing our medium of instruction to Filipino will only be rendered as useless since English is the language of correspondence in media, governance and business. Yes, we have to develop our own national language but it doesnt necessarily mean that we have to make it as our medium of instruction, we can develop it through the ESSAY: A common language is the most obvious binding element in any society.-Michael Howard Mr. Adjudicator, my equally able debaters, ladies and gents, good morning; in a fast-paced and rapidly changing world, Filipinos need to keep up with the rest of the world so as not to be left behind; we have to be competitive and correlate with other countries and to do so we have to master the global language: the English language. As a developing country, the Philippines needs to make use of English language to prove its international power. This can be based on the efficiency of tertiary education since by making it as a medium of instruction; we will be able to produce skilled professionals armed with superior English skills. Consequently, English then, should be medium of instruction at universities. Our main goal in disapproving Filipino language as medium of instruction is to make Filipinos realize that if we adhere to the proposition, we reduce our impressive capability in communicating in the English language. Like the 2007 survey in Hongkong, where Hongkong Officials saw a decline of English proficiency in the country when they imposed Cantonese as medium of instruction that led to deterioration of English among common workers. A related study conducted in 2004 by David Graddol of English Company in England stated that English is now regarded as a basic skill, like computer skills; and businesses whose employees are not multilingual will find themselves at a disadvantage. Also in the findings of

English First last August of this year, it stated that countries with higher income per capita tend to be more proficient in English language since English skills and income levels correlate in a "virtuous" cycle where greater proficiency in the language leads to higher income. Changing our medium of instruction to Filipino will only prove to be counterproductive since gradual negligence in learning English language will result in producing graduates with sub-standard English just like the study conducted by European Chamber of Commerce in 2006, stating that 75 percent of countrys annual 400,000 college graduates have sub-standard English skills and of the same year, a statement in an interview from JayJay Viray, general manager of JobsDB.com, said that most of their clients complained of applicants who lack good communication skills and have trouble expressing themselves in English. On the other hand, whats the use of using Filipino as medium of instruction?, where in fact government examinations such as professional board and bar exams, civil service and licensure exams are administered in English language. Another reality is that after we graduate and we decide to apply to a certain job, may it be in the government or private sector, the language used in making application letters, business correspondence and other legal documents is English. Why would we trouble ourselves learning our major subjects in Filipino where in fact we use English language in communicating when we immerse ourselves in the real world? Theres no doubt English proficiency is important and changing our medium of instruction to Filipino will only be rendered as useless since English is the language of correspondence in media, governance and business. mass media, publications and even conversing with natives fluent of the Filipino language, let us all remember that by sharpening our English competence, we help improve and gear our country towards prosperity and as we direct our country to progress then we will be worthy to be called a nationalist, a Filipino citizen.

Yes, we have to develop our own national language but it doesnt necessarily mean that we have to make it as our medium of instruction, we can develop it through the mass media, publications and even conversing with natives fluent of the Filipino language, let us all remember that by sharpening our English competence, we help improve and gear our country towards prosperity and as we direct our country to progress then we

will be worthy to be called a nationalist, a Filipino citizen