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My daughter Andrea’s first language was English. The first words she heard, the first shows she watched, and the first books she read were all in English.

It was also the preferred medium of instruction of the nuns in her preschool. So when Andrea started big school, she understandably had a harder time with HEKASI and Filipino lessons than with Reading, Language, and other subjects taught in English. Does your child find it a struggle to write, speak, and understand our national language too?  Are his grades noticeably lower in Filipino subjects?

If you answered yes to both questions, then you’ll be thankful for The Learning Library (TLL), a caring company that aims to develop the love of reading and learning among children. TLL has a pioneering Filipino enrichment program called “Wika’y Galing” for youngsters four to 17 years old.  “The program works because we improve the child’s attitude towards Filipino.  Children enjoy learning through our workshop activities. They say it’s more relevant because it is anchored on Philippine culture (songs, games, food), and they gain more confidence because they’re with other kids who are learning the language at the same level,” attests TLL general manager Vanessa Bicomong.            

They have workshops, she says, that make young ones experience the language. “For example, when you have a cooking lesson at The Learning Library, you experience words like mainit, matamis, malutong, and malinamnam. And you don’t forget these words because they didn’t just come from a book – you experienced them.”

For learning to be effective in this case, Bicomong believes students who have little exposure must be taught Filipino in a non-traditional way and as a non-primary language. “Our traditional school curriculum assumes that students can speak and understand the language, so we have exercises like labeling parts of speech in our textbooks. If you do not speak Filipino to family or friends, and you don’t tune in to Filipino songs or TV shows, you do not have the vocabulary, listening comprehension and reading comprehension skills needed to tackle schoolwork. Imagine if you were asked to compose sentences in Chinese and read Chinese books, when you do not speak or really understand the language. That’s how unprepared some students are for Filipino in school,” she explains.

At TLL, little learners are guided by a Reading Coach who assesses the child to determine specific needs in English or Filipino, and recommends the right level in “Wika’y Galing” or The Reading Advantage Program (there are four levels in each program). A Reading Coach also does workshops or direct teaching – storytelling or discussion plus worksheets – for the child. “More importantly, she models the love of reading and appreciation for Filipino – which are modeled, not just taught!” says Bicomong.

TLL enrollees have to go to the center twice a week. Workshops have set schedules per branch, but direct teaching days are chosen by the student. Most branches are open three to four days a week, while the main ones are open Monday to Saturday.

Tweens Maggie and Gelo Nery are two of TLL’s satisfied and successful students. They shared that The Learning Library helped them “by encouraging us to read books, and by improving our vocabulary in English and Filipino. Our grades in Reading, Language, and Filipino are higher now.”

Another grateful learner is Matti Salazar who had this to say, “Before, in Grade 5, Filipino was my lowest grade.  Now, it’s higher than most of my subjects!  It’s surprising but I’m happy.”

Besides joining enrichment programs like “Wika’y Galing,” Bicomong also recommends conversing in Filipino often and at home, for parents who want their brood to be more proficient in Filipino. “Speak Filipino at home. It’s the only way. If the child does not have friends who speak Filipino, nor is exposed to Filipino media, then the home is the only place to learn the language. And like any language, constant usage is the key.”

Similarly, she advises moms and dads who favor more popular and useful subjects like Math, Science, and English, not to belittle or disregard Filipino.  “It’s like saying your culture and heritage are not important. They may not have “practical” use, but their value is giving your child a sense of identity. Some parents take this for granted because they grew up immersed in the Filipino culture.  Today’s children are exposed to mass media from all over the world. You must teach them what makes us Filipino. Without teaching Filipino language and culture, they will not know who they really are… Good communication skills in Filipino ensure academic success and foster love of country in children.”

The Learning Library’s head office is at 71 Esteban Abada Street, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.  For more information about their program and branches, visit www.learninglibraries.com, call 433-3135 or 0917-8192266, or send an email to inquiry@learninglibraries.com.