MODULE 1

Chapter 1 ASEAN and English [Week 1]

II. PRE-COMPETENCY CHECKLIST

Direction: Argue for or against the statement of Kumar and Siddique (2008). Write your answer

in a separate sheet of paper.

“Kumar and Siddique (2008) point out that, the ‘one word that is anathema to ASEAN …

is integration’.”

One thing that best describe an organization is the collaboration. Therefore, I am not
agreed about Kumar and Siddique statement about the anathema to ASEAN is integration. As we
all know, the aims of ASEAN is to unite and established a good neighbouring bond. Integration
comes first within the communication. It plays a vital role in promoting the acceleration of
economic growth, social progress, cultural development, regional peace and stability. This
integration serves as a firm of foundation of the whole ASEAN community in continuing
dynamic development and caring societies. But, I understand how Kumar and Siddique cares for
every sovereignty of the members of the ASEAN.

V. DISCUSSION BOARD

Activity 1: Reflective Essay

Instruction: After reading the content on the role of English in the creation of ASEAN region,
reflect on your role as future teacher. As part of the region, what is your stand about the
prominence of English? As future teachers, what is your motivation in learning English
language? Write an essay capturing these two questions. You may create your own title. Your
essay must have at least 1000 words but not more than 5000 words. Use Arial, 11, 1.5 spacing, 1
inch margin all side. Your essay will be rated using the holistic rubric below:
UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE: A GATEWAY TO THE GLOBAL AND BETTER FUTURE

by: Jay Ann C. Oliva

We cannot hide the fact that English is widely spoken and taught in many countries and
is commonly used around the world as a trade language or diplomatic language. It is the
language of science, computers, diplomacy and tourism. Last but not least, it is the language of
international communication, the media and the internet. In addition, it gives access to more
entertainment and more access to the Internet. Whether it is for fun or for work, if you
understand English, you will be able to exchange information with more people online and use
many more materials. Therefore, it is highly likely that if you meet someone from another
country, you will both be able to speak English. It gives you an open door to the world and helps
you communicate with global citizens. If you speak good academic English, there're lots of
opportunities for you to find an appropriate school and course to suit your needs.

Our Professor in Filipino said that English is in the third line as a universal language from
the start and as Chinese got evolved and known by many nowadays, English can be possibly
remove and it can be change into the language of Chinese as our universal language. For
instance, C and K Drama are now dominant in all ages in the country. Some wants to learn their
language instead of English or the national language. But I think, it will be too far from now on.
As long as there are people want to learn and develop more about our universal language, it will
not change at all.

Learning English is not only useful, but it also gives a lot of satisfaction and making
progress will make you feel great. In the field of education, English is used from the beginning of
a course as the main language in class, and the teacher adapts their methodology to support
meaning, by using a lot of visual information and non-verbal communication to support meaning.
English language as a medium of instruction has better accessibility of English materials as well
as the existence of better curricula. Also, proficiency in the language is also one of the country’s
strengths that have helped drive the economy internationally; it makes you find a better job and
career development opportunities, a positive influence on the wider community and wider
chances for communication. But, as a future Filipino teacher, how can I handle and motivate
myself to learn the English language?

Motivation is one of the most important factors in language learning. Children with a
good attitude towards English are more likely to work hard and keep going when learning gets
challenging. As a future Filipino teacher, I more likely to focus on my specialization. But, we
should also be prominent in our universal language. The teacher can characterized a glocal
teacher if he/she finds way in learning both the languages. Nowadays, it should be adopt by
public and private teachers.
Personally, I love the accent on using English but I am not confident on connecting
words from it. English is very crucial in grammar unlike Filipino. But, I guess a motivation in
learning of this will bring to life- full, interesting and meaningful effect. Maybe in the near future,
research, programs and development trainings will use English so that at the very moment it will
help me to do more studying and learning English. An online platform for teachers also needs
an English literate, and I think it will be an encouragement for me. Not being able to
communicate properly with key stakeholders is a frustrating barrier to success; learning English
makes life easier at work. Many of us dreams to go to another country, this will be a challenge
as a traveller to learn English because it makes easier to communicate while abroad. After you
graduated with degree, if you want to teach to the other country it pays to have some knowledge
of English and work there with high salary. Having a knowledge of English is incredibly
important to those working in the scientific field. Learning a foreign language enhances cognitive
and analytical abilities. Learning a new language can be difficult and it involves a lot of mental
exercises. English gives access to more entertainment and more access to the Internet. By
accessing these media, you will also continuously improve your English listening and reading
skills. English gives also access to multiple cultures. Few experiences will make you grow as a
person more than learning the values, habits and way of life in a culture that is different from
yours. But, this is not a mean of committing treason against our own country. Don’t forget that
English language is still the key to ameliorate our economic status, a great help to us connect to
the world and the universe.

There is a popular quote about the understanding of being an intelligent one because of
being a proficient in English. A great philosopher (unknown) said, “Proficiency in English does
not define your intelligence”. There are a lot of people believe that if you have a good speaking
in English, you are remarkably known as a smart person. But, I do believe that an IQ of a
person is not all a distinction of language only. It divides at all aspect.

As a student, who haven’t a plan to study well the English language. The readings and
content of the modules will definitely an open-guide to pursue to study it. It will be a stepping
stone to discover the world of English language and find to love it. It is like how you love the first
language, the mother-tongue and national language of ours. Maybe, in the first place it will be a
difficult one but one day it will paid off. Learning the other language is not a waste of time but a
better investment that we have and can be useful in the near future.

Activity 2: Infographics

Instruction: Through an infographic, illustrate the history of the inception of ASEAN up to this
date. In your infographic, include all the important events that contributed to what ASEAN is
today. You may canva or easelly and other online platform in creating your infographics. You
may also visit the link provided in the reference list to watch tutorial on how to make an
infographic. Your output will be rated using the holistic rubric below:
http://nti.org/54TAR
VI. POST-COMPETENCY CHECKLIST

(20 points)

Explain this statement briefly and concisely: Accepting Malay as official working language is
tantamount to “Opening Pandora’s box”.

ASEAN formed by common interests expressed primarily through an anti-communist

position and fear of regional instability. Some countries have deepest relations to Malay
ethnically. Furthermore, as a group that formed with a different language it is important to put
and set a language that can understand by all nations, and I think it is the universal language
which is English. Accepting Malay as an official working language is a source of troubles.
Imagine a group meeting which consist of different representatives from the members of
ASEAN talking and communicating Malay, English, Filipino and their own national language.
This will make a common problem on how they react and share their insights in a particular
issue. But, if the language they used can understand by everyone, there will be a great effect on
their goals as an organization. As a representative of the country, many of them understand and
can used English but few of them or should I say the country of Malaysia only can understand
Malay. It is favourable to put and set a language that characterize by familiarity and
comprehensible to delegates.