By: Catherine F. Guadayo
Teacher III, Filipino Dept.
MNCHS
Given the different modalities of the New Normal in teaching, one must learn to adapt to the changes it brought and be able to perfect probably one of the most (if not the most) important life skills any man can have.
Teaching Grade 10 Filipino during the Covid 19 pandemic has brought me several realizations in life. It opened a new world of understanding a set of people where everyone is not able to comprehend easily the lessons presented to them in the learning activity sheets, even in this localized subject.
Though claimed to be the first language of Filipinos, this subject has always been difficult to be fully mastered by students especially those living in far-flung areas. Its complexities would oftentimes bring disinterest and boredom to those who are not word-smart which brings extra challenge to teachers now that the most used modality of education in the country is the modular system.
In this mode of learning, the students are tasked to read, answer and acquire the most essential learning competencies during this pandemic. A feat which became doubly difficult to accomplish as majority of high school students lost the love for reading. Furthermore, in the past, when one is not able to read or write, he is considered an illiterate; but, with the advancement of time, an illiterate can now be identified as someone who can read (or write) but cannot grasp what he is reading.
Reading is a multifaceted skill which demands concentration, interest and love. When the latter is not present, then it will be impossible to triumph over. Of the five macro skills in the Filipino subject, reading probably is the most arduous as it has dynamics and subskills to offer. This makes it more tedious and disinteresting to some. But, with the use of appropriate and fun strategies for teaching, reading becomes thought-provoking and motivating. The teacher truly has to practice the ability of formulating appealing activities and approaches in order to catch the students’ attention and gain the ability to apply the importance of reading in the real world.
Reading is not only beneficial in order to do well in exams and tests, rather, it is a skill that lets someone has broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and better understanding of other culture and history. Indeed a dexterity is valuable in life. Moreover, when a child manifests the love for reading, it can be said that he has higher percentage to be successful in life than those who do not show interest for it.
The pandemic may have challenged our scholastic system, but it also opened other doors leading to innovative ways in order for education to continue. Reading may be a must in these trying times, but, the love for learning should still be the main focus instilled in the minds of learners, because only with this, can education be applied in real life situations.