Introduce Filipino language classes in BC’s public schools

In the 1970s, when the Filipino families began to immigrate in large numbers to BC and Canada, parents were told to only speak to their children in English.  They were told their child will become confused if they learn a different language at home.  Wanting to be good parents, they listened.  And so a generation of Filipinos in Canada grew up without learning Filipino.

Today we know learning another language is highly beneficial to a child’s development.  Schools, libraries and government policies are geared towards encouraging parents to speak to their children in their own language.  Along with French-immersion schools, there are also Chinese-immersion public schools and Chinese and Japanese heritage classes are supported by the government.

This is because when you learn a language, you learn more than how to speak and write, you learn about food, geography, and politics.  Language broadens one’s world understanding and leads to greater empathy and solidarity with those around us.  

The Filipino language is an integral part of the Filipino culture.   Beyond Representation calls for the provincial government to support Filipino in public schools.  By doing so, it will become one of the modern languages, along with Japanese, Spanish, Punjabi, Mandarin and other languages already offered.  And everyone in society will benefit.