By Mildred Bastog
The Philippines is among the countries where English is widely spoken and understood. It still remains one of the top-ranking English-proficient countries in Asia, based on the results of the 2024 EF English Proficiency Index (EPI). However, recent studies show a declining trend in proficiency over the previous years. Despite the country’s widespread exposure to English, a lot of individuals especially students still struggle with using the language effectively.
A recent viral post, reuploaded by GMA News, highlighted this issue when students at a particular high school were unable to spell basic words correctly. For instance, the word respectful was phonetically misspelled by students as “risfeck full,” “respect pople”, or “respecfull.” The majority of netizens commented about bringing back theme writing books and spelling booklets which were widely used before the K to 12 curriculum was implemented. Others pointed out that overdependence on technology as well as DepEd’s mass promotion policies had also led to this result.
The English-Only Policy recently enforced by a university in Laguna also sparked controversy. While such policies are not new, many social media users criticized it, raising concerns regarding inclusivity and the assumption that global competence or being world-class must be equated with fluency in English. In relation to this, the issue of English-shaming remains prevalent among Filipinos, both online and in everyday settings. This often pressures individuals to achieve “perfect” English before feeling confident enough to use the language.
These incidents reflect a deeper issue, including students’ lack of self-confidence, gaps in the curriculum, and outdated or inconsistent teaching approaches. Addressing the decline in English proficiency means rethinking how the language is taught and used—not as a test of intelligence or status, but as a practical tool for communication. As Dr. Rosario Alonzo emphasized during a British Council roundtable, English should be a bridge, not a barrier.**
