INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPINE LANGUAGES AND CULTURE

The course is part of the B.A. program in “Languages, Cultures, and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa”. Tailored for absolute beginners, it provides a foundational introduction to the Filipino language alongside key aspects of Philippine culture, society, and everyday life.

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

a) Language:
- develop the ability to understand slow and clear spoken Filipino in everyday conversations and situations
- recognize familiar words and simple expressions
- introduce oneself and others using basic phrases
- ask and answer simple questions about personal information
- participate in simple interactions
- write short and simple sentences

b) Culture
- demonstrate awareness of key Filipino cultural concepts
- use culturally appropriate expressions
- compare Filipino cultural values and practices with those of their own context
- reflect on language learning and intercultural communication

Interest in Philippine language, culture, and society, within the broader Southeast Asian context. No prior knowledge of Filipino is required.

The course follows a communicative and culture-integrated approach, progressing from personal identity to broader social contexts.

Part 1: Self and Identity
- The Sounds and the Alphabet of Filipino
- Greetings and Goodbye
- Self-Introduction
- Cultural Topics: Introduction to Philippine History and Culture; Politeness Markers (po/opo)

Part 2: Family and Everyday Life
- Introducing Family and Relationships
- Describing People and Objects
- Describing a House
- Cultural Topics: Filipino Values (kapwa, bayanihan); Family Structure

Part 3: Mobility and Daily Interaction
- Asking and Giving Directions
- Transportation and Travel
- Food, Markets, and Preferences
- Cultural Topics: Public Transport, Philippine Market Culture (suki, tawad)

Part 4: Community and Society
- Life at Home (commands and requests)
- Life in School (past actions)
- Life in a Province (routine)
- Life in a City (future plans)
- Cultural Topic: Filipino Diaspora (kababayan)

Suggested readings/textbooks:
Barrios, J. (2011). Tagalog for beginners: An introduction to Filipino, the national language of the Philippines. Tuttle Publishing.
Barrios, J. (2021). Tagalog short stories for language learners. Tuttle Publishing.
Domigpe, J. R., & Domingo, N. P. (2014). Elementary Tagalog: Tara, mag-Tagalog tayo! Come on, let’s speak Tagalog! Tuttle Publishing.

Additional readings/materials will be announced in class and provided through Moodle.

The evaluation of the course is based on both written and oral examinations, designed to assess the student’s acquisition of the linguistic and cultural contents of the course and their communicative competence at the A1 level.

written and oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

The written examination (60%) consists of structured tasks including listening, vocabulary, grammar, reading, and short writing, and is taken without the use of notes or electronic devices.

The oral examination (40%) consists of a guided self-introduction and short responses to simple questions on familiar topics covered in class. Students are evaluated based on clarity, intelligibility, and basic communicative ability.

The final grade is calculated based on the weighted components of the course assessment (written and oral exam).

The course combines lectures, practical sessions, and guided activities to support the development of language skills and cultural understanding.