By Crisdeniele H. Clemente

Marking this year’s International Mother Language Day, the MMSU Language Center conducted special lectures on multilingualism and multilingual language via Zoom and on-site at the MMSU Library-American Corner on February 26 and 28.

Dr. Maico Demi Aperocho, assistant dean of CAS and English language professor at the University of Mindanao, and Mr. Jareason Fabre, visiting professor and Fulbright scholar, served as the guest speakers for the event. 

Dr. Aperocho delivered the topic on the global reflections of multilingual classrooms, which provided a comprehensive overview of the connections to language teaching in the Philippines and the aspirations for multilingual classrooms in the country. Meanwhile, Mr. Fabre discussed Filipino Heritage Language Learning, where he shared insights on preserving and promoting Filipino languages to maintain cultural identity. An open forum was held after the lectures. 

Led by Prof. Ryan Roi Domingo, chief of the MMSU Language Center, this initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which promotes quality education, multilingualism, and linguistic and cultural diversity. 

In 2020, the MMSU Graduate School and Language Center conducted a lecture on Ilokano Language. Dr. Aurelio S. Agcaoili, a well-known scholar of Ilokano studies, was the guest lecturer at the event. Graduate and undergraduate students in the university, particularly those who are taking PhD in Linguistics, MA Education (majors in Ilokano Studies, Language and Literature, and Wika at Panitikan), MA in English Language and Literature and AB English Language, were participants of the said lecture. (MKA_StratCom)