Integration of Ilokano in the Mass Communication Curriculum of the University of Northern Philippines

Abstract

The University of Northern Philippines (UNP) offers Bachelor of Arts major in Mass Communication to provide qualified and effective communicators for the various communication channels in the locality. This study was conducted to look into the need to integrate Ilokano or the local language in the mass communication curriculum of the University of Northern Philippines (UNP). It determined the Ilokano proficiency required by the local media, the Ilokano proficiency of the mass communication students, and whether Ilokano should be offered as a subject in UNP. This is a descriptive survey using questionnaires in gathering the data. Frequency counts, percentages and means were used to interpret the data. This study found out that most of the local media use Ilokano in 81-100% of their programs/publications and that they require personnel with very high Ilokano proficiency specifically in listening, reading, speaking and writing. The students assessed themselves as being highly proficient in Ilokano but average in writing. In particular, their facility in using Ilokano is only average along vocabulary, spelling, grammar, essay and longer composition. Further, students need to develop their facility in using Ilokano for skills needed in the media, such as interviewing, news casting, giving commentaries, program hosting, newswriting, writing advertisements and public service announcements. Students could best develop their Ilokano proficiency through the integration of Ilokano as a subject in the curriculum. Keywords: Communication, curriculum, Ilokano, local media, descriptive method, Philippines