MOTHER TONGUE AND ORALITY IN TEACHING CORDILLERA LITERATURE
(Antonina M. Manochon)

ABSTRACT

Cordillera literature is by nature categorized as an oral literature which is an art to be orally performed. Such type of genre of literature is often times ignored in teaching Cordillera Literature particularly in the tertiary level. The primacy of literacy and English language as the medium of instruction in the tertiary level has overshadowed the use of local tools such as mother tongue and orality in the classroom. It is a sad observation that Cordillera literature is taught like any other written English literature thereby losing most of the original flavor of oral texts. This study examined the nature of Cordillera Literature, the use of mother tongue and orality in teaching the course and how they affect the learning experience of students in the tertiary level. From 2008-2009, the researcher as instructor of the course used English translations of Cordillera literatures as teaching materials .These were then read and analyzed by students through class discussions and writing. In 2009-2011, researcher-instructor changed her strategy and let the students use their mother tongue and presented oral literature as a performing art, with students making their own English translations and analyses through writing.

Thereafter, this study explored and assessed the students’ learning experiences\and feedback in relation to the use of mother tongue and orality in studying Cordillera Literature. Finally, the study analyzed the role of mother tongue and orality in relation to the holistic development of students and the community and how the use of mother tongue and orality can be tools for the sustainability and development of oral literatures and languages in the Cordillera Region, Philippines.