English Varieties: A Case Study on the Exploration of Filipino Students’ Perceptions

Abstract

English is the medium of instruction in the Philippines. Although Filipinos are focused on acquiring American English, they are undoubtedly exposed to other types. However, little research has investigated this distinctiveness within the Philippine context. Hence, this case study explored the perceptions of Filipino students toward the varieties of English. Five students in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) department who took the Bachelor of Arts in the English Language course were chosen as participants. A semi-structured interview allowed the researchers to understand the topic necessary for relevant and meaningful data. To provide better analysis, the authors utilized thematic synthesis. Five (5) themes emerged, namely: (1) English varieties’ perceptions and importance; (2) integration of English varieties in the curriculum; (3) English varieties in the teaching-learning process; (4) the edge of knowing and applying English varieties; and (5) challenges and realizations. The study concluded that Filipino students value their exposure to various English varieties. Moreover, the features (e.g., word usage, pronunciation, accents) attributed to each variety were the most significant challenge. This paper recommends that students have more exposure and supplementary materials to address such difficulties.