QUEZON CITY, Philippines – 19 May 2025 – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) officially launched a groundbreaking initiative to significantly enhance English language proficiency across the Philippines with the introduction of new, free English learning resources. The “Unlock English: Your Gateway to Global Communication” event, held on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 NN, served as a pivotal highlight of the CHED Higher Education Week Celebration and proudly showcased the accomplishments of the National Roadmap for Global Competitiveness in Communication Skills Project.
The hybrid launch event unveiled two major, accessible tools designed to empower Filipino learners: a dedicated Duolingo Filipino to English course and a comprehensive collection of Open Educational Resources (OERs) now available on YouTube. These resources underscore CHED’s commitment to expanding access to quality English language education within the Philippine higher education system and beyond.
“This launch is more than just providing learning materials; it’s about breaking down barriers to global opportunities for every Filipino,” stated [Name of CHED Chairperson/Relevant Official, e.g., Hon. J. Prospero E. De Vera III, CHED Chairperson], during the event. “The ‘Unlock English’ initiative, a cornerstone of our National Roadmap for Global Competitiveness in Communication Skills, directly addresses the need for accessible, high-quality English education. We believe these free resources will be transformative for our students, educators, and ultimately, our nation’s competitive edge on the world stage.”
The event successfully met its core objectives of:
While on-site attendance for the launch was limited to the first 100 registered participants, ensuring a focused and interactive experience, the event achieved widespread reach through a live broadcast on CHED’s official Facebook channel. This hybrid approach allowed for maximum participation, enabling educators and learners from all corners of the country to engage with the launch.
The Duolingo Filipino to English course offers an intuitive and gamified learning experience, making language acquisition engaging and effective. Complementing this, the curated YouTube OERs provide flexible, comprehensive educational content that can be utilized for self-study, classroom instruction, and professional development.
CHED encourages all Higher Education Institutions, educators, and aspiring English language learners to actively explore and utilize these newly launched resources to harness the power of effective English communication for personal and national development.