Following the successful Day 1 of the Joint IDIL & IMLD 2025 Conference, Day 2 showcased engaging plenary talks from distinguished international speakers. Dr. Thomas Payne (Certified Senior Linguistics Consultant, SIL Global & University of Oregon) presented “Grammar from the Inside Out: Grammar Teaching and Grammar Analysis from a ‘Communication First’ Perspective,” while Dr. Doris L. Payne (Certified Senior Linguistics Consultant, SIL Global & University of Oregon) discussed “The Color of Terminology in the World’s Languages.”
Dr. Thomas Payne, in his insightful discussion, shared that instead of teaching grammar from the outside — point of view of elite or foreign languages that are foreign or abstract for Second Language (L2) learners — educators should teach grammar from the inside, starting with the habit patterns that are already part of the students’ experience, those of their own First Language (L1).
Dr. Payne noted, “Language is the medium, not the source of ideas… Grammar inside consists of the culture-specific grammatical categories and patterns that each person has inherited from their ancestors.”
He further argued that when children learn first in their own language through this “grammar inside” approach, they realize that their language has structure and complexity, making their learning experience in school more relevant and equipping them to accept and learn a second language effectively.
Moreover, the morning session also featured a special topic titled “Ang Tunay na Katauhan ng Chabakano: Maka-simuno sa Itsura, Maka-layon sa Kaluluwa,” by Dr. Ricardo Ma. Duran Nolasco (Founding Chair, Talaytayan MLE & Professor, University of the Philippines Diliman).
A highlight of the day was the surprise launch of the book “Philippine Languages and Education Reform (Papers in honor of Ricardo Ma. Duran Nolasco)”, recognizing the transformative contributions and impact of Dr. Nolasco to reshaping and advancing Philippine languages and language learning approaches in the country. The launch was led by the book’s editor, Ms. Mercedes E. Arzadon, Mr. Antonio D. Igcalinos, and Dr. Thomas Payne. SorSU, with approved registration from the National Book Development Board (NBDB), will serve as the book’s publisher.
In his remarks, Dr. Nolasco stated, “Hindi ito para sa akin, kundi para sa ating lahat.”
Further, the afternoon session featured diverse paper presentations across the four tracks and panel discussions, including “Mobilizing Education in Kalinga, Philippines through Indigenous Knowledge Management” by Eric Joyce DC. Grande (University of the Philippines), “Indigenous People’s Participation: A Case Study on the “Surat Mangyan and Ambahan Teaching” Community Project” by Leizl Pautan Agad (Asian Development Bank, Davao City), and “Towards Inclusive Philippine Literary Landscape: Recognizing Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Literature” by Michael T. Vea, Nathaniel M. Macariola, Lorhen Joy Sumili, and Shaquille Y. De Guzman. (SorSU PIO)
