The Papua New Guinea philosophy of education, known as "amalau," emphasizes holistic development, including cultural relevance and community engagement, which aligns with enhancing English language proficiency. This approach recognizes the importance of integrating vernacular languages with English, allowing students to build on their existing language skills while acquiring English, thus fostering a more inclusive and effective learning environment (Graham, 2017). By promoting a bilingual education system that values local languages alongside English, Papua New Guinea's educational philosophy supports not only linguistic competence but also cultural identity, ultimately improving English-speaking skills in a meaningful context (Kohler, 2020). This dual focus prepares students to engage effectively both locally and globally, thus enhancing their communication abilities in diverse settings.
References
Graham, E. (2017). Language education policy and the Papua New Guinea experience. Language Policy, 16(3), 303-317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10993-016-9409-6
Kohler, J. (2020). Bilingual education and English language teaching in Papua New Guinea: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 16(2), 911-927. http://www.jlls.org/index.php/jlls/article/view/652