Where to download free storybooks in different Filipino languages

The National Council for Book Development recommended a list of online storybook repositories in various Filipino languages ​​as the country brand National Reading Month this november.

The BNCD list is from a professor who posted the following recommended websites in a Facebook post on November 9:

• DepEd’s Learning Resource Development and Management System (LRMDS): https://lrmds.deped.gov.ph/
• Let’s read Asia: https://reader.letsreadasia.org/
• World Digital Library: https://digitallibrary.io/
• The Bloom Library: https://bloomlibrary.org/
• Sinama Books: https://library.sinama.org/
• Storyweaver: https://storyweaver.org.in/
• African storybook: https://www.africanstorybook.org/

The board also cited parts of the post of Ched Arzadon, a professor at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

In her original post, which was also released the same day, Arzadon said she found these online platforms where illustrated story books can be downloaded for free for teachers and learners.

“Lately, I discovered that various online storybook repositories have accumulated over 2,000 illustrated story books in various Filipino languages. The number does not include dictionaries, grammar books, decodable books, workbooks and learning activity sheets in many languages, ”Arzadon wrote.

“The reading material can be freely downloaded and printed as an enlarged storybook (big book) to be discussed in the reading aloud sessions. Other teachers use the projector or a television / computer monitor to allow students to view story books. A parent or student can also read the story books anywhere using a cell phone or personal computer, ”she added.

Arzadon also attributed the availability of free reading material in various Filipino languages ​​to the passing of the Multilingual education based on mother tongue (VTT-MLE) in 2012.

According to Department of Education, this policy is part of the Kindergarten to Grade 12 Basic Education Curriculum under Republic Law 10523 or the “Enhanced Basic Education Law 2013” ​​in 2013.

MTB-MLE is a type of education where the native language of the learner and other additional languages ​​are used in the classroom.

“Learners start their education in the language they understand best – their mother tongue – and develop a solid foundation in their mother tongue before adding additional languages,” said DepEd.

In his post, Arzadon also added that due to MTB-MLE there was “localized production of native language material through collaborations between teachers and the community (local storytellers, writers, illustrators and printers)” .

Arzadon shared how amused she was to learn that there are students who know about these storybooks in different languages.

“During my research work in Buguias, Benguet in 2018, I discovered that local school communities produced at least 300 storybook titles in Kankanaey, Ibaloy, Kalanguya and Karao. It was fun to hear the students mention the titles of their favorite storybooks, including the names of authors and illustrators, ”said Arzadon.

“It was fun to hear the students mention the titles of their favorite storybooks, including the names of authors and illustrators,” she added.

In October 2011, the DepEd declared the month of each year to be National Reading Month to promote reading and literacy among pupils and students.