Language Barrier: Bakit Hindi Tayo
Magkaintindihan?
Theme: Overcoming linguistic barriers through teamwork, empathy, and inclusion.
Setting: Classroom in a multicultural school in the Philippines.
Characters:
- Ms. Gadwang – understanding language teacher
- Audrey – friendly and outgoing Filipino student
- Beljan – shy foreign student (doesn’t speak much Tagalog)
- Leoncio – playful student who jokes a lot
- Althea – smart and serious student
- Nathan – sarcastic student who doesn’t like to adjust
- (Optional: Add more classmates for group reactions)
Scene 1 – Classroom (Morning)
Ms. Gadwang: Good morning, class! We have a new student today. Everyone, please
welcome Beljan. He’s from abroad and he’s still learning Tagalog.
Audrey: Hi Beljan! I’m Audrey. Nice to meet you!
Beljan: Uh… hello… nice… to meet… you too?
Leoncio: Uy, nosebleed time na ‘to!
Althea: Leoncio, shhh. Be respectful.
Nathan: Eh bakit dito sa Pilipinas, dapat siya mag-adjust. Tagalog tayo eh.
Ms. Gadwang: Nathan, that’s not the right attitude. Language barriers can make people feel
isolated. We should help him, not push him away.
Audrey: Ma’am, ano po ba talaga ibig sabihin ng 'linguistic barrier'?
Ms. Gadwang: It means there's a challenge in communication when people speak different
languages. Parang may pader sa pagitan ninyo.
Beljan: Yes… I feel like that. I want to talk… but I don’t know how.
Althea: Then we’ll help you. Right, class?
Class: Yes, Ma’am!
Scene 2 – Recess Time (In a corner)
Audrey: Beljan, let’s teach you. “Kumain ka na?” means “Did you eat already?”
Beljan: Ku… kumain ka… na?
Leoncio: Close! Not bad. Next time, you say “Gutom na ako!”
Beljan: Gutom… na ako? Hungry?
Althea: Correct! You’re doing great.
Nathan: Ang hirap naman. Ang bagal pa tuloy ng usapan.
Audrey: Eh ‘di mag-adjust tayo kahit konti. Isn’t that what friends do?
Beljan: I… I can try… harder. Just… please… don’t give up on me.
Nathan: Okay… fine. I’ll try too.
Scene 3 – Classroom (After Recess)
Ms. Gadwang: Class, what have we learned today about language?
Althea: That language is not just words—it's connection.
Leoncio: And humor! Kahit iba wika, pwede pa rin mag-joke!
Audrey: We should be patient. Everyone starts somewhere.
Nathan: I guess… it’s easier if we all help instead of complain.
Beljan: I still have much to learn… but thank you… for understanding me.
Ms. Gadwang: Very well said, Beljan. Remember class, language is powerful. Let’s not let it
divide us. Let it bring us together.
Final Scene – Narrator (Optional)
Narrator: In a world full of different languages, the greatest one is kindness. We may not
speak the same way, but we can all listen, help, and understand. Break the barrier. Build the
bridge.
