Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tiger Beer]

contrary to popular opinion.. most filipinos don't speak english.

Thats what I'm learning here in the Philippines. Its deceiving as some speak really well. They also study English. But just below the surface I'm realizing that most don't.

Well, I'm in Mindinao now at my girlfriend's relatives hometown. Just spent Christmas with about 100 Filipinos.. met 100 others down here. ZERO knows any English.

The more time I'm here as well.. and the more people I meet.. I realize that some understand some English in the tourist areas.. but must practice their English.

Its strange.. as there are many English newspapers, many English tv shows.. many signs and everything else in English.. but when it really comes down to it.. especially meeting all of my girlfriend's extended family and relatives and locals and such.. its overwhelming how my experience is much like being in Korea!

People throw out the few English words they know and laugh. Everyone else laughs when they hear them speaking English. People ask me if I've ever ate roasted chicken or ate rice since I'm not Asian. All the typical stuff.

Weird. bizzaro-land once again.

In regards to teaching English in the Philippines. Still an impossibility I'm sure. Its just too poor, and even if they don't speak and practice it, they do actually know the words and grammar and everything else from school and would have no desire to pay a native speaker to learn from them. They also seem to have a great capacity for languages once they are using them. But the general population almost never speaks any English - just their local languages like tagalog, cebuano, ilocano, ilonggo, waray-waray or anyone of the 100s of languages down here.

First appearances are deceiving it seems. Now I understand why at times I've met Filipinos abroad who have asked me to teach them English for free in jest. I never understood why they'd say that before.

From a travellers perspective however, more than enough people seem to be fluent in English and English is in so many places.. that it really does seem like everyone speaks English just fine. Even though just below the surface, that isn't really true.

[rapier]

How expensive is it compared to Thailand?

[Tiger Beer]

Actually I'm back in Manila, and english is everywhere once again.

Those 3 days in Mindinao with the girlfriend's family were absolutely brutal. Met around 100-200 people of her family and ZERO was able to speak English. It was hell.

Must have been a Mindinao thing..

Regarding prices and such.. planes, buses, and boats seem really cheap. So does beer and food.

Lodging seems a bit more than Thailand though. Something with aircon might start out around 15,000 won equivalent.

[SweetBear]

I've had so many Filipinos applying for a job ad I've had out there for my Hagwon, despite the heading "Native Speaker required..." and, to that extent, this posting from a native Filipino:

I would like to apply for a teaching post here in Korea after my assignment ends in February. I understand that employers prefer Canadian or American teachers. I believe that it's about time that employers would seriously consider non-native speakers like me who are equally competent in teaching EFL.
Her English is quite good I'll admit.There are a few errors in her entire post,

but worse than that, an extract from another " native speaker":

I have been teaching from kiddergaten ,elemetry,middle school to high school

and also adults private classes , Here are few information about me.

[rapier]

Brave man Tiger beer...apparently Americans are advised to steer clear of Phillipines due to threat of terrorist attack. Same with Indonesia. Would you risk a trip to Jakarta nowadays?

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This information is current as of today, Wed Dec 28 04:06:04 2005.

PHILIPPINES
March 23, 2005

This Travel Warning is being issued to recommend that Americans consider carefully the risks of travel to the Philippines. Terrorist groups, including Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Group, and radical elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are planning multiple attacks throughout the Philippines. This information has been also released by Philippine government officials and is in the Philippine media. This Travel Warning replaces the Public Announcement for the Philippines dated February 18, 2005.


The Department urges Americans who choose to travel to the Philippines to observe vigilant personal security precautions; to remain aware of the continued potential for terrorist attacks against Americans, U.S. or other Western interests in the Philippines, and to register with the U.S. Embassy. The Department warns against all but essential travel throughout the country in light of a heightened threat to Westerners. There has recently been an increase in bombings by the terrorist groups in Manila, the region of Mindanao, and other areas where terrorist groups are active. Bombs have exploded in shopping malls, on public transportation, at airports and port facilities, in places of worship, and in other public areas resulting in numerous casualties, including several deaths. Bombs have also been found at places of worship. Travelers should be aware that since security has increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists could seek softer targets. Such targets could include but are not limited to places where Americans and other Westerners live, congregate, shop or visit, including hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, identifiably Western businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or public recreation events.

Americans who remain in the Philippines are strongly encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2190.html

[Tiger Beer]

[keninseoul]

lived in RP for 10 years - traveled everywhere, at all hours, and never a problem - safer than any big city in NA. Just be reasonably street-smart.


As for English, the better educated Filipinos speak excellent English. In fact, most business meetings are conducted in English. The lower social-economic classes are usually weak in English; the lower you go, the worse it gets, especially in the provinces.


As cost compared to Thailand, I would venture to say it is cheaper in Thailand, especially accomodations. Though food does appear cheaper in RP, once you go to native places.

The big plus in RP is that English is common.