answrpls
Please make a broad answer. Thanks.
Answer
While English is an official language along with "Filipino" (actually Tagalog), and is used as a medium of instruction in schools, in the legal system, etc., the reality is that it is a second language to most Filipinos. Most Filipinos today prefer to speak in their own local language, such as Tagalog, Cebuano (Bisaya), Ilocano, etc. and tend to look askance at Filipinos who speak in English outside the classroom, the office, etc. Thus most Filipinos are not good speakers in English, despite the government's claim that the Philippines has the third-largest English-speaking population in the word.
In general the only Filipinos who speak English well are those from the upper and middle classes who study in private schools and who speak English at home. For these people, English could even be considered an L1 (first language) not an L2.
There are also some notable exceptions to these generalizations; for example, the mountain people from Northern Luzon speak good English because of the influence of American Protestant missionaries (the Catholic church, in contrast, translated everything into the vernacular).
That's as far as speaking is concerned. With listening, on the other hand, nearly all Filipinos have very good listening comprehension skills. Case in point: English-language movies and TV programs are shown without subtitles. Even the poor who prefer to watch Tagalog movies (and lately Korean drama series dubbed in Tagalog) can watch a Hollywood movie and can even get the jokes in English.
Ditto with reading, as nearly all textbooks are in English and the major broadsheets are in English.
Writing is like speaking in that grammar and syntax are generally atrocious, except again for those from the upper and middle classes who have had the fear of God and faulty subject-verb agreement pounded into them by their teachers.
So a very good predictor of a Filipino's English proficiency is his/her socio-economic status, and this could be gleaned from the school he/she went to. The rich generally avoid the public schools, except at the college or university level (specifically regarding the University of the Philippines, which is rated as superior to the private universities). There are many exceptions of course but by and large this is generally true.
While English is an official language along with "Filipino" (actually Tagalog), and is used as a medium of instruction in schools, in the legal system, etc., the reality is that it is a second language to most Filipinos. Most Filipinos today prefer to speak in their own local language, such as Tagalog, Cebuano (Bisaya), Ilocano, etc. and tend to look askance at Filipinos who speak in English outside the classroom, the office, etc. Thus most Filipinos are not good speakers in English, despite the government's claim that the Philippines has the third-largest English-speaking population in the word.
In general the only Filipinos who speak English well are those from the upper and middle classes who study in private schools and who speak English at home. For these people, English could even be considered an L1 (first language) not an L2.
There are also some notable exceptions to these generalizations; for example, the mountain people from Northern Luzon speak good English because of the influence of American Protestant missionaries (the Catholic church, in contrast, translated everything into the vernacular).
That's as far as speaking is concerned. With listening, on the other hand, nearly all Filipinos have very good listening comprehension skills. Case in point: English-language movies and TV programs are shown without subtitles. Even the poor who prefer to watch Tagalog movies (and lately Korean drama series dubbed in Tagalog) can watch a Hollywood movie and can even get the jokes in English.
Ditto with reading, as nearly all textbooks are in English and the major broadsheets are in English.
Writing is like speaking in that grammar and syntax are generally atrocious, except again for those from the upper and middle classes who have had the fear of God and faulty subject-verb agreement pounded into them by their teachers.
So a very good predictor of a Filipino's English proficiency is his/her socio-economic status, and this could be gleaned from the school he/she went to. The rich generally avoid the public schools, except at the college or university level (specifically regarding the University of the Philippines, which is rated as superior to the private universities). There are many exceptions of course but by and large this is generally true.
A strange request: prices for things in the Philippines?
altaplomb
Can anyone from Philppines give me the price in pesos for these things (normal, basic prices)?:
1. A stereo system (with cd and mp3 on it)
2. A single bed (with mattress)
3. A chair for using at a computer
Not expecting many replies, but if anyone can help....
Many thanks!
Answer
1. A stereo system: I suggest you just buy a DVD player with CD & mp3 or 4 player worth 1,300.00 at Raon St. Quiapo combined it with speaker/amplifier (2,500watts PMPO) worth 2,000.00 at the same store.
Total: 3,300.00
2. A single bed (w/ mattress): 3,000.00 (+minus) at P.Gil, Paco
3. A computer chair: 1,500.00 (+minus) same location in #2
Grand Total: 7,800.00 (+minus)
A word of advise: Let your Filipino buddy deals with these stores or might end up just like buying in some big appliance store.
1. A stereo system: I suggest you just buy a DVD player with CD & mp3 or 4 player worth 1,300.00 at Raon St. Quiapo combined it with speaker/amplifier (2,500watts PMPO) worth 2,000.00 at the same store.
Total: 3,300.00
2. A single bed (w/ mattress): 3,000.00 (+minus) at P.Gil, Paco
3. A computer chair: 1,500.00 (+minus) same location in #2
Grand Total: 7,800.00 (+minus)
A word of advise: Let your Filipino buddy deals with these stores or might end up just like buying in some big appliance store.
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Title Post: What is your awareness of english proficiency in the philippines?
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