What is your awareness of english proficiency in the philippines?

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.

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.

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To all Filipinos, What is your onpinion on our educational system in our country?

robby_eval

Also include your opinion about the pre-school system. Please give realistic answers.

Answer
The Philippines has embraced some benefits from Spain. They help Filipinos learn through cathecisms but unfortunately only in a limited extent. Though this fact seems to be forgottenly taught at school

The education that we have today is patterned after the America. Prior to education, during the time of our Grand Grand Parents, the system is obviouly very good. It has produced fluent english and Filipino speakers. Because it is compulsory, it is impressive to know that commoner during this time are speaking English fluently. They have even adapted the American twang.

But as the time goes by, the system has dramatically declined. Due to low budget from the government, it is obvious that public schools don't have enough books, chairs, classrooms and even teachers.

There a number of genius Filipinos, but unfortunately, they lack support from various sectors. Reinforcement should be done.

My professor told me that the best way to get Quality education in the Philippines is through private school.

The Philippine Government should also try to enforce it full force in closing those colleges with 0% passing rate for all courses.

The government should also invest funding on the food and nutrition of the students. Even if the government is offering scholarship grants, a number of less fortunate can't still afford it because of unhealthy lifestyle that would primarily result to disturb mind due to a disturbing stomach.

Solar panels in the philippines?

JJ

Where can I buy/order a small solar panel in the Philippines which is enough to power a computer speaker?

Answer
Your timing is perfect because the:
"Cost Of Installed Solar Photovoltaic Systems Drops Significantly Over The Last Decade".
Below are couple of places where you can buy them. You may want to contact them and compare prices.
Good luck.

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I want to setup a "home audio system."?

speaker system philippines image

mar1ann8

I want to setup a "home audio system." A setup that should really annoy our neighbors, the whole block. :)

It should be able to connect to my pc, my iPod, the living room DVD & TV. We are currently renting a small apartment, so the setup should also be flexible when we move to a bigger house.

Of course, the balance between the quality of the equipment and the price is priority. I've heard of a brand name "Fluance" but unfortunately does not at the moment export to the Philippines.

Please help.

Answer
This answer is just about the really basic background in your question.

One thing you need to know is that it seems you will need to buy an audio receiver (a pro logic or other form of surround sound receiver) to go along with 5.1 speakers if you want to have true surround sound in your room for watching t.v., also for surround sound from your music.

That is, unless either:

1. You don't buy a separate surround sound speaker system, but instead buy a Home Theatre "In a Box" system, which will include the speakers and everything you need to have surround sound which a receiver gives.

or

2. You know that your t.v. has a digital 3.5mm audio out socket that connects with your separate speaker system (or larger size digital socket which happens to connect with your separate speaker system). This is different to the standard 3.5mm (non-digital) audio out sockets which are typically for headphones or small external speakers.

As far as I know, and I have been thinking about starting by setting up a system by the 3.5mm audio out headphone type sockets, this is possible to give normal (I think) stereo sound which is what is 'physical' stereo surround sound if your speakers are placed around a room, but not true surround sound directed specifically in each channel to each speaker. I really want to know now how the sound quality is by both ways, and not to just dive into surround sound when I haven't really experienced it before.

I think this latter way, trying to get good stereo sound in 5 speakers requires getting adapters such as splitters, for most 5.1 systems, which isn't difficult. I don't know yet, though, if all of the speakers are going to work if surround sound isn't produced!

Anyway, I don't think that means would be relevant to you as you seem to want a high specification system, not a basic stero system on speakers which should provide much more. But it's good to be aware of (what seem to be) the two options: the optimum option with a receiver producing exactly what 5.1 surround speakers were designed to produce, and hopefully, good stereo sound around the room without a receiver.

I know I haven't tried this yet, but I will, and I'll post a comment in the comment boxes for this question after the question closes, if anyone is interested to return.

I'm answering so that it's clear about that you need the speakers as well a receiver. I used to know that well, but recently I got a very good 2.1 system and was thinking about how easy it would be to upgrade to a 5.1 system and I completely forgot the demands for a receiver for that.

The receiver can easily be more expensive than the speakers. Home theatre in a box packages will include everything you need, and can offer cheaper options. This doesn't necessarily mean they are any less good than spending more money on separate speaker systems and receivers. If you are going for the best possible systems, going into, say, thousands of dollars, those who know may tell you that the best thing is to buy the speakers and receiver separately, and make sure you go to audio review magazines and web sites which give great advice and also can match speakers with receivers. If you're spending that much money, it's only sensible to do that. And maybe you'd think it's sensible to go to some real stores to hear examples of some of the systems, and look for what audio experts think of those in the magazines or in web sites when you get home.

I don't know, maybe for much lower prices, the consideration of the value of some of the "home theatre in a box" systems will give results similar to more expensive separates systems.

The starting point, you're probably aware, is the value of sound output in Watts. Then there are a number of other values for speaker sound production to be looking at, certainly if you're spending a lot of money, which I don't really know about yet. The starting point in assessing the sound of the receiver is also the Watts output, as receivers have maximum output levels per channel - i.e. for each speaker in a 5.1 system. Most receivers will adequately deal with good 5.1 speaker systems, but make sure to check, and especially to compare the sound output of the receiver for the subwoofer unit in the speaker system with the subwoofer's output in watts.

Finally, I've said that I'm answering the real basics to know for starting out getting a sound system. Connecting multiple inputs at the same time to a system can bring difficulties; e.g. connecting your computer and your t.v. and video player kind of permanently both together. It is possible. I have seen this in Yahoo Answers. I can't really help.

If you didn't know anything then I hope this is the first step, a starting point. Otherwise, it could be helpful in clarifiying the absolute basics. To me it would really be a task to cope with this with you, very natural, normal, demands of wanting to have permanent connections to all of your sound setups. And you're only talking about the T.V. (with video), computer and plugging in your portable player. Half of me thinks it can't be that hard. For one thing if you're spending a lot of money, it's more likely that you won't have difficulty connecting multiple inputs. Though also I guess you would really need to get to grips with the sound output values I mentioned you should know and what exactly they mean, beyond the most basic identification of a speaker system and receiver by output by Watts only. You may need to read a couple of guides and also go into a shop for demonstration purposes, or more than one shop, perhaps.

edited 8.5.09 :)

Who's empire had the greatest impact on the world: British, Spanish or French respectively?

J0J

What empire has shaped our world the most in history?

Answer
Spain has had a definite impact on a global stage. Firstly the Spaniards destroyed the Islamic threat in western Europe through the reconquista in 1492. That same year Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus) discovered the American continent in the name of Spain. This discovery led to new goods that became available to Europe through Spanish trade fleets, these goods include: Potatoes, Tomatoes, Chocolate, Tobacco, Spices and a lot of gold and silver.

Through colonization Spain christianised Parts of North America, Caribbean, Central and South America and Islands in the Pacific such as the Philippines. On another note Spain also ended the Ottoman dominance in the Mediterranean at Battle of Lepanto.

The Columbian Exchange has been one of the most significant events in the history of world ecology, agriculture, and culture. The term is used to describe the enormous widespread exchange of plants, animals, foods, human populations, and ideas between the Eastern and Western hemispheres that occurred after 1492.

Other notable achievements:

Spain was also the first nation to circumvent the globe.

Spain created the first Marine corps it was formed in 1537by Charles I of Spain active from 1537 to present day.

Spain minted USA first currency (the dollar). The US dollar was first minted as a silver dollar in 1794. The origin of the symbol also comes from Spain, it dates back to the 15th century when King Ferdinand pushed the moors out of Spain in 1492. Ferdinand marked the occasion by adding to his coat of arms two ornate columns with a ribbon raping around them. Which represents the two pillars of Hercules and the motto plus ultra.

Spain was the first modern nation in the sense that its military was separate from police, and that all its citizens had basic rights. Spain also passed a charter of rights known as the Laws of Burgos. This charter gave rights to the native peoples of the Americas. It was created in 1527 Burgos Spain.

Spain brought the first horses to the Americas (Mustang)
Spain planted the first olive groves and vineyards in America

The Spanish language is one of the most spoken languages in the world with 350 million native speakers worldwide. The Spanish language is ranked 2nd for native speakers and 3rd with total speakers overall.

Spain is also the inventor of trench warfare. The father of trench warfare was Gonzalo de Córdoba he invented the technique in the 1500s. Spain also invented guerilla warfare.

Some notable Spanish inventions :
The guitar, auto gyro (first helicopter), The first combustion-powered submarine and Air-independent propulsion system were invented designed in Spain by Narcís Monturiol. Originally launched in 1864.

Famous Quotes from Spain:
"The Sun never sets on the Spanish Empire" - Fray Francisco de Ugalde 16th century.

The phrase was first used to describe the Spanish Empire in the 16th century, and originated with a remark made by Fray Francisco de Ugalde to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (Charles I of Spain). In the 19th century, during the Victorian era, the phrase resurged, when it became popular to apply it to the British Empire.

"The world is not enough"- King Phillip II of Spain.

A fun video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDEU61IxF-8

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