MERGED: Modern Education, Literacy and English Proficiency

[maling]

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i think thats the point.

[maling]

still.... speaking english isnt that BIG a deal right? i mean on the one hand we r offering them "good" speakers...and on the other we r offering them a general mass that thinks fpj is a hero.

[fingolfin]

...............where's the connection in that? if you think english speaking is no big a deal, why are you replying to me in english and make sure that your grammar is correct?

[lindsay]

@maling. it's ridiculous to say that speaking english is not a big deal. Why do u think our constitution is written in english instead of tagalog if it's not a big deal at all?

[vern]

You guys are missing the hint of sarcasm in maling's post.

[cyclops]

Yes, speaking english is not a big deal. But people not learning how to speak tagalog or bisaya is a very big deal.

[vern]

What makes it a big deal? I lived in Cebu without speaking Bisaya and I still don't know how to speak Tagalog ... please tell me how not speaking the is a big deal?

[annais]

although it is probable that one can live in a place without learning the local dialect/language, it becomes a necessity if s/he wishes to settle in. otherwise, no one should be forced to speak something that will make him/her uncomfortable just to communicate.

back in grade school, we were required to speak english except in classes where tagalog was the medium of instruction. failure to do so, students were to wear tags saying "i do not speak english." in fact, english at home was encouraged. some training, really. looking back, i couldn't be more thankful. a good command in english is now a requisite to be globally competitive but knowing different languages and dialects will make things easier when competition takes you to places.

[vern]

People can definitely "settle in" without learning the local language. My Dad did for ten years. English is widespread enough to not require the knowledge of the local language although that would help. The expat community in the Philippines is also very very large ... a community where knowledge of Cebuano or Tagalog was NOT required.

[crinkle]

... err... work in a call center? i admit, after about 8 months here, my friends say i don't sound Filipino anymore... ( whatever that means~ )