On line English teaching

[Ayo]

I'm from the Philippines, 21 yrs. old and just graduated college last year with the course of BS Industrial Psychology. Our country is a non English speaking country but we do have mandatory rules about learning English. As a matter of fact, we use English language in schools although our mother tongue is Filipino. We start learning English when we're in kindergarten, preparatory and then grade school/elementary, until high school and college. So, obviosly we learn English since we're 5 or 6 yrs. old until the end of time. It is also said so that we Filipinos are very flexible (or I may say "far better"?) when it comes to speaking English other than southeast Asian nations. Is it really true? Presently, we cater to a vast number of "call center" companies here. We talk to native Americans through phone and even Canadians, Australians and British. (reg. customer inquiries, sales, etc.) As of now, I'm working as an on line English teacher in one of the companies here. I can say that it's very in demand. In my company, we teach English to Koreans. I heard that others teach Chinese and European students. We use American English because it is easier to understand. We teach them grammar, pronunciation, all about English. We measure their English speaking abilities, comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, etc.). I want to ask for some advice for me to become a better teacher. Of course I'm not that good but I'm trying hard to be an effective teacher. Can anyone give me helpful tips on how could I teach them well in a really simple method? How can I improve myself regarding the same areas I mentioned? (esp. accent and teaching style) I hope to hear from you guys, anything you say will surely be of value to me. Please do correct my grammar here if you guys don't mind for an additional work. ASAP....Thanks!

 

[David L.]

Can you give me an example of something that is easier to say in American English than British English please?

 

[Ayo]

I mean about the accent..some English accents may be that the 'T's are not pronounced and that the u in stupid and duty is pronounced with the y sound, not oo as in an American accent; thus it is pronounced styupid, not stoopid, etc.;-)

 

[banderas]

I mean about the accent..some English accents may be that the 'T's are not pronounced and that the u in stupid and duty is pronounced with the y sound, not oo as in an American accent; thus it is pronounced styupid, not stoopid, etc.;-)

I agree with you. People hear the English language from a lot of American films and if they are learning the language, coupled with watching US films, they find the American accent easier. What's more, rhotic American English (but not Scotish) is esier to understand at the beginning stage. And finally, Present Perfect tense is hardly heard in informal American English. Now I expect some to disagree with me though;-)

 

[Ayo]

Hi Banderas,

I'm kind of curious about the difference between American English and Polish English. Can you give me some helpful advice regarding teaching skills and the like? Thanks.

 

[NearThere]

It is also said so that we Filipinos are very flexible (or I may say "far better"?) when it comes to speaking English other than southeast Asian nations.

In my experience, that seems to be true, and I have been wondering why.

I have met Filipinos from different walks of life who spoke English as well as, sometime even better than, Chinese who learned English for good many years and some majored in English in College and still find themselves stop, think before then speak it. But for Filipinos it seems they do't have that same delima of 2-second-delay to deal with and speak it naturaly. I am talking about all filipinos I have met no matter what background they are from.

So I'm really curious as to why that is, can Ayo shed some light on that?

Many thanks
NT

 

[banderas]

Hi Banderas,

I'm kind of curious about the difference between American English and Polish English. Can you give me some helpful advice regarding teaching skills and the like? Thanks.

I am afraid, Ayo, there is no Polish English as far as I know.;-);-)At least officially.;-)

Please tell me what kinds of problems do you come across (or what is particularly chalanging) when you teach students
and I try to give you some advice. ok?
Regards
Banderas

 

[Ayo]

Ah, I see..As far as I know it's because we Filipinos were under American government for over 50 years. From that time then, we're really forced to learn and speak English. I tell you, most Filipinos have better knowledge about English rather than our own language when it comes to grammar rules, phonetics, etc. All Philippine schools including of course Universities use English as the major language in teaching. In regular school for example, mormally, we have 9 subjects in a day that's around 6-7 hours of class a day. The subjects are Filipino, English, Math, Social Studies (History), Home Economics includes Computer lessons, Physical Education-Music-Arts, Science and Values Education. It had been revised for about a couple of years now to adapt and adjust to the recent demands and changes in educational system. Students and teachers use English to all those subjects except Filipino. Schools/Universities even give "fines" or "penalty" if you're heard or caught speaking Filipino inside class and school premises. Even the utility workers like janitors, vendors in cafeteria and school guards have ro speak English too. In most Filipino houses, we use English in simple conversation but sometimes we make use of "Taglish" which is a combination of Tagalog and English like "Where were you kahapon?"- Where were you yesterday? So that's no wonder!!! What do you think? How about in your country (Taiwan)?

 

[NearThere]

Thanks for the explanation, Ayo. So there's that influence under the American government for 50 years, was it then called a colony? Pardon my ignorance, but you'll find out there's a lot that I don't know.

In Taiwan, English is a mandatory subject at school starting 1st grade which was up from Junior high (7th grade) about 6-7 years ago seeing that English is more than ever becoming an international language. The consesus is that if you want to compete with the world you have to be able to speak English (this should give the native speakers a boost to their ego:lol, but heck English is hard to learn for us (Taiwanese, not speaking for all Chinese). From pronounciations to grammar, there's no "l" sound in our native tongue except when it comes at the beginning of a word. It's herrendous when you try to pronounce a word like "rule" or "cruel" for the first time, you either don't say it whole or you overdo it. And grammar or sentence structure are a major pain in your neck, you have to relearn things you used to know to be as true as the sun always rise in the East now are not so true. The flipping words around, reversing the positions of them to make an inquiring sentence (pronouns come at the end of a sentence, what's with that?) or you have words that they don't have any meanings if stand alone, but named with fabulous catagories: preposition, modal, etc........these are all to overwhelming for us. But we Chinese perservere, nobody killed themselves over it as far as I know.

Anyway, I like English I'm getting better with it especially with the help of the site, it's been most benificial to me. And I'm sure you'll find it helpful to you too. You'll find the most intelligent poeple here who are generous of their knowledge and will answer you questions if you ask in earnest. In case, I just keep buggin them. Welcome!

NT

 

[banderas]

Schools/Universities even give "fines" or "penalty" if you're heard or caught speaking Filipino inside class and school premises.
Why is that? :shock:

In most Filipino houses, we use English in simple conversation but sometimes we make use of "Taglish" which is a combination of Tagalog and English like "Where were you kahapon?"- Where were you yesterday?Why do you have your private conversations in English too?

 

[Ayo]

Schools/Universities even give "fines" or "penalty" if you're heard or caught speaking Filipino inside class and school premises.
Why is that? :shock:

In most Filipino houses, we use English in simple conversation but sometimes we make use of "Taglish" which is a combination of Tagalog and English like "Where were you kahapon?"- Where were you yesterday?Why do you have your private conversations in English too?

1. Because students, teachers and (utility & safety officers in schools) are encourage to speak English well even in simple conversations. Due to the fact that English is the global language and if we want to adapt to the radical changes, development & advancement (technologies, business, education, health & medicine, etc. ), we must of course have enough knowledge and understanding about all those things and we can just do it if we speak the global tongue (one factor). Communication is very important. Moreso, interacting with various people with different cultures, traditions & beliefs. We can be unified with ONE LANGUAGE. That's the fact I guess...

2. To further enhance our English speaking abilities. Just like the saying "Practice makes perfect", we may say that in school the students learn and speak English but it's not enough for them to be a better speaker if back in their home they still speak Filipino. I'm not saying that we no longer use Filipino here, it's just that we have this mindset that the frequent we speak English the better, may it be in our houses, school, department stores, hospitals, gov. offices, public and private companies. However, those families who belong to the 3rd class (poor & very poor) don't speak English at home that's because they lack formal education but not the majority of them. Those 2nd class (middle or average) and 1st class (upper, rich or richest) most often than not, speak English od Taglish at home. We don't feel like being really under the English language in almost everyday lives, English doesn't dictate us on how we are going to live our lives us Filipinos, act as Filipinos, eat, talk, dress up, work, or laugh as Filipinos. What we are doing is just trying to go with the flow but with our own "will, strength, and competitive skills" for we'll not allow "again" anyone, any nation to overpower "us" anymore. Thus for us, LEARNING TO COMMUNICATE WELL IS POWER...

 

[Ayo]

Thanks for the explanation, Ayo. So there's that influence under the American government for 50 years, was it then called a colony? Pardon my ignorance, but you'll find out there's a lot that I don't know. - Yup, we're colonized by the Americans. It's okay, I too, still have a lot to know.

From pronounciations to grammar, there's no "l" sound in our native tongue except when it comes at the beginning of a word. It's herrendous when you try to pronounce a word like "rule" or "cruel" for the first time, you either don't say it whole or you overdo it. And grammar or sentence structure are a major pain in your neck, you have to relearn things you used to know to be as true as the sun always rise in the East now are not so true. The flipping words around, reversing the positions of them to make an inquiring sentence (pronouns come at the end of a sentence, what's with that?) or you have words that they don't have any meanings if stand alone, but named with fabulous catagories: preposition, modal, etc........these are all to overwhelming for us. But we Chinese perservere, nobody killed themselves over it as far as I know.- Can you explain to me further, I didn't get it. Sorry..thanks...

Anyway, I like English I'm getting better with it especially with the help of the site, it's been most benificial to me. And I'm sure you'll find it helpful to you too. You'll find the most intelligent poeple here who are generous of their knowledge and will answer you questions if you ask in earnest. In case, I just keep buggin them. Welcome!- Yes, I agree with you..

 

[NearThere]

Ayo,

You asked:
"Can you explain to me further, I didn't get it. Sorry..thanks..."

Did you mean this part?:
"But we Chinese perservere, nobody killed themselves over it as far as I know."

If so, I was just joking. It was just to show how grueling and streneous it is for us to learn English that we could kill ourselves over it........rhetorically speaking. No fatality, not even close, really.

NT

 

[blouen]

Hi, NearThere!

It's been a long time. Seems like you have a good conversation over a wonderful topic.

Hi, Ayo!
Kababayan! What's up? I've checked your profile and saw we've got something in common.

I deem the topic to be very interesting and thought of joining the team. That is, if you guys don't mind at all. I've got to comment something about one of Ayo's posts, though I agree to most, if not all, of them I'd just like to add something. Could I?

 

[NearThere]

Hi Blouen,

I'd like to hear it. Though I can't speak for anyone, I highly doubt Ayo would have a problem with it, right? Anyone is free to post in anyone's thread, right?!:-( I do that all the time. Good to hear from you.

NT

 

[Ayo]

Hi Blouen,

Yah right, we're both Filipinos!! Mabuhay!!!

I love to hear that, no problem anyone is welcome to post in anybody's thread I guess provided it's cool and helplful..whta I mean is you know it all follow the rules here. Anyway, where are you in the Phil.? Can you tell me something about yourself? How long have you been in this wonderful site? It's really good to know someone from Phil.

I tell you NT and Banderas are really nice guys!!!

 

[Ayo]

NT,

No, I mean the whole paragraph..pls..thanks..

You used a lot of words in there..can you just make it simple?.if you don't mind? I just really want to know what you're trying to say.

Take care.

 

[Ayo]

I've got to comment something about one of Ayo's posts, though I agree to most, if not all, of them I'd just like to add something. Could I?- What is it that you want to add?

You're from Manila too, ryt? I saw it from your profile. I'm from Mandaluyong. I work here in Ortigas center, Tektite Bldg. (Phil. Stock Exchange).


Much care.

 

[NearThere]

NT,

No, I mean the whole paragraph..pls..thanks..

You used a lot of words in there..can you just make it simple?.if you don't mind? I just really want to know what you're trying to say.

Take care.

I laughed. I can be talkative sometimes, this is one of those "she says a whole lot but says little at the same time" moment. All I wanted to say is that it's simply hard for us to learn English just the same with other Asian countries like Korea or Japan. Unlike India, Singapore or Phillipines and so forth, we don't have that advantage of having gone thru a language transformation under the ruling of English-speaking govenment like US, or Britain.

Oh, by the way, I am female too. I have a sense that some think that I am a guy. I don't know why that is.

NT

 

[blouen]

Hi Blouen,

Yah right, we're both Filipinos!! Mabuhay!!!

I love to hear that, no problem anyone is welcome to post in anybody's thread I guess provided it's cool and helplful..whta I mean is you know it all follow the rules here. Anyway, where are you in the Phil.? Can you tell me something about yourself? How long have you been in this wonderful site? It's really good to know someone from Phil.

I tell you NT and Banderas are really nice guys!!!

Actually, it's not quite related to the topic but directs to one of your posts and the colonozation stuff.

It's just that I still feel it in my veins that, though physically we're no more under the power of Americans, we are still under their spell. One reason that Filipinos are so much into English is that people silently or sometimes unconsciously revere the Western culture. Thus, we tend to copy everything we see and hear from people of the west and incorporate it into ourselves.

This has it's good and bad sides. The good side is that we're heading towards competence and, like our jobs, we are given more opportunities to explore. The bad side, IMHO, is that we generally tag along the trend of the west and forgot about the original we.

But as I mentioned above, this is a little bit off the main topic.:-D


P.S. Nice to join you, and I've been here in the site since June last year.