I recently read this infographic on learning English at the Kaplan International website.
The data is interesting. One of the reasons why foreigners prefer to travel to the Philippines is that majority of the Filipinos can easily converse in English. In fact, there are many Asians, Koreans in particular, who have come to the Philippines to study English. In Asia, the Philippines is known for its fluency in this language, which is why call centers have been flourishing in the country.
How did we learn English? Credit that to the long American presence in the Philippines. Although the Spaniards have spent a lengthier time in our country, the Americans educated Filipinos on the English language and embedded it in our educational and political systems.
Moreso, the Amereicans were here when media has been developing. It was the advent of radio and television. So, even when they left the archipelago, their influence lived on. Thanks to Hollywood.
Based on Kaplan’s “How to Learn English” infographic, I may add that we didn’t travel to learn English. We learned it because it travelled to us. I think Kaplan can add us as one of the English-speaking countries, even when it is not our mother tongue.
Yes, if you want to travel (and travel cheap!) to learn English, you can consider the Philippines as an option. Plus, you get to enjoy the beaches and the sun all year round. You get the best of everything – you can practice your English with any man on the street and, at the same time, explore our 7,107 islands.
And don’t you worry, with television, movies, books and internet everywhere, which you can also find in the Philippines, you’ll get lots of language support in our country if you want to learn English here.
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