Is Filipino Being Kicked Out Of College?

[robert k]

Gerald, you weren't supposed to let on about the secret language Igpay Attinlay.

[Americano]

Then there is the difference between a diploma and an education. I have met many people who had one without the other.

 

Robert, A Diploma is only a piece of paper. An Education means you may have actually learned something.  A cousin lived with us for 8 months and had a Diploma but I'm still trying to find out what she learned. Every test I gave her she failed, Ever thing I said she didn't understand and in 8 months the only things in English she said was good morning, good night, thank you, yes and no.  This after she claims she went to a very hard high school. What do the kids learn in an easy high school?

[jon1]

I tried a similar experiment with my brother and sister in law that came to stay with me. They still are not comfortable speaking english with me. I tried "english speaking zones" in the house as a joke and that is what it turned out to be. They go with the path of least resistance, talking in their local dialect. I probably understand more of their dialect than they do of English.

 

For the most part they have no foresight nor accept guidance with foresight. 

 

I understand why the Maritime course would have the requirement. Not only must they understand what is being said but they have to react without thinking, especially in emergency situations on ship.

[Steve & Myrlita]

I have 2 Granddaughters. 1 is 14½, the other is 4½. The younger one is fully bilingual in both Ilonggo & English. She picked up on my American English since birth and although not fluent, it is remarkable for a 4 yr old. The 14 yr old is an entirely different scenario. She not only can't speak a word of English whatsoever but has no want or desire to ever do so thus she will probably never go to college or get a decent job whereas the 4 yr old will have the whole world as her choice. Saddens me but nothing I can do about it.

[Americano]

jon & Steve,

 

Do you find it strange or unusually that they can't understand or speak English when its one of their subjects in school?  If their school is using the required Report Card (Form 138) published by the Dept. of Education then its the second subject on the card, Filipino is first. With just one year of learning English in a classroom they should at least be able to understand and speak some basic words. My wife's brother and sister have been going to school for 9 years but know almost no English.

[i am bob]

I"m just wondering how many of our American members can speak Spanish?  Isn't Spanish the unofficial second language of the USA?  

 

Same here in Canada...  How many of us can speak passible French at a working level?  I know I can't!  Yet when I was in Grade 5, we started taking French classes.  Every year, until I finally quit taking French class, we had the same thing over and over...  The same Grade One primer.  How many times can you say "Regardez Pitou! Regardez Jean!  Regardez HR Puffinstuff!"  And perhaps they have the same situation in the Philippines?  Before we complain that the kids aren't learning anything, has anyone looked to see what they are being taught?

 

:rolleyes:

[Medic Mike]

I"m just wondering how many of our American members can speak Spanish?  Isn't Spanish the unofficial second language of the USA?  

 

Same here in Canada...  How many of us can speak passible French at a working level?  I know I can't!  Yet when I was in Grade 5, we started taking French classes.  Every year, until I finally quit taking French class, we had the same thing over and over...  The same Grade One primer.  How many times can you say "Regardez Pitou! Regardez Jean!  Regardez HR Puffinstuff!"  And perhaps they have the same situation in the Philippines?  Before we complain that the kids aren't learning anything, has anyone looked to see what they are being taught?

 

:rolleyes:

When I was running the fast track dept at Marin General in California, about 40% of my patients spoke spanish only....all the medical staff had to learn spanish to be able to treat our patients correctly. It is amazing how much you forget of a language if not practised often. It has been almost 14 years since I was working in that position, and I can only remember a few phrases :)

[Americano]

I"m just wondering how many of our American members can speak Spanish?  Isn't Spanish the unofficial second language of the USA?  

 

Same here in Canada...  How many of us can speak passible French at a working level?  I know I can't!  Yet when I was in Grade 5, we started taking French classes.  Every year, until I finally quit taking French class, we had the same thing over and over...  The same Grade One primer.  How many times can you say "Regardez Pitou! Regardez Jean!  Regardez HR Puffinstuff!"  And perhaps they have the same situation in the Philippines?  Before we complain that the kids aren't learning anything, has anyone looked to see what they are being taught?

 

:rolleyes:

 

 

"I"m just wondering how many of our American members can speak Spanish? Isn't Spanish the unofficial second language of the USA?"   No, Spanish is not an unofficial language of the USA.  Didn't know anyone in Alabama who spoke Spanish unless they came from another country.  And, the most important point is Spanish is not a required subject to be taught in USA schools.  English is required to be taught in the Philippines elementary and high schools.

 

 "Before we complain that the kids aren't learning anything, has anyone looked to see what they are being taught?  Evidently you haven't been reading my posts concerning the school aged relatives who have been visiting me and my wife.  By testing them maybe a total of 20 times I haven't found any subject that they have much knowledge of. If you can find out what they are learning beside how to sing and dance and get ready of the next Fiesta please let me know.

[Americano]

I tried a similar experiment with my brother and sister in law that came to stay with me. They still are not comfortable speaking english with me. I tried "english speaking zones" in the house as a joke and that is what it turned out to be. They go with the path of least resistance, talking in their local dialect. I probably understand more of their dialect than they do of English.

 

For the most part they have no foresight nor accept guidance with foresight. 

 

I understand why the Maritime course would have the requirement. Not only must they understand what is being said but they have to react without thinking, especially in emergency situations on ship.

 

One time I was traveling through Mindanao on my motorcycle and passing a school when I saw a sign above a door that said English Only Zone.  I bet that was the quietest room in the school.

[Americano]

 

I"m just wondering how many of our American members can speak Spanish?  Isn't Spanish the unofficial second language of the USA?  

 

Same here in Canada...  How many of us can speak passible French at a working level?  I know I can't!  Yet when I was in Grade 5, we started taking French classes.  Every year, until I finally quit taking French class, we had the same thing over and over...  The same Grade One primer.  How many times can you say "Regardez Pitou! Regardez Jean!  Regardez HR Puffinstuff!"  And perhaps they have the same situation in the Philippines?  Before we complain that the kids aren't learning anything, has anyone looked to see what they are being taught?

 

:rolleyes:

When I was running the fast track dept at Marin General in California, about 40% of my patients spoke spanish only....all the medical staff had to learn spanish to be able to treat our patients correctly. It is amazing how much you forget of a language if not practised often. It has been almost 14 years since I was working in that position, and I can only remember a few phrases :)

 

 

"It is amazing how much you forget of a language if not practised often"  You are correct about that but the students I'm talking just came from school so they should be able to remember some of what they were taught.

 

In 1979 I was in the US Army and got orders to go to Germany.  Before I left Fort Carson in Colorado I attended a 2 week class learning the German language taught by an American and when I arrived in Germany I had another 2 weeks class which was taught by a German lady.  For graduation our entire class was required to go to a German restaurant and only speak in German the entire time we were there. If someone said one word in English that person would fail and have to repeat the 2 weeks course again. We had to greet the waiter, order our food, pay our bill, and all conversation must be in German. Every person passed the course.  I haven't seen a high school graduate in the Philippines who could pass that test in English and they study English for many years.