7 Reasons Why Filipinos CAN'T Speak English Better

In the Philippines, the English Language has been selling like an old flavor of ice-cream and has been served repeatedly to millions of students in all the schools for the past decades. Most of us actually have tried this 'ice cream' but not everyone had liked it. These schools though, exerted a conscious effort on how to smoothly deliver this subject matter to every student.



Like ice-cream makers, public schools claim that they have already mastered this overwhelming 'ice-cream-making' process. While private schools brag that theirs is 'yummier', since they are now  putting some 'cherries on top'. But after all, why still most of the Filipinos can't speak English better?  

Here are 7 Reasons You Can't Deny: 

1. Filipinos are born Filipinos

Jose Rizal had written:
"A man who doesn't love his native language, were
worse than animals and smelly fish."

In other words, we are not Americans. We are being brought up in an environment designed to speak no other foreign language but Filipino and other local dialects. Since the day that we were born, we became fixated to our mother tongue, the Filipino language.

Until we went to school where the English language was formally introduced to us. We suddenly felt the difficulty embracing this new foreign language. Maybe that's why until now, it's still never easy to produce that distinct American twang.

2. When 'A' is not just for 'Apple'

We see English as far more complicated than Filipino in both grammar and pronunciation. Do you agree?

In Filipino, the vowel "A" has a very stable sound or pronunciation. Pronounced as long "Ahh", it cannot be pronounced differently no matter what how it is used in a sentence. If you notice, your jaw holds just one dropping position when you read: bahay, baba, tapat, pananampalataya. And that makes the Filipino language a lot easier to learn.

Now imagine this: In English, "A" has various sounds. Try to read the following words: mate, mat, father, law, about. You just pronounced "A" in 5 different ways!

This only means that the English language needs more time to master it.

3. When speaking English has become your most embarrassing moment

Have you experienced being laughed at, or worst, being mocked when you incorrectly pronounced any English word? How about saying a complete, grammatically, erroneous sentence? Or how about if your accent sucks?

We all have our aspirations to become a better English speaker. But when the time comes that your  English errors have already been an unforgettable laughing experience to others, maybe you'll end up shutting your mouth instead and avoiding even to speak a single English phrase or sentence again.

Chris dela Cruz, a General Manager at the American Institute for English Proficiency here in the Philippines have said: "Many people are just too shy to speak because we have a culture of making fun of others who are trying to learn and speak English.  Instead of admiring those who are learning a language other than their own, they would rather make a mockery out of them.  It's really a backward culture when it comes to learning and speaking English."

4. When speaking English gives you a 'nosebleed'

When our nose bleeds, it's alarming. The same context is applied in speaking English.

Metaphorically, we use the phrase 'nose-bleeding' as a sign of having a hard time speaking this foreign language. It was characterized by frequent stuttering and lost of thought by finding it hard to express ourselves in English. Thus, we appear to be like looking for that emergency button!

Because of this incapacity, it always results to decreased self-confidence that progresses to a total avoidance of this language.

5. English language is only for the rich people

Here in the Philippines, the English language has become a distinguishing mark on the socioeconomic ladder. Those Filipinos who can speak English better like a radio DJ are most of the time tagged as conio or "sosyal", also associating them to such identities like being rich, a graduate from an expensive international school or maybe someone who belongs to a highly influential clan. Especially if you can put that crisp American accent while you speak, surely, you'll be an ultimate head-turner in public.

But who would dare to speak that perfect English accent when some people around you might come and confront you and sarcastically say: "Bakit, mayaman ka ba? (Hey, are you rich?)"

6. When your English teacher does not really care about you

Let's face the truth—not all English teachers in schools who have gone through the years of mastering English can help you learn the language easier and become a fluent speaker like them.

Again, Chris dela Cruz, can help us understand this more:

"Many of the teachers who teach English simply do not have the teaching skills and knowledge. They may have the knowledge, but they do not inspire the students at all and that's a major reason why many students do not like to study English.

"Another factor is the school environment itself.  Does the school provide an atmosphere for English learning?  Does it have an English speaking culture supported by its teachers and entire staff?  Does it have a system that promotes English?"

7. "Practice makes perfect. But nobody's perfect—then why practice?"

I heard this saying from one the famous Filipinos funny movies. It pulled a smile on my face when I initially heard it but I ended up digging deeper into the lines. This statement just denotes a negative approach to learning.

Belle Gobantes, a communications coach in one of the leading BPO companies in the country have said: "It must be practiced not only in school but also at home. Parents should support their kids speaking the language."

How could we get used to it when we prefer Filipino or other dialects at home instead? Then English will be like a pair of expensive spoon and folk that we rarely use on our dining table. It's like porcelain plates that should only be used during special occasions.

CONCLUSION

I did not write this article to mock anyone who cannot speak English better. I wrote this piece to open up the minds of every Filipino to face this current road block. I believe that figuring out the cause of this defect could somehow help us develop resolutions that we need. Educating and developing ourselves is never too late.

I like what Belle Gobantes have said on this too:

"When a person is not exposed to the proper usage of English during his formative years, then he needs some courage to start working on his English proficiency. He must help himself learn how to use it.

"There are tips that I think would help you develop your English skills. If you think that you learn more by reading, then go and read a lot.  If you are more of an auditory type of person, or maybe a visual learner, then watch movies. It is up to you on how you discover different ways to know more about this language.

"Lastly, do not forget to take note of the words that you have learned and know their meaning.  Try to use it. Test the words and feel it until you become more confident and comfortable using it. As soon as you get all the hang of it, you’ll be speaking like a pro."

I definitely agree and I am putting all my two thumbs up to this, Belle.