There are many ESL schools in the Philippines, many are top notch academies. Why come to Cebu City?
Cebu offers a few advantages for the Foreign student. First Cebu is home of the second largest airport in the Philippines. With direct flights to many Asian countries, it is very convenient to travel to Cebu. In addition Cebu City hosts a diverse culture with international resorts, restaurants, and nightlife second only to Manila. There are several world class malls including Ayala Center and SM Mall.
Cebu offers a central location for easy weekend travel to many tourist venues. Bohol with its Alona beach and day tour of the famous chocolate hills is only a four hour ferry ride or a quick flight away. Boracay, Malapasqua Island, and Bantayan Island are also exotic locations within easy reach of Cebu.
If night life interests you, there are many music venues and discos in the City. Pump, a haven for Hip Hop lovers, Vudu, features House music and attracts an upscale clientele. Juliana a Korean owned Club features a variety of music and draws a huge crowd on weekends. There are many other clubs and entertainment venues for your weekend or evening enjoyment.
Restaurants include many international cuisines including Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese. Cebu is truly an international and multicultural City, and it is not so large to be intimidating or difficult to get around.
Consider Cebu City as a prime candidate for your ESL study in the Philippines. You won't regret it.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
English Pronunciation
Many ESL schools utilize the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to teach and reinforce English pronunciation. My first hand experience teaching Asians English tells me this is not practical. Why?
Ok, first most second Language students from Asia travel to the Philippines or other destination for a limited time. The average stay is 8 weeks. many stay 4 weeks, and a few study abroad for 32 weeks or longer. Secondly, the majority of these students do not know the IPA. So with this in mind, should I spend the time to teach the IPA, or use a direct hands on method to show tongue and mouth positions?
I used to teach remedial speech in middle school in the U.S. The method to get speech impaired students at this level to get proper tongue position is to reinforce correct position through direct interaction using diagrams, animations and most importantly modeling behavior. (Monkey see Monkey do).
Mistakenly many ESL students think pronunciation is solely a speech skill, it is not. It is first a listening skill. If you can't hear it properly, you will never be able to model it or repeat it.
My technique:
At the beginning of each class I use a self made tongue twister to drill my students. First, I have to say we have fun with it, and even in a one on eight class it is effective. Every one gets a turn to say the phrase on the board.
First I model the pronunciation several times, then I introduce any new vocabulary in the sentence. Sometimes I point out homophones and homonyms (words spelled the same or differently, have different meanings, but sound the same; or spelled the same in the latter subset homonym).
Dipththongs and blended letters and words I usually correct and teach as each student takes a turn saying the phrase.
I show them and instruct them on tongue position using my techniques from remediation teaching. I have seen remarkable improvement in the majority of my students within one or two weeks. My students are all adults 20-55, so teaching them pronunciation is exactly like remedial speech instruction, IE: unlearning old habits and replacing with new behaviors.
Ok, first most second Language students from Asia travel to the Philippines or other destination for a limited time. The average stay is 8 weeks. many stay 4 weeks, and a few study abroad for 32 weeks or longer. Secondly, the majority of these students do not know the IPA. So with this in mind, should I spend the time to teach the IPA, or use a direct hands on method to show tongue and mouth positions?
I used to teach remedial speech in middle school in the U.S. The method to get speech impaired students at this level to get proper tongue position is to reinforce correct position through direct interaction using diagrams, animations and most importantly modeling behavior. (Monkey see Monkey do).
Mistakenly many ESL students think pronunciation is solely a speech skill, it is not. It is first a listening skill. If you can't hear it properly, you will never be able to model it or repeat it.
My technique:
At the beginning of each class I use a self made tongue twister to drill my students. First, I have to say we have fun with it, and even in a one on eight class it is effective. Every one gets a turn to say the phrase on the board.
First I model the pronunciation several times, then I introduce any new vocabulary in the sentence. Sometimes I point out homophones and homonyms (words spelled the same or differently, have different meanings, but sound the same; or spelled the same in the latter subset homonym).
Dipththongs and blended letters and words I usually correct and teach as each student takes a turn saying the phrase.
I show them and instruct them on tongue position using my techniques from remediation teaching. I have seen remarkable improvement in the majority of my students within one or two weeks. My students are all adults 20-55, so teaching them pronunciation is exactly like remedial speech instruction, IE: unlearning old habits and replacing with new behaviors.
| Term | Meaning | Spelling | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homonym | Different | Same | Same |
| Homograph | Different | Same | Same or different |
| Homophone | Different | Same or different | Same |
| Heteronym | Different | Same | Different |
| Polyseme | Different but related | Same | Same or different |
| Capitonym | Different when capitalised | Same except for capitalisation | Same or different |
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Dreaded "R" Sound
The r sound is one of the most difficult sounds to make for ESL students. In American English, the /r/ sound is rhotic. When speaking with the General American Accent, Americans use a rhotic /r/, which means we say it in all parts of the word, (beginning, middle, and end) including when it occurs after a vowel sound. This is one of the major differences among accents of English. I tell my students, where you see an /r/ written, pronounce the /r/ sound. The key is to remember that vocalic /r/ has 5 different positions, as it is controlled by vowels, which modifies it's shape each time. ie: or, ar, er, ir, ur.
The /r/ sound and the /l/ sound are difficult because they are both "liquid". This simply means there is no hard place to put your tongue tip (except for the L at a words beginning, "la") and as you say the letter your mouth and tongue are moving. I spend time at the beginning of every class doing rudimentary pronunciation practice, usually by means of a "tongue twister". Invariably when we practice the /r/ sound we end up making faces at each other and making weird noises as I attempt to demonstrate and teach the /r/ sound.
Here are some tips.
Minimal Pairs
Challenging Words
In Phrases
Dialogue
The /r/ sound and the /l/ sound are difficult because they are both "liquid". This simply means there is no hard place to put your tongue tip (except for the L at a words beginning, "la") and as you say the letter your mouth and tongue are moving. I spend time at the beginning of every class doing rudimentary pronunciation practice, usually by means of a "tongue twister". Invariably when we practice the /r/ sound we end up making faces at each other and making weird noises as I attempt to demonstrate and teach the /r/ sound.
Here are some tips.
- I tell my students: Sweep the roof of your mouth(front to back) with your tongue saying 'ah'. When I say stop, keep your tongue in that position and continue vocalization. Then Bring the tip down slightly. The tip doesn't touch any part of the mouth at this point.
- make a bowl or cup shape with your tongue with a flexing action as if your making a muscle.
- the cup shaped sides of your tongue touch the side of your mouth just above the back molar area.
- the front of the tongue can be up or down just not touching
- say "sh," then stop, but maintain the tongue position, and then drop the tip of the tongue slightly relax your jaw and say /r/. This can lead to say, "sh...r" (sure)
Minimal Pairs
ray | lay | way | fire | file | marrow | mellow |
reed | lead | weed | steer | steel | crew | clue |
rain | lain | wane | tear | teal | bereave | believe |
rash | lash | trier | trial | berated | belated | |
rind | wind | pyre | pile | |||
rest | lest |
Challenging Words
In Phrases
rest and relaxation | not a care in the world | violent behavior |
live and let live | a calendar girl | All's well that ends well |
road rage | without rhyme or reason | twenty-seventh |
get your wires crossed | rest assured | anniversary |
101 West Redwood Road | random access memory | liven up |
road rally | verifiable evidence | wide variety |
Dialogue
A: What's wrong? |
B: Nothing. Just rehearsing my lines. |
A: What for? Are you performing in a play? |
B: It's called "The Grapes of Wrath." |
A: Never heard of it. |
B: Really? It's the most popular play around. |
A: Are you memorizing or just trying to remember? |
B: I'm trying to concentrate. |
B: Sorry. |
Saturday, April 25, 2009
How to Learn English
Many Asians today clamor to learn English, why? English is the most widely spoken language for business and education around the world, that's why. Demand is high, and many schools are available as well as online sources for instruction. What is the best way to learn English?
There are probably as many answers as teachers and students. Joking aside, English is a difficult language to learn if you are an Asian. There are some fundamental differences in the way western or Latin based languages approach grammar, syntax, and pronunciation.
The best way to learn any language is to immerse yourself in its total experience. this is called a holistic approach. simply put, surround yourself with English speaking native speakers. One way to accomplish this is to live in America, the UK, or Australia. Live there fro a year study and speak English everyday. Obviously, we all can't do this. It is simply not feasible for us to interrupt our lives and go live in an English speaking country.
Thankfully there are economical alternatives to going to the U.S. The Philippines offers a great opportunity to study in Asia, in an English speaking country with an abundance of qualified native speakers available. Here you can surround yourself with people speaking English everyday. One can practice their English just by going shopping or taking a taxi. In addition, the Philippines offers many tourist venues and boasts a tropical climate to make a stay here like a working vacation.
Learning English is a practiced art, and yes language is an art as well as a skill. We not only have to learn grammar and vocabulary, we have to visualize ideas and concepts in English to become proficient. In addition, we have to train our brains to think in English as well. This process is called assimilation. Idiomatic expressions, figures of speech, and phrasal verbs simply have to be internalized by either memorization or repeated usage.
Living in a culture of English is the fastest way to accomplish this. There is no substitute for practice and using all your senses to assimilate English in a native speaking environment.
So consider the Philippines as a language learning destination. The Philippines is close (a few hours from Korea by plane) economical, and English is spoken by nearly all the local citizens.
There are probably as many answers as teachers and students. Joking aside, English is a difficult language to learn if you are an Asian. There are some fundamental differences in the way western or Latin based languages approach grammar, syntax, and pronunciation.
The best way to learn any language is to immerse yourself in its total experience. this is called a holistic approach. simply put, surround yourself with English speaking native speakers. One way to accomplish this is to live in America, the UK, or Australia. Live there fro a year study and speak English everyday. Obviously, we all can't do this. It is simply not feasible for us to interrupt our lives and go live in an English speaking country.
Thankfully there are economical alternatives to going to the U.S. The Philippines offers a great opportunity to study in Asia, in an English speaking country with an abundance of qualified native speakers available. Here you can surround yourself with people speaking English everyday. One can practice their English just by going shopping or taking a taxi. In addition, the Philippines offers many tourist venues and boasts a tropical climate to make a stay here like a working vacation.
Learning English is a practiced art, and yes language is an art as well as a skill. We not only have to learn grammar and vocabulary, we have to visualize ideas and concepts in English to become proficient. In addition, we have to train our brains to think in English as well. This process is called assimilation. Idiomatic expressions, figures of speech, and phrasal verbs simply have to be internalized by either memorization or repeated usage.
Living in a culture of English is the fastest way to accomplish this. There is no substitute for practice and using all your senses to assimilate English in a native speaking environment.
So consider the Philippines as a language learning destination. The Philippines is close (a few hours from Korea by plane) economical, and English is spoken by nearly all the local citizens.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
ESL Plus
The Academy of Teaching and Training Inc. is a division of ESLplus Inc., one of Canada's leading provider of ESL camps for school aged international students from around the world, private tutorials in all subject and all levels, foreign language classes and one-on-one settings, homestay and corporate training. Get certified to teach ESL (English as a second language) globally! ESLplus Foundation TESOL Teacher Certificate Program now available in the Philippines in key locations in Baguio City, Laguna and Manila. Fulltime and part-time schedules available. Foundation TESOL Teacher Certificate Program. Our TESOL program is hands-on, in-class and interactive, plus practicum. Advanced TESOL / TEFL - Qualifies you to teach English overseas and in the Philippines
Monday, April 20, 2009
Schools In The Philippines
American Institute for English Proficiency
The American Institute, located in Makati City/Manila, is the Philippines' leading service provider of English training and career development.
Cleverlearn English Language Institute
Welcome to Cleverlearn English Language Institute (CELI), a place to pursue English learning beyond traditional boundaries.
EA Communications and Language Center
The Center specializes in the conduct of intensive workshops and coaching sessions to prepare candidates for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT).
English Language Academy
http://www.elaphilippines.com/
ELA—English Language Academy. Probably one of the finest English Language Academies in the Philippines. A friendly place of study, run by a team of local people plus skilled and qualified native English teachers.
Harvest Christian School International
http://www.hcsinternational.org/
Offering ESL Courses (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) and English Immersion Courses, Pre-School, Grade School and High School Courses, Business Courses and Performing Arts.
International Language Academy Manila
The International Language Academy Manila (I.L.A.M.) is a school established to effectively teach the art of communicating using the English language.
John Harper International Communications Institute
http://geocities.com/johnharpernaga
John Harper ICI Naga, the only institute that puts more emphasis on speaking English. Offers the following courses: English as a Second Language, English for Kids, Reading Comprehension, English Proficiency Test Review, (IELTS-TOEFL-TSE-TOEFL)
Paradise English
http://www.paradiseenglish.com/
We have a school on Boracay Island in the Philippines which has one of the worlds most beautiful beaches. Students live and study with Canadian instructors. This is a total Canadian ESL school but located in the Philippines. Same education for less.
St Dominic College of Arts and Sciences
http://www.stdominiccollege.edu.ph/
English Language Proficiency Programs. IELTS Review. TOEFL Review. American Accent/Speech Power. English for Professionals/ Corporate English. Tertiary Level English Readiness Program. English Proficiency Programs for Foreign Students.
Philippines Information
| GENERAL INFORMATION CLIMATE POPULATION LANGUAGES Eight (8) major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense. Filipino is that native language which is used nationally as the language of communication among ethnic groups. Like any living language, Filipino is in a process of development through loans from Philippine languages and non-native languages for various situations, among speakers of different social backgrounds, and for topics for conversation and scholarly discourse. There are about 76 to 78 major language groups, with more than 500 dialects. RELIGIONS UNIT OF MEASURE 220 volts a/c is the common standard. 110 volts a/c is also used, especially in major hotels. CURRENCY The Philippines' monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotels, most large department stores, banks, and authorized money changing shops accredited by the Central Bank of the Philippines. International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and American Express are accepted in major establishments. | ||
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