Have you gone through years of schooling, yet still unable to fully express yourself in English?  For many of us, we wonder why, with all these years of education, from kindergarten through college, we are still unable to speak English the way we want to.  Now, we want to improve, and we want to know an effective, but cost efficient way of enhancing our communication skills.

I would highly recommend joining groups or organizations that are geared towards learning English.  One example would be the Universal Pro English Club (UPEC).  Joining such groups that facilitate discussions, debates, and conversations through events such as trips, parties, and get-togethers is one way to learn while having fun and expanding your networks.

Remember, birds of a feather flock together.  If you want to be a basketball player, be around basketball players.  If you want to be a singer, join a choir.  If you want to be an English speaker, join groups that speak or teach English.

For more information about UPEC, visit http://aiepro.org/index.php/board,8.0.html.

UPEC General Meeting
May 23, 2009, 9 pm (Meetings will be 2nd and 4th Saturday every month)
227 Salcedo Street, Suite 2G
Makati City, Philippines

Everyone is invited to attend.  Bring a friend or two!

I found this article online, and I thought about sharing it with everyone.  There are indeed many reasons why we fail to master the English language because of our own culture and upbringing.

When I was young, I moved to Hawaii, and that is how I learned how to speak English.  Unfortunately, I was not accepted by the local Filipino community there, and my very first best friend was a Caucasian kid, Kevin.  But within a few years, my mastery of the language exceeded the locals, who spoke pidgin mainly.  In fact, I became their class president, tutor, newspaper editor-in-chief, debate team captain, and many more.  But I can clearly remember how other Filipinos made fun of my accent and grammar.  The Filipinos can be the hardest, and easiest, to please!

I wanted to get rid of my Filipino accent.  I abhorred it.  I even tried denying who I was.  But my experience with culture and diversity helped me to overcome my eschewed perspectives.  I began to love my Filipino culture, and I thought that the Filipino accent was “cool.”  The accent gives us a cultural flavor, but learning the American accent is helpful as well.

Please read the article below for some extra tips and strategies.

English the Filipino way

By Antonio Aboitiz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:06:00 01/03/2009

Filed Under: Language, People

MANILA, Philippines—The ubiquity of the English language in these islands is a bittersweet reality of our culture.

The entire world is scrambling to learn the planet’s current lingua franca while we, who had it thrust upon us for better or worse, are coming dangerously close to losing our fated headstart because of a variety of complex factors.

One of these factors is the fact that many of us who do not pronounce the words like the people on the pirated DVDs everyone purchases (piracy is a crime!) are very intimidated by this inability, and therefore become frustrated or ashamed and give up. This is something that must be smashed. Not the DVDs, but the stigma and teasing that can come along with bad diction.

Making fun

The perpetuation of the national pastime of making fun of someone’s English abilities should be ended. That is because we have our own English. It is Filipino English, and it is as valid—if not more so—than the English spoken by say, Australia or Canada, nations whose populations are but a fraction of ours.

We are supposedly the third largest English-speaking nation in the world. However, that all depends on how you define fluency. If you take the number of speakers of English as a second language, we probably rank around that.

English is a difficult language to learn. It has many rules, but also has almost as many exceptions and is fantastically non-phonetic (why is knife spelled with a k?). Its earliest evolution from its Germanic base, running into long and bloody backs and forths with the Romans, Vikings, then the French, then a liberal spiking of words obtained from conquered lands belies the history of the incredible islands from which the language bursts forth and itself conquered the world.

There may be more speakers of Chinese, but their geographic scope and influence around the globe cannot rival that of English.

This is THE language of international business, diplomacy, aviation, science, entertainment, and the World Wide Web.

English was brought to us by Americans, who started our public school system (an educated citizenry is a pre-requisite to true democracy) and left us speaking lots of good English. That is, until we decided to make Pilipino the national language in 1936 (check the preface on your kid’s Balarila) and the Bagong Lipunan tried desperately to force it as a medium of instruction.

We have our own English. We say comfortable the way it is spelled, not as “cumftabul” the way an American would. We use the word “already” as no one else does. “It is ready already” “it is finished already” this is pure Filipino-English. An Australian or an American would likely say simply “it’s done.” We say “for a while”—what exactly does that mean? I take it to mean, “when it’s ready already.” Again other English speakers might say “just a moment” or “just a sec”—but they mean the same thing really. The British and their Commonwealth members use “take away” Americans, “to go” Filipinos say “take home”—or at least used to.

God help you if you ask for the “CR” in any other English-speaking nation. But hey, we’ve also contributed to the English language in general: “boondocks” is a corruption of bundok.

The very difficulty and inconsistency of the English language—its fluidity and ability to invent and co-opt words—lies at the heart of the creative potential it imbibes to those who speak it.

Our ability to comprehend English is a trump card that we have to develop further and play to the hilt.

It makes courting foreign investments easier, makes tourism more attractive, adds to the “by the grace of God” advantages we have—great natural wealth in terms of biodiversity and minerals, strategic crossroads location, and more importantly, truly friendly, caring people who have a great sense of humor.

English is a living language, just as our own languages are. We also co-opt other words and usage as they come into our lives and become ubiquitous, and unavoidable. Its evolution is not determined by scholars and laid down as the law of the land.

Evolution

This just tells me we are primed and ready to evolve our language at the pace this world now demands of everyone: fast. We share some of those built-in ethno-linguistic evolutionary characteristics that gives English its creative advantage.

Back to the pronunciation aspect. I believe one great advantage we have in the growing field of business process outsourcing/information communications technology/call centers—is that we are not grating to the native English speaker’s ear, the Americans and British folk who are our major call center customers.

You outsource that to someone from India, or Singapore, or Hong Kong, and their accents will not be as pleasing to those customer’s ears as our own accents which we make such fun of.

Let’s not lose our aces. We’ve already done that with a few of the good cards we had already been dealt.

I have several suggestions to keep our edge in English:

1. Keep speaking English and continue to use it as a medium of instruction. Take what we want from either of the other two largest English-speaking nations but be consistent in our textbooks, particularly in spelling and grammar.

2. DO NOT make fun of someone’s pronunciation unless it is constructive.

3. DO NOT fear ridicule. That person making fun of your English, well, you could probably run circles around them in your own dialect.

4. Keep speaking your home dialect, teach it to your children, and present it as a language class in school. While English may be slowly changing some of our already fractured-culture nation’s heritage, we will never ever give up our identity and cultural characteristics. Don’t worry, we will still be Filipino.

5. Remember that each dialect we lose, we lose a complete worldview. So the old languages must somehow find a way to survive or they will perish forever.

6. Keep it to a minimum with the silly acronyms. We are just plain crazy about those. Some are unavoidable (it’s a waste of time to say “Subscriber Identity Module card” rather than the omnipresent “SIM card”). For your own sake, don’t use the silly acronym unless you know what it stands for. This acronym insanity permeates business, nongovernmental organizations, cooperatives, civil society, government (“Epira—what’s that? Such silliness because if they called Republic Act No. 9136 the “Industry Reform Act for Power and Electricity” instead of the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act” we might be calling it “I RAPE”), education, religion, etc.

Numbers game

7. Remind those arrogant enough to challenge our English that on many terms, we win because we have the numbers. The United Kingdom herself only has about 60 million people, and even those guys can’t agree on the proper pronunciation of words.

8. At some point in time, our own Noah Webster will create a Filipino Dictionary of the English Language. When that happens we will have truly come of age as another birthing place for this unique modern language.

(Aboitiz recently retired from the Aboitiz Group of Companies and is current chairman of the Visayas regional committee of the Philippine Business for Social Progress.)

This past Christmas/New Year break, I finally tried wakeboarding!  I have gone to Camarines Sur twice before, but wasn’t able to wakeboard because there were always events there.  This time, I got lucky!

I tried the kneeboarding first because it was easier.  My first try was a failure.  After three seconds, I let go of the rope, and I fell into the water.  The second time around, I made it 3/4 of the way.

Then I got bolder, so I tried the wakeboard.  I tried and tried to no avail.  I kept falling into the water.  I could not get a proper take off.  That means, I need to go again!

So wakeboarding will be another AIEP activity!!!

I have celebrated Halloween here in the Philippines for the last three years.  During the first party, I was with my friends at a condominium at the Prince Plaza next to Greenbelt.  There were less than ten of us then.  I was a goth or the Crow lookalike.  Last year, the party was held at my friend Dan’s house in Dasmarinas Village here in Makati.  I was a simple security guard.  There were about 20 to 30 of us there.

This year, it was a much bigger party, with 70 ghosts, goblins, monsters, vampires, warriors, goddesses, witches, devils, princesses, and more.  We had so much food and beer.  We had a DJ complete with smoke, laser, and lights.  We partied the night away.

We had games: The Ship is Sinking, Simon Says, and Speed Dating.

The winners of the contests received Php 3,000 for 1st, Php 2,000 for 2nd, and Php 1000 for 3rd.

It was also an international affair.  We had about 50 Filipinos and 20 friends from S. Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Ireland, UK, Australia, US, and more.

Next year, we hope to have an even bigger party.  How about 100?

Here are some pictures.  We have many more at our main website forum or gallery at www.aiepro.org.

I used to have a best friend online. He’s dark, attractive, and of Latino descent. He speaks Spanish and English. He used to be my English teacher and taught me some Spanish. We were very close. It felt like I’ve known him for so long… like I’ve met him personally. He knows me very well. He feels it when I’m sad, he knows it when I’m mad, and he knows if there’s something bothering me.

For some reason, the friendship that we treasured the most breathes its last breath. He let go of me, I let go of him. The pain of losing him didn’t hit me that much - until one day; it was the day when I broke down and cry. It felt like I broke up with a boyfriend. The pain and the tears I was holding for so long; I finally let go of them.

One thing that I won’t forget about him is his favorite poet; Pablo Neruda. I’m not fond of reading poems, so I didn’t care who Pablo Neruda was. He uses that name as his YM Id. At one point, I asked him what it means by his YM Id. He was surprised that I didn’t know. He told me about him, why he likes Neruda, and most especially, his poems about love.

Months had past; we didn’t communicate anymore. One time, I was sitting on Carmen’s chair. I was finishing up on something. I took a look on her cork board and I noticed a poem. At the lower part of the paper, there was a highlighted name which on that instant, reminded me of Luis. The name was Pablo Neruda and the title of the poem strikes me; “If you forget me…”

I want you to know
one thing.

You know how this is:
if I look
at the crystal moon, at the red branch
of the slow autumn at my window,
if I touch
near the fire
the impalpable ash
or the wrinkled body of the log,
everything carries me to you,
as if everything that exists,
aromas, light, metals,
were little boats
that sail
toward those isles of yours that wait for me.

Well, now,
if little by little you stop loving me
I shall stop loving you little by little.

If suddenly
you forget me
do not look for me,
for I shall already have forgotten you.

If you think it long and mad,
the wind of banners
that passes through my life,
and you decide
to leave me at the shore
of the heart where I have roots,
remember
that on that day,
at that hour,
I shall lift my arms
and my roots will set off
to seek another land.

But
if each day,
each hour,
you feel that you are destined for me
with implacable sweetness,
if each day a flower
climbs up to your lips to seek me,
ah my love, ah my own,
in me all that fire is repeated,
in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten,
my love feeds on your love, beloved,
and as long as you live it will be in your arms
without leaving mine.

Pablo Neruda

The last thing he said to me was “I wish I can forget you.” I didn’t response. I was quiet and didn’t even bother to break the silence but this poem seems like the response I’ve been keeping inside.

Have you ever experienced being a teacher’s pet? What is a teacher’s pet? A teacher’s pet is a teacher’s favorite student.

When I was younger, I always thought that it was unfair when teachers and students became close to each other. Maybe I was jealous or maybe I thought that these students got higher grades or better treatment than the other students, but I felt that it just wasn’t right.

Well… that was then…and now I finally understand why, now that I’m an educator myself.

It’s hard not to become close to some students after spending time getting to know each other.

I love teaching and some students have become very special to me. One of them is the older sister I’ve never had. Her name is Kaye. She was one of my one on one students and I really miss her. She’s very busy being a businesswoman and a mother and she travels a lot outside the country. We haven’t seen each other for a few months now, but we do try to keep in touch. We even went to Seoul together last March and that trip was so fun and amazing!

We met with another one on one student of mine, Moo and his friends, who live in Seoul.I miss them both but regardless of distance and time, both of them will always be special to me.

Whoa!!!  So many things to do, and so little time.

Where should I start.  First, we just celebrated Joanna, Neysa, and Mia’s one year with The American Institute celebration at Italianni’s, Greenbelt 3.  I can’t believe it’s been that long already.  Yet, it feels like it was just yesterday.

We’ve spoken to potential business partners recently asking us to open up in Mongolia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Korea.  Even a good friend wants me to open up a school in Mexico City, Mexico.

We are currently working four major corporate clients this month.  That’s four in one month!  Yikes!  Sooner or later, we’ll have to ask Maryann to become a specialist!  

It’s stress, but the healthy kind.  Sigh!

Ha ha. This question never fails to crack me up. I will always say the latter. Would prefer being HOT than being intelligent for the sake of having an argument. Ha ha. I think it is really funny.

Here are the top 3 of their answers and what goes inside my head when they say these:

*I would rather be intelligent because I can work on being beautiful. or When I have all the money in the world because of my intelligence, I would be able  to pay for cosmetic surgery a gazillion times. I say, if you are so freaking intelligent, you should work on making brain transplants possible! Buy a “MODEL” and have your brain transplanted into their carcass. I think that way you will be able to save a wad of cash than going under the knife several times, and save yourself from the constant agony and pain of having all those procedures.

*Because beauty fades away. Their explanation was, if you get into an accident and your face crashes on to something, you will be ugly already. I’m like duh, that’s the same as being intelligent. You get into an accident, and debris falls on your head, and you live through that experience. That’s it. That’s the end of you, Einstein!

*Beauty and brainless is a turnoff. I say, intelligence + arrogance + ugliness =  You are so screwed. You are never going to get laid. People are so gonna backstab you.

So there you go. When people say they choose intelligence over beauty, chances are they don’t have the latter. But in deep their hearts, they so wanna be Apollo or Venus, and that’s the reason for answer no. 1. Answer no. 2, has something to  do with one of the seven deadly sins — ENVY (should i say more?). Lastly, answer no.3, simply means that no freaking HOT PERSON wants to do it with them. And this is their defense– gossip about how stupid that hot looking person is, even though it is not true (Carmen contibuted that the punk was just being a loser!).

Bottomline is, if you will choose to be Intelligent, you have to stick with it, stand by it, and be proud of it. Don’t dare try say reason number one, because that just means a big H. — Hypocrisy that is. And with that, my dear friends, is my two cents worth. Capeche?!

Two of the main concepts we teach here at The American Institute is confidence and critical thinking.  We want our students not only to speak English, but to be fully assertive and to think intellectually.  We want our students to be free thinking human beings, capable of making sound decisions.

And one of the ways we accomplish these goals is by respecting all of our students.  We want to understand their situations, listen to their needs, and respect them for who they are.  We allow them to be creative, to be critical, and to be purposeful.  At the end of the day, we are not only English teachers, but guides, advisors, and friends.

In this blog, we want to discover the humanity of our students, our friends, and everyone around us, regardless of their color or creed.  We believe that the essence of education and of being truly free, is through understanding one another.

We present to you…Fearless Faces!

Hi there,

My name is Chris, the general manager of The American Institute.  This is my section of this blog, and here, you will find about my perceptions of all things relating to this world.  Yes, this whole world, since my mind wanders from one topic to another.  I warn you now, there will be times I’m very sarcastic, but don’t worry, I will be civil most times.

I love life, which means I love sports - all kinds; I love travel - wherever; I love food - almost anything and everything.  I love music and movies.  I love being with friends.  I love chocolates.  If you get me some, I will be your friend.  Chocolate covered macadamia nuts.  Hawaiian Hosts.  Hehe.

My motto is Carpe Diem, or seize the day.  Carpe Diem.  Chris Delacruz.  Got it?  Initials C and D?  Cool!

Here’s something more professional about me…

Christopher Delacruz, General Manager

Chris grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii where he finished high school as National Honor Society President and Editor-in-Chief of the paper, attended college in Seattle, Washington as a Trustee’s scholar and commencement speaker, and developed himself professionally as sales and marketing manager, corporate trainer, and management consultant in Las Vegas, Nevada.  He has returned to the Philippines believing that “education is the key to liberation.”  Chris fosters both a personal and professional relationship with the students, believing that each individual must be treated respectfully and uniquely.

+ BA, Political Science, Seattle University (Seattle, Washington, USA)
+ Seattle University Commencement Speaker
+ Writing Specialist, Seattle University Writing Center
+ Sales and Marketing Director (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA)
+ Parliamentary Debate Finalist/Award Winner, Northwest Parliamentary Debate Association Tournaments
+ Impromptu Speech National Champion, Western States Communications Association (Western USA and Canada  Championships)
+ Impromptu Speech and Debate Competition Sponsor and Judge
+ Corporate Trainer/Manager/Consultant for local and international corporations
+ Business Developer and Manager
+ National Honor Society President, Class President, Editor-in-Chief in Honolulu, Hawaii

I am human being, just like you.  So treat me with respect and dignity as that is the only way I will treat you.  No more.  No less.