Why does people from a foreign country such as Philippines have better knowledge of the english language?

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sweet_apple

I dont think only the philippines have a better knowledge of english language,for me it depends how the persons learned the languages,because now the goverment said most of the degree holder in the philippines have a problem for learning english ,especially the teachers,and they have to send them for a special school just to learned the proper way of english,I'm not trying to put down our country,but that's what I heared on news,but when it comes to communicate to other countries we are the smart one because we know how to speak english,and we know that we learned that in school

â™¥rockstarchiq.

Well, I think it's because when we speak we think of what we're going to say before we actually say it...... so we don't make a fool of ourselves. Some Filipinos are not like that but most are..... I think Americans are used to speaking the language incorrectly for the fact that they know other people can understand them........ when I first came to the US I thought everybody would sound educated and proper......but no!!! Some would tell you something and sound like they are mumbling something to you!!!!

IRconX

After the Spanish-American War, the U.S aquired the Philippines. Eventually Americans setup a lot of school there and made english one of the offical language along with spanish[defunct] and tagalog.

* Filipinos sound like Americans*

Kutekymmee

People who learned English as a second language learned it from a class or from text books, so they learned the 'proper' English instead of the slang that Americans tend to learn.

spanish_armada23

history. the US colonized the Philippines for about 50 years and introduced the american way of education. they sent a lot of teachers in 1902 called Thomasites (as their boat was called USS Thomas) and of course imposed english as a medium of instruction. just like other countries whose first language is not english, we learn more formal english. the slangs we learn mostly come from watching american tv shows. the school i attended from kindergarten to high school emphasized a lot about the english language--lots of book and magazine reports, intense english classes, story-telling, declamation and speech contests, and we also have to speak english at all times including recess and lunch.

Candice F

People who speak English as a primary language learned it by listening to other people .(parents, teachers, etc.) Unless the people who they heard it from had perfect grammar and pronounciation, the learner won't. People who learn English as a second language actually sit in a classroom and learn the proper way. It's like when I took Spanish in high school and then tried to talk to Spanish people. They talked differently because they were using different slangs and dialect, while I was speaking proper Spanish

Bud B

I guess you are limited to Manila only. Most areas I travel in Philippines, the locals can barely speak English. This is due of course by lack of education. I'm actually at the point now that I know about as much Tagalog and Waray as the average local knows English in the province. Problem is I don't know which words are Tagalog or Waray and end up using both plus English in the same sentence.

Wenielyn

Filipinos too having hard time to speak our own language.
because we are confident enough that we are fluent in talking Tagalog maybe some Americans are the same they think that they dont need to study English anymore because they are already "slang"..

That's why some of the Filipinos are prefer to speak English than Tagalog.
and also Tagalog has many similarities to Spanish and Portuegese....

Hooray for the Filipinos!!!

Mabuhay!!!

etang

The mode of teaching in the Philippines is in English. Filipino are their own harshest critic. It's like if you speak English, do it properly, otherwise, you'll be laughed at by those who are listening. Why do you think the former president joseph Estrada is the butt of a lot of jokes in the Philippine? Filipino take pride in their grasp of the English language, however, the way they pronounce it is another thing.

belleâ™¥

because we learned it from school. they teach us "proper english". we don't understand much of the "slangs".

captainslipp

very true - philippines had been an american "colony" after they "liberated" the country from the spaniards - so filipinos not only speak proper english but "proper spanish" as well. hooray!

BlueEyed

Because all the non-native speakers (including me) arenÂ´t familiar with spoken english, i.e. we all use written form of english also in the spoken communication.

006

They had to study to learn the english language, and they did a good job. That and the american public education system is a national disgrace.

nicelvguy

You think that is funny. The taxi drivers in philippines speak almost perfect english. Not an indian taxi driver among them.

i go loony

Well, because knowing English is one sign that you are one of the educated... English is widely and strictly spoken in the Philippines.. And it is not very difficult for Filipino people to learn the English Language compared to other countries in Asia

gundam_bravo4

Well, if you are gonna learn a second language one usually learns all the gramamr rules first. Philippines was ruled by America for sometime too. Also English is the most popoular language and it has many official documents in English and it is easy to access "proper english" in about any country. College also.
Also, I have never made that observation alot of filipino nationals actually aren't that adept at English.

Summer

English is our second language and it is the medium of instuctions in school so the tendency is we usually speak in proper grammar.

2feEThigh

There will always be a few people who stands up from the crowd. Most people use poor grammar and word choice.

Cool Guy in Cali

Uhhhhh Dude, you just contradicted yourself with your horrible grammar in your question. "Why does people from a foreign country such as Philippines have better knowledge of the english language?" It should be "Why do people..." Way to make yourself look like an idiot.

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