jill’s

My most recent college days was not so long ago. I just graduated this March 2009 from Miriam College with a degree in Child Development and Education. I remember seating beside a Korean classmate (who takes also the same course) whom I befriended. We call her Jean. Forgive me if I can’t quite recall her Korean name.

When I asked Jean why did she choose to study here in the Philippines, her answer simply was quite a surprise to me since I haven’t really asked that question yet to any foreign student like her. She said she really wants to learn how to speak English and that, the Philippines is known to have lots of Filipinos who speak English well. Although we, Filipinos use our native tongue everyday, it seems like our tongues can be twisted to both sides (the Filipino and English side) and still can pronounce words properly. So, therefore, I agree with Jean’s idea about the Philippines. She came to the right place.

I was one of the eager classmates who wanted to help her reach her goals. I guess that was my very first exposure to teaching ESL to a somebody foreign. It was with Jean. = )

During our class, we really have to be strict in speaking English so that she will understand what we are talking about especially during Group Reports. Sometimes when a teacher or classmate slips her tongue to speak our native language, we repeat it one more time for Jean. That’s just how warm Pinoys (slang for Filipinos) are.

At first, it was hard to understand some words Jean utters but as time goes by, because of her being exposed to us, her classmates and teachers and everyone around, her pronunciations of English words became easier for listening ears. Her vocabulary even widened although she still missed some words but she has improved a lot since our very first encounter with her. However, family situations caused her to return and stay with her family in South Korea. Since then, we haven’t heard from her. I just hope that Jean won’t forget all that she was able to learn from and about the Philippines and us, her Filipino friends.