Op-ED- August 2008

Growth of ESL in the Philippines

Key words:- overseas experience, one to one teaching, Mecca of English language learning, Philippine ESL phenomenon

Over the last five an imperceptible growth has occurred in the Philippines. Over 320 English language schools have opened (directed by Filipinos and managed by Koreans.) Similar schools catering for Chinese and Japanese have also opened.

Over 160,000 Koreans fly from Korea each month to study English in the Philippines.

This has had a major effect on the Korean economy has led to the bankruptcy of thousand so of language teaching schools in Korea. The same phenomenon will occur in Japan and China.

This mass exodus of students form Korea begs many questions that are awaiting to be answered:-
a) why the attraction to the Philippines
b) is the teaching of English superior to that of Korea
c) are there any tangible benefits to the language ability of the Korean students?

In a nutshell the following may apply. Firstly the attraction in the Phillipines is that it provides an overseas experience for Korean students which they note looks good on the ri job resume. Secondly, Koreans perceive (incorrectly) that learning English is cheaper in the Philippines than in Korea. They also believe that English is an L1 in the Philippines and hence of better value than going to Australia, USA, etc. Finally, according to Ellis, R, (2008) (Asian EFL Journal International Conference, Pusan, Korea) studies clearly show that there will be no marked improvement in their language ability by going to the Philippines.

And yet the numbers of Asians going to the Philippines will soar. Study is usually on a one to one basis -in small cubicles merely large enough for 2 people. Study is intense - 6-8 hours in school - though after 4.00 p.m. students congregate in same country groups and revert to the mother tongue till the following morning.

It is suggested that this inexplicable phenomenon has made the Philippines the Mecca of English language learning - and the trend will continue. A wealth of research potential arises from this unique set of circumstances. The coming decade will see a plethora of academics research and report on the Philippine ESL phenomenon.

Paul Robertson
August 2008