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The job opportunities in the Philippines for the average Western TESOL instructor, including Americans and Canadians are fairly limited. The most interesting aspect of this claim is that it is not a matter of some lack of need or pressure for the Filipino culture to learn the English language. The fact remains that the Filipino culture has been heavily influenced by Western culture for over one-hundred years. Switching hands between British and American hands more than once over those hundred years has resulted i n the English language taking claim to one of the countries two official languages, the other being Tagalog.
The children of the Philippines begin learning English in the first grade. It is not a once a week side lesson with a small percentage of class time devoted to learning various English terms. It is the main language taught, along with Tagalog, that the Filipino school children are immersed in the language daily. This high priority for the teaching of the English language has been implemented for over 10 years and has resulted in nearly two generations of educated adolescents and young adults speaking fluent English.
Not to discourage or dismay the Philippine bound ESL/EFL teacher, there are teaching opportunities. The simple fact is you just may not get paid for your services. There are plenty of volunteer options available and there are many reasons why this could be a highly rewarding and unforgettable experience for anyone. Globally the Philippines remains to be floating somewhere between a "Second" world and a Third world country. The economic class distribution within the country is incredibly out of whack, at least for the time being. As it were, there are many opportunities for TESOL instruction to both young and old students in the poorer, sub-urban areas. This occurrence is a great chance for any individual to gain very worthwhile teaching experience while achieving an unparalleled sense of accomplishment for helping those less fortunate.
Another factor to take into consideration is the very severe and unpredictable typhoons that frequently assault the islands and leave utter devastation and death in their wake. This factor alone has often left the country in a state of incredible despair and ruin throughout the countries 1,700 islands. The typhoons kill hundreds and leave thousands poor and destitute. The United Nations has currently declared it in a state of international disaster relief status.
Unfortunately, there is a much more unpredictable and even more horrific reality that lies within the dark recesses of the Philippine culture. Terrorist organizations have continued to utilize the vast number of islands and its proximity to the Middle East to hide and plan there attacks on the outside world. Recently, in October, 2006, there were two separate bombings by terrorist groups in the Philippines that left over a hundred innocent people dead. Their attacks are deliberate and often intent on damaging or destroying parts of some of the most populated metropolitan cities in the Philippines.
The Philippines is truly one of the most visually beautiful places on the face of the planet. The archipelago contains some of the most pristine, whitest sand beaches and clear blue water known. However, there are many things to take into consideration if one is planning on traveling to the Philippines, even for a short vacation. Both the United States and Australian governments strongly discourage any type of travel, to any part of the Philippines. If someone wishes to experience the incredible culture and diversity of the Filipino culture and its people by teaching English, keep in mind there are many complex and potentially consequential things to take into consideration.
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Global Crossroad
This website offers information on volunteering in Tacloban City. Through the Global Crossroads organization
volunteers can be placed in classrooms to assist teachers or provide necessary life skills to young adults.
They will also have the unique opportunity to learn the culture of the surrounding cities. Volunteers are
supported by free accommodations in either hostels or with a host family and provided two meals daily.
Teach Abroad
There is tons of information for those interested in volunteering to teach English on the island of Leyte
in the Philippines. Volunteers have the opportunity to experience the Philippines and its culture in a
memorable and important way. They will teach English and many other subjects to children ages 5-12.
Besides speaking fluent English there is little to no formal teaching requirements to teach the elementary
school students
TEFL International
On this site you can find great information about taking a TEFL or TESOL course in Cebu, Philippines.
The city is supposedly very modern, vibrant and full of bars and restaurants. The school provides free
Internet and access to all teaching facilities throughout the duration of the course.
ESL Schools in the Philippines
This page is sponsored by the Vancouver English Centre and offers contact information for a dozen schools
in the Philippines that teach ESL. Directly contacting these facilities may offer a better chance of
obtaining a teaching position in the Philippines. From this site one can get information on the VEC or
other ESL teaching schools around the world.
Education in the Philippines
Here you can learn about the basic information regarding the Philippines including priorities and objectives of
education in the Philippines. The information contained in this page shows that the Philippine government has taken education very seriously in the past few decades. It may be especially important to read the "adult and non-formal education" section, as it may be the best opportunity currently available for Americans without teaching degrees to obtain TESOL jobs in the Philippines.
Filipino English
and Taglish
This contains a summary of Roger M. Thompson’s book Filipino English and Taglish: Language Switching from
Multiple Perspectives. The book addresses the situation existing within the Filipino culture for native
speakers to frequently switch between English and the native language of Tagalong.
Teaching Listening, Reading,
Writing, Teaching English to Children
Although the article is titled Language in India, it offers an extensive reference guide to several methods
of teaching ESL to students in Asia. It includes thirteen chapters that deal with various TESOL subject
matters such as Teaching Listening, Reading, Writing, Teaching English to Children and even Testing.
English Speaking Union
The English Speaking Union of the Philippines offers a blog spot for visitors to learn about the most recent
issues concerning the status of English within the Filipino culture. The site offers links to other TESOL sites.
ACELT – Teacher Training
The ACELT homepage offers a valuable Teacher Training outline that highlights some of the basic skills and
strategies for teaching English as a second language. The site offers extensive information on the PELT
project. The ACELT has been a part of the Philippines English Language Teaching project since 1995 that
aims to develop and improve the public secondary schools in the Philippines.
Boracay Institute
The Boracay Institute offers summer and winter programs that help students learn conversation and even
business English through one on one tutoring in a fun and a uniquely designed program. This Canadian run
and owned English teaching camp utilizes one on one instruction to help foreign students that are mostly
Korean and Taiwanese learn English. Students live and study on the island with British and Canadian instructors
while enjoying several leisure activities around the island during their stay.
South-East Asia Phrasebook
The book South-East Asia Phrasebook by the Lonely Planet will offer any traveler to the Philippines an extensive
reference guide to phrases that will make daily life in South East Asia much easier. From ordering food to
asking and taking directions the book could surely come in handy on a daily basis.
Healthy Travel: Asia and India
Healthy Travel: Asia and India offers great information on how to prepare yourself for travel in the Asian
countries. It offers vital information on what to do and where to go if you contract illness or experience
an emergency overseas.
Rough Guide to the Philippines
Rough Guide to the Philippines is a great reference for the individual teaching English in the Philippines
that wants to take advantage of their time of to explore and discover all that the country has to offer.
Culture Shock! Philippines
Culture Shock! Philippines, offers an in depth and highly valuable look into the everyday customs and
etiquette of the Filipino culture. This can come in handy for the American traveler in an area of the
world that at times can be wary of the Western visitor.
Learn4Good.com
One of the best sites to find English teaching jobs in the Philippines. Jobs in the country seem to be
rare, but if there is a job available it can surely be found on this site.
ESL Monkeys
A great reference that not only pinpoints the scarce job opportunities in the Philippines but offers the
instructor teaching materials and other valuable resources. Search for ESL lesson plans or post your resume.
Total ESL
Search for jobs, post resumes or talk to other teachers in the Philippines at this website. The site also
offers great access to educational resources and articles for the ESL/EFL instructor.
TIE Online - Newspaper and Interactive Website
Requires a subscription fee but services provide you with Job placement in the country or countries of your choice.
ESL Employment
Job search, resume posting and teachers forum. For job listings in the Philippines click on Jobs in Asia. The site also has teaching resources as well as information regarding work visas for countries overseas.
ESL Jobfind
This website will allow you to search for jobs in the Philippines, post your resume and research almost
anything you would need to know about the country you are traveling to.
International Teacher Forum
For Those Working or Interested in International Education. There is an International teacher forum
as well as links to blogs that can help you get in contact with other teachers.
Cebu Living Guides - Cost of Living in Cebu
Although the currency is compared to in British pounds, this is a great site that offers an overview of the
cost of living in Cebu, Philippines. There is information on food expenditures and utility costs. There is
also the interesting fact that domestic help is very affordable in the Philippines for those that may wish to
live a little more extravagantly.
Embassy of the United States in Manila
This site allows you to learn about anything regarding the current issues in the Philippines. Here you can
learn very important information about acquiring your working visa as well as search for open jobs.
tesall.com
The site gives several links to teaching opportunities in the Philippines in the Worldwide Job Board. There
are links to TESOL teaching forums as well as TESOL certification programs.
Philippines Travel Report
This site offers a great reference for traveling to the Philippines. The Travel Center, offers detailed
information and links to safety/security, crime information and penalties, traffic info, medical facilities
and even important information if you are getting married in the Philippines.
Climate of the Philippines
This site gives a fairly thorough account of the yearly weather conditions in the Philippines. The most
significant weather factor in the Philippines is rain. This site can give an accurate representation of how
much rainfall you can expect in the city town or village you teach in.
Aklatang Pambata Online
"To lead in the establishment, development and improvement of community-based libraries in the country."
This library has a mission to promote reading among children in hopes to keep education and literacy a priority
in the Philippines. There is also information about volunteering an donating to their cause.
ESL Depot
This site offers many resources for teaching English in the Philippines. There are numerous interactive games
as well as ESL software, ESL books and downloadable information for the ESL teacher.
asiapond.com – Simple Online Jobs Pool for Teaching in Asia
This website boasts a reputation for being a very quick and easy resource to get a job in the Philippines and
other Asian countries. There are also other TESOL related links sponsoring this site.
E.G. West Centre - Private Schools for the Poor: The Philippines
This is a very interesting article to read regarding the poor and their education opportunities in the Philippines.
It interesting because they have the ability to afford education in the low cost and better facilitated private schools.
British Council - English Teachers Club
The English Teachers Club is a club organized by British Council Philippines so teachers can organize and
express their concerns about TESOL in the Philippines. The club is based in the Philippines and is open to
all ELT teachers in the Philippines.
Philippine Job Bank – Education & University Jobs
This is a great link to find job opportunities in the Philippines, especially those that are in education.
You can also post a resume and gain many useful tips on finding jobs and writing and posting your resume
in their F.A.Q. section.
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Information shown on this website is the result of a collaborative effort by Dr. Rod E. Case and the EDS491/691 Special Topics in Teaching English
as a Second Language Class, Wintermester, 2007. |
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