Filipinos ability to write and speak English has recovered and improved in the last two years. The Social Weather Station in a recent study revealed that Filipinos have made great stride of improvement in the fields of written and spoken English.
The survey, conducted from March 30 to April 2, 2008, showed that the ability of Filipinos to write in English improved from 48 percent in March 2006 to 61 percent in April 2008. Filipinos? proficiency in spoken English also improved from 32 percent in March 2006 to 46 percent in April 2008.
Filipinos? understanding of spoken and written English also improved in April and even surpassed previous levels set 15 years ago.
The SWS said Filipino adults? understanding of spoken English was at 75 percent in December 1993, dipped to 65 percent in March 2006 and went back up to 76 percent in April 2008. Filipinos who read in English also started high at 73 percent in December 1993, dipped to 65 percent in March 2006 and improved to 75 percent in April 2008.
Filipinos? ability to think in English also improved from 27 percent in March 2006 to 38 percent in April 2008.
SWS president Mahar Mangahas said the improvement in Filipinos? English proficiency shows a greater awareness among Filipinos to improve their skills in written and spoken English.
?The most important finding is that there is an improvement in all the expected properties. This is all age groups, of different classes and sectors. These are the people actively thinking of improving themselves. They are drawing from their own foundation and improving themselves first,? he told reporters.
He added that the increasing dependence on the Internet is also pushing people to review their English skills.
The survey said eight percent of the Filipino adults polled claimed they made full use of the English language; 39 percent said they made fair use of the English language; 29 percent said they made partial use of the English language, and 17 percent said they made almost no use of the English language.
The SWS interviewed 1,200 respondents nationwide for the survey, which was conducted for the Promoting English Proficiency Project of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and the Makati Business Club (MBC).
MBC President Ramon del Rosario said the move to improve English proficiency is largely market-driven due to the rise in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the Philippines.
?I believe this is a response to the perceived deterioration in English proficiency in the Philippines. After all, the perceived advantage of the Philippines in terms of English proficiency is not being born out because the recruitment rate in call centers has been very low,? he said.
He said the business sector is addressing the problem by pushing for the improvement of the overall quality of education in the country.
He added that English proficiency is advantageous not just to the BPO industry but also to the local tourism sector especially with more English-speaking tourists going to the Philippines.
source: goodnewspilipinas.
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