A lone figure walks up an aisle. He looked very decent and well-mannered as well. Sitting above his head was a brown sturdy “salakot”. It was vivid that he was a true embodiment of a real Filipino and he went by the name Juan. As he continued to tread the path, another figure stops him in his tracks and he was also good-looking. He was wearing large eyeglasses and he was as well carrying a large book saying “English is better with us.” Juan was confused with what intentions the guy may have had but he then began to turn speechless when that guy asked him endless chains of interrogations using the universal language he did not know well. Let’s just say the guy is a foreigner showing his capabilities when it comes to the field of English. When the said foreigner finished his statements that almost turned out into a debate with just him in opposition, he showed the title of the book he was carrying inches from Juan’s face and said “Never forget.”
Any Filipino citizen would have a melancholic expression upon reading the text above because as obvious as it may seem, we were very inferior to the foreigner when it comes to Language proficiencies especially on English. It’s not easy for us to be in equilibrium with them because we are not that into speaking that foreign language and unlike them, whom almost every single minute they have, speak such dialect. It’s a gigantic advantage for them having English as a natural spoken language. But we will not pose this as just something that is insignificant, we must also be globally competitive when it comes to language proficiencies. Since we don’t only step on our own share of soil on the world but foreign sides as well.
Fortunately, we Filipinos know much about English in either written or oral aspects. But still, it cannot cover the fact that we are still behind when other nations are included in the scene. Just like Juan in the text, he wasn’t able to respond because of the magnitude of skill the foreigner had. Though he might have replied in his way of perceiving the matter, it would have been at a simpler phase. So what should we do to change the looming end we have to face when our inadequate skills becomes the cause?
There are endless solutions and possibilities we could come up with but not all will be as effective as the other. One of these is intensifying more the way we learn the language. Like for instance in school, if we would consider focusing more on our English subject but simultaneously regarding our own national dialect- Filipino, we would gain ample yearnings with such. Another is using the language in any way possible. In writing essays and speaking in public, we should find time to utilize English even though the conversation and the other usages is the simplest thing ever. This would be the cheapest way to learn them and of course, with other productive activities as well.
Let’s ponder on the idea that Juan already learned English to the extent that he can even debate with the foreigner awhile ago. Imagine that since he was a child, he was equally exposed in the language with the other subjects. He tried his best to practice and widen more his learning. Now, he can fight, he can compete and possibly win. The foreigner might have asked him never ending chains of interrogations but on the second encounter, Juan will give him an open-ended charade of goose bumping answers that would draw the foreigner to be the one who is speechless. It’s very conclusive that if we try to improve and uphold our proficiency in the English language, in terms of competitiveness in vital communications, winning is worth betting for. Let them constantly remember that we are nothing like a passerby on that aisle.
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