The English Fever

My brother came to me and ask me to sign his student's handbook. The reason was that he was "caught" by his fellow classmates uttering some dialect words. He was a given a chip and he needs to caught somebody with the same offense and pass the chip to him or her. If he cannot do so, he will face deduction in his subject. I remember a few years back, in high school, when our school had implement an English-speaking campaign. Students are encourage to speak English while they are in school so that they will get used to speak this foreign language, as well as, improving their vocabulary and grammar.

Private schools and public schools are teaching students to learn English. This foreign language (our national language elaborated in the Constitution) was introduced way back kindergarten years from simple reading and writing alphabets. Elementary until high school, students were taught how to make a sentence, construct a paragraph and many more. As the student goes up the ladder, some lessons are repetitive and at the same time, more are introduced and becoming more ardous.

To encourage students to speak English while in school, teachers implemented ways to visualize that goal. They put up some gimmicks like a game to their students, organize English drives or make some kinds of rules with rewards on one hand but punishments on the other. When I was in elementary, one of the basic few rules inside the classroom and in the campus was to speak English. When one student caught his classmate uttering dialect, he/she reports it immediately to the class treasurer. The student that was caught is tasked to pay an amount of money, in our case, five pesos and he will be 'forgiven'. The money collected will be allotted for Christmas Party by December. Looking back, it was helpful to which I can attest to it. My vocabulary and the way I pronounce words have improved well those days.

The fact that English has becoming the world's second language is adequate to answer why English are taught for students to learn, read and speak well. In college, most textbooks and lessons are written and taught in English. In globally-competitive settings such as corporations and as well as international foreign relations, writing, reading and speaking English is a strict requirement. When applying for work, interviewers communicate with English. Even white collar jobs, it is advantageous. In the government, transactions and laws are written in English. Also, in private companies and banks. Almost everywhere, English language is used to communicate.

As for my brother, I signed his handbook with a note on the bottom, saying, "I will try my best to teach him to speak English."