Live in the Philippines

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Back in the saddle again

Language Learning / by

I’m back in the saddle again!  No, I don’t ride horses, it’s a metaphor!  Ha ha…  last week, I got started back on my Bisaya lessons.

When I took a break from my language lessons in November, I promised myself that I would start back again in January, and I kept my word to myself.  I had taken a break from lessons for several reasons.  Firstly, the Christmas season is our busiest time of the year, business-wise.  Because the world economy is so slow this year, I wanted to focus my time on doing everything I could to make sure that our Christmas business was as good as it could be.  Secondly, I was at a point with my lessons where I was not focused anymore to the point I needed to be.  All of us get into those kind of positions with nearly everything in life where we lose our focus, and need a bit of a break to get our mind back to where it should be.

I found that my break from language study was a good thing to do.  Instead of dreading that my lesson was coming up, as I was a few months ago, I was really excited to getting back to studying again.  So, the break from studying was successful in getting my mind back in focus on the task.

Although I had seen my teacher, Bebe, a number of times over the past months, it was not for lessons.  It was really nice to see her again coming to teach me again.  We have started off by doing a review from the beginning of the lessons for this first month, to get my mind back up to date again.  After that, we will get back into starting new lessons that I have not had yet.  Before taking my break, I was on Lesson 49 out of a total of 60 lessons in the course.  So, I am actually getting fairly close to finishing up with this course.  I’m quite happy about that.  However, for lessons from the mid 30’s up through the 40’s, I do need some fairly extensive review, though, to really learn those lessons well.  But, that’s OK, I don’t mind.  It is my goal to finish up through Lesson 60 by mid-2010, and I am sure I can complete that.  At least during January, I am having two lessons per week now to get back where I want to be.  In the past, it has always been one class per week.

A little bit of focus on other language related issues.

First, I have a friend who I don’t know really well, but have met a number of times who has just started with learning Bisaya.  He is also a resident of Davao, and around my age.  This fellow used to live in Davao like 5 or 6 years ago, then went back to the States for a few years.  He is back in town now, and recently asked me to recommend a teacher for him.  I gladly recommended that he contact Bebe, and within only a couple of days he was already having class!  This fellow already speaks Tagalog, so I am excited to see how quickly he can pick up Bisaya.  My friend, by the way, is also American, and his name is Tom.  I expect Tom to move ahead very quicly on the Bisaya lessons!  I was kind of happy when I met with Bebe on Friday, she told me that Tom told her that “he wanted to learn Bisaya so he could understand Bob’s posts on Facebook.”  You see, I post updates in Facebook about half the time in English, and the other half in Cebuano.  So, it really made me feel good that Tom told Bebe that I had at least some influence on deciding to start learning Cebuano himself!  Go, Tom!  Good luck on your lessons!

Another thing that I wanted to mention was about some other expat blogs I have read lately.  There are two different sites I am talking about.  I am not going to name the sites or the people, because it is not my intention to embarrass them, or make them feel bad.  On these other sites, lately there has been a discussion about language.  These other expats (some of them anyway) are complaining that there is not enough English language used by their families, and by the people around town that they come into contact with.  I think it is important for any expat to remember that you moved here, and it is part of your responsibility to do things to make yourself fit in with the way things are here.  English is spoken here, but other languages are the primary languages that the people speak.  Which language is used depends on where you live.  Maybe it’s Tagalog, Bisaya, Waray, Ilocano or Ilonggo.  Or, maybe something totally different.  Ninety Million Filipinos are not going to change how they speak to make you happy.  So, you have two choices:

  1. Learn some of the local language where you live so that you can join in the conversation, or
  2. Stick with English and be somewhat isolated from society.  If you choose to stick with English only, that is OK, and it is your choice, but why complain that you are having trouble communicating with others?

No need to get upset about it, or lament that you are lonely for conversation.  Learning to speak the language is actually quite easy, because you are already immersed in a community where you hear it spoken everywhere you go!  If you make the effort, in 3 months time you can carry on a reasonable conversation with the local people!  Three months, one hour per week, and a few hours per week studying is not a big commitment.  Don’t you think?  I mean, maybe 4 hours per week for 3 months, and you can make your life a lot more enjoyable and hassle free than it is now!

Give it a shot!  I promise that you will not regret it!

One thing that you always hear is that it is hard for an older person to learn a new language.  Is that correct?  Is it true?  I don’t think so, and I’m going to tell you why when I continue on this topic, probably next week.

Maayong adlaw sa akong mga amigo diri sa LiP!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kamusta ka Bob,

    Great article, right now is a busy time for me, and have had to neglect my bisaya studies. But soon hope to start back up. I really wish I had the time to take Bebe’s course, my friend Jack has started to do so, and loves it.
    Glad to see you back at it!

    Salamat kaayo, ug amping
    Danny 🙂

    • Hi Danny – If the language is something that is important to you, you can find the time. It’s only one hour per week for the class, and a little time to study – even just 10 minutes per day will do it!

  2. Hi Bob,
    I’m sure the break will be an advantage,you will now be refreshed.

    I like to take time out each New Year and reflect on the past year,what went well,what didn’t,what changes i can make in this year.

    Good Luck with your lessons,Chas.

    • Hi chasdv – One thing I like to do every January is to take a retreat just by myself. One or two days, overnight for sure. I think over just what you said – what happened, good or bad in the previous year. And, I make plans for my goals and direction in the new year. It is a very valuable thing to do, in my estimation.

  3. I wanted to share this with readers. Over on Facebook, my friend Maurice van Eck posted this comment in response to this article:

    Bob, as English is is widely spoken troughout the country, is it really necessary to learn the local language?

    My response to Maurice, which I feel is important (that’s why I’m cross posting it here):

    Hi Maurice – English is widely spoken. You can “get by” with English, but you will always be an outsider. If you are just visiting here, sure! But, I’ve lived here for 10 years already, and speaking the language has made my life here much more enjoyable!

  4. Hi Bob – I need to learn Bisaya for 2010. The few words I learned last year proved quite helpful. During my last visit to Davao, I spoke a bit of Bisaya to my girlfriend. She was pleasantly surprised. I want to make a more lasting impression by speaking more Bisaya.

  5. Hi Bob – it seems everyone’s been having a little trouble lately. I’m sure the holidays had a lot to do with it. I know I’ve missed three lessons in a row and as usual will need to review quite a bit.

    I’ve said this before, but if there is someone new reading and thinking of learning Bisaya, I have to give my hearty recommendation to Bebe. She’s just been great to work with and I couldn’t be happier with her. And for those that don’t know, I take my lessons online via Skype. Works very well for the most part.

    • Hi Randy – Keep plugging away! I can’t imagine how great it would have been to have a head start on the language by doing like you and learning before I even moved here! I lived here for about 7 years before I made a serious attempt at learning the language, and I wish I had done it much earlier!

  6. Glad to hear it Bob! You know I am on the front row of your cheering section, and I also applaud the others who are giving this their best shot! Tell Tom Mac hello for us! Glad to hear he is back! Haven’t seen him in years… There are two American men over here who are working on learning Cebuano, wish we had a clone of Bebe to help them! You are blessed to have her there!

    • Hi AmericanLola – Thanks for you regular encouragement, it is highly appreciated.

      Hey, I didn’t know that you knew Tom. He is on Facebook, maybe you can reconnect with him there. I will send you a “friend suggestion” through there.

      Yes indeed, Bebe is the best! There is simply no better teacher, in my opinion!

      • American Lola,

        Nako ang maestra si Bebe. The Skype lessons work great (except puno ang otok after the last lesson). Bebe goes to a kape shop in Davao with internet service. I am very pleased even though I am a toddler in learning Cebuano. I am thankful that Juramie helps me learn my vocab for the week.

  7. Bob
    Unsa ka dako ang akong (avatar)letrato nga akong ibutang diri

    Yes I am cheating as my Asawa is looking over my shoulder.LOL

    • Hi Neal – You can use any size you want for your Avatar, and you upload it at Gravatar.com. I would recommend at least 100×100, but it’s up to you to decide. I don’t think any sites use a gravatar larger than that, though, they will just shrink it down to whatever size they use.

  8. Hi Bon – Learning the “local language” is both exciting and trying up here. Exciting in being able to better relate to the community, understand what’s happening around me, and provide a half-way intellegent response (at least for this Kano) when asked a question.

    The trying part, as a primary English speaker, is having folks practice their English with me. It can get pretty involved communicating when both parties are in learning mode. Plenty of laughs, but care in word selection becomes most important. Wrong word or phrase can easily change the moment’s atmosphere. 😉

    • Hi Paul – When you say “Hi Bon” I am going to assume that you are addressing me, and just misplaced a finger! 😉 No problem, just don’t want to butt in if you were talking to somebody else!

      I’ve been there and done that myself…. lots of people are also trying to learn, or perfect their English while I am trying to do the same with Cebuano! It can indeed get a bit comical! 😉

      • Bebe told me she would sing for my birthday so I thought it would apply to everyone. You should have seen her face when I told her that I was in luck and that today was my birthday. Priceless. Anyway, Bebe singing is worth learning Cebuano.

        • Hi Jack – Hmm! I’m gonna have to talk to Bebe when I see her later today! I have been studying with her for 2 1/2 years and she never sang happy birthday for me!!!

  10. Bob; I’m still hopeless, though I’ve picked up a couple of ybanag words listening to Becky speak to Juanito…

    I’m still trying to deal with the same old stuff! 😉

    On a positive note, my “Wowowee” Tagalog has improved a bit… I can remember about 80 words now.

    • Hi John – You are not hopeless. Remember, I lived here nearly 7 years before I made a serious effort at learning the language! You’re still a youngster in terms of how long you’ve lived here. I am getting pretty good at Wowowee myself. Oh, hold it…. you are talking about memorizing words… I was thinking along the lines of memorizing which of the Wowowee girls was sexiest! 😉

  11. I agree and have been looking for a teacher – I also disagree somewhat, I’m not immersed in a language, I’m immersed in two which makes it a bit harder. Most of my friends and family speak primarily Tagalog, while a large potion of the locals speak Bisayan. Probably either would be well worth it, and would ultimately help with the other – I think I’d prefer Tagalog, but if I can’t find a teacher I’ll probably go with Bisayan.

    • Hi Gary – I really believe that there is no right or wrong Philippine language to learn in general terms. Each of us has to determine which is right in our particular case! Yours and mine may be different, but there is nothing wrong with that! I wish you the best of luck in finding a teacher!

  12. Good to hear, Bob. Keep up the lessons, anything worthwhile takes time and commitment. I can’t wait till the day when I’m in the palengke to buy some Durian, rice, and fish. When we get to Davao, I’ll look forward to a good cup of coffee with you and remember:

    Kana lang dili isog nga kape, para sa luya nga taong lalaki.

    (There is no strong coffee, just weak men.)

    • Hi Ian – I just sent you a private e-mail with Contact information for my Bisaya teacher. She is really excellent, and I recommend her highly. She is also inexpensive, so it’s good news all the way around! 😆