A Filipino Teacher's Dilemma ( Opinion on the Lee Da Hae video, etc)

A Filipino Teacher's Dilemma

Over the past few days, We have observed how Filipinos reacted over a video of Ms. Lee Da Hae, a famous Korean actress on a show from KBS. Like wild fire, the video spread so rapidly that during the first day, you will see lots of Filipinos, particularly those who are teaching English here in Korea felt rage over Ms. Lee’s wrongful mimicry of how a Filipino teacher would sound like when speaking in English.

Surge of comments from Filipinos all over the world surprised the internet world. Most of them are blaming Ms. Lee, the Show host and some even the TV network. blaming those who posted the video on social-networking sites, online forums and even some showbiz news sites. Different people, different views, but the ones greatly affected are those Filipinos at the forefront of the English teaching here in South Korea.

Why are Filipino Teachers here in Korea (aside from Filipinos around the world) fuming on Ms. Lee's erroneous take on Filipino Teachers’ accent in English? It has been an open book here in Korea as to how hard for a non-English native speakers like Filipinos to land on a teaching job. Most Korean Hagwon or schools prefer to hire English Native Speakers (Americans, British, Canadians etc) because they think that their students would learn English better from them. Proving them wrong are our hardworking Pinays whom aside from doing their job as an efficient English teachers, they are also showing a higher level of patience, good work attitude, and better traits giving them an edge compared to some English native speakers.

The video has made our hardworking "kababayans" indignant, for all their collective efforts has been greatly affected by a tv personality maligning Filipino teachers’ accent in English.

This would have a great impact on many things regarding the Philippines and its people (here and abroad). Koreans saw Ms. Lee speaks and sounds good in English, both in American and British accent but has made Filipino teachers’ accent a laughing-stock on TV and in the real world. It might affect the decision of Korean parents to send their sons and daughters to learn English to the Philippines. Thereby it may reduce the number of Korean students studying in the Philippines. While here in Korea, it will be much harder for our "kababayans" to land in a good English teaching job, which in effect will translate into lower remittances that would again affect our economy.
Additionally, Filipinos married to Koreans comprises majority of the number of Filipino Teachers. The rest were hired or doing part-time job while doing their studies. It is in Korea’s Immigration and Labor Law that natives from English Speaking countries are allowed to acquire Teaching Visas but for Non-native English Speakers it is more stricter.

For those who are in the Philippines and dreaming of someday going to South Korea to teach English, what is happening now, will greatly affect the future and their chance to fulfill their dreams. Koreans who already know the capabilities of Filipinos would certainly disagree with the video that is blazing on the internet. But for those who are unaware of, it would mean more doors closing on Filipino English teachers. Convincing them we are capable of teaching high quality English would prove to be more challenging.

Some feels ashamed of the rages of some people expressed through their comments on websites, social networks etc. How would you explain this issue to your Korean friends? Guess what, all you need to do is ask them if do you sound and speak like what Ms. Lee impersonating a Filipino teacher. If their answer is no, give a follow-up question and ask if they think you are or will be capable of teaching English in Korea. If yes, then they will understand why there is a need to correct the careless mistake.

If you are a Filipino, be proud of who you truly are, of what you really can do and of what good things you are and will contribute to your beloved country, countrymen and the foreign country you are serving. The internet has lots of resources which can prove the qualities in general of a Filipino especially when it comes to written and spoken English. We are at par with the native speakers given the right opportunity.

Perhaps, this is a wake-up call to the Philippine government as to why the Filipinos still can’t apply for a teaching visa(E-2) when this is an open option. The Korean government has already revised its immigration rules so that English teachers from India, Singapore and the Philippines could come and teach English to Korea. However, a country must sign first a trade contract with Korea, containing clauses on the employment of English teachers. Up to now, Korea and the Philippines have not signed the said contract.

We should promote our country and our brand of English which is at par with top countries. Be proud of our place as 3rd in the largest English speaking nation. Be honored for the Philippines being one of the top choices for offshore call centers based on a high percentage of English Speakers whom are fluent and with accent similar to those of Native English speaking countries. More so, we are well-known for being hospitable, obedient, courteous and can offer good service.

Everyone should understand that there is nothing wrong in the call for her apology , since there is damaging effect as to the reputation of our English teachers here and outside Korea. Although an apology has been done through her personal blog, but since it was broadcasted on a national TV, it is not only of Ms. Lee but more of the Show and the TV network's responsibility to apologize. Airing of a TV show entails production, there is a script which guides the show host, then there's the editing and other post production processes before it goes into air. Ms. Lee may claim it was unintentionally for her part but not so with writer/s who made the script and those who producers of the show who approved it for broadcast.

The Filipinos have help Koreans to win their battle for freedom during their Forgotten War. Now being their true ally, we are helping them in their battle for English Language proficiency. Our teachers deserve respect and it should start from a well-publicized apology on this incident. We Love South Korea, its people, language and culture, and we will love them more if they would show us their respect and love in return.

Boycott Lee Da Hae! Boycott East of Eden!!

ang pilipino kahit saang bansa mo dalhin d maliligaw!!!!!!!!!!! hays!

kairita... gusto ko pa naman mag part time jan sa korea kung sakali.. english tutor for first timer sa english! I love my korean friends also..


pinoy ako pinoy tayo!! ipakita sa mundo kung ano ang kaya mo!!! ibat iba ang pinoy! hehhhe!!
KAHIT SAANG BAGAY MAGALING YAN! ma diskarte maparaan!

In my own perception of the tv show of ms lee da hae was a mere act of a western sympathizer. Y? Jobless rate sa mga KANO mataas parin hahahah, seki!

thanks kuya zack for the courage. she must read this.

bad ka talaga..
http://shannen143.wordpress.com/2010/11/03/lee-da-hae-slammed-for-making-fun-of-filipino-teachers-english-accent/

Korean actress Lee Da-hae says sorry to Pinoys
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/entertainment/11/04/10/korean-actress-lee-da-hae-says-sorry-pinoys

sa pagkakaintindi ko sa apology ni lee da hae..parang sinasabi nya na di sya aware na inedit ng show ang pagkakasaad ng bansa natin na dapat ay southeast asian country and subtitle. ang linaw naman ng pagkakapalabas na tinanong ng isang host kung paano magenglish ang pinas. di lang sya mapanlait..sinungaling din pala sya

siguro kahit grade1 students, naiintindihan ang apology nya sa tweeter. ang linaw po ng sinabi sa show kumpara sa tweet nya na palusot.sinasabing inedit lang ito ng show.. shes a liar liar
i hate her

oo nga e.. yaan nyo na ganun talaga buhay parang life tawanan na lang naten.. ganti ganti lang daw yan sabi nung iba heheh..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb7aY-3kQhE


para ke Lee Da Hae

marami ng sikat na personalities ang nanginsulto sa lahing pilipino, mas grabe pa kung tutuusin, Si Claire Danes, "manila is a horrible place, smelled cackcroaches, people have nothing"..Joan Rivers made a reference to Filipinos as a Dog eating race, Teri Hatcher insults philippine doctors, Si Chip Tsao ng hongkong , "philippines is a nation of servant".Alec Baldwin jokes about Filipina Mail Order Bride"..di ba mas grabe sila A grave insults to filipino nations..


pero above all this namamayagpag ang pinoy sa buong mundo, world class di ba...mga OFW!!

alam nio namn pilipino marami lenguahe.di namn nya alam na magkakaiba ang tono ng mga salita ng mga pinoy.pero baka di nya alam na tagalog salita natin.pero magaling magsalita ng english.ang pagkalam ko kasi iniisip ng mga koreano,english ang salita natin.di nila alam na may sarili tayong linguahe.di lng isa kundi marami.di gaya sa kanila mula north pababa sa south parehas lang.pero para sa akin pasensyahan ko na lng un.makitid lng pag iisip nya.

PROUD TO BE PINOY!!nice one admin.zack.dat's 4 sure that we,filipinos,are truly worldclass,and we definitely need some respect like the others needed to have,whatever language color or native you are..RESPECT others..in return,RESPECT is gain..