Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Chicken Wings or Chicken Nuggets?




Clothes, cell phones, chargers, toiletries, cosmetics, cameras, toy puppies, passports and a PDA (not to forget our all-time favorite - rice and chicken) all of these necessities have been very well prepared by our own mother. You might say we are good to go except for one or two things we missed: a Php500 bill in one of our passports, and a super high-tech English-Filipino-Bisaya-Cantonese Language Translator. "We will cross the bridge when we get there." Sad to say, there was no bridge at all.



An essay we shall write about the significance and beauty of a common but strong language that is used in every corner of the world. This common language we write of is the vehicle for tomorrow's future embalmed with excellence. The English Language has been remarkably advantageous in its use of the paragon of its system. Communication is mostly the momentum this language uses.

Our concept of excellence has long been established as something that puts you on top, above all other things. It means being the best, and staying there. It suggests an aura of power and perfection. All these, however, are purely misconceptions. Excellence is not an extreme; it lies in balance. We’ve always believed that anything that goes beyond the limit is bad. Anything done in excess is disadvantageous. Consequently, anything that is excellent lies in moderation.

English has been used and created a long time ago. The youngsters of this generation have been taught as early as they could understand stuff and communicate. The benefits of this language cannot be taken for granted, because a simple mind cannot play with word. Wordsmith is what they call those who have the gift of playing with uncommon words but simple words.

The importance of this language gives us the opportune time to have a great chance to upgrade our future with great knowledge of having the English Dialect. As we are led with elocution of words, we can say we're good in writing it.

Aside from valuing the peso money in our wallets, we value the importance of the English Language. We never imagined that finger-pointing, head-nodding sign languages could be tiring, and very much frustrating. Much more, very wrong English is equally horrible too. We never imagined that "apartment" could ever be pronounced as "a-pa-mei". Nor did we imagine that Chicken Wings and Chicken Nuggets would be equally big, not knowing that we order the same thing (whether it was Chicken Wings or Nuggets, we would never know).



If only English were spoken fluently in all countries, all tourists would experience the excellence of spending their money wisely. If only the English Language were a language for all, McDo employees would dismiss the humiliating experience of the excellent bird-flapping dance in front of alien costumers.

Whenever communication is done properly and effectively, in the right place, at the right time, using the right medium, we are able to reach some sort of equilibrium, bringing us one step closer to balance-to excellence. However, the English Language is only a vehicle. The path that lead us there is the effective use of this medium. A vehicle cannot go anywhere without a path on which to follow. Likewise, the English Language is worthless without proper usage and understanding.

Whether excellence means LC Core Values, or excellence in travel enjoyment, the English Language is its path for all of us to cross. However, we really have to work it, learning it isn't enough; we need to feel it in our hearts and minds. Developing a great passion for English can make a difference. (Then it'll be easy for us to order Chicken Wings or Chicken Nuggets).

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Speak English, Anyone?





When a teacher says "Speak in English, please!" Students will surely have menacing look as if they saw a white lady or Sadako coming out of the well. Why? It is because it's going to be a "nose bleeding, head-spinning and mind-buggling" experience for them.

Most of the time, we hear students complain, "Why will i do it? Where's justice?". Some would comment " It's a crazy language, no doubt, it's making me crazier too." If others complain, some are proud and would say, "Me? Speak English? Chicken! I'm so intelligence already".

Just kidding ...

English is not "invenetd" to give us all of these problems: twisted tongues, twisted grammars and twisted brains; but don't you know that learning it will surely lead us to a straight path towards success which is free from twist and turns?

English, also known as the universal language, is used by a lot of countries around the globe to attain effective communication and understanding among different nations. For us Filipinos, working abroad or overseas has always hit our minds. Learning how to speak and use this language properly will help us build good relationships with the foreign people in the foreign land. As a student, our success in English can also be reflected in our other subjects that use English as its medium of teaching and learning such as History, Mathematics and more!

Being a college student, we're being trained to improve our English skills and for us to become globally-competitive graduates and be able to provide excellence in the work force. A lot of opportunities will surely come along the way for those who have good English Communication Skills. Nowadays, professionalism requires development not only of the person's attitude but of skills and that include our fluency, competency and capability in speaking English.

So you see, English is not really a foe, it's a friend. We must learn it's proper use since that's one of the main reasons why we're being sent to school, right? That's why i don't see anything wrong if we're asked to speak in English. It's also for our own good.

Besides, with whom and where are we going to practice and enhance our English speaking skills? To our pets at home? To our Grandparents? To the sales ladies at Ororama Mall? To the market vendors? Definitely not! Our school is the best avenue for us to learn and love English by heart. So what are you waiting for? Start here, start now!