As Filipinos, we are very conscious of our grammar when communicating in English. Next to grammar is our awareness of pronunciation and accent. Perhaps this stems from how we learned English and our perception of what strong English skills should look and sound like.
In today’s work environment, communicating effectively in English is a requirement. Functional English is less about correct grammar and pronunciation. It is more about understanding what you read and hear, and expressing your thoughts and ideas clearly, both speaking and writing. This is demonstrated through asking questions and responding to colleagues, writing reports and emails professionally, or presenting to groups.
For Filipinos aspiring to work in competitive global industries, this matters more than ever. Employers are not looking for English subjects passed or grammar rules memorized. They are looking for proof that an employee can understand instructions, communicate across cultures, and contribute meaningfully in English-speaking environments. The question then is not whether we Filipinos have the capability, but how do we demonstrate it in a way the world recognizes.
The gap begins earlier than we think
Our study on English as a Subject in Basic Education, or ESBE, offers a clear picture of where the challenge starts. In classrooms, young Filipino learners are being built up in literacy before oracy. They are asked to read and write in English before they are comfortable listening to and speaking it. Based on the EDCOM 2 report, nearly half of students are not reading at their grade level by the end of Grade 3.
