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English Language: The Significance in the Philippines Economic Field
Thesis Statement:
The knowledge of English is a very good thing in the Philippines for it has been incorporated
into the learning curriculum of many schools, increases opened opportunities in the country,
and building competitiveness in developing global competence to be productive and efficient
member in nation throughout the world.
1. Introduction: The English language

A. How English brought in the Philippines
B. The English speakers in the Philippines
C. Thesis elaboration
2. Development: The significant contributions of English language economically

A. The rise of Overseas Filipino Workers
B. Economic benefits for English speaking visitors
C. English and its Economic Importance
3. Conclusion: Summarization of English Importance in Philippines Economy

A. Looking back and pointing out the English language impact on the Philippines
economic situation
B. Philippines as English competent country
English Language: The Significance in the Philippines Economic Field
The Filipinos first encountered the English language when British ships arrive at Manila, the
capital of the Philippines, during the Battle of Manila. In 1901, a group of around five 500
American educators called “Thomasites” (derived from the USS Thomas, the transport ship that
brought them to the Philippines) replaced the American soldiers who also functioned as teachers.
They were sent to the Philippines to establish a new highly centralized public school system, to
teach basic education and to train Filipino teachers using English as the medium of instruction.
As time goes by English has become one of the official languages of the Philippines and is spoken
by more than 14 million Filipinos as of 2015 and still continuously increases at the present.
Because of this, several opportunities opened in the country, encourages foreign companies to
establish businesses, open many jobs to Filipinos, at the same time increases the ability to
compete effectively in global, showcasing the knowledge in different fields of proficiency.
The most significant contribution of the English language to the Philippines though might be on
the socio-economic field. Due to the Filipinos strong command of the English language, several
opportunities opened for the country. Lack of job opportunities in the country and higher salaries
that exceed those given in the Philippines pushed Filipinos to go abroad in their attempt for
better life. The number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as of 2018 was estimated 2.3 million
according to Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) and still increasing at the present. Because of
this high record, the country will get a percent of their money transferred from remittances and
this will accounts for at least 10% of the GDP in the country if such all Filipinos working abroad
will transferred money to the Philippines. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the broadest
quantitative measure of a nation's total economic activity. More specifically, GDP represents the
monetary value of all goods and services produced within a nation's geographic borders over a
specified period of time. The impact of remittances on the Philippine economy goes beyond GDP
numbers. OFW remittances have contributed significantly to the country’s foreign exchange
earnings. In doing so, these remittances have contributed to strengthening the nation’s position
regarding balance of payments, bolstering the surplus on current accounts.
English-language policy in the Philippines in recent decades has resulted in many fundamental
changes in Filipino society. These changes have made the country more attractive to visitors from
English-speaking countries. In fact, tourism in the Philippines is booming. In the years from 2004
to 2014, the annual number of foreign tourists visiting the Philippines more than doubled from
2.3 million to over 4.8 million. In 2017, the total number of visitors to the nation was 6.6 million,
a 50% increase from just three years prior. Four of the top 10 nationalities visiting the Philippines
were from English-speaking countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and
Australia. Also, Philippines, the island nation of 100 million is quickly becoming the education
center of Asia. The country’s low prices, open culture, and quality schools are attracting record
numbers of foreign students. Koreans are leading the way, according to Jose L. Cuisia, the
Philippines Ambassador to the United States.
“There are more and more Koreans that are studying English in the Philippines. In 2004, there
were about 5,700. . . The following year, it tripled to about 17,000, in 2012 it was about 24,000.
So we’re seeing an increasing number of Koreans. But they’re also from other countries: Libya,
Brazil, Russia.” He stated. The Philippines is in a unique position to benefit from the global
demand for English education. In fact, the Philippines markets itself as the world’s fourth-largest
English-speaking country in 2017.
English is used in the Philippines by media and various educated Filipinos. English is widely used
in the education field. It is considered as a major subject and is taught in the Philippines from
grade one to college and is the medium of instructions in many schools. Most school textbooks
for subjects such as Biology, Physics, Mathematics and others are printed in English and are rarely
has Filipino versions. Also, for highly technical subjects such as nursing, medicine, computing, and
calculus, English is the preferred medium for textbooks, communication, etc. Aside from
education, it is also used religious affairs, print and broadcast media, and business. Movies and
TV programs in English are not subtitled and are expected to be directly understood.
Generally, the economic importance of the English language in the Philippines by analyzing the
economic, helps build competence in any means. Language, through intelligent usage, has also
the capability to influence one’s way of thinking making it as a useful tool for provoking such as
propaganda. Language though can be utilized in more ways and the Philippines shows us that a
language, English, can be used for economic development. The Filipinos knowledge of the
language was useful in their quest for better life abroad for they were preferred by foreign
employers for their English skills, aside from being skilled laborers or qualified professionals at
cheaper costs. Coincidentally, the Filipinos sending of remittances back to the Philippines have
not only helped their family and relatives but also their country. The remittances that they send
add to the foreign exchange earnings of the Philippines and account for 10% of its GDP helping
the Philippines weather the recent 2008 global financial crisis. The Filipinos have also been able
maximized their proficiency in English even inside the country through the recent demand of
workers in the Business Process Outsourcing Industry, tourism (both having large job-generating
opportunities) and enrollment of international students in the Philippines. These economic
benefits of the English language are highly recognized by the Filipinos and especially the
government, leading to more productive and effective economic status.

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English Language: The Significance in the Philippines Economic Field

1. Introduction: The English language

2. Development: The significant contributions of English language economically

3. Conclusion: Summarization of English Importance in Philippines Economy

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