Re: Do Filipino Nurses Need Remedial English Classes Before Going Overseas?

My dear,

Im just trying to point out that proper attitude is essential in learning a language (whatever language it may be).

With regards to the need for remedial classes, it should be case to case basis. Since the english language is our second language (or for some they consider it just their third or fourth language. first our local dialects, second our lingua franca, third english) here in the Philippines, polishing and practice are the more appropriate words for me.

"Dont also forget to take remedial classes on communication process and therapeutic communication, because i also noticed in many forum, these skills are being forgotten".

Re: Do Filipino Nurses Need Remedial English Classes Before Going Overseas?

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My wife and I attended a wedding in San Jose, Calif. last weekend and I overheard a relative telling her grandson during the reception:

"Don't do that no more!"

Wrong grammar.

She is a former teacher from the Philippines.

Incredible.

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Re: Do Filipino Nurses Need Remedial English Classes Before Going Overseas?

i used to work in a call center before. I worked for one of the most leading mobile companies in US. I noticed that many native speakers also commit mistakes in grammar. Well, the biggest learning here is that , we should not stereotype.

If you studied here, you know for a fact that we have almost the same number of units in filipino (language) and english, yet only few seems to speak in correct, standard filipino. But this does not mean we all have to take a remedial classes in our own language. Do you see my point?

So to answer again the question "Do Filipino Nurses Need Remedial English Classes Before Going Overseas?", again my answer is case to case basis. Because we cant generalize. If you find english language so strange to you, go ahead. learn and succeed.

NURSES ARE MORETHAN CAPABLE OF LEARNING NEW SKILL. KUDOS TO ALL OF US.

Re: Do Filipino Nurses Need Remedial English Classes Before Going Overseas?

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I'm not a native English speaker. I was born in the Philippines but at least I have been trying to improve my grammar. My accent has softened in my 30 years here in the U.S. but I don't make a conscious effort to sound like an American. My U.S. born kids say that my accent is much better than most of their uncles and aunts who were born in the Philippines. To paraphrase the famous TV chef, I can confidently say that my English grammar is several "notches" higher than many of my Philippine-born relatives living here in the U.S.

Yes, many Americans who were born in the U.S. don't speak grammatically correct English, but many Americans did not go to collage. In my encounters with the U.S.-born nurses, I would say that the majority of them posses good grammar. They are college graduates after all.

I have to emphasize that if you are a foreign-grad RN it is to your advantage to speak and write grammatically correct English. Don't think that because that there are Americans who don't speak English well then it would be alright for you to be like them. In the world of business, speaking and writing grammatically incorrect English is not good for your professional advancement.

I don't understand why some people oppose or are too lazy to learn how to speak and write English well. You've gone to college, you have studied nursing but your English is terrible. Do you want to have an advantage over the other 100,000 or so unemployed Filipino nurses? Arm yourself with better English grammar along with improving your professional skills.

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Re: Do Filipino Nurses Need Remedial English Classes Before Going Overseas?

Originally Posted by linejes

i used to work in a call center before. I worked for one of the most leading mobile companies in US. I noticed that many native speakers also commit mistakes in grammar. Well, the biggest learning here is that , we should not stereotype.

If you studied here, you know for a fact that we have almost the same number of units in filipino (language) and english, yet only few seems to speak in correct, standard filipino. But this does not mean we all have to take a remedial classes in our own language. Do you see my point?

So to answer again the question "Do Filipino Nurses Need Remedial English Classes Before Going Overseas?", again my answer is case to case basis. Because we cant generalize. If you find english language so strange to you, go ahead. learn and succeed.

NURSES ARE MORETHAN CAPABLE OF LEARNING NEW SKILL. KUDOS TO ALL OF US.

i must say you're right with what you've said! others here are just stereotyping, which we nurses should not do. nevertheless, that remedial class is, as you said, should be case to case basis.

in the philippines they use primarily Tagal0g and "occassionally" english so you have to expect that not ALL of the filipinos are that fluent in english. but most of them know hot to write and speak in english.

one more thing, i also know a lot of natives here in canada that are poor in grammar and often misspell words.

so the bottom line is, never ever generalize because you know for a fact that it is not acceptable!

by the way, i am just happy because here in Ontario, all cultures are accepted and the natives here are very RESPECTFUL and HELPFUL to the immigrants.

God bless!

Re: Do Filipino Nurses Need Remedial English Classes Before Going Overseas?

It depends on the person. One cannot generalize. If she knows for a fact that she is already competent and confident, there is no use in attending remedial classes. But if you know in your heart that you need more coaching or training, then do so.

Re: Do Filipino Nurses Need Remedial English Classes Before Going Overseas?

If you have passed IELTS with your required band score of 7 then you do not need a "remedial" English course.

That being said, however, if your plan is to go to the USA then you should seek out an English training center based on US sources. American English in Makati is an excellent choice for US-bound nurses since they are the only center I know of that uses all native-speaking instructors from the USA (Americans and Phil-Am).

If your plan is to go to any other English speaking country then try to seek out English training centers which have native speaking instructors from that country.

The function you will have here is to learn the subtle differences between Filipino-English and the other country's English. Grammar, intonation, etc.

However I strongly discourage focusing on accent training at this stage. The accent will come to you over time while living in the country. It is far preferable to focus on neutralizing your tone and accent by ironing out issues with grammar and pronunciation.

I have witnessed classes here where Pinoys are trying to learn "American Slang" and it is atrocious. People are being taught how to break all these grammar rules when they don't know the grammar rules in the first place.

It comes across as fake and, honestly, insulting to native speakers.

In a professional position (like nursing) it is far better to have a neutral English accent so that you can be more effectively understood.

Language training (NOT Review center) is essential for this.

Re: Do Filipino Nurses Need Remedial English Classes Before Going Overseas?

I'm sorry but I know many foreign nurses (not just Filipinos) who passed the English exams, but they can't speak or write properly in the English language.
All they did was pass a basic English exam. Personally, I LOVE reading nurses notes because I get a kick out of how badly nurses chart. The majority of them have horrible English grammar and their speaking skills are bad, if not worse.

Now on the other hand I also work with foreign nurses (Filipinos included) who have excellent speaking and grammar skills in the English language. If you're going to work as a nurse in the US or any English speaking country you better learn how to get rid of your accent as much as possible and write properly or else someone is going to interpret what you're saying or writing in a different way, and that can potentially affect a patient in a negative way.

Re: Do Filipino Nurses Need Remedial English Classes Before Going Overseas?

Originally Posted by NurseCubanitaRN2b

I'm sorry but I know many foreign nurses (not just Filipinos) who passed the English exams, but they can't speak or write properly in the English language.

Which is precisely why I have such a strong dislike for these IELTS review centers... most of them only teach testing skills and tips which allow people to pass IELTS without knowing a damn thing about the English language or real communication in that language.

I promote the use of English Language schools which use evaluation and training methods geared toward actually improving one's ability to communicate in English, not just pass a test.

Re: Do Filipino Nurses Need Remedial English Classes Before Going Overseas?

Originally Posted by Hushdawg

Which is precisely why I have such a strong dislike for these IELTS review centers... most of them only teach testing skills and tips which allow people to pass IELTS without knowing a damn thing about the English language or real communication in that language.

I promote the use of English Language schools which use evaluation and training methods geared toward actually improving one's ability to communicate in English, not just pass a test.

You have never asked another person's question what do you do in the Philippines ? Sounds to me you are marketing these programs to pinoy nurses without any academic qualifications.