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Nursing the Carabao English
Jul 15, 2004
English has been dubbed as the “language of the world”. Over a billion people in the world have considered English as their second tongue. With over 2,500 OFWs leaving the country everyday to different parts of the globe, Filipinos are expected to arm themselves with English to communicate with the world.
For nurses who are taking TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language, this language should be mastered more than anything else. This is an exam designed to determine the ability to write, read and understand North American English of a foreigner. Filipino nurses are known for their requisite technical skills, and their patient skills. With the Philippines’ claim of being the 3rd largest English-speaking nation in the world, surely a Filipino nurse doesn’t seem to face any problem.
However, this claim was marred as 16 percent only of the Filipino nurses passed the so-called TSE or Test of Spoken English.
Filipinos may have been the 3rd largest English-speaking nation, but the quality is now fast deteriorating. Call centers have recently challenged the local workforce with jobs that require fluent English with American accent. Sadly, out of 100 applicants, only 5 will make it through the oral test. The problem with the 95% who failed is that they find it difficult to understand the question and if they did understand the question, they will have a hard time communicating the answer.
OFWs should brush up their English soon because our Asian neighbors are gaining an edge by seriously studying English. Korea, Thailand, Singapore and India are encouraging their young generation to excel in English. We seem to be heading down while the countries are going up as far as English is concerned.
Filipino nurses should be especially aware that Chinese nurses are set in taking the labor market. According to the Federated Association of Manpower Exporters (FAME), the Chinese nurses were catching up in English proficiency. No wonder, for the Asian giant has been setting up English schools for its 300,000 nurses. Chinesenurseexpress.com , a website for Chinese nurses aspiring a job abroad , have stated the need to gain an advantage over Filipino nurses since Filipinos are trusted more in foreign hospitals.
The declining proficiency in English means that more opportunities are lost simply by not excelling in the “language of the world”.
For nurses who are taking TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language, this language should be mastered more than anything else. This is an exam designed to determine the ability to write, read and understand North American English of a foreigner. Filipino nurses are known for their requisite technical skills, and their patient skills. With the Philippines’ claim of being the 3rd largest English-speaking nation in the world, surely a Filipino nurse doesn’t seem to face any problem.
However, this claim was marred as 16 percent only of the Filipino nurses passed the so-called TSE or Test of Spoken English.
Filipinos may have been the 3rd largest English-speaking nation, but the quality is now fast deteriorating. Call centers have recently challenged the local workforce with jobs that require fluent English with American accent. Sadly, out of 100 applicants, only 5 will make it through the oral test. The problem with the 95% who failed is that they find it difficult to understand the question and if they did understand the question, they will have a hard time communicating the answer.
OFWs should brush up their English soon because our Asian neighbors are gaining an edge by seriously studying English. Korea, Thailand, Singapore and India are encouraging their young generation to excel in English. We seem to be heading down while the countries are going up as far as English is concerned.
Filipino nurses should be especially aware that Chinese nurses are set in taking the labor market. According to the Federated Association of Manpower Exporters (FAME), the Chinese nurses were catching up in English proficiency. No wonder, for the Asian giant has been setting up English schools for its 300,000 nurses. Chinesenurseexpress.com , a website for Chinese nurses aspiring a job abroad , have stated the need to gain an advantage over Filipino nurses since Filipinos are trusted more in foreign hospitals.
The declining proficiency in English means that more opportunities are lost simply by not excelling in the “language of the world”.
