Republic of the Philippines

ZAMBOANGA STATE COLLEGE OF MARINE SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City
Tel No.: (062) 991-0643 Telefax: (062) 991-0777 website: http://www.zscmst.edu.ph

COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation
(BSMT)

Module 2

Job Enabling English Proficiency (JEEP)

Accelerate

Prepared by

Samuel B. Marquez, MAELL

Instructor 1
 Module 2

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

English, as we all know, is the language which connects people from different
nations, cultures and region. It has become a common language to the world. As
English is spoken in most countries, language can no longer be a barrier for
people to settle or make connections to other people in other countries in the
world.

The use of the English Language had become a must from the education sector, up to the
employment sector. The type of communication which is used in the corporate world is business
communication. It is not mere exchange of ideas. In the world of business, the communication
system is considered effective, only if there is some positive transaction. If the sender of
information is just able to convey the message without any fruitful deal, then the communication
is not effective.
So English is much required. It will help your team to be successful in your tasks and as
well as communicate with different people coming from different cultures.
In the Philippines, especially in Mindanao, with the help of United States Agencies for
Industrial Development (USAID) in partnership with Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM)
create a program to help students achieve English Proficiency. This program is called JEEP or
the Job Enabling English Proficiency. This is an intensive two-year English language training
program. This was developed in partnership with the different schools in Mindanao, to include
the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology.
 JEEP’s ultimate goal is to deliver innovative approaches in learning English to students
and language enthusiasts of all ages and cultural backgrounds. This program is envisioned to
improve the English proficiency among students enrolled in selected universities in Mindanao.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, you can:

1. Explain the importance of English Language in your quest to find better jobs.
2. Identify why English Language in the Philippines is now deteriorating.
3. Make plans to better improve your English Language Proficiency.

READ

The Philippines is considered as an English-speaking country, with more than 95% of the

population able to speak or understand the English language. This is due to the colonization of

the Philippines by the Americans which led to the use of English as the medium of instruction in

schools for decades. However, various surveys show that there exists deterioration in the English

language proficiency among college students today (Kyodo News/ Yahoo! 2005).

More and more college students can neither converse nor understand English, the

language widely seen as a ticket to a better life in the Philippines, despite the national policy of

requiring tertiary level schools in particular to use English as the medium of instruction.

A study conducted by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines noted that

75% of more than 400,000 Filipino students who graduate from college each year have

“substandard English skills.” But what may have caused this deterioration?
 Different sources and authorities cite various factors that may explain this decline (Social

Weather Station Survey as cited by Kyodo 2005). The first factor cited is that in 1987, the

Department of Education of the Philippines (DEP) adopted a bilingual program to promote the

use of Tagalog, the other official language. The government was swayed by the studies

indicating that students tend to learn better in their native languages. Moreover, during those

times the nationalist lobbied to restore Tagalog, also called Filipino, was overwhelming.

Secondly, the rise of “Taglish,” a highly popular language in the Philippines combining

Tagalog and English, skewed all the rules of grammar and usage of the English language.

Thirdly, the majority of programs and shows on televisions and radio stations are in the

local dialects. Very few Filipinos in general and students in particular can afford to watch good

English programs that are only available in cable televisions.

Forth, when cellular phones became popular, the inevitable “text lingo” drove people

from almost all walks of life into a mania. Worst, people tend to just type words just as how they

are pronounced with nobody caring about the correct spelling of the word. For as long as the

words can be understood by the receiver of the text, communication is presumed to be

completed.

The fifth factor cited was the negation of the students’ self-motivation to learn English

language. The Social Weather Station (2006) survey showed that present day students are bored

in the English class and they seemingly refuse to digest the learning that should transpire during

the class lectures and discussions. In fact, this same survey shows that only 7 percent of high

school graduates who enter college can properly speak, read, or understand English (Word Press

Database Error 2005).

Lastly, teachers are partly to blame for the deterioration of English language
Proficiency among the college students. Aside from presuming and assuming that their students

already have absorbed the lessons presented in the class, teachers lack the knowledge and skills

to use strategies and proper approaches in teaching. Teachers simplify the transfer of knowledge

for students to grasp and comprehend knowledge which would eventually made students active

participants in the classroom activities.

ACTIVITY

Instructions: Make a comprehensive explanation of the following word / group of

words found in the above article. Write your answers in the space provided for or
you may use another sheet of paper. Take a picture of your answers and send it
through the Facebook messenger or email address of your instructor
(sammarquez2019@gmail.com or in our JEEP class group chat)

English Proficiency
English language proficiency refers to a student's capacity to utilize the language to
convey ideas in oral and written situations while pursuing their course of study. The level of
proficiency is determined by a person's receptive and expressive language ability, grammar,
vocabulary, semantics, and other language-related skills. In each level Reading, writing,
speaking, and listening are the four areas of language proficiency, with this learning techniques
this will make the English proficiency of a student more fluent, and efficient in speaking English
language.
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“Taglish”
Taglish is a code-switching and/or code-mixing in the use of Tagalog and English. Now a
days, It is common for the Filipino to speak in a code-switching language. There are also other
language that Filipino used for code-switching, these are Chavacano-Tagalog, Bisaya-English
and etc. For some people they found it fun to speak while others are used to it. The usage of
Taglish is often disliked by linguists and instructors. This is probably because it's informal. This
could be a disadvantage to all, damaging their English learning and comprehension.
___________________________________________________________________________
“Text Lingo”
Text Lingo or Text language, sometimes referred to as SMS language, is made up of
slang and abbreviations that are frequently utilized. Using this kind of default language can be
seriously problematic. In many cases, a lot of people are confuse because it is unfamiliar, and
informal way of reading the text, specially those who are new to text lingo specially the
professional in English Language but in these generation, It is now common to use abbreviation
or slang massages as it is easier to send short message and not typing or texting very long
messages
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Quality education
The Quuality education aims to promote the employ-ability of Mindanao colleges and
universities graduates by extending and improving the English language training capacities of
participating institutions and to generate graduates with the English language abilities required
for gainful employment in vocations. Students should be able to construct and communicate
meaning in both oral and written contexts using the English language.

___________________________________________________________________________
Language Deterioration
Most languages, though, die out gradually as successive generations of speakers become
bilingual and then begin to lose proficiency in their traditional languages. Due to a lack of
teaching methods and strategies, college students' proficiency in the English language is
dropping. In the case of English Proficiency. The instructor must refine and advance the students'
abilities, particularly in using the English language. Instructors should also inspire their students
to be interested in learning, show up to class each day, and pay attention. It might take the shape
of speaking, writing, reading, or listening. The students should also assist themselves in reaching
the necessary level when it comes to honing their abilities, and their proficiency in the English
language will also achieve the necessary skill level in talking and writing in English.
__________________________________________________________________________
Globally competitive
 Students must comprehend this rapidly changing environment in order to engage in it
successfully. Global competitiveness in education may be defined as the combination of abilities
and elements that promotes people's personal and professional productivity in their societies and
throughout the globe. Having these abilities help understand multiple perspectives with the use
of critical and comparative thinking skills as well as problem-solving . It also help every student
to produce an effective and well-mannered or discipline people in each community and the
world. This also applies to jobseekers, as these are the people who have the necessary degree of
preparation are more likely to be given the opportunities they deserve. Because of this, one of the
keys to maintaining or growing your position is to become and keep yourself more globally
competitive.
___________________________________________________________________________
Job Enabling
The program seeks to promote English proficiency and assist marine students become
more employable.  The JEEP program aids students in interview technique so they may look
intelligent and educated and be able to explain themselves in English clearly. When a student
successfully completes their program of study, they should be able to utilize the English
language to create and transmit meaning in spoken and written situations. Understanding English
improves your chances of landing a decent position in a multinational company in your native
country or in search of employment abroad. Learning English is essential for socializing,
enjoyment, and employment since it is the language of global communication, the media, and the
internet.
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