The Best Way To Learn English

As I grew up my parents instilled to me the importance of learning how to speak English. I grew up knowing that it is to my advantage as English is the international language that is most accepted in most foreign countries as a second language and much more importantly as a business language.

For someone who grew up in a country with where English is a second language a lot of factors helped me in  developing my skills in speaking English. 

The leading language institution in the world, Kaplan International Colleges, recently released this infografic about learning English which I could not agree more than anyone else that these are the best ways on How To Learn English. 

I have been traveling for quite some time now and I would say that I actually learned a lot when I traveled to the United States and speak to native English speakers. It gave me a boost in my confidence and sounded more conversational.

Looking at the second part of the Infografic a had a good laugh as memories came back when I saw that just like me a lot of people got their English skills enhanced by watching one of my favorite sitcoms, Friends! Oh! how could I not stick to the TV? They were so hilarious! I guess the Infografic below really is a spot on in saying that it sparked for some to desire to travel to the U.S. because it did to me.

Though a lot of people would also say that games and comic books helped them in improving their English skills, I would say that the only one that cuts across all boundaries is Music.

Music no matter what your mother tongue is, would get into your soul and touch you. No wonder that most people say that it is Bob Marley that influenced them most in learning English when it comes to music as Bob's songs are from the heart.

How about you what do you think is the best way to Learn English?

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Too soon to end...

it is seven past eleven in the evening. sitting in front of my computer pondering on the things that has been for the last four months. Plans of not working for half a year this year isn't really going as I have planned it. Unexpected expenses, clients not paying on time are just some of the reasons that I am seriously thinking about being employed again.

It is hard to stay at home when you are supposedly out there exploring the world. But again reality bites I need to join the workforce again. This time I'll be working on my long term goal to go back to the United States and travel down latin america.

the price tag? well my estimate to start up the journey is 150 thousand pesos. But the challenge is to produce it by september so I could save some of it since PATA will be held in Manila and I think that they will be giving away good deals with airline tickets.

Anyways, the point is I have got to work.

More Call Centers, Better Economy?

Note: Before you go on and read, I would just like to let you know that I am no economist, business graduate or an analyst of any kind. what I have written on this post is just an observation of an average Filipino who thinks too much. 

Today, news broke out that the Philippines placed first in a study of the best countries in Business English. Of course the media would talk first to the industry that gets affected the most, the Call Center Industry and most definitely the industry leaders were delighted about the news.

Prior to the release of this study me and a friend of mine were talking about the same industry on how I think it measures the standard of living and the general health of the Philippine economy.

So what was on my mind? Here it is

The call center industry prospers because of two things the quality of work that Filipinos provide and the low cost of labor compared to first world countries.

My conclusion? We as Filipinos should look at the call center industry as temporary industry. Why? Because if we use the call center as measurement of our economy's health, as long as the call center industry is growing it just means that our own economy is not doing good.

If our economy is doing good, people with regular jobs will get as much as what we are getting in working for a call center instead of the measly minimum wage that most Filipinos are living at.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that call centers are bad for the economy I just used it to measure the state of our countries economy.

Because if our economy is at par with the first world countries we would earn as much as them right? And if our economy grows and people get the right salaries the low labor cost factor in investing the Philippines would be eliminated. Will this industry survive only because of quality? Possibly.

I may be wrong or something but that is how I see it. I just feel sad that the Philippines is dependent to this industry right now. But I hope that along with the growth of this industry, the government would teach the people working in the call center industry how to save and put up businesses. Yes new business, that is the only way that I see on how we could give the Philippines a real economy sustained by domestic market which may possibly give the country a much more stable economy as it may not get affected by factors abroad.

If my thinking about using such industry as a gauge is right, well it's just sad are we as a nation or maybe just a private individual, would we just be satisfied on this kind of economy? are we giving up the fight to get real progress?

do you agree? or not?

Escape to Luxury with Regatta!

Wanna spend your summer in a fabulous way? How fab?

Regatta brings you the grandest and most luxurious treat with Regatta Escape to Luxury Raffle Promo. Get a chance to win a luxury trip to Shangri-la Mactan with two friends or relatives! Fabulous ain't it???

Here's how to 

Mechanics

1. Shop at any Regatta store from April 13 - May 6, 2012.

2. For every P1,000 single receipt purchase of all regular-priced items from Regatta, you can join Regatta’s Escape to Luxury Promo on Facebook.

3. Like Regatta on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Regatta.Clothing) and click the promo app icon on the upper right part under the cover photo.

4. Enter the requested information:

·   Name

·   Link to Facebook profile page

·   Names of 2 people you would like to have as getaway company

·   Address

·   Email address

·   Mobile number

·   Regatta branch where purchase was made

·   Invoice number (INV # from purchase receipt)

5. Each fan can submit as many entries as s/he wants and have different friends in the list of Escape to Luxury company provided that the fan inputs different transaction numbers in the promo form depending on how many P1,000 single receipt purchase s/he has made. Each submission is equivalent to one raffle entry.

6. Deadline of entry submissions is on May 6, 2012. Twenty two (22) lucky winners will be drawn via automated raffle on May 7, 2012 at Golden ABC Inc. office.

7. Two (2) lucky winners along with his/her two company will be treated to an Escape to Luxury trip* to Shangri-la Mactan and will also receive P5, 000 worth of gift certificate from Regatta. The remaining 20 winners will win P2, 000 worth of GC.

8. A customer can only win once. If a name is drawn more that once he/she gets the prize of higher value.

9. Prizes are transferable and not convertible to cash.

10. All winners will be notified on or before May 8, 2012 by an authorized Regatta representative through email, phone and registered mail. Redemption period is until May 18, 2012.

11. Winner can redeem their prize from the Regatta branch where they made the purchase that qualified them for the raffle promo.

12. Winners must present the receipt used during registration and 2 valid I.D.s (government issued: Drivers license, Passport, SSS, TIN, Professional license, etc) when claiming his/her prize.

13. Employees of Golden ABC, and their affliates, their spouses and their relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity are disqualified from joining this promo.

*includes 3D2N Hotel accommodation to Mactan Shangri-la , Airfare, Complete meal, Airport taxes and Fuel surcharge.

Per DTI-NCR permit no. 2323, series of 2012. 

For more information don't forget to visit:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Regatta.Clothing

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/regatta_ph

Website: http://regatta.com.ph/

Down time

Yeah, I'm feeling down again.

Well got no money no more because of a charity client that has not paid the At-Cost price of my service. so the money that I have used to cover their event hasn't comeback yet.

I couldn't move, I couldn't go to the places that I wanna go to. All because I haven't been paid up.

I don't have much income in my photography so this is really something that has stuck me in this miserable situation instead of moving forward and do business.

I just pray they'll pay up real soon.

pitstop

 inhibitions to writing off.

I am tired, tired of this capitalist driven world where money directs the way things go. Instead of talent and intentions.

Chasing a dream is never easy, I know. It has been more than a year now since I came back to my home town to cut expenses and what have I done so far?

One my biggest enemy probably would be me, procrastination often attacks my soul and takes it down with emotional whirlwind moments.

This is a pitstop though I still don't know if I am going to hang my lenses for a moment or brave the storm a head of me.

Rediscovering AJ Rafael

Sometimes youtube acts so crazy taking me to videos I never intended watching. But this time getting lost in youtube went really well.

I first heard about AJ on TV a couple of months ago when he guested in ASAP and I was like "AJ WHO???" well my interest wasn't really captured by his performance. But thanks to you tube I got to rediscover him.

this is one of my favorite cover songs done by AJ.