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Mansion of Languages

The author introduces the topic of his essay by quoting his mentor about the importance of English proficiency. He then explains that many Filipinos are hired to teach English abroad due to their willingness to accept lower pay, familiarity with American pop culture from colonial influence, and ability to understand Asian cultural practices as Southeast Asians. The author further explains that his best students in both English and Filipino were tutored by excellent teachers, introduced to various language worlds through different media, and no longer feel guilt about learning English. He concludes the essay by summarizing that the Philippines is a multi-lingual paradise and the earlier one recognizes this, the better they can enjoy its benefits.

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Sheen Talunay Taborda
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34K views2 pages

Mansion of Languages

The author introduces the topic of his essay by quoting his mentor about the importance of English proficiency. He then explains that many Filipinos are hired to teach English abroad due to their willingness to accept lower pay, familiarity with American pop culture from colonial influence, and ability to understand Asian cultural practices as Southeast Asians. The author further explains that his best students in both English and Filipino were tutored by excellent teachers, introduced to various language worlds through different media, and no longer feel guilt about learning English. He concludes the essay by summarizing that the Philippines is a multi-lingual paradise and the earlier one recognizes this, the better they can enjoy its benefits.

Uploaded by

Sheen Talunay Taborda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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A Mansion of Many Languages

By Danton Remoto

1. How does the author introduce the topic of his essay?

The author introduced the topic of his essay by quoting words about the significance of
proficiency of the English language from his mentor, the National Artist for Literature and
theater Rolando S. Tinio.

2. In paragraph 4, the author asks the question “Why?” This signals that he is explaining
something. What exactly he is explaining?

The author is explaining why many Filipinos are being hired to teach English in other ASEA
countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and China.

3. What are the explanations he provides for the phenomenon you identified in no. 2 above?
Give three answers.

(1) Filipino teachers will accept a pay scale lower than that of their Western counterparts
(2) They are conversant with American pop culture, a happy (or unhappy) result of decades of
American colonialism and neo-colonialism.
(3) They are still Southeast Asians beneath their skin, and are thus familiar with Asian cultural
practices, whether said or unsaid.

4. In paragraph 7, the author writes, “Let me explain.” What exactly is the phenomenon he is
explaining?

He is further explaining why, for him, are the students in English are also the best students in
Filipino after giving three main reasons.

5. What are the explanations he provides for the phenomenon you identified in no. 4 above?
Give three answers.

(1) His best students in English and Filipino were tutored by the crème de la crème, many of
them teaching in private schools.
(2) He introduced them to the worlds of the language they are studying- be it in the formal
realm of the textbook or the popular ones of film, graphic novel, YouTube or anime.
(3) Today’s generation of students is no longer burdened by the guilt of learning English- and
mastering it.
6. How does the author end his essay?

The author ended his essay by summarizing it with a quotation from his friend and fellow
professor which says that, “The Philippines is a multi-lingual paradise.” He then explained it
simply in his own words, “The earlier we know we live in a paradise of many languages, the
better we can savor its fruits ripened by the sun.”

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