IT IS important to learn about Filipino culture, but it is also essential to learn about foreign cultures, like Spanish culture.
Instituto de Cervantes and Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española recognized Interdisciplinary Studies Chair Concepcion Rosales and Modern Languages Associate Professor Evelyn Soriano for their efforts in teaching and promoting the Spanish culture to students.
Both Rosales and Soriano were given a tribute on June 19 at Instituto de Cervantes in Ermita, Manila. Instituto de Cervantes is a government agency responsible for promoting the study and the teaching of Spanish language and culture.
Aside from teaching the Spanish language, Soriano also teaches the French language to students. Both Rosales and Soriano have been teaching Spanish for more than 30 years.
Spanish heritage
For Rosales, it is important to be aware of the Spanish culture because of the Philippines’ history of being under Spain for many years.
She said that the Filipino vocabulary resembles the Spanish language. “You come in with an already built-in vocabulary when you come to class in learning Spanish.”
“It is just the fact that common cultural characteristics make it simpler,” Rosales said.
Rosales also said that she does not just teach the language, but the culture as well.
On the other hand, Soriano said that although most of her friends and colleagues think of her as being more European than Filipino, she disagrees with it.
“Knowing these languages make me appreciate my own world better … [so] without letting go of myself, I boasted of my Filipino heritage when I am abroad,” Soriano said.
Knowing more
“[Learning foreign languages] widened, broadened and enriched my life,” said Soriano.
For her, there are many perks of learning a foreign language like Spanish. Among these perks are “understanding international affairs and thinking.”
Rosales agreed. She added that in her class, she would talk about the latest happenings in the Spanish culture, ranging from athletes to celebrities.
“I always make them feel that we are, by our very culture, members of a bigger area than just the Philippines or just Asia,” she said.
More than culture
“The foreign languages [are] not just for culture anymore,” said Soriano.
For both Rosales and Soriano, learning a foreign language is more than just for culture. In fact, foreign languages, as Soriano said, play an essential role in the age of globalization.
In addition to having study tours for students, Rosales said Spain offers job opportunities and scholarships. “There are job opportunities that are made available [here] … because we have more Spanish businesses here,” she said.
As for job opportunities, Soriano says Filipinos can teach English online to foreigners and take jobs in businesses owned by Spanish businessmen.
Soriano said she encourages the youth to give back to the country by learning a foreign language.
“There is so much to learn from other countries also,” she said.
