TEFL Locations in Philippines - Jobs & Contracts
Banking, General Facts, History, Language, Medical Insurance, People & Culture, Qualifications, Sending Money Home, Things to bring, Things to do
TEFL Courses in Philippines, Philippines Guide
Featured Listing
TEFL Course in Philippines
TEFL International TESOL Certification
Course in Philippines.
http://www.teflinternationalcourses.com
In the major cities of the Philippines, major International credit card are generally widely accepted. However please note that there are some important tips that may save you a lot of money when to comes to exchanging cash. As the Philippines is still very much a developing nation, the US$ is the best currency to carry with you. Therefore, no matter where you are coming from, purchasing US$ before you leave your country of origin is strongly recommended. Generally, the exchange rates are more advantageous at money changers than at banks and they often vary considerably not only from one money changer to another but also among banks, as every bank is free to set its own rates. The Philippine National Bank and the Philippine Commercial and Industrial Bank have a reputation of giving the best rates among banks. However, these rates are generally still lower than rates of money changers. Changing money with money changers is also much faster than changing in banks because there are fewer formalities. But money changers do not issue Central Bank receipts which are required to change back an oversupply of pesos when leaving The Country. Money changers are uncommon in all other parts of the metropolis, and in the provinces. Money can therefore only be changed at the banks. ATMs are also widely available in the country. Some banks found in Philippines are listed below.
Abn Amro Bank, Manila
LKG Tower 6801 Ayala Avenue 1200 Makati City, Manila Philippines
(632) 884 2000
www.abnamroprivatebanking.com
Allied Banking Corporation, Manila
6754 Ayala Avenue corner Legaspi Street, Makati City P.O. Box 2906 MCC, Makati,
Philippines (632) 818 7961 to 69
www.alliedbank.com.ph
American Express Bank, Manila
Ground Floor Pioneer House Building Paseo de Roxas corner dela Rosa Streets
Makati City Philippines
(632) 830 2286 to 88
ANZ Grindlays Bank, Manila
23/F GT Tower International 6813 Ayala Avenue corner HV Dela Costa Street Makati
City Philippines
T: (632) 818 8117
www.anz.com
Barclay Banks P.LC
4/F Dolmar Gold Tower Bldg., Makati City Philippines
(632) 815-92-91
www.barclays.co.uk
Chase Manhattan Bank N.A.
Corinthian Plaza, Paseo de Roxas Makati City Philippines
(632) 811-33-48
www.chase.com
ING Bank
21 Flr. Ayala Triangle Bldg., Makati City Philippines
(632) 840 8888 / 848 5191
www.ing.com
Known as Pearl of the Orient within the Southeast Asian region, the Philippines
is a democratic country composed of more than 7,100 islands having three major
areas Luzon to the north Visayas in the center, Mindanao down south. Manila is
its capital. Filipino is the official language while English is widely spoken
all over the country.
Philippines is a tropical country. March to May is hot and dry season, June to
October is rainy while November to February are the coolest months of the year.
Temperature ranges from 78oF(25oC) to 90oF(32oC). In the recent years, the
country experienced El nino and El nina phenomena, where prolonged rainy season
and drought have had happened.
Filpinos are the inhabitants of the Republic of the Philippines. Colloquially
Filipinos refer themselves as Pinoy (male Filipino) or Pinay (female Filipino).
Filipinos are known for their hospitality, patience and talent as well as having
a rich culture and tradition due to foreign influences of Spanish and Americans.
One has to ensure he/she gets all the necessary vaccinations before arriving in
Philippines. Philippines is one country you cannot count much on health and
safety. Health services are scarce, medical facilities competitive yet lacking
and crime at a noticeable level. So, always be careful.
Transportation is convenient in Philippines. There are jeepneys which are built
from ingenuity and scrap metal. Motorcycle cabs, sometimes called Hondas
regardless of brand or make, are an efficient mode of transportation in the
Philippines. The Pedicab is a three wheeled bicycle with a covered rear seat for
customers. Like a bicycle rickshaw, this form of transportation is powered by
human pedal power.
Currently, the country has an adequate telecommunication system to suffice the
need of telecommunication service in the entire archipelago. Internet technology
is prevalent and with a vast telecommunication system within the entire
archipelago, internet have been made available in almost all capital, urban and
metropolitan cities all over the archipelago. Internet Cafes are scattered
within the entire Philippine Archipelago due to good telephone system within the
three areas, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. At the most, internet cafes in the
Philippines have dial up, and dsl connection.
Major credit cards and debit cards are accepted especially in the major cities
of the Philippines. ATM machines are available 24 hours Monday to Sunday. ATM
machines are also available in malls. However, in some cities, travellers
cheques are accepted by banks. It is encouraged to always bring enough
Philippine peso whenever you are travelling in the Philippines.
In Philippines, you will never be short of choices while eating out. The key is
to be a little adventurous and go beyond the ‘Fish n' Chips' and ‘Spaghetti
Napolitaine' orders and revel in the local flavours and customs. Nevertheless,
there are many cuisine types available in Philippines.
History
The history of the Philippines may be divided into four distinct phases: the
pre-Spanish period (before 1521); the Spanish period (1521-1898); the American
period (1898-1946); and the years since independence (1946-present).
Pre-Spanish Period
The first people in the Philippines the Negritos are believed to have come to
the islands 30 000 years ago from Borneo and Sumatra making their way across
then-existing land bridges. Subsequently people of Malay stock came from the
south in successive waves the earliest by land bridges and later in boats called
barangays. The Malays settled in scattered communities also called barangays
which were ruled by chieftains known as datus. Chinese merchants and traders
arrived and settled in the ninth century A.D. In the 14th century Arabs arrived
introducing Islam in the south and extending some influence even into Luzon. The
Malays however remained the dominant group until the Spanish arrived in the 16th
century.
Spanish Period
Ferdinand Magellan, a portuguese, claimed the Philippines for Spain in 1521 and
for the next 377 years the islands were under Spanish rule. This period was the
era of conversion to Roman Catholicism. A Spanish colonial social system was
developed complete with a strong centralized government and considerable
clerical influence. The Filipinos were restive under the Spanish and this long
period was marked by numerous uprisings. The most important of these began in
1896 under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo and continued until the Americans
defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay on May 1 1898 during the
Spanish-American War. Aguinaldo declared independence from Spain on June 12
1898.
American Period
Pilipinos initially saw their relationship with the United States as that of two
nations joined in a common struggle against Spain. As allies, Filipinos had
provided the American forces with valuable intelligence and military support.
However, the United States later distanced itself from the interests of the
Filipino insurgents. Aguinaldo was unhappy that the United States would not
commit to paper a statement of support for Philippine independence. Relations
deteriorated and tensions heightened as it became clear that the Americans were
in the islands to stay. Hostilities broke out after two American privates on
patrol killed three Filipino soldiers in San Juan. This incident sparked the
Philippine-American War, which would cost far more money and took far more lives
than the Spanish-American War. Malolos, the revolutionary capital, was captured
on March 31, 1899. Aguinaldo and his government escaped however, establishing a
new capital at San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. Aguinaldo was captured at Palanan,
Isabela on March 23, 1901 and was brought to Manila. Convinced of the futility
of further resistance, he swore allegiance to the United States and issued a
proclamation calling on his compatriots to lay down their arms, officially
bringing an end to the war. However, sporadic insurgent resistance continued in
various parts of the Philippines, especially in the Muslim south, until 1913.
The United States defined its territorial mission as one of tutelage, preparing
the Philippines for eventual independence. A Philippine Constabulary was
organized to deal with the remnants of the insurgent movement and gradually
assume the responsibilities of the United States Army. The elected Philippine
Assembly was inaugurated in 1907.
It was only after World War 2 and the Japanese Occupation that Philippines was
on its way to Independence. Elections were held in April 1946, with Manuel Roxas
becoming the first president of the independent Republic of the Philippines. The
United States ceded its sovereignty over the Philippines on July 4, 1946, as
scheduled.
Filipino (formerly Pilipino) is based on Tagalog and is the official language of the Philippines. Inspite of being the national language, only about 55% of Filipinos speak the language. In addition to Filipino are about 111 distinct indigenous languages and dialects, of which only about 10 are important regionally.
English is generally used for educational, governmental and commercial purposes and is widely understood since it is the medium of instruction in schools. The Philippines are the third largest group of English speaking people in the world, after the United States and the United Kingdom.
Since English is widely spoken in the Philippines, it is common to hear Filipinos use a mixture English and Filipino words or phrases, known as "Taglish" (a mixture of English and Tagalog), in their everyday conversations. A steadily dwindling minority still speak Spanish, which had at one time been an official language.
Along with your teaching contract, comes a medical coverage provided by the school you are attached to. Health Insurances in the Philippines usually cover employees of private and public offices. Health care benefit is offered as part of the employment package. Quite a number of insurance companies mushroom all over the country that caters to any type of insurance need. In case, your medical insurance provided by your school is basic and you want a more comprehensive package especially if you are going to be travelling and teaching, you can get one from your place or an insurance policy in the Philippines for the purpose of your stay. In acquiring a policy from your own place, make sure that it is duly accredited in the hospitals within the Philippines or if it gives you the same benefits as you have it in your place. You have to remember not all the hospitals, doctor's clinic or laboratories have an international link or affiliations that can possibly accept or accommodate your insurance coverage. To avoid so much hassle it would be best to acquire a separate policy during your stay in the Philippines, anyway, there are a lot of insurance packages tailored fit to your needs. You must also remember that most of the hospitals, clinics and laboratories require patients to pay on cash.
The Philippines is a country with a blend of many cultures: Malay, Chinese,
American, Spanish and Arab. With a population of about 70 million people, it is
hard to distinguish the true culture of any one person there. As a result of the
past Western colonial rule, with influx of traders and merchants, a unique blend
of east and west emerged among the locals in appearance and culture. The
Filipinos are divided geographically and culturally into regions with each
regional group being recognizable through distinct traits and dialects. There
are the llocanos in the north, Tagalogs in the central plains, Visayans from the
central islands and the colourful tribesmen and religious Moslems of Mindanao.
Tribal communities can be found scattered across the archipelago. The
Philippines has more than 111 dialects spoken, owing to the subdivisions of
these basic regional and cultural groups. The Filipinos are harmonious in their
interaction with people and respect the spirit of kinship and camaraderie.
Hospitality is a common denominator in the Filipino character and this is what
distinguishes the Filipino.
The Filipinos are probably one of the few, if not the only, English-proficient
Oriental people today. In Philippines, there are over 170 languages and almost
all of them belong to the Austronesian language family. However, only 2
languages are considered official in the country. These are Pilipino and
English. About 91.5% of people are Christian Malays, 4% Muslim Malays, 1.5%
Chinese and other ethnic groups form 3% of the population. As such, Christianity
is widely practiced in Philippines.
Arts and entertainment form an integral part of the lives of the Filipinos. In
fact, the locals are always on the lookout for fun. Filipino cultural arts cover
a variety of forms of entertainment. Music in the Philippines comes in various
styles and some of the contemporary forms of music include rock and hip hop. Of
course, there is also the traditional Filipino folk music played with indigenous
instruments. Weaving is popular with the northern mountain Filipinos. Pottery
was also common in pre-Hispanic societies. Ornate carvings are found in the
southern Philippine islands. Similarly, wooden art is also quite popular and is
displayed in various parts of the home. Filipinos have unique folk dances like
tinikling where assistants take two long bamboo sticks and rapidly and
rhythmatically clap them together while dancers artistically and daringly try to
avoid getting their feet smashed between them. Other parts of Philippines have
other forms of dances.
Cuisine in the Philippines is also varied. You can find delectable offerings of
Chinese and Spanish flair. Barbecue is also popular, along with the staple rice
and vegetables cooked in vinegar and garlic. Tropical fruit is abundant and you
will find in the cuisine and in desserts, along with crème caramel. A typical
Filipino meal consists of at least one viand (ulam in Tagalog) served with
boiled or fried rice (kanin), which is eaten much like Westerners eat potatoes.
Other dishes include afritada, asado, chorizo sausages (used in pancit or fried
rice), corn, fish or pork, cooked in vinegar and water with some spices like
garlic and pepper and omelette.
To be able to teach in Philippines, you must have the passion to share your knowledge with others as well as to infuse in a new culture. You should have a minimum BA degree and commitment to teaching, love the Philippines and its people. You should also speak clear English and have a good knowledge of the fundamentals of English grammar. A TEFL certificate is strongly appreciated. A TEFL certificate gives you the confidence to teach a group of people, provides an insight into the teaching methodology which will surely make you a teacher. Many children start learning English from a young age. As such, your challenge would be when you teach in rural schools, where the children have limited knowledge of the language.
Western Union is a good and reliable company to head to should you wants to transfer from Philippines to your home country. You can check the locations near you in Philippines from the following website: http://www.westernunion.ph
Always ensure that you visit authorized agents when transferring money from Philippines overseas. Also check on limits or restrictions that may be in place. Western Union is a good and reliable company to head to should you wants to transfer from Philippines to your home country. You can check the locations near you in Philippines from the following website: http://www.westernunion.ph
Always ensure that you visit authorized agents when transferring money from Philippines overseas. Also check on limits or restrictions that may be in place.
When you travel, make your packages as simple and compact as possible. Carrying a light pack will ease your trip, make it more comfortable and let you fully enjoy the pleasures of travelling when you get the time.
Materials/Documents
• Don't forget your valid visa and passport, your identity card, as well as
maybe some of yours certificate photos and other important documents or
materials needed for your travel. Put them into a sturdy and waterproof bag and
have them readily available.
• Do not forget any tickets you bought or booked in advance, for planes, trains
or ships, and other admission tickets.
• Some paper, a pen, notebook and memo book could be handy especially since you
will be engaging in a whole lot of teaching. Remember to bring a phone/address
list of your families, relatives and friends in case of an emergency.
• Make a card on which there is your personal information, including your full
names, nationality, home phone and address, in case you are ever in trouble.
• Bring your printed itinerary. A guidebook is also helpful for you to know more
about your destinations and will save time when traveling.
• You can also bring teaching material that you might have to introduce in the
classrooms
Clothes
• Try to bring clothes appropriate for the weather. Philippines ia a tropical
country so you will never need winter clothes.
• Take leisurewear which will keep you relaxed and comfortable when you travel
or sightsee, like jackets, sportswear, jogging shoes and playsuit. Bring several
T-shirts and cool pants. Do not forget to bring sunglasses, suntan oil, and a
summer hat. Finally, rainwear and an umbrella are good protection on rainy days.
• Include some clothes for those more formal occasions you may want to attend,
such as a show, banquet or cruise.
• When in the classroom, formality is expected. So do bring clothes to suit the
classroom.
First-aid Kit
• Prepare some drugs for routine and emergency use, including antibiotics,
antidepressants, antihistamine, Aspirin, vitamins, acetaminophen, essential
balm, anti-allergic preparations, remedy for dysentery and diarrhea and antacid
for indigestion.
• Take along your case history (medical record) and put it into your first-aid
kit. That may be helpful when you go to see a doctor.
Personal Effects
• Money is necessary. Bring your wallet and carry it with you all the time. In
your wallet have some cash, traveler’s checks or bank cards that can be used in
Philippines.
• Take a camera with enough films, memory cards and batteries. Sometimes an
electric adapter, transformer and plug converter are essential.
Diving
The Philippines is reputed as one of the best destinations for diving. With an
amazing diversity of more than 800 types of colorful corals and large variety of
marine life beneath the sea, the diving experience will be an unforgettable one.
There are a number of dive sites throughout the islands that suit either
beginners or expert divers. The best known of these are Batangas, Boracay, Cebu,
Mindoro and Palawan, most of which are within easy-reach from Manila.
See some sights
The Philippines is blessed with a beautiful environment and skilful people who
have created some beautiful structures in the world. Some of these sites include
the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banaue Rice Terraces, the Baroque-style
Philippine World Heritage site churches, etc. One can also visit the smallest
active volcano in the world, the Taal Volcano in Batangas.
Chill at the beaches
With 7,107 islands, and a coastline twice the length of that of the United
States, the Philippines can claim to be Asia's Beach Capital. Enjoy the warm
crystal blue waters of both the China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Mention the
Philippines and images of long, white sand beaches and bodies of water blessed
with a variety of marine life come to mind. Some of the famed beaches are
Boracay, Panglao, El Nido and Honda bay.
Visit Bohol
To get in touch with the animal kingdom at its best, do make a trip to one of
Philippines’ wonders. Here at Bohol, you will find one of the smallest known
primates known as the Trasier. The tarsier is about 15 cm in height, between 115
and 130 in weight and also has huge and steady eyes. These are specially
protected and are considered to be part of the country’s natural heritage. Bohol
is, however, best known for its Chocolate Hills, its most famous attraction. It
is not man-made and is a true beauty of nature. The hills look like a woman’s
full breast and are uniform in shape. They are mostly covered with grass and
turns chocolate brown during the dry season. Its height is about 30-50 meters.
It is estimated that there are about 1,268 hills in the area. It’s an amazing
view that you should not miss to see.
