A TikTok video that supposedly exhibits the dwindling proficiency of Filipinos in English — one of the country’s official languages — has had the internet debating whether this was indicative of an educational crisis, or if we should stop using English as a measurement of intelligence.
A video posted by TikTok user @dash_in_sgp on Monday shows a group of Filipinos lining up to guess how certain words are pronounced for a chance to win prize money. The clip shows the contestants scratching their heads as they attempt to pronounce words such as “tough,” “though,” “vineyard,” and “chassis.” The video has racked up over 580,000 views.
Twitter user @hiram_ryu reposted the clip, writing, “Considering the fact that English is one of two official languages of the Philippines, this is really sad and very alarming. It’s either something’s really wrong with the current Philippine educational system, they are too lazy to go to school, or both.”
PauloMDtweets seemed to echo those sentiments, writing, “Those words are usually used in class, regularly read in textbooks or used by teachers during lectures. Why is it as if schools are falling short?”
“Please tell me this was done in jest and for clout,” another said.
Yet those sentiments did not sit well with some netizens, who thought their takes seemed out of touch.
“Tweets like this sometimes make me wonder how ignorant privileged or bourgeoisie Filipinos are about the realities in public schools. Try to interact with them and you’ll know why,” one wrote.
“The only reason you find this alarming is probably because you’re one of the many people who still consider English language as basis of intelligence,” another pointed out.
“Whenever i see shit takes like these, I remember that Messi doesn’t speak a single ounce of English and yet he is considered the GOAT. It’s not cool shaming these kids,” one said.
