It's a good idea to learn to speak Tagalog, one of the most important languages in the Philippines, if you're planning to travel to the Southeast Asian country. The Philippines, a series of islands in the western Pacific Ocean, shares two main languages - English, the language printed in most newspapers, and Tagalog, considered the national language. People speak Tagalog mostly on the island of Luzon, where the capital Manila is located.

It's fairly easy to pick up the key points of the Tagalog language, and the Filipino people will appreciate your effort to learn the language and the culture. It's interesting to note that because of a period of rule by the United States from 1899 to 1941, English became widely spoken as a second language. Nevertheless, you can learn Tagalog through a variety of Filipino language instruction resources.

When learning the Tagalog language, consider the following:

1. Choose Tagalog language instruction that suits your level, from beginner to advanced.

2. Select Tagalog language training that best suits your learning style.

3. Practice key business phrases in the Tagalog language and pick up Filipino tips on etiquette as well.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Brush up on Tagalog language for business travel

If you're conducting business in the Philippines, Tagalog language instruction can help you cross language barriers. People consider Tagalog to be a 'lingua franca' language among the Filipino people, meaning that Tagalog is often used to converse when two people do not share the same language.

I recommend: Learn some online Filipino language instruction with common Tagalog phrases that will help with business communications at Seasite of Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. Learn Tagalog phrases for business travel in the Philippines through the Rosetta Stone software program.

Make a point to learn Tagalog in the way you learn best

In order to fully learn a language, it helps to hear it, speak it and write it. Using a variety of these resources can make Tagalog language training for beginners a whole lot easier, and having a guidebook along in your pocket can help if you get in a bind.

I recommend: Learn basic Tagalog language training at Tagalog Lang, where you can hear the actual language spoken in key terms and phrases. Tagalog 1 consists of two books you can purchase that can help you learn up to 1,000 words in the Filipino language.

Find out how technology can help you learn Tagalog

Technology makes it easier than ever to learn a new language and bridge the cultural differences of a new area. Computer programs will not only help you learn to speak and write the Tagalog language, but they can translate existing English words into the Phillipino language.

I recommend: Transparent Language offers Filipino language training in the form of software products. As a computer program that can translate Tagalog language documents to the language of your choice, Translate Pro is an excellent business resource for travelers to the Philippines.

Learn to speak Tagalog, also known as Filipino or Philippino language, to expand your business into an economy bursting with new business opportunities. The Philippines' telecom and fiber optic communications industries have increased by more than 700% since 1995, and exports exploded by more than 600%. A number of manufacturers such as Intel, Toshiba and Procter & Gamble have moved production or support operations to the island nation, which has strong US ties.

The availability of Filipino language instruction has grown with the country’s economy. Whether you are a small business looking to add to your customer base or a large business looking to expand operations, Tagalog language training can improve your bottom line.

1. Learn to speak Filipino to improve communication with clients and customers and avoid costly misunderstandings.

2. Learn to speak Tagalog to increase your chances of expanding your business opportunities in a growing economy.

3. Learn Tagalog to conduct after-hours social interactions, which play a key role in Filipino business culture, with clients and prospects.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use free online Filipino language instruction and software

If you only need to master the basics to speak Tagalog for a business trip or to conduct a simple transaction, you can find basic Tagalog training software kits or online modules. This minimal cost and time investment may teach you to speak Tagalog well enough to close the deal at hand.

I recommend: Northern Illinois University’s Southeast Asian website provides a number of Tagalog language instruction modules to get you up to speed on language basics as well as Philippine business culture. BYKI language software offers a free Filipino language training package with support for mobile devices. The free software can be upgraded for a nominal cost.

Purchase Tagalog language training courses

If you know you will be looking to develop an ongoing presence in the Philippines, or are looking forward to working with Philippine investors, pre-packaged professional training courses can take you well beyond the basics. Training courses ship with audio CDs and other training materials that you can access and review whenever you need.

I recommend: The Pimsleur Tagalog course provides 30 audio lessons with support materials to immerse you immediately in Tagalog conversations. Rosetta Stone offers beginning and intermediate Tagalog lessons along with quarterly online subscriptions to help you learn Tagalog and keep you in practice.

Enroll in Tagalog language classes for more personalized instruction and in-depth training

If you need to conduct business on a long-term or day-to-day basis, packaged language modules won't give you the fluency you need to learn Filipino. You will want to work with language instructors, onsite or online, who can tailor your lessons to meet your business' immediate needs.

I recommend: You may be able to find Tagalog classes in your area, but most likely you will need to contract with individual teachers. Search Language-School-Teachers.com for Filipino language teachers who can keep in contact with video and chat links. Berlitz is probably the best known languages school, and their corporate services package includes cultural consulting and onsite training.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even though Tagalog is the official national language, business is usually conducted in English. You will probably be able to do business without mastering Tagalog if you aren't planning on establishing long-term business connections. Social conversation may be conducted in a mixture of Tagalog, English, Spanish and even various Chinese dialects.

When you are in the market for Tagalog Language Training, pricing and costs should not be the only consideration. Ask yourself why you want to learn the Filipino, or Phillipino, language. Is it for personal pleasure, to communicate with friends or family members, to make your travels easier, or to close business deals? Each of these objectives will require a different level of Tagalog language instruction.

Next, you need to decide how you learn best. Before purchasing Tagalog language training, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do I learn better on my own or in a group?

2. Would I prefer online Filipino language instruction?

3. Would I do best with a total immersion course to learn Tagalog?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn to speak Tagalog using software

Many people prefer to learn to speak Filipino on their own time. To make it easier, purchase a Filipino language instruction course that can be installed on your desktop or laptop or use online language instruction.

I recommend: Rosetta Stone has a variety of programs to fit your budget. They range from $200 to more than $500 and can be done via computer and online. The more expensive program offers three levels of learning. Transparent Language offers a less expensive software that can provide some conversational basics for under $70.

Consider CDs for your Filipino language training

Hearing the spoken language is one of the best ways to learn a new language and the Tagalog language is no exception. CDs that allow you to listen and respond help you learn how to speak Tagalog and reinforce your language skills through repetition. Most are geared for travelers and introduce basic Tagalog phrases and sentences you might need during a visit.

I recommend: Pimsleur is one of the most popular language programs for travelers. It offers a set of basic CDs for under $50 as well as a more comprehensive course for about $200. Learn Tagalog Now has four CDs and printable lesson booklets for about $30.

Select books or translation tools to increase your knowledge of the Filipino language

If you need to translate Tagalog documents or letters, opt for books or other translation tools to help you learn the Filipino language. You can easily look up words you don't know and increase your visual vocabulary of the language.

I recommend: Seasite of Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, offers free online dictionaries, vocabulary and lessons for both beginners and more advanced speakers. Tagalog 1 sells two books for $45 that help you learn Filipino vocabulary. Beginning Tagalog: A Course for Speakers of English, an excellent resource for learning the language, is available at Amazon.com for about $30.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you prefer group language instruction, look for a college or university near you that offers a Tagalog language class. Instructors may be native speakers and can also help you learn Tagalog expressions and culture.

Tagalog is one of the most common languages of the Philippines. It's helpful to learn Tagalog if you plan to visit the Philippines, are involved with some of the many growing business opportunities there, or work with support and production operations based in the Philippines. Your planned level of expertise in the Tagalog language depends on how much contact you'll have with potential customers and business associates. There are many resources for learning Tagalog, from free basic courses on the Internet to advanced training through conventional or distance learning schools. Get to know some of the key terms used in Tagalog language training to get an overview, define your learning needs and find a program that is right for you.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Lingua franca

Tagalog is a lingua franca -- a language used to communicate between people in a country where residents don't share the same language. Tagalog, while not the only language spoken in the Philippines, is the most used lingua franca in the Philippines since it is taught in every school.

I recommend: The Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University provides more of an explanation of Tagalog as a lingua franca, as well as detailed information about the Tagalog language.

Mnemonics

Many language teaching methods use mnemonics. Mnemonics is basically using images or sounds to link a word in your native language to a word in a foreign language.

I recommend: See the Mind Tools website for a thorough explanation of mnemonics, with examples.

Immersion

Elementary and secondary schools and some training programs for adults use language immersion as a teaching tool. Instead of just learning the language in a single course, students are 'immersed' in the second language, using it to learn other subjects or in extra-curricular activities like meals and games.

I recommend: The Center for Applied Linguistics explains what immersion is and how it works.

Software

Some Tagalog training programs use software that can either be downloaded or installed from a CD. The software provides additional methods to learning than reading and hearing, like games and audio MP3s.

I recommend: See Byki from Transparent Language for a full description of its Tagalog training software programs.

Basics

Learn basics like greetings and phrases if you only need a quick introduction to Tagalog. This is a good alternative for someone making infrequent travels to the Philippines or dealing only occasionally with Filipino customers or business associates.

I recommend: See Tagalog Lang for the top Tagalog greetings, phrases and words.

Pronunciation

No matter what level of Tagalog language skills you want to reach, proper pronunciation is a basic skill. Almost all vowels and consonants are pronounced differently in Tagalog than they are in English. Tagalog also has letters and sounds not found in the English language.

I recommend: See MTS Allstream for a Tagalog pronunciation guide.