Tagalog Language Training Key Terms

Learn the key terms used in Tagalog language training

By B. Lumadue

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.

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: See MTS Allstream for a Tagalog pronunciation guide.