Perfect Holiday Getaway this Holy Week Season

Philippines is known to be a famous tourist destination because of its alluring beaches, dainty dishes, warm people, and the inexpensive lifestyle of the common people. These are also the main reasons people from other parts of Asia and Europe chose to study English in the Philippines. Taking up an English language course coupled with a breathtaking vacation is perfect for this Holy Week season.

Most foreign students taking up English language course in the Philippines are not practicing this annual religious event. For most Catholic Filipinos, this Holy Week season is a time for abstinence. But for foreign people, since most English language schools will be closed for 4 to 5 days in respect of the Holy Week season, there is a long list of perfect getaway.

Cebu itself has a lot of captivating beaches to offer. From north to south or east to west, pristine white beaches or five star resort hotels are everywhere. For those who have a thicker wallet to spend the following list maybe one of your choices:

Shangri La’s Mactan Resort and Spa
Punta Engano Road, Lapu-lapu City, Philippines

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Marigondon, Mactan Island, Lapu-lapu City, Philippines

Crimson Resort and Spa
 Seascapes Resort Town, Mactan Island, Lapu-lapu City, Philippines

Alta Cebu Village Resort and Convention Center
 Pilipog, Cordova, Philippines

Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort
Sumilon Island, Bancogon, Oslob, Cebu

There are also some beach resorts that are not so expensive yet fascinating because they are located in the provinces of Cebu. Beaches at the province are more pristine and closest to nature. You can even drop by at these public beaches as you travel along the road if you'd rather enjoy nature than having a luxurious getaway.

Alegre Beach Resort & Spa  
Calumboyan, Sogod, Cebu

 Badian Island Resort & Spa
Badian Island, Cebu, Philippines

Bantayan Island Resort
Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island

An open beach at Barili, southern part of Cebu.

Overlooking an open beach at Barili, Cebu.

Learning English is Fun and Easy!

Most educated people other than native English speakers know how to speak English. But is it pronounced in the proper way with the right accent? For people where English is scarcely used around their country especially in China, Japan, Taiwan, Russia , Korea, and Middle East countries, it is very hard to obtain English proficiency because they grew up with their own native language. Hence, people tried to study further and took up English language course at specialized ESL school since English is the only international language used. Here are some helpful tips for people learning English as second language. 

S is pronounced as Z if it is in between 2 vowel letters:
THESE or THOSE                        RESIGN
GOOSE or GEESE                       DESIGN
CLOSE                                      CLOSURE
LEASE                                       LOSE  
PLEASE                                     PLEASURE
MEASURE                                   VISUAL

Even with names like:
Reese                  Rose
Isaiah                  Asia
Desiree               Daisy

But in most cases S remained as S if it is the first letter of the word, preceded by another S, or followed by another consonant letter:
SECOND                MISSING                MISTY                             
SYSTEM                 PASSING               FASTING
SOLUTION             LESSEN                 CASTLE
SOMETHING           MISSISSIPPI            WHISTLE

C pronounced as S:
Lace               Face                  Grace
Mice              Lice                    Rice
License          Incense               Absence
Cigarette       Cinnamon            Cedar


Special case where X is pronounced as Z with G (GZ sound) if it is in between 2 vowel letters:
EXAM - [EG-ZAM]                                  EXAMPLE - [EG-ZAM-PUL]
EXIST -  [EG-ZIST]                                 EXISTING - [EG-ZIS-TING]
EXAGGERATE - [EG-ZA-JU-REYT]              EXECUTE - [EG-ZE-KYUT]
EXOTIC - [EG-ZO-TIK]                            EXERT - [EG-ZIRT] 
EXECUTIVE - [EG-ZE-KYU-TIV]                  EXILE - [EG-ZAYL]


But for words with XC it is pronounced as EKS such as:
EXCELLENT - [EK-SE-LENT]                     EXCELLENCY      
EXCEED - [EK-SEED]                              EXCEEDED
EXCESS - [EK-SES]                                 EXCESSIVE
EXCITE - [EK-SAYT]                                EXCITEMENT

Letter T is pronounced as D:
WATER - [WO-DUR]                                    MATTER - [MA-DUR]
METER - [MEE-DUR]                                    BETTER - [BE-DUR]
NATIVE - [NEY-DIV]                                    BATTERY - [BA-DU-REE] 
RESPONSIBILITY - [RE-SPöN-SI-BI-LI-DI]         LOTTERY - [Lö-DU-REE]
ABILITY - [A-BI-LI-DI]

Differentiating the A, AA, EY, and U sound: 
SAM                SOME                    SAME                  SUM
BACK              BOND                    BADE                  BUD
BANK              BLONDE                 BLADE                GUN 
LAND              COME                    CAME                 CUM
BAND              GONE                   GAME                 SUN
RAN                BLOOD                  FAME                 RUN
THAN              DONE                    LAME                 FUN
FAN                 FOND                   PANE                  SUN
GAS                TON                     TAME                  BUN
FAST               PALM                   PALE                   STUD
PASS              CALM                    MAKE                   MUD
  
Words with the same spelling but different pronunciation or meaning:
Resume - [re'zoom] - to assume or take again
Resume - [re-zu-mey] - curriculum vitae 

Record - [ri'körd] - to furnish written evidence
Record - [rekörd'] - a state or fact of being recorded

Lie - [lay] - rest or recline
Lie - [lay] - make untrue or false statement

Content - [KöN-tent] - substantive part
Content - [kön-TENT] - satisfied

Desert - [DES-sert] - arid region
Desert - [des-SERT] - to leave

Minute - [MIN-it] - sixty seconds
Minute - [may-NYUT] - tiny or very small

There are so many words to learn other than these words. There is so much fun in learning the English language and it is easy once you practice and use it everyday. One effective way of learning it fast is through reading an English book aloud while facing a mirror. Try also watching American movies and carefully examine the movement of their mouth as they speak.

How Well Do You Speak the English Language?

So you think you can speak the English language well. You believe you can speak without difficulty and can write confidently. But do you think everyone understands you? Are you sure you are speaking English with the correct pronunciation and the right accent as well as using the right words when writing? Learning the correct pronunciation and meaning is important to avoid vocabulary dissonance. Let us try to check the common words mistakenly spoken and written especially by people learning English as second language.

Accept / Except – to Accept [AKSEPT] meaning to receive, while Except [EKSEPT] and not [EGZEPT] meaning to take or leave out.

Aegis – this word is pronounced as [EE-JIS] and not [EY-JIS]. 

Accessory – don’t say [AS-SES-SORY] but [AK-SES-SORY], it has double C with the first C pronounced hard.

Anyway – the problem with this word is not so much with the pronunciation but by the addition of an S to make it sound “anyways”. Never add an S because the word is ANYWAY.

Ask – the S comes before the K so say ASK not AKS.

Cache – this is pronounced as [KASH] and not [KASHAY]. A cache is a hiding place or something that is being hidden.

Chaos – the word with CH can be pronounced in 3 different sounds in English such as [TCH] in Church, [K] in Christmas, and [SH] in Chef. But Chaos is pronounced as [KA-YOS] and not [CHA-YOS]. 

Cloth / Clothes – the first word is pronounced as [KLOTH] but the second word is pronounced as [KLOWTHZ], where the Z sound is being emphasized.

Counsel / Council – they are both pronounced the same [KAUN-SIL] but they have different meaning. Counsel means to advice while Council means a group that consults or advises.

Drowned – this is the past participle of Drown. Don’t say [DROWNDED] but say [DROWND].

Espresso – sometimes spelled as Expresso but this is pronounced as [E-SPRES-SO].

Elicit / Illicit – [I-LI-SET] - first word meaning to draw or bring out, second word meaning illegal or unlawful.

Eminent / Immanent / Imminent – [E-MIN-NENT] / [I-MEN-NENT] – Eminent means famous or respected, Immanent means inherent or intrinsic, and Imminent means ready to take place.

February – this is pronounced as [FEB-ROO-ARY] and not [FEB-YU-ARY].

Forte – this is not silent E. Say [FOR-TAY].

Its / It’s – Its means of or belonging to it, while It’s is a contraction of “it is”.

Illinois – a state in the US. Just like Arkansas, the final S is not pronounced. Say [I-LI-NOY] and [AR-KAN-SAW]. However, Kansas is pronounced as [KAN-SAS].

Lead / Led – they are both pronounced as [LED] but they have different meaning. Lead is a noun that is a type of a metal, while Led is the past tense of the verb Lead but pronounced as [LEED] meaning to guide on a way.

Lose / Loose – Lose is pronounced as [LUZ] meaning to misplace or not win, but Loose is pronounced as [LUS] meaning not tight or to release.

Niche – this is pronounced as [NEESH] and not [NITCH] that means a recess in a wall especially for a statue.

Precede / Proceed – Precede [PRI-SEED] means to come before while Proceed [PROW-SEED] means to go forward.

Pronunciation – this is commonly mistaken as "Pronounciation" since the root word is Pronounce. Say [PRO-NUN-SE-YEY-SHUN] and not [PRO-NAWN-SE-YEY-SHUN].

Stationary / Stationery – [STAY-SHU-NI-REE] - pronounced the same but the first word means standing still or immobile while the second word means a paper for writing.

Suit / Suite – Suit [SUT] is an outfit or garment, or a verb meaning to be proper for. Suite [SWEET] means a group of rooms occupied as a unit.

There / Their – [THEYR] – There indicates location, while Their is a possessive form or They.

There are lots of English words that are mispronounced and misspelled other than these written above. The best way to use it correctly is to look at its meaning at the dictionary or listen how it sounds through Merriam Webster online.

Speaking the English language properly can boost self confidence and can give you a better career or a brighter future. No matter how intelligent you are, no matter how excellent your grades were, but if you cannot speak the English language fluently during a job interview, you will lose an opportunity you might deserve to have. You will have a problem when you travel abroad as well. Learn the correct pronunciation and proper diction of the English Language at an English language school or school for ESL (English as Second Language).