Learning Language from Audio Books
Filipino, being the national language of the Philippines, can be understood and spoken all over the archipelago. In a country with different dialects in every province, learning Filipino is critical but can sometimes be difficult for some students, particularly those who come from provinces with a different dialect.
With media and technology, learning Filipino or any other language might actually become much easier.
Language classes
Filipino is the nationalized version of Tagalog, a word derived from “taga-ilog” or river dweller. In 1937, Tagalog was selected as the basis of the national language by the National Language Institute.
In learning a language, it is very logical to learn it by listening and by speaking. People in other countries learn a new language through audio tapes, and movies sometimes show them repeating back words to themselves while listening to voices in their earphones.
Similarly, learning the Filipino language can be improved by going beyond simply speaking Filipino in class.
There are several high schools that have speech laboratories, where teachers can record, correct and grade students based on their English or Filipino speaking skills.
But a newer alternative for schools who wish to listen to words being pronounced is through audio books. They are highly portable, so the class can listen to lessons at home, in the library and around campus. Digital audio books can be played on mp3 players and mobile phones as well, so there would be no need for an actual laboratory.
Most audio book language lessons are in listen and repeat formats. But given that students are already exposed to Filipino, perhaps they could benefit more if they listened to audio book versions of Philippine literature, from Florante at Laura to the translated Rizal books, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
Sample audio books
With audio books becoming more and more popular today, there are also several websites where you can download audio book files from.
Learn Out Loud is one such website, dedicated to the use of audio and video educational material. Instead of just staring into space while commuting or doing chores, they encourage everyone to learn instead.
The website has a catalog of over 7,000 audio and video titles. It also has articles, community blog, forums, newsletter and podcast.
Their audio books can be downloaded to any portable audio player, or saved as audio files in the computer to be played in class using speakers.
Hopefully, audio books in Filipino will become readily available online as well.
Sources:
“About us.” Retrieved August 2, 2009 from
http://www.learnoutloud.com/About-Us
“Teach Yourself Tagalog - Audio Book.” Retrieved August 2, 2009 from
http://www.thehouseofoojah.com/audiobooks/ccp0-prodshow/teach-yourself-tagalog-audio-cd-book.html
(Published 17 August 2009, Smart Communications, Inc.)
