Why English Proficiency Struggles in the Philippines Persist

The Language Challenge in the Philippines

By Cliff Porrs, WPS.News

January 11, 2026

Manila, Philippines – The Philippines is a country with many different languages. There are between 120 and 195 languages spoken on its 7,641 islands. A lot of people wonder why many Filipinos have trouble speaking English, even though they learn it in school from a young age. This problem happens for a few reasons, like culture, money, and how schools teach languages.

In the Philippines, English and Tagalog (called Filipino) are the official languages. But many families speak Tagalog at home. About 40% of families use Tagalog, and around 16% use Cebuano. Even though English is taught in schools, many students don’t practice it after class, making it hard for them to become good at it.

Experts say that practicing a language is very important. Many Filipinos talk mostly in their own languages every day, so they don’t get to use English much. Some people in rural areas don’t have good teachers for English, making it tougher for them. Schools often focus on grammar and writing instead of speaking and listening.

Dr. Maria Santos, a language expert, says, “The way we teach English in schools doesn’t help students practice speaking. They might know the rules, but they don’t know how to use the language in daily life.”

Culture also affects how people use languages. Many Filipinos feel connected to their own languages and don’t see English as important. They often prefer to speak in their native languages because it feels more familiar to them.

Recent studies show that not having chances to speak English makes it hard for people to get better. Learning the local language helps build friendships and understanding in the community. It’s not rude to ask why some people find it hard to speak English; it’s important to understand. Not speaking English well can make it difficult for people and their communities to connect with the world.

To help people get better at English, Dr. Santos says we need to create ways for them to practice it every day. Fun activities where people can talk and use English together could really help.

As the Philippines looks to make language learning better, schools and leaders need to balance teaching English and encouraging local languages. By helping people use English more often, we can prepare everyone to succeed in the world.

The Philippines is at an important time. It needs to value all its languages while also making sure everyone can learn and use English for new opportunities.