LFC lead teacher Junart Nieva drills the students with some language exercises at the LFC’s Gloucester classroom. Photo by London Filipino Centre CIC

15 January 2019 LONDON—Due to the rise in demand for Filipino language classes in the United Kingdom (UK), the London Filipino Centre CIC (LFC) in partnership with Filipino Association Gloucestershire recently launched a series of Filipino language classes in Gloucestershire, which is set to run until July 2019.

Close to 30 students from Gloucester, Tewkesbury, and Cheltenham aged eight to 15 made up the first batch. Majority of the students are second and third generation Filipinos who were born in the UK.

“I feel empowered with the enthusiasm that the parents and children are showing,” said Junart Nieva, LFC lead teacher and one of the group’s directors. “Talagang gusto nila matuto (The really want to learn).”

According to Raymond Padilla, the president of Filipino Association Gloucestershire, the availability of Filipino language classes in Gloucestershire is a dream come true. The Filipino language classes held in Gloucester is the first of its kind to be established outside London.

“Learning a language is a vital aspect in deepening one’s understanding about a particular culture,” said Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo. “By making our language more accessible to everyone in the United Kingdom, we are inviting them to learn more about our culture, our heritage, and our way of perceiving the world.”

LFC was established in 2016 by Ricardo Patriarca with classes held at Kingston University and Notting Hill for children and adults, respectively.

Apart from Filipino Centre CIC, other groups and institutions also offer Filipino language classes such as SOAS University of London, Language Trainers, and Philippine Generations, aside from the availability of independent language teachers. Language books on Filipino and Tagalog for independent learners are also available in major bookstores in the UK. END

Filipino and Tagalog language materials are currently available in major bookstores in the UK. Photo by Stacy Garcia