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I've read several comments about people saying that their sponsored children in the Phillipines write to them in English. I'm kind of a language-y person (not that you'd know it from that word, haha) and I've had some trouble simplifying my letters for ease of translation, so I thought it might be neat to sponsor a child sometime who might understand the English without needing translation. In looking through the available children in the Phillipines, though, I couldn't find a single one with English as a listed language, in spite of all of the people talking about it like it's a common thing. I also thought India might have a shot - but same thing, all Bengali or Urdu. I seem to remember maybe finding one with both their native language and English listed, though I don't remember the country it was in. Certainly a far cry from the connotation of how they practically all learn it in school, etc. Is English sometimes just not listed on a child's profile? Am I missing something?

Thanks for any responses :)

The filipino children do not have English listed because it's not the language spoken at home. However, it is the language they're taught in schools. They learn it very early on (we've had five and six year olds writing letters in English) and it's the official educational language. So none of them will have it listed under languages since that's really for languages they're speaking at home (and completely fluent in) and not what languages they know in any capapcity. Does that make sense?

I don't know any kids in India that write in English though so if that's what you're looking for I wouldn't look there. I know some of the Zambian kids do, but if you want a guarantee for English you should sponsor from the Philippines.

Middle-class Indians "all learn it at school," with varying degrees of success. And I think university classes are supposed to be taught in it. In the disadvantaged population, the rural kids are exposed to it at school, but most probably don't become comfortable with it because they don't hear it outside. (From pictures I've seen, however, English signage is widely used, even on farms to label fields. So even uneducated Indian farm workers probably recognize certain words.)

My first sponsored child, Rina, did write me one letter in English when she was in the later years of high school. I imagine Moumita and Anwesha (and possibly Jharna) were able to verify the translations of my letters for herself, but none ever attempted to write me in English. (Although I think it would be a good exercise if they did, so CI should probably encourage them to do so.)

The city kids probably get more daily exposure to spoken English, and are more likely to actually be able to manage conversations (simple ones, at least). But writing English might be a different story.

I agree with neuilly and musigal - although it is not listed in the child's profie, he/she most likely can speak and write (or at the very least understand) in English. English is the language used in school, television and businesses in the Philippines. It is just as common as speaking Filipino.

my cha-cha from the Pholippines has beautiful handwriying and speaks, and writes better than I do. No it was not listed,, just a very pleasant surprise.

All of my children from the Philippines thus far have written to me in English. I noticed that one of my girls was initially listed as speaking only Filipino, but a year after she began high school her report changed to include both Filipino and English.

It was interesting to observe the way her fluency improved over the years through the letters she wrote! I, too, am a language-y person, so I particularly enjoyed this aspect of having children who write in English. =)

My Sankari from India is 18 and in her second year of college. I believe English proficiency is required to get into college, but aside from writing her name and mine "Dear _____," she has never tried to write me letters in English. I don't know why not, unless she is afraid that any mistake will make a bad impression. I hope that she decides to stay in touch after she graduates CI, in which case her writing English would probably become a necessity.

I know this is an older post and already answered but I have a friend that lived in the Philippines most of her life, she explained once (when I asked how she knew english so good) that at school they have to speak english- or at least the one she was at. And if she was caught by teachers not talking english they would have to give tokens (or something, I didn't understand that part) to the teachers that caught them.

Follow-up on the English question:

Yes, from what I've heard, the Philippines kids speak English and that should be the best bet for writing in English. As for Zambia, I believe they know at least some English since I am in group sponsorships for 2 Zambian kids, Paul and Mirriam, now both 12. I started with Paul's group when he was 11, and he had only just been able to start school when our group helped him, but the first thank-you letter was written by him, in English. I was very impressed. Both Paul and Mirriam write us group sponsors in English.

On this note, my new girl is too young for school (3), so I'm sure she is speaking Filipino. However, since English is so common, would I be safe to assume that her parents would be able to read her a toddler book I send? Books are so important and it might help her once she starts school?

@jlynn714: If her parents went to school or she has older siblings or cousins, someone would defintely be able to read to her in English.

No way of knowing about the parents reading skills (it would be difficult for our staff to ask the parents without it being insulting), but English is common in the PI and the children typically have extended families of relatives nearby that can read English and can help.

Another tip is when you get their Welcome Letters see who wrote them and if they are written in English or Tagalog

I completely understand the difficulty about not making it insulting! I didn't realize Kirstine has so many people in her household. Phew! (An aside, is their $93 income total for all ten people??)

I know I could wait until I get their welcome letters...just a little enthusiastic to get going, but maybe I should to be sure. Thanks so much!