Young Chinese see Filipinos as class act

Editor's note: This news column showcases stories from around the world that bring a touch of positivity to the fight against the deadly coronavirus.

MANILA－Pearl Ann Chua-Razon, 30, who worked in the cabin crew for Philippine Airlines Express for more than eight years, was made redundant in March as COVID-19 grounded air travel around the world.

With an 11-month-old daughter and mounting bills to pay, Razon searched for jobs for about three months until she chanced upon a Facebook post seeking home-based English teachers for 51Talk, an online education enterprise in China.

"I needed a job to help with family expenses. I need to help my husband in our expenses now that we have a baby," Razon said.

Undaunted by her lack of teaching experience, Razon, who has a degree in tourism management and is proficient in English, submitted her application and landed a job with the education platform.

She has joined more than 25,000 other Filipinos in providing a learning experience for young Chinese.

The Philippines, where most of the population have at least some degree of fluency in English, is the leading source of online teachers for Chinese students on the platform.

Jack Huang, founder and chief executive of 51Talk, said he and his co-founders conducted a lot of research in setting up the platform. As part of that effort, they looked into where they could find the best English teachers who would be the right fit for the young learners in China.

Their research led them to the Philippines. Huang said that, aside from the English proficiency of most Filipinos, they are naturally jolly and patient.

Cultural melting pot

"They are also familiar with both Asian and Western cultures since the country is a cultural melting pot. The Philippines and China are also in the same time zone, so students and teachers have no trouble scheduling the lessons," Huang said.

He said students "have grown to love Filipino teachers because they are not only fun and engaging, but they also take the time to listen and empathize".

Huang added: "They also correct the mistakes lovingly and are very encouraging. The Chinese parents, on the other hand, have developed newfound respect and trust for Filipino teachers because of their skills and ability to educate their children efficiently."

Razon said the job has been emotionally and financially rewarding.

Nearly five months into the job, Razon is getting the knack of online teaching.

"I still have to adjust depending on the student from time to time. But I can say I am enjoying teaching online now," she said.

Razon teaches an average of 10 students a day. "Our earnings here depend on the number of students you teach. So you can open as many slots you want," she said.

And because of her love for kids, Razon said she enjoys teaching Chinese children. "It is fun talking to these cute children. There is excitement. There is enthusiasm. Their eagerness to learn, their innocence, and positivity affect me in a good way," Razon said.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said the booming online education and digital industries in China have "cultivated new modes of win-win cooperation" between China and the Philippines.

Xinhua