Should Ex Pats teach Geography?

[Mark Berkowitz]

It seems to me that most Filipinos are not aware of the world’s geography (with the obvious exception, being the Philippines).

Although I’ve repeatedly shown a virtual globe of the world to members of my wife’s family [to point out the existence and location of the world’s oceans, continents (with the names and locations of all of the countries) and islands (including the Philippines)] , I still get questions (from the very same people) that make me scratch my head—e.g., “can you drive your car from Washington, DC to Germany?”

Is it really worth the trouble to explain geography, history, etc.? It seems to me that the average Filipino prefers to be blissfully ignorant of such things. Am I alone with having this belief?

P.S. I don’t mean any disrespect to Filipinos. I am just asking for a consensus of my opinion.

[jpbago]

5 minutes ago, Mark Berkowitz said:

Is it really worth the trouble to explain geography, history, etc.? It seems to me that the average Filipino prefers to be blissfully ignorant of such things. Am I alone with having this belief?

You are not alone. The education system is lacking even for university graduates. Geography is how to get to the market from your house. History is who owes you money. Beyond that, nothing matters. Ask an OFW who has worked in Saudi for 10 years to show you Saudi on a map. Our niece thinks that Dubai is a country and she has worked there for 4 years plus used the airport at least 5 times where it must say "Welcome to UAE" after immigration.

[scott h]

16 minutes ago, Mark Berkowitz said:

I don’t mean any disrespect to Filipinos

I think its across all folks. I remember marching my guys across the boonies once and we toped a rise and could see the ocean. One of my soldiers asked if that was the Atlantic, his grandma told him about the ocean once. We were based in California at the time

[AlwaysRt]

20 minutes ago, Mark Berkowitz said:

It seems to me that most Filipinos are not aware of the world’s geography (with the obvious exception, being the Philippines).

 

 

Although I’ve repeatedly shown a virtual globe of the world to members of my wife’s family [to point out the existence and location of the world’s oceans, continents (with the names and locations of all of the countries) and islands (including the Philippines)] , I still get questions (from the very same people) that make me scratch my head—e.g., “can you drive your car from Washington, DC to Germany?”

 

 

 

Is it really worth the trouble to explain geography, history, etc.? It seems to me that the average Filipino prefers to be blissfully ignorant of such things. Am I alone with having this belief?

 

 

 

P.S. I don’t mean any disrespect to Filipinos. I am just asking for a consensus of my opinion.

 

I try to show my wife locations and she even asks sometimes. I get the feeling maybe the problem is assuming they know how to read a map? She knows what a map is and will look with me, don't think what she sees and what I see is the same information. Or maybe it is the concept of larger distances, I don't know. Makes it hard to figure out how to teach the 'missing' part.

6 minutes ago, jpbago said:

Our niece thinks that Dubai is a country and she has worked there for 4 years plus used the airport at least 5 times where it must say "Welcome to UAE" after immigration.

I believe the sign says 'squiggly line, dot dot, more squiggles, dot' (sorry, no disrespect intended, just my inability to read the language)

[scott h]

8 minutes ago, AlwaysRt said:

I try to show my wife locations

Don't feel bad, after living here 5 years, I still have to show my wife which way the comfort room is at our local SM

[Mark Berkowitz]

8 minutes ago, scott h said:

I think its across all folks. I remember marching my guys across the boonies once and we toped a rise and could see the ocean. One of my soldiers asked if that was the Atlantic, his grandma told him about the ocean once. We were based in California at the time

[Mark Berkowitz]

2 minutes ago, scott h said:

Don't feel bad, after living here 5 years, I still have to show my wife which way the comfort room is at our local SM

 

[robert k]

Absolutely not! Nor should we take them on an airplane. The more processes a person understands the less magic there is in the world.

[Jake]

1 hour ago, Mark Berkowitz said:

 

Is it really worth the trouble to explain geography, history, etc.? It seems to me that the average Filipino prefers to be blissfully ignorant of such things. Am I alone with having this belief?

P.S. I don’t mean any disrespect to Filipinos. I am just asking for a consensus of my opinion.

 

Hey Mark,

You will get no disrespect from me.  I believe it's due to the lack of interest.  Besides teaching my wife the general basic geography at least for the south western part of US, the major points of the compass is met like a carabao blinded by headlights....he, he.  

You know, the sun rises on the east and the sun set at the western horizon, over the Pacific Ocean. And therefore north of us (about 800 miles away) is San Francisco and Mexico is south us.  Huh....as the carabao yawns and drops another load on the road.  

Another wonderful day in the life of da Philippines.......

Edited June 10, 2017 by Jake

[Dave Hounddriver]

1 hour ago, Mark Berkowitz said:

Is it really worth the trouble to explain geography, history, etc.?

It is only worth it if you take the time to realize the colonial background of Philippines and realize it is very confusing when different countries have different geography and history books.

For example, picture 2 expats trying to "help" the local kids with their geography lessons. One expat is from Japan and one is from USA.  Here are the two world maps from the classrooms of those 2 expats countries. And the links to prove it. 

 Japanese world view (click for link)

 

 (I don't think a link is required as westerners are familiar with this one)

Now lets not get into the history books of the two expats as we can only imagine the different ways history is taught regarding the Philippines from a Japanese and American point of view.

Think those kids will be confused?  I would be.  We are not missionaries, coming here to convert the natives to our culture, our geography, our history.  I suggest we leave that to the filipinos to decide what to teach their kids, just like our own cultures do.  However, if an individual has a desire to go to Japan, or USA, or any other country then by all means teach them the history and geography taught in that country.