CCCI backs bid to position Cebu as ESL hub of Asia

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) joins Cebu Business Club (CBC) in its advocacy to position Cebu as an “English as Second Language” hub in Asia.

CCCI president Samuel Chioson said that the Chamber is willing to support CBC if ever their cooperation is needed to initiate programs to push Cebu as an international ESL hub.

“If there’s anything we can do to help in this advocacy we are willing to work with CBC,” Chioson said.

Earlier, CBC president Dondi Joseph said that the organization will initiate the formation of a formal group to maximize Cebu’s potential as an international ESL hub.

“We have a huge potential, we will not waste this opportunity. CBC will invite stakeholders in this sector, like the international and local universities, the Department of Education and accreditation bodies to officially make Cebu as an ESL hub in the Philippines,” Joseph said.

Although, a number of schools and informal institutions offering ESL courses already exist, there is a need for Cebu to quantify and provide a formal accreditation to these institutions to maintain a high standard for this promising educational product.

While Koreans, Chinese, and Arabs have already learned the capability of Cebu in providing top notch quality ESL, Cebu should not limit on these markets, as there are a lot of nationalities around the world wanting to learn good English, specifically in Asian countries.

Positioning Cebu as an international ESL hub is one of the potentials that have not been given utmost attention by some sectors, including the government.

In this connection, Joseph said CBC will form a group that will focus solely on the positioning of Cebu as an ESL hub. The group will also encourage the participation of key organizations and government agencies.

Like Joseph, Chioson also believes that Cebu has the full potential to become a preferred hub for ESL.

Joseph said Cebu also needs to provide good world-class ESL facilities, with proper accreditation from international accreditation bodies.