Online ESL firm opens physical school in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - A web-based English-as-Second-Language company has opened a physical school in Cebu to take advantage of the rising demand for ESL services here.

One-to-One English, jointly owned by a Filipino and foreign investors recently opened its doors to tap the residing and visiting tourists seeking for good ESL school.

According to the school's academic director Jane Kim, One to One English started as an online ESL school offering classes to Koreans and Japanese five years ago, however the face-to-face demand cannot be overlooked.

One to One English opened in May this year at One Paseo Saturnino along Maria Luisa Road in Banilad, Cebu City.

According to Kim although there is also a good market size in the online ESL service, the unstable internet connection in Cebu has greatly affected its business.

Korean parents also who are now in Cebu for business cannot find a school where their young children can study English for the whole day.

"What they find here mostly are those that offer only a few hours. Korean parents really put importance to education especially English skills which is a requirement now in Korea," she said.

Accredited by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Bureau of Immigration, the school now offers flexible ESL classes, as well as kindergarten education program.

Aside from Koreans, the school also gained interest from other non-English speaking nationalities like German and Japanese students.

"We only have six to eight students per class here and we also accept play groups for the younger ones like the two year olds," added Kim.

In Cebu, there are already many foreign nationals who have established businesses here bringing along their families purposely to take ESL classes.

At least 20,000 Koreans are now residing in Cebu doing businesses at the same time learning good English.

Lower cost of ESL classes compared to other countries is the main reason why foreigners come to the Philippines to learn English, aside from the good disposition of Filipino teachers and the inviting tropical environment.

In separate interview earlier with economist Bernardo Villegas he said that the 100 thousand Koreans who are living in the Philippines, is a good market to tap.

ESL, Villegas said is another sunrise industry that Filipinos should take advantage of, after-all "we are known for our English fluency."