City offers free language class

CEBU, Philippines — A free Japanese class catering to 50 students will be held at the Cebu City Public Library on February 22.

Two Japanese teachers will conduct the introductory class at the second floor of the city library.

"Sobra na 500 ang nag-inquire, amo nang gibalibaran pero until now sige lang gihapon og tawag," Head Librarian Rosario Chua said.

After Mayor Tomas Osmeña posted about the free class on his Facebook account, inquiries and reservations came pouring in.

The post was shared over 4,000 times, and it garnered attention from social media users; some thanked the mayor for the effort, while the others gave suggestions about how to go with the classes.

Some even volunteered to teach other languages, which prompted Osmeña to offer more classes.

He posted last Tuesday that Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish language classes will also be scheduled.

"Although the February 22 class is full na, we have many people volunteering to teach additional classes in a separate session," Osmeña wrote.

Chua said there are other extensive Japanese classes scheduled on weekends by March until July.  The whole extensive classes will be good for 180 hours.

"Sa Japanese classes, daghan kaayo ang nakagusto aron kuno sila makatrabaho sa gawas," Chua added.

Majority of the interested applicants in the Japanese classes are young professionals.

Chua, however, explained that they are currently holding Korean classes which started last November 2018.  Most of the participants are senior high school students.

She added the classes for other languages will probably be catered to next month. — Isabella G. Obor, USJ-R Intern, GAN, (FREEMAN)