Mayrknoll Institute of Language and Culture

The Institute is located on the corner of Doña Asuncion St. and Imperial St. in Barrio Pampanga, Davao City off J.P. Laurel Km. 8. It is near the Church of St. Joseph the Worker Parish and Our Lady of Victory Training Center.

A core group of well-trained experienced language informants who are all native Cebuano and Tagalog speakers with 10 years or more of experience in the Institute's proven method comprise the full time staff.

The Institute consists of an air-conditioned lecture room and library, sheds for individual language practice sessions, a fully equipped air-conditioned language laboratory and a pantry. The Institute uses video CDs in teaching. Coffee and tea are available.

The training session hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are 9 periods of 30 minutes each. There is one period for grammar class, four periods of individual private language practice with a language informant, two listening periods with audio players provided in the air-conditioned language laboratory, and two study periods. There is also a merienda (snack) break in the morning and before lunch a period for cultural input or the celebration of the Eucharist. From noon to 1:30 p.m. there is a lunch and rest break (language trainees provide for their own lunch).

Language trainees are expected to be serious about their study, motivated to learn and to attend all training sessions and activities. They should use well their time for study and should not be absent to attend meetings or seminars, entertain visitors, etc. Absences and disruptions are detrimental to language learning.

Cebuano and Tagalog are taught using English as the base language. The method of instruction is based on the practices and principles of second language learning.

As far as possible, individual instruction is the norm. For each two periods of individual private language practice sessions the language trainee has one listening practice period and one study period which allows for maximum benefit from the individual instruction.

Language is primarily speech. So all language practice sessions except the grammar period are made up of only one or two language trainees and one language informant (teacher) so the language trainee actually speaks and hears the language.

Language is a set of habits formed by constant repetition. Continued repetition and practice are reinforced through the scheduled use of the provided language-pattern listening in the language laboratory.

One does not learn a language without learning the culture of the speakers of that language. There is a well-stocked library available for cultural research. A wide range of cultural topics and history are presented through videotapes. Lecturers are invited to speak on different aspects of Filipino culture and values.

Registration is made by contacting the Administrator as soon as possible or at least two months before the intended course. An application form will be sent to you to be filled out and returned. The Administrator will confirm enrollment for each language trainee. These provisions are necessary for the contracting of language informants (teachers) and the setting of schedules and enrollment quotas.

This Institute is an apostolate of the Maryknoll Fathers, Inc. We request a donation towards this apostolate of P3,800 (Phil Peso) a week for each week of the enrolled course. At present all donations must be made in the peso amount due to fluctuations in the exchange rate.

There are textbooks for all courses and donations will be asked for these. The total requested should not exceed P2,700 (Phil Peso). There are dictionaries, Bibles and additional materials available for language trainees who wish to acquire them.

Depending on the need the requested donation could change.

The Institute only offers training sessions during the day. Language trainees are responsible for their own accommodations and transportation to and from the Institute.