Tagalog learning class opens at Eskwelahang Munti

THE Tagalog learning class at the Eskwelahang Munti (Little School) had just opened at the Asian Library in downtown, Charlotte, North Carolina

Gloria Cagadas-Grifenhagin, a retired school teacher of the Charlotte Mecklenburg  School (CMS) said the Tagalog class had four adult students so far. The two-hour class starts at 10 am and ends at noon.

Sometimes class is held at her home, Grifenhagin said. “The Tagalog learning class is open to any Americans or anyone interested to learn the Tagalog language,” she said.

In the 1930s, it was decided that Tagalog would serve as the basis for the national language of the Philippines; this language was called “Wikang Pambansa” (literally “National Language”).

Learning another language for kids is good since people easily retain knowledge and memory of another language in childhood. Adults can also benefit from learning a second language in order to exercise their brains, Grifenhagin said.

She said there is a study that shows that adults learning another language can help stall dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  

Classes are free of charge. The class meets twice a month for two hours either at the Asian Library or at the Grifenhagin home./Susan Palmes-Dennis