TESDA Offers Foreign Language Courses – Here’s How to Enroll
Have you ever wanted to learn a foreign language? Or are you thinking of migrating to another country for work and your job demands you to speak a different language?
Knowing how to speak a foreign language is a great skill to have. Whether you’re about to study in another country, become employed in an international corporation, or are simply curious to learn something new, this skill is guaranteed to have a lot of benefits. For starters, it adds value to your marketability as a potential employee of any workplace.
In addition to mobile apps, taking an actual foreign language course can help you have an extra edge. And fortunately, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has these options!
TESDA is the leading organization of technical-vocational careers in the Philippines. They train and accredit students who wish to hone their tech-voc skills so they can legitimately use them after graduation. They also offer more than 2000 courses, each with their own set of hours and specialties. These include skills that range from carpentry to make-up styling. There’s room for learning for everyone!
TESDA’s Language Skills Institutes offer courses that teach you how to communicate in foreign languages, and students can also learn more about these languages’ basic culture in the process. And the best part is, these classes are free!
What Criteria Should I Follow?
Before you can enroll in the foreign language course that you want, there’s a basic set of criteria that you’ll need to meet. For starters, you have to be:
- at least 18 years old
- a Filipino citizen of any gender
- a high school graduate
Keep in mind, though, that TESDA gives priority to students who are either pre-qualified to work outside the Philippines or are required to learn a foreign language in their jobs. So if you fall under either of these categories, present your certificate of employment to TESDA as proof upon registration.
Are there any requirements that I should have?
Foreign language course applicants are required to present the following documents:
- Original copy of your NSO birth certificate
- Three 1×1 ID pictures with white background;
- One 2×2 ID picture with white background;
- One long brown envelope;
- Any of the following, provided they are original copies:
- Transcript of Records
- High School OR College Diploma
- Training Certificate from a TESDA-registered course
- Certificate of Competency or National Certificate from TESDA
What Foreign Language Course Can You Enroll?
TESDA’s Language Skills Institute offers the following courses for aspiring students and also requires a corresponding number of hours to finish the course:
Course |
Number of Hours |
Basic Arabic Language and Saudi / Gulf Culture | 100 hours |
Basic Chinese Language (Mandarin) and Culture | 100 hours |
Basic Japanese Language (Nihongo) and Culture | 150 hours |
Basic Spanish Language | 100 hours |
English Proficiency for Customer Service Workers | 100 hours |
Each of these courses is only available depending on the Language Skills Institute that you’re applying for, so it’s best to inquire the branch nearest you on what courses they have before enrolling.
Some TESDA Language Skills Institutes also offer Korean courses but slots will vary depending on the availability.
TESDA Language Skills Institutes |
Address |
Contact |
Course |
Hours |
Chopil Manpower Training Institute Corp. | 3F CEGI Building, General Trias Drive, Tejeros Convention, Rosario, Cavite | 4378492 | Korean Language for EPS Program | 120 Hours |
TESDA Korea-Philippines Information Technology Training Center | RTCCL Cpd., Tabang, Guiguinto, Bulacan | (044) 704-4767 / 794-4520 | Korean Language and Culture | 80 hours |
Regional Training Center-Davao/Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center | Buhisan, Tibungko, Davao City | (082) 236-0556 / 238-0007 / 09193885250 | Korean Language and Culture | 80 hours |
How Long Are These Classes?
Foreign Language classes last for four hours every weekdays, which are all divided into morning and afternoon classes. Morning classes start from 7:30am to 11:30am, while afternoon classes last from 12:30pm to 4:30pm.
Keep in mind that TESDA Language Skills Institutes do not hold evening or weekend classes.
Enrollment is on a first-come, first served basis, so make sure to enroll as early as possible.
Where Can I Enroll?
There are dozens of TESDA Language Skills Institutes scattered around the country for students. Pick the nearest branch from this list and inquire through e-mail or by phone:
LUZON |
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Albay | San Francisco Institute of Science and Technology, Malipot, Albay | (052) 830-5093 / 830-1874 |
Baguio City | Magsaysay Drive, Loakan Rd., Baguio City | (074) 424-8724 / 305-2405 / rtcbaguio09@yahoo.com |
Batangas | P. Herrera Street, Batangas City | (043) 300-0388 / rtccalabarzon@yahoo.com |
Bulacan | MacArthur Highway, Tabang, Guiguinto, Bulacan | (044) 794-4767 / korphil_bul@yahoo.com |
Cagayan | Consuelo Village, Pengue, Tuguegarao, Cagayan | (078) 844 4224 / 846 8619 / rtc02_tesda@yahoo.com / tesdartc@yahoo.com |
Camarines Sur | San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur | (054) 477-7204 / tesdartc5@yahoo.com |
Ilocos Norte | Brgy. Lydia, Marcos, Ilocos Norte | (077) 784 7956 |
Isabela | Provincial road, Caloocan, Santiago City, Isabela | (078) 682 3924 / 682 8654 / sicat_tesda@yahoo.com |
Kalinga | Bulanao, Tabuk, Kalinga | (074) 423-2126 |
La Union | Catbangen, San Fernando City, La Union | (072) 242 5584 / 700 0613 / rtc_tesda1@yahoo.com |
Laguna | San Antonio, Biñan, Laguna | (049) 511-6133 / jzg_msat@yahoo.com |
Nueva Ecija | Old Capitol Compound, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija | (044) 463-1904 |
Oriental Mindoro | Provincial Capitol Compound, Camilmil, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro | (043) 288-2352 / tesda_ormin@yahoo.com |
Quezon City | Barangay Hall, Dahlia Street, Fairview, Quezon City | (02) 937- 4248 |
Taguig City | Building. 10, TESDA Complex, East Service Rd., South Superhighway, Taguig City | (02) 818-8062 |
VISAYAS |
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Bohol | Poblacion, Jagna, Bohol | (038) 531-0018 |
Cebu City | Archbishop Reyes Ave., Banilad, Cebu City | (032) 412-7267 / rtcvii(at)yahoo.com |
Iloilo City | Zamora St., Iloilo City | (033) 337-0739 |
Iloilo | New Lucena Polytechnic College, Don Epifacio Sonza Sr. Ave, New Lucena, Iloilo | (033) 526-2015 / 396-0562 / nlpc_8596@yahoo.com |
Northern Samar | Balicuatro College of Arts and Trades, Sabang Zone 2, Allen, Northern Samar | (055) 300-2125 / tesdabcat@yahoo.com |
Tacloban City | San Gerardo Subdivision, Brgy. Abucay, Tacloban City | (053) 321-8249 /523-9229 / tesda8rtc@yahoo.com |
MINDANAO | ||
Agusan del Sur | Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trades, Gov’t. Center, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur | (085) 343-7709 / 343-7132 / agusansat@yahoo.com |
Butuan City | Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries, Matabao, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte | (085) 343-4201 / nmsf _adn@yahoo.com |
Cagayan de Oro | Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City | (082) 742-576 / 740404 / cobsat@yahoo.com |
Cotabato City | ORC Compound, Cotabato City | (064) 421-4460 / 421-6108 / ptccot_12@yahoo.com |
Davao City | Buhisan, Tibungko, Davao City | (082) 236-0556 / 238-0007 / 09193885250 / tesdartckorphil@yahoo.com |
Davao del Sur | Carmelo de los Cientos National Trade School, Padada, Davao del Sur | (082) 272-0295 / ccnts11@yahoo.com.ph |
Iligan City | Maria Cristina Road, Maria Cristina, Iligan City | (063) 223-6541 / tesdartciligan@yahoo.com |
Maguindanao | Rebekun, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao | (064)429-0091 / rmdc@tesda-armm.ph |
Palawan | Puerto Prinsesa School of Arts and Trades – Felix Rafols, Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City | (048) 433-2224 / 433-4364 / tesda.ppsat@yahoo.com / ppsat.tesda@gmail.com |
South Cotabato | Surallah National Agricultural School, Brgy. Dajay, Surallah, South Cotabato | (083) 238-5111 / 238-3050 |
Zamboanga City | 2nd Flr. LHB Bldg. Veterans Ave. Zamboanga City | (062) 990-2959 |
San Roque, Zamboanga City | (062) 991-9586 | |
Zamboanga del Norte | Dipolog School of Fisheries, Olingan, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte | (065) 212-7248 / 212-5237 / dsf_zn9@yahoo.com.ph |
Want to learn a foreign language? Learn more technical-vocational courses for college? Or simply need more tips on surviving your college life? We got you covered! Check out more articles like this in our College Life blog section at Edukasyon.ph!
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