Headstart for the Philippines is a HUGE 287 page book with accompanying audio tapes.  Produced by the U.S. Government for its diplomats and military personnel to learn Tagalog quickly, it covers all you need to know if you are planning to go to the Philippines. This book and audio tapes have been digitized, meaning that you will be able to download the complete book and audio files instantly.  The audio files are in mp3 format so you can download them to your iPod or any mp3 player and listen to them at your leisure…. while you are walking, driving or doing other things. The text can be read on your computer or you can print out the entire book.

Please note: This entire course has been digitized, that is, the texts are ebooks (PDF format) and all tapes are now audio files (MP3 format)

This is a large SAMPLE audio file. (It takes a little while to load)

Here’s a 1 minute sample of Tape 1

For more information and price go here.

Hi everybody, my name is Bud Brown and I thought I would just share with you a little
bit about the tagalog language. This is just an introduction and I hope to have some more
lessons. Even though I’m an American I spent some time in the Philippines. My wife is
Filipina We’ve been married 35 years and so we talk in Tagalog and English in the house.

A lot of Americans that have married Filipinas or Americans that are  interested in the Philippines
 have asked me if I can share some tips on learning Tagalog. So I just want to give you a short
lesson right now. And then later, we can follow up with other lessons.
    I wanted to just give the introduction like you would say in tagalog. I'm an American
or I'm a Filipino or I’m French. You would say the nationality first, then say “Ako”
meaning “I” for example, I would say “Amerikano ako.” My wife would say. “Filipina ako”.
If you're French, “Pranses ako.” If you’re from Germany, “Aleman ako.” Now, I should say
right off the bat that Tagalog is not my first language. If there are tagalog speakers there that
would disagree with anything I say I'm sure you would be more correct than I am. I don’t mind
being corrected myself because I always want to learn more. If what I say doesn't make sense or just
isn’t right.,be sure to let me know in the comments. I would appreciate that. OK?
      “Ako” means I. The word for you is “ikaw”. But if you’re saying an expression. If I want
to say, “Are you an American?” “Amerikano ka ba?” “Ba” at the end of it is like a question.
American ka ba, Filipino ka ba. Pranses ka ba? Like that. Are you American? Are you
Filipino? Are you French?
      The word for Yes is “Oo” there’s a more respectful form “Opo or Oho”. The word for
No is “hindi” with the respectful form “Hindi ho or hindi po.” You add “ho or po” then it
makes it more respectful.
       If you wanna asked someone where they're from you would say “taga”. Taga-saan ka?
Means “where are you?” from “Taga-saan ka?” and then you would answer “taga-sa
America ako!. Or taga-sa Filipinas ako. Means I'm from America or from the Philippines.
[Editor's note: The correct way is “Taga Pilipinas ako” no SA after taga.]
         Greetings. There really no “hello” You can say good morning, good afternoon or good
evening, and it sound like this: Maganda umaga. Maganda means pretty and umaga means
morning and lots of words in Filipino have “Ang”between the words. Magandang
umaga, magandang hapon, magandang gabi. Umaga is morning, hapon is afternoon. Gabi
is night. Magandang gabi!.
       The word for “how are you?” “Kumusta ka?” so “Good morning, How are you?” would
be “magandang umaga, kumusta ka!. The more polite way or more formal way. “Kamusta
ho kayo.” Kayo, although it can means 'You all' or plural of you, it also means 'respectful you'
for one person like an older person I would say “Kamusta ho kayo? Magangdang umaga
Ho “Kumusta ho kayo” and the answer is fine “Mabuti”.
       A lot of words and describing words in tagalog which we call in formal grammar we call adjectives
start with “Ma.” Not all of them, but a lot do. Like we talked about “maganda” is beautiful which, by
the way, you could say “Maganda ka” (you're beautiful.) But “you're handsome” doesn’t start with MA,
“Gwapo ka” (you're handsome.) Maganda ka. But, other words, describing words, like maliit, (small)
Malake (big). Malamig (cold,)  mainit (hot.) A lot of words that describe things, which are called
adjectives, begin with “ma.” This will help you in classifying different words in tagalog. I think we can
wrap it up with this lesson.
The word of goodbye is paalam. Till next time

Tagalog is one of the major languages of the Republic of the Philippines. It is the most spoken Philippine language in terms of the number of speakers. Tagalog (Filipino) has been influenced principally in vocabulary by the languages with which they have come in contact: Sanskrit, Arabic, Chinese, English and Spanish. Here is an easy way to learn Tagalog.

I am happy to announce that after three years in the making, Bud Brown’s Membership Site is open!

This site has over 100 videos covering languages, travel and magic!

Language Videos (68 with More Coming!)

Learn Tagalog

Learn Tagalog | Learn Cebuano |Learn Vietnamese

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The short answer is definitely yes. Knowing Tagalog will set you apart from the thousands of visitors who haven’t bothered to learn the main language of the Philippines. It will definitely be worth your time and energy learning Tagalog whether you have a husband, wife, penpal or just visiting the Philippines. Even if Tagalog it is not the person’s first language, chances are, they have learned it as a second language.

Aren’t you tired of sitting in the middle of a crowd of people speaking a language you don’t understand? Believe me I feel your pain. When I met my girlfriend, later my wife, I was so frustrated not being able to understand the conversations she was having with her friends and relatives. Just the thought of trying to learn this language was overwhelming! Finally I learned a little secret.

Here is the little secret to getting along in this fascinating language. Learn these common complimentary phrases first:

• Sige na! (using said in a pleading way means “come on!” or “go on!”
• Mahal kita! (always an appreciated phrase means “I love you.”)
• Maganda ka (you’re beautiful)
• Gwapo ka. (You’re handsome)
• Masarap! (Said while eating means delicious!)
• Maganda ang _________ mo! (Your ______ is beautiful.)
• mata, buhok, ipin, katawan, mukha (eyes, hair, teeth, body, face)
• Maraming salamat! (Thank you very much!)

I guarantee you that you will be the hit of the party. Many, many doors will open for you when you begin to speak just a little Tagalog. Then, as you become more proficient, word will spread that you re a person that has taken the time to learn their language and their appreciation will be shown in many ways.

WARNING: When you start to speak Tagalog, even just a few words and phrases, you will be getting more compliments and favors than you would have believed possible!

Hello.

My wife is 41 and from the Philippines. We have two small children.

What is a good magazine in the Tagalog language to order a subscription for her? I think a magazine with a monthly subscription would be best. Where is a good place to order it from?

Also, what is a good Tagalog newspaper–maybe I can order her Sunday edition only to have shipped to our USA address. Where can I order?

I want the language to be in Tagalog and not in English.

Miraming Salamat Po! (thank you very much!)

I need websites similiar to Rossetta Stone that will help me learn the language of Tagalog, from the Philippines.

My wife is a filipina and I would like to learn tagalog. Rosetta Stone is too expensive. Does anybody know of any other learning programs that are cheaper and still good?

Get the HUGE Peace Corps Tagalog Language Packet (320 pages!) in PDF Format so you can download and print out, or just read it on your computer.

The materials in this packet were designed for the rapid Tagalog language training of Peace Corps volunteers, focusing on daily communication needs in this context. The packet contains:

• lists of common phrases, expressions, and vocabulary on a variety of topics related to Peace Corps work; a list of core competencies for specific topics (socializing, using language to manage learning, food, shopping, transportation, and health)
• a Tagalog-to-English glossary
• a workbook containing exercises for each of the above topics, and
• Tagalog grammar notes corresponding to the preceding competencies and exercises.
• Appended materials include additional notes on grammar, syntax, morphology, negation, and common expressions.
• Only $17

It does require Adobe Acrobat Reader (FREE) to read the document, which you can get by  clicking here to download.

Click on the BuyNow button below and you will be directed to PayPay where you can pay by Paypal or any credit/debit card.

After you complete your transaction,  do not forget to click the “Return To Merchant” button after making your payment.

After I receive notice of payment, I will send you to the download page IMMEDIATELY!  If you have any problems at all, just email me at bud@tagalog101.info

Please Note: To receive your download link, immediately after payment, click the “Return to Merchant”  link.

$17

P.S.  As a Free BONUS, if you purchase within the next 24 hours, I will throw in the publication “Tagalog With Humor…Language and Culture Through Cartoons!”     A fun way to learn Tagalog through cartoons!

P.S.S.

For other Peace Corps Philippine Languages go here.

I would like my child to learn tagalog, but I don't know anyone who knows the language. Are there any known learning materials for children to learn tagalog?