A Couple’s English Challenge in Cebu 11 Weeks of Language Learning and Life in the Philippines

A Couple’s English Challenge in Cebu 11 Weeks of Language Learning and Life in the Philippines – Tomas & Rika’s Story

Introduction

Even if you have the desire to study English, it’s not always easy to take that first step—especially with the demands of work and everyday life.
Despite that, Tomas and Rika, a married couple, made the bold decision to study abroad together in Cebu, Philippines, for 11 weeks.

While immersing themselves in one-on-one English lessons, they also enjoyed the island’s nature and local city walks on the weekends.
Not only did they improve their language skills, but their bond as a couple and their outlook on travel expanded as well.
In this article, Tomas and Rika share their real experiences at 3D ACADEMY, from their learning journey to daily life in the Philippines.

1. What Inspired Their Study Abroad Journey and Why Cebu?

Why did you decide to study English?
Tomas and Rika each had a clear goal in mind.

Tomas simply wanted to improve his English skills.
Looking ahead to his future, he wanted to communicate more easily with people from all over the world.

On the other hand, Rika had a more work-oriented motivation:

“I wanted to use English in my job, so I decided to fully immerse myself in an environment where I could study seriously.”

They both shared the desire to focus intensely in a short period and felt that this was the perfect time in their lives to take on the challenge.
By studying together, they hoped to support and grow alongside each other as a couple.

Why did they choose Cebu?

Among many potential destinations, they had a solid reason for choosing Cebu.

Tomas cited both affordability and safety:

“Compared to Manila, Cebu is known to be safer. It’s also close to Japan, so in case anything happened, we could easily return. Of course, the cost of living and tuition are much more affordable than in other English-speaking countries.”

For Rika, the main attraction was the one-on-one lesson format:

“It’s rare to find a place where you can get personalized, one-on-one lessons. And the cost performance was unbeatable.”

Cebu provided an ideal environment: stress-free for beginners, conveniently located in Asia, and highly affordable while still offering intensive learning opportunities.
All of these factors gave the couple the confidence to say, “Now is the time to study abroad.”

2. Why They Chose 3D ACADEMY

With many language schools in Cebu, why did they choose 3D ACADEMY?
The answer was a mix of practical considerations and gut feeling—especially the school’s convenient location and the good impression they got from the website.

Tomas shared:

“There’s a supermarket next to the school, and a mall nearby. That convenience was a big factor. When I looked at the photos and the site, I had a strong feeling that ‘This is the place for us.’”

Rika also prioritized the living environment:

“Studying abroad isn’t just about classes—it’s about living there too. For a long-term stay, things like food, safety, and shopping convenience really matter. 3D struck a perfect balance and felt like a place where I could focus without stress.”

Their instincts were spot-on.

The campus had a supermarket attached, making it easy to get anything they needed. There were also massage shops and restaurants within walking distance.
Everything from the dormitory and cafeteria to the classrooms was under one roof, making for a smooth daily routine.

“We had 6–7 classes a day, so not having to commute was a huge help,” Rika said.
“I could use that time for review instead, and it helped keep my daily schedule consistent.”

For Tomas and Rika, 3D ACADEMY’s integrated lifestyle and learning environment was exactly what they were looking for.

3. Growth Through One-on-One Lessons

The biggest strength of 3D ACADEMY is its one-on-one classes.
Both Tomas and Rika felt real improvement through their daily personalized lessons.

Tomas shared:

“The sheer amount of conversation was incredible. Being one-on-one with a teacher, I had no choice but to speak. I was nervous at first, but I gradually got used to it, and I could feel my listening skills improving naturally.”

He especially noticed his listening ability getting stronger, explaining that English started to feel more familiar and easier to absorb day by day.

Rika, on the other hand, was drawn to the flexibility of the one-on-one format:

“If I wanted to focus on grammar one day or concentrate on speaking another day, I could ask. The teachers were really supportive and responsive. It was such a luxurious learning environment.”

She appreciated how the instructors not only corrected mistakes but also taught her natural expressions and nuances in pronunciation and intonation:

“They’d say things like, ‘This would sound more natural if you say it like this,’ and I gradually became aware of my habits and weak points.”

Even though they had different lessons, Tomas and Rika often reviewed together and shared what they learned each day.

“I’d try out new expressions from class with my wife back at the dorm, and we’d review together. That’s one of the big advantages of studying abroad as a couple,” Tomas said.

The one-on-one classes allowed each of them to learn at their own pace—while growing together.

4. Connections and Motivation Through Group Classes

In addition to one-on-one lessons, 3D ACADEMY offers a wide variety of group classes.
Tomas and Rika both actively joined several group classes and found them to be a source of both learning and inspiration.

Tomas took classes such as:
ENGLISH DEMO, MOVIE UNDERSTANDING, SPEECH PRACTICE, BUSINESS ENGLISH, and NATIVE COMMUNICATION.
Rika joined:
FORMAL & INFORMAL ENGLISH, ENGLISH DEMO, COMMUNICATION ENGLISH PRACTICE, SPEECH PRACTICE, and NATIVE COMMUNICATION.

Tomas said:

“The best part was getting to learn with students from other countries. It helped us break the ice, and it was a great way to make friends.”

Rika noted:

“It was great to hear how other students expressed themselves. You discover new ways of saying things—‘Oh, I didn’t know you could say it like that!’ It really expanded my vocabulary.”

One class that stood out for Rika was Formal & Informal English:

“We learned everything from casual everyday expressions to more formal business English. I kept thinking, ‘I can use this right away!’”

For Tomas, English Demo left a strong impression:

“The teacher was amazing—great rhythm and very clear explanations. It helped me overcome my fear of speaking in front of people and gave me confidence in my speaking.”

Both Tomas and Rika particularly appreciated Speech Practice:

Rika said:

“That’s the class that made me start paying attention to my pronunciation and intonation. It’s nerve-wracking to speak in front of people at first, but it’s really effective.”

Tomas added:

“Giving presentations isn’t something you often experience in Japan, but doing it in a group setting was very motivating. It really pushed me to improve.”

In short, one-on-one classes helped them polish their individual skills, while group classes allowed them to learn from others.
This combination was a key factor in improving their English at 3D ACADEMY.

5. Most Memorable Lessons and Learning Progress

Reflecting on their 11-week stay at 3D ACADEMY, both Tomas and Rika pointed to one key area of growth: their listening skills.

Tomas said:

“Listening was a weakness of mine, but being surrounded by English every day really helped. My ears gradually got used to the sounds, and thanks to my one-on-one teachers, I started recognizing more and more phrases.”

Rika also noticed improvement not just in listening but in her overall English ability:

“I couldn’t speak at all when I first arrived—it was like starting from zero. But after a few weeks, I was no longer afraid to speak. My range of expressions also started to expand, and I could feel my progress.”

What made their learning especially effective was how the lessons were tied to real-life situations—like how to shop in English or how to watch movies without subtitles.

Tomas shared:

“It didn’t feel like ‘studying English’—it felt like ‘living in English.’ That made me want to use it naturally, and I think that sped up my learning.”

One particularly impactful class for both was Speech Practice, where they learned how to effectively deliver spoken English.

Rika noted:

“Paying attention to intonation and pronunciation really brought me closer to ‘English that people understand.’ I started to focus on communicating, not just saying words.”

The classes not only improved their English skills but also gave them confidence and a positive mindset toward using English—a key strength of the 3D ACADEMY experience.

6. Comfort and Convenience: Daily Life in Cebu

The appeal of 3D ACADEMY goes beyond the classroom.
Tomas and Rika emphasized how much the comfortable living environment contributed to their positive experience.

One of the first things that surprised them was the school’s convenient location.

Tomas said:

“There’s a supermarket right on campus. You can get drinks, snacks, and daily items without going anywhere far. It was incredibly convenient.”

Rika added:

“There’s also JY Square Mall within walking distance, where you can eat out, shop, or get a massage. Even as a Cebu first-timer, I felt completely at ease.”

As for safety, they both felt it was manageable with common sense precautions.

Tomas explained:

“Of course, you need to be careful like anywhere, but I felt safe walking around during the day or in well-trafficked areas. As long as you’re not careless, it’s fine.”

Rika shared:

“It’s different from Japan, sure, but most students got by without any trouble. I felt more excited than worried.”

Their after-school routines were both productive and relaxing.

Tomas said:

“I studied in the self-study room, went shopping, or just chilled out a bit. The dorm was comfortable too, so it was easy to balance learning and rest.”

Rika said:

“I did homework, went for walks around town—things I don’t usually get to do back in Japan. I really enjoyed the freedom in how I spent my time.”

On weekends, they made the most of being in the Philippines.

Tomas:

“We went on short trips, dined at local restaurants, and even challenged ourselves by watching movies in English. It was the perfect mix of studying and traveling.”

Rika:

“We visited beautiful islands, relaxed by the sea—it honestly made me forget I was here to study! The weekends were such a refreshing break.”

They also shared some useful items they were glad they brought from Japan:

• Tomas: Retort curry, furikake (rice seasoning), portable bidet

• Rika: Furikake, Japanese grammar book, iPad

Tomas said:

“Until you get used to local life, just having a small taste of Japan with you makes a big difference.”

7. Culture Shock and the Realities of Life in the Philippines

No matter how comfortable your study abroad experience is, culture shock is inevitable when living in a foreign country.
Tomas and Rika encountered several surprising moments and eye-opening discoveries during their stay in Cebu.

Here are Tomas’s top 3 culture shocks:

1. Young children trying to steal things without feeling guilty

2. The city felt safer than expected

3. The air was extremely polluted and harsh on the throat

Tomas shared:

“It was shocking to see children attempting to pickpocket—something you’d never witness in Japan. But when you think about the poverty and environment behind such actions, it really shows the reality of life in the Philippines.”

Rika also had similar impressions, but she noted some positive surprises as well:

1. A lot of child pickpocketing

2. Mangoes and beer were incredibly cheap

3. The air quality was poor due to smoke and exhaust

Rika said:

“You can buy a mango for about 20 yen! It really felt like a fruit paradise (laughs). But the car exhaust was intense, so I never left the dorm without a mask.”

While such culture shocks may feel uncomfortable at first, Tomas believed they were actually a valuable part of the learning experience.

“Cebu is often seen as a resort destination, but once you live here, you see the challenges people face every day. It made me think deeply, and I started to wonder if I could use English to contribute in some way.”

This encounter with a different culture and reality became more than just a side note—it became one of the most important aspects of their stay.
For both Tomas and Rika, Cebu gave them lessons far beyond language.

8. A New Outlook on Life After Studying Abroad

Eleven weeks may seem short in the grand scheme of life,
but for Tomas and Rika, their time in Cebu was a turning point that made them reflect on their future paths.

Tomas said:

“At this age, I never imagined I’d become a student again. But learning English every day, meeting new people, and experiencing a world I didn’t know—this made me realize that I can still grow and challenge myself.”

Although Tomas originally enrolled to improve his English, his motivation continued even after returning home:

“I listen to English news every day and continue with online lessons. I don’t want to forget what I’ve learned. Even if it’s just a little, I want to keep improving.”

For Rika, English gained even more importance as a practical skill for her career:

“After experiencing the joy of communicating in English in Cebu, my whole attitude toward learning changed. I used to see it as something I had to study, but now it’s something I want to get better at.”

And most importantly, the couple deeply valued the fact that they took on this challenge together:

Tomas said:

“At our age, having this kind of experience together was truly special. We grew by encouraging each other.”

Rika added:

“Couple study abroad is highly recommended! You have the comfort of family while still stepping into the unknown. Plus, the memories you make are twice as rich.”

Their story is a reminder that at any stage in life, if you have the courage to start learning again, a new world will open up.
Tomas and Rika’s experience is sure to inspire other couples or married partners considering studying abroad together.

カップルで挑戦！11週間のセブ島留学｜Tomas＆Rikaさんが語る英語学習とフィリピン生活