POV's Documentary Blog

Next on POV: 'The Learning'

POV‘s 24th season on PBS continues with the U.S. broadcast premiere of The Learning, the story of four Filipina women who reluctantly leave their families and schools to teach in Baltimore.

Watch a free, exclusive sneak preview of The Learning now on the PBS mobile app for iPhone or iPad or watch the film on PBS stations this Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 10 PM. Check your local listings.

View the trailer for the documentary The Learning, premiering Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, on POV.


One hundred years ago, American teachers established the English-speaking public school system of the Philippines. Now, in a striking turnabout, American schools are recruiting Filipino teachers. The Learning is the story of four Filipino women who reluctantly leave their families and schools to teach in Baltimore. With their increased salaries, they hope to transform their families’ lives back in their impoverished country. But the women also bring idealistic visions of the teacher’s craft and of life in America, which soon collide with Baltimore’s tough realities. A co-production of CineDiaz and ITVS in association with The Center for Asian American Media, with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and American Documentary | POV.

After watching the film, visit POV’s website for interactive features about the film:

POV’s 24th season continues Tuesday nights through September 27, concluding with a special broadcast on November 10. Keep up with the films at http://pbs.org/pov, on Twitter @povdocs or on Facebook.