When August 2014 arrived, I couldn't have been happier. I now worked at two Language Schools. Both of them were different from the other. The first school were I worked, INEP was a school that catered to the needs of older clients or anyone who wanted to learn English. The second school Focus Idiomas however was a school with a bit more of a vision. Focus was more geared to travelers or anyone looking to improve their professions. They both presented the same idea, but INEP did things the old fashion way; whiteboard, markers, books, desk, chairs and erasers. However; Focus Idiomas was new and innovative school in coming. It had Sofas, TVs, Music, new updated textbooks, and games. Both were a bit different for my taste. At,INEP, I had more freedom, whilst at Focus Idiomas,I had to follow to a structure and method of teaching. Both for me presented different way of reaching their students. Focus was a school more focused on reaching the students visually, through visual and conversation, whilst INEP was more focused on the written and the oral. For me, both presented a bit of a challenge, but it would be a challenge that would eventually help me become a better and more effective teacher.
The staff at INEP were very friendly and pleasurable to work with. All the teachers and staff would have conversation with me about current events happening in Brazil. The problems and corruption in Brazil, But none more important, than the soccer games and rivalries that were going on over the weekend. Botafogo or Flamengo. People would buy their shirts and choose their sides. In the morning,I always found it interesting to speak with one teachers about the current events. There was a teacher by the name of Sir Paulo. He was a language teacher at the course. He taught German, French, English, Portuguese and Italian. He was well traveled and educated. He graduated from Oxford in London with a Degree. He was not your typical Brazilian. He would tell me all- the time he was mistakenly born in the wrong country.He would defend his comments by saying, Brazilian people don't like to work. He would explain that Cariocas only thought about carnival, sex, football, and beer. He would further explain, Cariocas lived only for today and thought nothing about the future, His appearance and mannerism were of a man who lived in the UK, so I understand why his resentment was so strong. That was his biggest regret to this day, not making the best of the opportunity to live abroad when he had the chance. For this, he reminds me not to blow my chances and enjoy every experience I have.
At Focus, the staff was bit more professional. Natasha Fragras a teacher and now manager, was the first person I got to know at Focus. When I first spoke with her, I really thought she was around the same age as me, but after some time, I found out she was only 22 years of age, Surprising for me, because she presented herself as of person whom was wise beyond her years. We have a mutual respect for one another and I have learned a great deal from her, especially when it comes to becoming a better professional.
From the moment I started working at Inep. I had a special connection with my students. There were two students that I have to this day, I continue to teach and mentor. Roseli Sobral, and Diddo Oliviera. Both musicians, They live in Copacabana and enjoy learning English in their spare time. Roseli likes to learn English because of her fascination and admiration for the city of New York. She has been singing in a choir group for quit sometime now. She uses the opportunity to learn English to grow as a signer and understand other forms of music from other musical artist. When I first, started teaching her, she was very nervous and hesitate to speak, but over the course of time, she has developed a confidence that has helped her overcome her fears. Now that she likes and enjoys to speak English, she hopes one day to travel more to the United States to understand the culture. Ditto also enjoys to speak English. A native from the state of Bahia, he enjoys playing music at parties around Rio. He takes the opportunity to learn English as a way to expand his audience base, but to also learn about other cultures and other musicians. In my time getting to know him, I even found out he has recorded several album over the years.
At Focus, there was a group that I started teaching in the middle of 2014. I like to refer to then as The Dream Team. They were like no group that I ever had. They loved to make jokes and make light of all situations. All coming together to learn English, everyone brought excitement, joy, and fun to the classroom. Over the course of time, we became a tight group, almost like a family. Every Monday and Wednesday at 7pm, It was an hour of non- stop conversation, entertainment and joy. Bete Roza, was one of my students I enjoyed teaching. She brought an energy and excitement that made it fun to be around. Her soul and spirit was of a child, which makes everyone gravitate towards her. She is also a teacher, and teaches children with special needs.Being in her presence made the class more enjoyable and comfortable to teach.She likes to travel and enjoys spending with her friends at the beach or watching soccer on television at the bar. She is learning English in the hopes of traveling abroad to the United Sates, to communicate with her daughter and now son-in law who now lives in San Francisco California.
Margarete Pereira da Silva, was another student of mine, she was not in the term for a long, but her impact was felt. She was one of my inquisitive students, when in doubt ,she would ask a question,to make sure she would be correct with her pronunciation. She was studying English to help her with her job. She works with customer service. In which she sold colthes and merchadise as a way to make a living. Frequently she would have foreign customers in ther botique. Sometimes she uses English to communicate with her customers. She stayed in our class for three months, but she liked and enjoy speaking English with our group. Hallana Andrande Waldhelm was one of a kind. she was someone who you couldn't take seriously, especially when it comes to trying to speak or study English.. But she was a pleasure and joy to have around, She likes to spend time with her friends and family. What I miss about her was entertaining her before the classes. Before the classes, I would dance to a video she recorded before the English class to make her feel happy. That would be our weekly routine, until the course ended, if it made her open up and talk more in class. I had no problems doing it for her. Because in my mind, learning a language is a fun experience and should be enjoyable to Teach. Vera Maria Taranto, was another student in which I enjoyed teaching. She was the kind of student, who liked to make the best of the opportunity. She enjoys traveling and culture. She uses the opportunity to learn English as a way to move up in her professional career and also to travel abroad. Renata Romero was my most dedicated student. She loved to study English. Her hopes of Learning English was to hopefully one day win a job or career in the United States, where she will move to have a better life. Lastly. Paulo. I called him the president. A very relaxed and calm guy, he is the kind of man that likes to just go with the flow. He was the kind of person, you can never anger, because he was always in control of his emotions, for this reason, I called him the President. I will never forget the Dream Team. They were the first group that I connected to, teaching English in Brazil.
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