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Want to Really
Learn Portuguese?
I'd Love to Help!
Set up your sails to learn Portuguese...
The winds are blowing in your favor!
Let me Tell You How Language Learning Became Part of My Life...
Being born in Brazil, Portuguese was the only language I spoke up to 22 years old. At that time I decided to serve as an LDS missionary.
The winds suddenly started changing...
Even living in my own country, I came in contact with many foreigners, who needed to learn Portuguese. While I tried to help them, one of them helped me in a very personal way: we got up at 5:30am and read the Scriptures an hour a day... for about 3 months.
The next step was starting to write my own journal in English. Though making a lot of mistakes, I knew it was part of the process...
After concluding the mission (two years long), this beautiful language became my top priority. Before applying for any position as a teacher, however, I needed to improve my English to a higher level.
Once again, 'the winds were blowing in my favor': I happen to meet another guy who had just opened an English Course. After a brief talk (when I showed him what I had written so far), he decided to hire me. Or, at least, run the risk! ;-)
I really loved discovering that new field, though I already knew how much pleasant it was to help people grow and learn. (That's what the mission had been all about...)
It Was All Back In 1993 - But On The Next Year...
...I started working at a resort club, speaking no English at all!
When a friend of mine heard that I had been a teacher, he asked for my help with the English basics. (How could I say 'no'?)
One evening, after working all day long, we spent some hours studying. At the end of the class, all he could do was notice the difference between 'I like' and 'to like'.
On my way home, however, instead of being frustrated for the little progress of that friend, I realized the happiness I was feeling within!
That Experience Made Me Feel That Teaching Would Be My Lifetime Career
I couldn't help leaving the club and starting a formal preparation to be an English and Portuguese teacher.
In 2001 I even published a book, explaining in details how I learned English in Brazil, before getting any formal training. The Portuguese printed version sold out 1000 issues. (By now I'm working on the English version.)
Since then, the interaction with hundreds of students has been my source of personal and professional realization.
Last year (I promise not to mention any other 'winds') I was blessed to find a real gem:
The Netwriting Master Course
, a free e-book by Dr. Ken Evoy.
After reading it - devouring it, I'd say - I found many other treasures, and the winds started... (Oops!)
This amazing and doable process enabled me with
the tools to create this Web site
and put together all the themes I am passionate about:
Writing skills
Keep learning English, while helping other to learn Portuguese
Meeting interesting people like YOU.
As you can see, I am an eternal learner. So, fell free to send me your comments and suggestions. And please, don't forget:
Whenever you need a friend, I will be sailing right behind ... to help you learn Portuguese!
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