Christmas in Brazil

Brazilians are a mix of people from many parts of the world, and as a former Portuguese colony, they have many Christmas customs which originate from this heritage.

One tradition is to create a nativity scene or Presépio. The word origins from the Hebrew word "presepium" which means the bed of straw upon which Jesus first slept in Bethlehem. The Presépio is common in northeastern Brazil (Bahia, Sergipe, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Maranhão, Ceará, Pernambuco, Piauí and Alagoas). The Presépio was introduced in the 17th century, in the city of Olinda in the state of Pernambuco by a Franciscan friar named Gaspar de Santo Agostinho. Nowadays presépios are set up in December and displayed in churches, homes, and stores.

The people of Northern Brazil, as in Mexico, enjoy a version of the folk play Los Pastores or "The Shepherds." In the Brazilian version, there are shepherdesses rather than shepherds and a gypsy who attempts to kidnap the Christ Child.

Papai Noel (Father Noel) is the gift-bringer in Brazil. According to legend, he lives in Greenland. When he arrives in Brazil, he usually wears silk clothing due to the summer heat.

A huge Christmas dinner, unusual in the hot summertime, includes turkey, ham, colored rice, and wonderful vegetable and fruit dishes.

Devout Catholics often attend Midnight Mass or Missa do Galo. (A galo is a rooster.) The mass has this name because the rooster announces the coming day and the Missa do Galo finishes at 1 AM on Christmas morning! On December 25th, Catholics go to church, but the masses are mostly late afternoon, because people enjoy sleeping late after the dinner (Ceia de Natal) or going to the beach.

Decorations include fresh flowers picked from the garden. Fireworks go off in the skies over the cites and huge Christmas "trees" of electric lights can be seen against the night skies in major cities such as Brasilia, San Paolo, and Rio de Janeiro.

MORE ABOUT HONG KONG

Trade

Business is at the heart of life in Hong Kong. Goods arrive here by air or sea from all over the world. plus there are hundreds of banks, international companies, a busy stock exchange.

But Hong Kong isn't just a trading centre for everyone else's goods and money. it makes and sells its own products, too. In fact it exports more than China, wich as 180 times as many people. Total exports represent US$ 9,000 per person per year - that's four times the exports of the average Briton, five times the average Japanese and ten times the average American.

And what exactly does Hong Kong sell abroad? Well, it is a long list but it includes: clothes, toys, high tech electronic goods, plastics, jewelry, cameras, watches...

Next time, you are going to read something about shopping in Hong Kong... See you there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A LITTLE ABOUT HONG KONG

TRADE

Business is at the heart of life in Hong Kong. Goods arrive by air and sea from all over the world. Plus there are hundreds of banks, international companies, a busy stock exchange...

But Hong Kong isn't just a trading centre for everyone else's goods and money. It makes and sells its own products, too. In fact it exports more than China, which has 180 time as many people. Total exports represent US$ 9,000 per person per year - that's four times the exports of the average Briton, five times the average Japanese and ten times the average American. And what exactly does Hong Kong sell abroad? Well, it's a long list, but it includes... clothes, toys, high-tech electronic goods, plastics, jewellery, cameras, watches.

For more about Hong Kong you will have a text in your next class...

Have a good weekend

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT

1 - Buy fresh food that doesn't need a lot of packing;
2 - Try to buy organic fruit and vegetables from farmers who don't use chemicals;
3 - Look for food and other products which come from Developing World countries;
4 - Save as much water as possible;
5 - Find out more about Green organizations in your area;
6 - Write letters to the government in your country about Green problems which worry you;
7 - Use products that won't stay for ever in the earth or sea when you throw them away;
8 - Use bottles more than once (or take them to a bottle bank);
9 - Try to save paper. Also, buy and use recycled paper as often as possible;
10 - Avoid throw-away products;
11 - Make sure that your family and friends use unleaded petrol in their car;
12 - Don't buy products (fur or ivory, for example) made from rare or protected species;
13 - Use public transport as often as possible;
14 - If you are buying wood, don't choose hardwood from tropical rainforests;
15 - Look for aeroslos which haven't got any of the chemicals called CFCs (chloro-fluoro-carbons) in them;
16 - Try to eat a healthier diet. Avoid too much fat or sugar;
17 - Don't buy hamburgers or pizzas in plastic boxes which contain CFCs.
18 - Use betteries as little as possible. It takes 50 times more energy to make them than they produce;
19 - Don't leave on electric lights, TV,etc. if you're not using them;
20 - Take aerobics exercise at least three times per week;
21 - Find out more about conservation issues in your area. Are there any woods, fields, etc, in danger for example;
22 - Try to throw away at least 25% less rubbish.
23 - Help old people in your are to insulate their homes. This saves energy and helps to keep them warm in winter;
24 - Visit any local nature reserves or zoos and talk to the people who run them.

HALLOWEEN

HALLOWEEN

Every year, Americans celebrate Halloween on October 31. On this day, young people wear masks and costumes. Boys and girls dress as witches, ghosts, and other characters. Children like to wear their costumes to school, where there is often a special party.
In the evening, children wear their costumes and carry bags to their neighbors’ houses. The children knock, and when the neighbor opens the door, they shout, “Trick or treat!” Then the neighbor puts fruit or candy in the children’s bags.
Halloween decorations are usually orange and black, the traditional colors for this special day. A popular symbol of Halloween is the jack-o’-lantern. To make a jack-o’-lantern, children’s parents usually cut a face in a pumpkin and put a candle inside.
In large cities, adults enjoy Halloween also. Many adults wear masks and costumes to have parties at night.


EXERCISES
CIRCLE YES OR NO AFTER EACH SENTENCE:

1. The jack-o’lantern is a symbol of Halloween YES NO
2. Halloween is the last day of October YES NO
3. The colors of Halloween are red and black YES NO
4. Children give candy do their neighbors in the evening YES NO
5. Adults have Halloween parties in large cities YES NO
6. Children wear masks on Halloween YES NO

ONE WORD IN EACH SENTENCE IS WRONG. FIND THE WORD AND CROSS IT OUT. THEN WRITE THE CORRECT WORD.

October
1. Americans celebrate Halloween every year on August 31.
2. On this day, young people eat masks and costumes
3. Boys and girls dress as witches, candles and other characters.
4. Children like to wear their symbols to school.
5. Halloween decorations are usually orange and blue.
6. Children wear their costumes and carry fruit to their neighbors’ houses.
7. The costume is a popular symbol of Halloween.
8. Children’s parents cut a face in a bag and put a candle inside.

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING WORDS TO COMPLETE EACH SENTENCE.

pumpkin costumes decorations symbol candle adults

1. In large cities, many adults wear costumes at night.
2. The orange and black ___________________ are for our Halloween party.
3. There is usually a _______________________inside a jack-o’-lantern.
4. We cut a face in a ______________________to make a jack-o’-lantern.
5. _________________ in large cities have parties on Halloween night.
6. The jack-o’-lantern is a ___________________ of Halloween.


COMPLETE ACORDING TO THE TEXT (in pairs – you can’t look at the original text):
Americans celebrate Halloween on October 31 ______________ year. Boys and girls wear masks and ___________________ on this special day. At night, children _______________ on their neighbors’ doors and shout, “____________________ or treat!” Then the neighbors put ____________ or fruit in the children’s bags.
The ____________________ is a popular symbol of Halloween. _____________ and black are the traditional colors for Halloween.

DISCUSSION – In pairs
1. When is Halloween?
2. What do children wear on Halloween?
3. What do they do in the evening?
4. Why do children carry bags in the evening?
5. What are the traditional colors for Halloween?
6. Does your country have a day like Halloween? When?
7. When do children wear costumes in your country?
8. When do adults wear costumes in your country?
9. When do people in your country give fruit or candy to children?


CHOOSE THREE WORDS AND WRITE A PHRASE WITH EACH ONE OF THEM:
1. Every
2. Young
3. Wear
4. Often
5. Traditional
6. Enjoy

MORE CULTURE

LABOR DAY
The first Monday in September is Labor Day in the United States. Labor means work. Labor Day is the holiday that honors workers. On this day, Americans remember that all workers are very important. Carpenters, secretaries, mechanics, engineers, and many other people do not work on Labor Day. Schools, banks and offices do not open.
Labor Day is a day of rest and fun for most people. In many cities and towns, labor unions celebrate this holiday with parades. Many stores have special sales. The weather is usually warm, and people have fun at picnics and barbecues.
Labor Day is one of the last days of the summer vacation season. Soon the weather will be cold. Soon most public parks, swimming pools and beaches will close until the month of May. Students usually return to school the day after Labor Day.

COMPREHENSION

1. Circle yes or no after each sentence:

a) Labor Day is the first Monday in September. YES NO
b) Many people do not work on Labor Day. YES NO
c) Banks open on Labor Day. YES NO
d) Americans honor workers on Labor Day. YES NO
e) People celebrate Labor Day with picnics. YES NO
f) It is usually cold on Labor Day. YES NO
g) Labor unions have sales on Labor Day. YES NO
h) Workers are important. YES NO

2. One word in each sentence is wrong. Find the word and cross it out. Then write the correct word.

a) The first Wednesday in September is Labor Day in The United States.
b) Labor Day is the holiday that honors schools.
c) Secretaries and mechanics do not remember on Labor Day.
d) Schools, stores, and banks do not open.
e) People have fun at work and barbecues.
f) Many stores have special parades.

3. Choose one of the words or the group of words below to complete each sentence.

Sales return labor unions honors fun rest

a) Labor Day is a day of _____________________________ for many workers.
b) People have __________________________ at barbecues.
c) Labor Day ____________________________workers.
d) Students _____________________ to school after Labor Day every year.
e) Many stores have special _________________________ on Labor Day.
f) __________________ have parades in many cities on Labor Day.



4. Find the opposites of the words below:

a) Work ______________________
b) Warm _________________________
c) Open__________________________
d) first___________________________

5. Write the new words you have learned from this lesson and write a phrase with each one of them.

THE USA CULTURE

HOLIDAYS

Holidays are special days. Most holidays are days to remember important people and events. In the United States, there is a holiday in almost every month of the year.

Banks, offices and schools do not open on some holidays. These days are national holidays. Most people do not work and students do not go to school on national holidays. Three national holidays in the United States are Independence Day. President’s Day and Labor Day.

Some holidays are special religious days. Christmas and Easter are important religious holidays. Some holidays are festivals from other countries. Immigrants brought the celebration of Chinese New Year and Mardi Grass to the United States many years ago. Now many American enjoy these holidays every year.

A holiday is usually a time for a happy celebration. People have parties or picnics with friends on some holidays. On other holidays people stay at home and celebrate with their families.

Everybody likes a holiday. Don’t you?

SMILE ALWAYS

A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give. ~Author Unknown


It takes a lot of work from the face to let out a smile, but just think what good smiling can bring to the most important muscle of the body... the heart. ~Author Unknown

A GRAMMAR MATTER

People, I am posting today a grammar matter. I think it is very good for your knowledge.

THERE BE

There be is a verb formed by the Word there – lá in Portuguese – and the verb be - ser/estar in Portuguese. When these two words are together, it becomes the verb there be – haver/ter in Portuguese.
The verb THERE BE works with the rules of the VERB TO BE:
THERE IS – with singular words;
THERE ARE – with plural words.

EXAMPLES:
There is a yellow car on the corner.
There is a man on the roof.
There is a train at 10:30.
There are many cars on the street.
There are seven days in a week.
There are some big trees in the garden.

GIVE YOUR OWN EXAMPLE

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As we are using the VERB TO BE rules it is important to pay attention to the interrogative and negative forms:

There is a yellow car on the corner.
Is there a yellow car on the corner?
There isn’t a yellow car on the corner.

PUT YOUR EXAMPLES IN THE INTERROGATIVE AND NEGATIVE:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

EXERCISES:

1. Kenham is a small town. Look at the information in the box and write sentences about Kenham with THERE IS/THERE ARE:

a) a castle – no --------------------------------------------There isn’t a castle.
b) any restaurants – yes (a lot) ------------------------There are a lot of restaurants.
c) a hospital – yes ----------------------------------------
d) a swimming pool – no -------------------------------
e) any cinemas – yes (two)------------------------------
f) a university – no ---------------------------------------
g) any big hotels – no. ------------------------------------

REMEMBERING

DAYS OF THE WEEK

ON
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

MONTHS OF THE YEAR
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

My birthday is in December.
My birthday is on December 31st.

We're back

People, I am so sorry because I was offline for a long, long time... Nowadays it is a litte difficult to use the net because my baby doesn't like to be at the classroom and I can't come here to use the net without him... but I promise you that I will post something new so soon... please be a little pacience.

A SO NICE STORY

Teddy Stoddard (author unknown)

There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. And as she stood in front of her 5th grade class on her very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around." His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle." His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken." Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one her "teacher's pets."
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life. Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer-the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

A IMPORTANCIA DO APRENDIZADO DO INGLES

Bem... apesar de este blog ser utilizado para a divulgação do idioma inglês, de vez em quando escreveremos alguns artigos em português correlacionados à língua inglesa.


Hoje falaremos a respeito da importância do aprendizado do inglês no mundo. Poderíamos falar à exaustão da importância do inglês em apenas uma área, mas gostaríamos de focalizar esta importância como um todo.


O idioma inglês em primeiro lugar, foi eleito o idioma número 01 do mundo. TODOS os povos devem saber utilizá-lo, de outra forma estará fora do mercado mundial.

As empresas se tornaram multinacionais, tendo sua matriz nos seus países de origem e se espalhando com filiais por todo o mundo. Podemos então dizer que vivemos um mercado globalizado e adivinha qual a língua da globalização? Acho que agora não preciso repetir não é mesmo?

Por serem multinacionais, as empresas começaram a exigir o conhecimento num segundo idioma (o inglês) para que a comunicação com as matrizes se tornem mais eficientes. Então saber falar inglês já é diferencial competitivo nos processos seletivos.

Com o advento da internet, o inglês se tornou ainda mais disseminado, pois grande parte dos conteúdos divulgados na WEB são conteúdos em inglês, e para que qualquer pesquisador realize uma boa pesquisa online, é importante saber utilizá-lo de forma correta, pois desta forma terá sucesso num universo infindável de pesquisas.

Gostaríamos de lembrar a todos, que os brasileiros não dão a devida importância ao estudo de um segundo idioma, tanto que nem as escolas primárias e de segundo grau tem um bom ensino da língua. Os alunos aprendem inglês a vida toda - por volta de 6/7 anos - e quando entram numa escola de inglês não sabem nem mesmo utilizar o verbo to be. Nem na escrita, nem na fala.

Nós professores de inglês, como língua globalizada, queremos mudar esta realidade e demonstrar que este idioma que amamos é um idioma necessário em todas as circunstâncias de nossas vidas, tanto no trabalho, quanto na Web, quanto nos relacionamentos em geral.

Esperamos que todos desfrutem do artido em questão, e que tentem mudar a mentalidade de que o inglês é somente um componente curricular nas escolas, mas sim uma necessidade para TODA a vida.

Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês
Rua Barão da Bocaína, 09 - Centro - Lorena - SP
e-mail: personal1_english@yahoo.com.br
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto/Audrey Caldas
(012) 9125-2460/9733-5936/9198-6896

Hello everyone,

Here we have some curiosities about the English Language. Let`s have a look in some of them?

- In Portuguese we use the tittle "sr" before first name. Although in English we use "mr" before full names or last names.

- Most Students Don`t know there differences about some vocabularies of American English and British English, example: The word "pants" in American english and "trousers" in British English.

- "O dia dos namorados" in Brazil is comemorated on June 12th, but in the U.S.A. it`s on February 14th, and it`s is named "Valentine`s Day".

That`s all for today, have a nice study!

Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês
Rua Barão da Bocaína, 09 - Sl 3 - Lorena - SP
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto/Audrey Caldas
(012) 9125 - 2460 / 9733-5936/9198 - 6896
personal1_english@yahoo.com.br


-

DITADOS E PROVÉRBIOS EM INGLÊS

Hello People,

Here there are some new tips in English as it was promised on Friday. Yesterday, we didn't access the internet so, we didn't write anything new to you. But it is time to give you some new tips again...

Well how can I say some "ditados e provérbios" that we have in Portuguese and we don't know how o say in English?

- Antes tarde do que nunca. - Better late than never.
- Faça o que eu digo e não o que eu faço. - Do as I say, not as I do.
- Não deixe para amanhã o que você pode fazer hoje. - Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
- O sucesso depende de 10% de inspiração e 90% de transpiração. Success depends on ten percent inspiration and ninety percent perspiration.

That's it for now, we hope you continue enjoying our blog. And please coment our ads, give new suggestions, and so on...

Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês
Rua Barão da Bocaína, 09 - Sl 3 - Lorena - SP
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto/Audrey Caldas
(012) 9125 - 2460 / 9733-5936/9198 - 6896
personal1_english@yahoo.com.br

HOW DO YOU SAY IN ENGLISH?!?

Hello friends and students,

Today we are going to know some expressions very much used in English, and sometimes even experienced teachers forget. These expressions are for basic/intermediate and advanced levels.

- How can I say?
==========================================

Hoje nós vamos conhecer algumas expressões muito usuais no inglês e que algumas vezes mesmo professores experientes se esquecem. Estas expressões são para todos os estudantes que vão do básico ao intermediário.

Então como eu digo?

===========================================

- Estou morto (exausto)
I'm beat. I just want to go home and sleep.

- Mulherengo - Womanizer
Sally knows that her husband has always been a womanizer and that he has weakness for blondes.

- Amaciar sapatos - To break in shoes
Mike always wears his new shoes at home first to break them in.

- Alma Gêmea - Soul Mate/Twin Soul
Jack says Linda is his soul mate and that they were made for each other.

- Com certeza - Definitely! Absolutely!
- Desculpe foi engano (telefonando) - Sorry, wrong number!
- Com o passar do tempo - as time goes by...
- Sei lá - Beats me!!!

Tomorrow we are going to see more expressions in English, and you are going to learn a lot of new expressions and words.

See you there!

Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto
Endereço: Rua Barão da Bocaína, 09 - Sl 3 - Centro Lorena
Tel: (012) 9125-2460 / 9733-5936
E-mail: personal1_english@yahoo.com.br

GRAMMAR TIPS

As we promised before, we'd like to start giving you some tips about grammar!

A/AN - Indefinite Pronouns

Well first of all I'd like you to know the meaning of "A/AN" - both of them are: um/uma in Portuguese.

- They are usually used with countable nouns... nouns that you can count: 1/2/3/4...
For example: I have a car. You can count 1 car/2 cars/three cars.

- They are obliged to be used when you use the verb be + a profession:
For example: I am a teacher. He is an engineer.

But when verb to be is in the plural you can't use a/an: We are students.

- And now the most important rule about it:
A - is used before consonant sounds: a car/a dog/a hotel
AN - is used before vowel sounds: an apple/an engineer/an hour

If you need more information, and exercises about the matter, please access: http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/artikel2.htm

We hope you enjoy our blog, please continue accessing us.

Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto
(012) 9125 - 2460/9733 - 5936
e-mail: personal1_english@yahoo.com.br
Rua: Barão da Bocaína, 09 - Sl. 3 - Centro - Lorena - SP

=============================================

Como prometido anteriormente, gostaríamos de começar a dar para vocês algumas dicas de gramática!!!

A/AN - Pronomes Indefinidos

- Antes de mais nada, eu gostaria que você soubesse o significado de A/AN - ambos são: um e uma em português.

- Eles são geralmente usados com substantivos contáveis... coisas que você pode contar: 1/2/3/4....
Por exemplo: Eu tenho um carro. Você pode contar: um carro/dois carros/três carros.

- Seu uso é obrigatório quando você usa o verbo to be + uma profissão.
Por exemplo: I am a teacher. He is an engineer.

Mas quando o verbo to be está no plural, você não pode usar A/AN.: We are students.

- E agora a regra mais importante sobre o assunto:
A - é usado somente antes de sons consoantes a car/a dog/ a hotel
AN - é usado somente antes de sons vogais: an apple/an engineer/an hour

If you need more information, and exercises about the matter, please access: http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/artikel2.htm

We hope you enjoy our blog, please continue accessing us.

Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto (012) 9125 - 2460/9733 - 5936
e-mail: personal1_english@yahoo.com.br
Rua: Barão da Bocaína, 09 - Sl. 3 - Centro - Lorena - SP

Motivational Quotations in English

Good morning everybody,

Today we are here to give you some motivational quotations in English... as they are small phrases, we are not going to translate, OK?!?

"Choosing to be positive and having a grateful atittude is going to determine how you are going to live your life".
Joel Osteen

"Don't waste your time and energy to erase the mistakes of the past. Make up your mind to erase your thinking that you can't correct in the present."
Tarkeshwar Prasad

We think these two quotations are very good for you to read... see more at: http://www.motivateus.com/rememb.htm - reading motivational things are a good way to learn English too...

See you tomorrow with some grammar tips.

Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto
(012) 9125-2460/9733-5936
personal1_english@yahoo.com.br

TIPS FOR LEARNING ENGLISH FASTER

Hello everybody!

Today we are going to present you some interesting tips for learning English faster. I hope it can help you with your studies.

- Enjoy every moment to speak English. If there is a foreigner in your city or company try to use your English with him. And if you are studying English with your teacher use every second from your class to speak only in English, even if your English is not the "best of all" ask your teacher's help.

- Read, read and again READ as much as you can. Through reading you can learn good and real vocabulary in the language. Nowadays there are many specialized magazines in English in Brazil. These magazines bring texts from basic to advanced level and they usually bring CDs for you to listen while you enjoy the reading.

- A very good strategy about reading is to read the same text at least three times:
*The first time just listen to the text you have chosen.
*Second time: listen to the text and follow with the reading.
*Third time: read and take the words you don't know.
And if you have time after it, listen and read again. At this way you can improve your speaking and vocabulary skills...

Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês´
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto
(012) 9125-2469/9733-5936
e-mail: personal1_english@yahoo.com.br

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Hello everybody!

Hoje nós vamos apresentar algumas dicas interessantes para você aprender inglês mais rápido. Espero que isto possa ajudá-lo com seus estudos.

- Desfrute cada momento para falar inglês. Se tem um estrangeiro em sua cidade ou empresa tente usar seu inglês com ele. E se você está estudando inglês com um professor use cada segundo de sua classe para falar apenas em inglês, mesmo que o seu inglês não seja o melhor questione o seu professor.

- Leia, leia, e novamente LEIA tanto quanto você possa. Através da leitura você pode aprender vocabulário correto e real na língua. Atualmente há muitas revistas especializadas no aprendizado do inglês no Brasil. Estas revistas trazem textos do básico ao avançado e geralmente trazem CDs para você ouvir enquanto aprecia a leitura.

- Uma estratégia muito boa a respeito da leitura é ler o mesmo texto ao menos três vezes:
*Na primeira vez somente ouça o texto escolhido.
*Segunda vez: ouça o texto e siga a leitura.
*Terceira vez: leia e pegue as palavras que vc. não conhece.

E se você tiver tempo depois destas três leituras, ouça e leia novamente. Desta forma você pode melhorar suas habilidades de fala e vocabulário em inglês...

Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês´
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto
(012) 9125-2469/9733-5936
e-mail: personal1_english@yahoo.com.br

THE OK HISTORY

As we told you yesterday, today we are going to have a Cultural Text, but I am not going to translate the text OK?



A long, long time ago during the World Wars time there was an everyday routine: when the soldiers were sent and turned back from the battle field, they were counted and checked if the number was the same.



So if the number was the same the commandants must put in the form: OK, which means Oh (zero) Killed.



We hope you have enjoyed your reading!!!!



"People who are in the starter level, please try to read and understand the text. If you have any doubt please contact us through our e-mail address or ask your teacher, all right?"



Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês
personal1_english@yahoo.com.br
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto
(012) 9125-2460/9733-5936

New English Expressions

Hello everybody who accesses our blog.

Today we have more English expressions to show you. We hope you enjoy this kind of matter and if you think it is a good way to learn English, please invite your friends to join us in our simple blog.

We always need to greet people in our everyday routine, all right? So, here are some commom greetings for you to practice:

Hi!
Hello!

I THINK THESE TWO YOU ALREADY KNOW!!!

How are you?
How are things?
How's it going?
What's up?

AND ALL OF THESE MEAN THE SAME IN PORTUGUESE...

Then to answer:

Fine thanks, and you?
I'm very well...
I'm quite well...
I'm really well...
I'm OK.
I'm so, so
Not bad.

So that's all for now! Tomorrow we are going to have a cultural text for you... See you there!!!

Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês
Rua Barão da Bocaína, 09 - Sl 3 - Centro - Lorena - SP
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto
(012) 9125-2460/9733-5936
e-mail: personal1_english@yahoo.com.br

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Olá pessoal que acessa nosso blog.

Hoje nós temos mais expressões em inglês para apresentar a vocês. Esperamos que vocês gostem deste tipo de assunto e se você acha que é uma boa forma de aprender inglês, por favor convite seus amigos para se juntar a nós em nosso simples blog.

Nós sempre precisamos cumprimentar as pessoas todos os dias. Então seguem aqui alguns cumprimentos comuns para você praticar:

Hi!
Hello!

ACREDITO QUE ESSES DOIS VOCÊ JÁ CONHECE!!!!

How are you?
How are things?
How's it going?
What's up?

E TODOS OS OUTROS SIGNIFICAM O MESMO EM PORTUGUÊS...

Para responder:

Fine thanks, and you?
I'm very well...
I'm quite well...
I'm really well...
I'm OK.
I'm so, so
Not bad.

Então... é isso por hora! Amanhã teremos um texto cultural para vocês... Até lá!!!

Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês
Rua Barão da Bocaína, 09 - Sl 3 - Centro - Lorena - SP
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto
(012) 9125-2460/9733-5936
e-mail: personal1_english@yahoo.com.br

DICAS DE EXPRESSÕES EM INGLÊS

Dear friends and students,

We'd like to share each day some new expressions and interesting things in English. Today I am going to give you some tips about basic expressions.

Don't be sad, you who study English in a higher level... Your time is coming, all right?!?

This one I am sure you already know... but let's start from the beginning:

How can I say: "Prazer em conhecer em inglês"

Nice to meet you!!!! - This I am sure everybody knows... but we have other expressions:
- Glad to meet you!!!
- It's a pleasure to meet you!!!!

That's all for now, tomorrow we have more tips for you, OK?!?


Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto
(012) 9125 -2460/9733-5936
e-mail: personal1_english@yahoo.com.br
=====================================================================

Tradução para os novos:

Dear friends and students,

Nós gostaríamos de dividir com vocês no dia a dia novas expressões e coisas interessantes em inglês. Hoje eu lhes darei algumas dicas sobre expressões básicas no idioma.

Não fique triste, você que estuda inglês num nível mais alto... sua hora está chegando, OK?

Esta eu tenho certeza que vocês já sabem... mas vamos começar do começo:

Como eu digo: "Prazer em conhecer em inglês"

Nice to meet you!!!! - Esta todo mundo sabe, com certeza... mas nós temos outras expressões:
- Glad to meet you!!!
- It's a pleasure to meet you!!!!

É tudo por hora, amanhã teremos mais dicar para vocês, OK?!?

Personal English - Professores Particulares de Inglês
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto
(012) 9125 -2460/9733-5936
e-mail: personal1_english@yahoo.com.br

O Aprendizado de Inglês
Muitas são as formas, muitos são os métodos de ensino seja lá de qual for o assunto ou interesse, porém se considerarmos todos os métodos existentes para o aprendizado e não considerarmos a necessidade, interesse e boa vontade do aprendiz, alcançaremos apenas resultados medíocres e insatisfatórios, independente da “marca” do curso escolhido.
Consideremos os inúmeros cursos de idiomas disseminados pelo país, em especial a língua inglesa, tão em voga e necessária no mercado de trabalho e tão deixada de lado pela maioria dos estudantes. Como profissionais atuantes neste mercado a aproximadamente dez anos podemos, por experiência, fazer alguns questionamentos: “Por que alguns alunos aprendem em um ano, o que outros levam 04 para aprender?” “Por que as crianças aprendem em uma velocidade muito mais rápida que os adultos?” A lista de por quês é interminável, mas podemos responder neste momento à essas duas questões:

- Alguns alunos têm uma capacidade quase que “inata” para o aprendizado de idiomas. Além desta capacidade se encontra a vontade de aprender. Também devemos considerar que cada aluno é um indivíduo social, cabendo ao professor verificar a diferença de aprendizado e trabalhar CADA aluno de forma específica mesmo que esteja trabalhando com grupos, pois esta é uma forma para se alcançar a excelência no ensino.
- As crianças aprendem muito mais rápido devido ao fato de não terem preconceito e vergonha quanto a falar uma nova língua. O que não acontece com os adultos. Nós, adultos, temos vergonha de trabalharmos a tentativa e erro no processo ensino-aprendizagem, então, quando falamos algo errado, temos vontade de enfiar a cabeça na areia como fazem as gigantes avestruzes.
Pensamos de forma errada que elas aprendem melhor porque o “computador central” delas é melhor que o nosso, mas é puro preconceito e vergonha que nos desestimula no aprendizado de uma nova língua ou até mesmo atividade.

Sendo este um primeiro artigo, gostaria apenas de abordar este assunto que atrapalha e MUITO o aprendizado de idiomas, e gostaria de deixar um recado a todas as pessoas que desejam aprender inglês:

Não importa a “marca” de seu curso o que realmente importa é a SUA dedicação e adaptação individual a ele!!!


Personal English – Professores Particulares de Inglês
Andréa Ribeiro/Rômulo Couto
Rua Barão da Bocaína, 09 - Sl 3 – Centro – Lorena SP
e-mail: personal1_english@yahoo.com.br
Telefones: (012) 9125-2460/9733-5936