B4E Challenge

Here are the five things you might not know about me yet.
1) I have been doing Aikido for 4 years or so. Aikido is the art of harmonizing with the enemy, therefore, you don't need strength. I must confess I don't have a natural gift for the martial arts but I'm persistent, although I've been hurt a few times. I love it because it helps me overcome my weaknesses and fears. (Photo: me going from purple to green belt).

2) I lived in Israel for 2 years (between the ages of 9 to 11). My father was transfered to Tel-Aviv because he used to work for the Brazilian Army (he's retired now). Fortunately, there were no wars there at the time, and we had the most wonderful time of our lives.

3) I don't know the city where I was born because my family moved a lot due to my father's job, so I left there when I was 10 months old, and never went back. After that, we moved several other times. Thus, now I freak out when I hear the word "move". You might say I have phobia of moving.

4) I cry a lot. I even cry when I watch a beautiful commercial on TV. It's ridiculous, and sometimes I get very embarrassed. Therefore, I like watching TV alone because then I can cry as much as I want.

5) This is really embarrassing... ok... my favourite film is The Sound of Music. I must have seen it 30 times. I know all the songs and sometimes when no one is around I sing them for my 6-month old niece. Poor her! I'm a terrible singer.

All right, now that you've read some facts of my life, most of them really embarrassing, leave a message to cheer me up. Tell me it's ok, that they're not very embarrassing, that something similar has happened to you, or something like that. Meanwhile, I'll try not to blush.

Tell us your story

I never wanted to be a teacher, so I went on to study Economics. Fortunately, some friends needed help with their English, and asked me to teach them. I did it as a favour but then their friends also wanted classes, and by the time I graduated I had lots of students and I just loved being a teacher. That's when I decided to give up my "unstarted" career as an economist and become a full-time English teacher. I went back to university to study "Letras" (Portuguese, English and Literature), and I've already started a Master Programme in ESL.

But what about you? How did you start teaching English? How do you think your experience has effected the teacher you are now? We're looking forward to hearing your story!!!

Introduction

This is my first blog and I would like to use it so that teachers can discuss their beliefs about ESL. So to start do share with us what you believe would be an ideal classroom environment.

Hope we'll be talking and sharing a lot.