Friday, June 13, 2008

My new introduction

Dear students, thank you very much for the great comments and questions. They definitely helped me know what I should include in a more complete introduction. So here it is:

My name is Ronaldo Mangueira Lima Júnior and most people call me Ronaldo. Actually, only my family and friends who know me since I was a kid call me Júnior - probably because they call my father Ronaldo. I was born in Brasília and have been living here for all my life, 25 years, and really don't like it when people say there is nothing to do in Brasília. Even though most people say I'm too young to be married, I'm glad to say that I found my soul mate almost 8 years ago and we have been married (but with no children yet) for 2 years and a half now.

I have never lived abroad and I am very proud to say that all English I know was learned in Brasília, actually at Casa Thomas Jefferson, where I have been teaching for the past 6 years and a half. Before teaching here, I also taught for 2 years in two other English schools in Brasília (yes, I started working very early!). Even though I have always liked technology (like most boys), I got more involved with technology in language teaching 3 years ago, when I took my first online course about this.

I graduated from high school in Military School and then I entered UnB to study TESOL - Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Right now I am taking a master's degree at UnB in Applied Linguistics, and intend to never stop studying (PhD, wait for me!).

In my free time I'm usually involved with music or sport. I started studying music when I was 9 years old and I can play the saxophone, the guitar and a little bit of the drums. Also, I have been conducting a youth choir at my church for many years (about 5, I guess). About sports, I used to play volleyball for Military School's team in high school, but one year ago I got crazy about cycling, and now, whenever I can, I go cycling. Of course, like most people, I also like traveling, and the picture I posted in my first introduction was taken during my last trip, which was in April this year to New York City. I went there to attend and present at an international convention for English teachers, but I certainly found some time to get to know the city; after all, who can resist the temptations of the city that never sleeps? My favorite places there were Times Square, Battery Park and the Brooklyn Bridge.

As I already mentioned, I love technology. I would say my favorite gadget at this moment is my brand new ipod. Since I am a musician, you can imagine how much fun I have been having with my new toy. I also truly believe in the power of e-learning, but I don't think the internet or e-learning will be able to completely replace face-to-face teaching or flesh and bone teachers. I think e-learning is supposed to complement, to be a plus, just like you guys are doing: complementing your knowledge of English with this writing program. Imagine a kid studying everything only through computers, without interacting with other kids? (S)He wouldn't learn the social and moral aspects of life as well as being in contact with other people.

Well, that's it for now. I'm sure we'll learn more from each other little by little. Since most of you mentioned that you liked the fact that I added a picture to my first introduction, here is another one:


So, was this introduction better than the first one?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ronaldo,

I think now we know a lot more about you!

Ludmilla Aguiar

Unknown said...

Hi Ronaldo, I think that you are very brave. A legitimy (is this correct?) Brazilian worker!!!!

Luciana Nunes said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Luciana Nunes said...

Won, this is a completely introduction!
I envy you! I think I’ll never write an introduction like yours :)
It’s very surprising to know that you never lived abroad… The majority of English’s teacher lived in another country to improve the language (and, particularly, I think this is the one way to learn English and don’t forget – I studied English all my life and until now I have many problems to talk, listening and write). Congratulations!
Like you, I believed in the married too. I met my husband when I came to Brasília and, since then, we are happy together, it’s impossible think in my life without him.
Despite I love my husband and he’s from Brasília, I talk every day “there is nothing to do in Brasília”!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t agree with you… Everything in this city is expensive and doesn’t have many options for leisure (various). Everything is the same: restaurants, night clubs, bars and the city’s park.
But I like this city because the safety. Love and hate. I hate the dry… I hate the clay (dust). And I miss the ocean so much…
That’s it!
Bye, bye!

Thaís Junqueira said...

Hi, teacher!

We have some things in common: I also love technology, I am a teacher, and I study Music.

I hope your career become more successful than today. Perhaps you can research an easier way to students develop faster their skills of English language.

About your personal life, I am still curious: why did you choose to become an English teacher? Did anyone you know or read influence your decision?

Ronaldo Lima Jr. said...

Hey, thank you guys for the comments! It seems you liked this one better than the first one =)

Yes, Ludmilla, but you already knew most of these things about me, right?

Yasmine, the word is "legitimate" (the adjective), but in this context I guess a "typical Brazilian worker" (or even warrior =)) would sound more natural.

Luciana, of course you can write an intro like this one, actually the idea is for you to use mine (or parts of it) as a model. And you are right, Brasília lacks a beach, but imagine if it had one, then it would be by far the most perfect city in the world to live =)

Thaís, thanks for the kind words, and, you know, my career kind of came to me as an accident... when I was 14 and was in the intermediate course at Casa Thomas Jefferson, I had a plan: I wanted to be a professional musician, so I thought, "well I can teach English to have some pocket money until I can survive on my music money". I talked to my teacher at the moment and she totally encouraged me (her name was Gina) tp teach. When I was 16 I started teaching, music became more of a hobby to me and now I'm totally into language teaching and don't think I'll ever change my career. What about you, how did you become a teacher?

Ronaldo

Beto said...

Hi Friends,

Now we have a paper about Ronaldo's life.
I disagree with you, Luciana, there are a lot of things to do in Brasilia and as Ronaldo said the city would be perfect if there were a beach.

Hugs,

Everybody.

Ronaldo Lima Jr. said...

That's the spirit! Thanks for the support, Beto
=)

Ronaldo

Luciana Nunes said...

If Brasília there were a beach, maybe it would be better...
You need to know the Rio better... only after that you'll understand because I talk "is nothing to do in Brasília"!!!
kises, Lu.