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:
