My New Introduction

Dear students, thank you very much for the great comments and questions. There weren't so many questions, so I have included more information than you asked, just in case you get a little curious... Let me know if this time it is more complete, and ask me questions if you want to know anything else. Here it goes:

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, 26 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 3 years 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 7 years. 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 4 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 English to Speakers of Other Languages. I finished me master's in Applied Linguistics at UnB last year and am now taking a PhD in Linguistics also at UnB.

I kind of started teaching by accident. When I was in high school I wanted to be a professional musician, but my parents kept telling how difficult the life of a musician is (as if teachers got a lot of money...lol), and so I had a plan: I decided to start teaching English to get some pocket money until my music could support me, but then guess what? I fell in love with the language classroom and never wanted to leave it!

In my free time I'm usually involved with music, sport and now photography (I've just begun a course!). 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 6, I guess). Listening, I enjoy most styles, but I would say my favorites are jazz and soul. About sports, I used to play volleyball for Military School's team in high school, but two years 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 a trip to New York City, which was in April of last year. 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. I have never lived abroad, but I beliee this could be a great experience not only for the language but especially for the cultural experience. My trips abroad have only been to Miami, Orlando, New York and Buenos Aires and my favorite one was definitely New York!

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. Here is another picture of myself:

So, was this introduction better than the first one?