My Journey Learning English

I started learning English at Mais Caminhos in 2017. In the first class, I felt very shy because I thought the other students were better than me. But my teacher encouraged me to keep going and never give up. As time passed, I became more confident, and I finally started understanding what my teachers were saying! I was learning English because my mother always told me that learning new things would be good for my future. She was right; now I can see that my future will be brighter with the ability to read and write in English.

My Journey Learning English

Practicing dialogue has always helped me improve my English, and it’s fun because we talk about everyday things—our routines, our likes and dislikes, movies, songs, series, art, and more. At first, I found some accents, like British English, hard to understand, but I overcame this challenge thanks to the diverse volunteers at Mais Caminhos, who come from all over the world. Through them, I got to know different cultures and accents. Their support, along with my mother’s encouragement, helped me a lot.

In the beginning, I was very shy, but now I am much more fearless. Meeting new people from different countries and cultures at Caminhos Language Centre has really boosted my confidence. I practice English all the time—listening to music, reading texts, watching movies, and helping tourists. One day, a girl from France and her family were looking for a bank, and I helped them. Now, Elisa, the girl, is my friend! We talk online, and I miss her a lot. Helping other tourists has made me feel like I’m doing something good!

Learning English feels like having a superpower because I can make new friends and talk to everyone! I haven’t had a job yet, but I know this skill will make me stand out. English is a universal language, and I’m so grateful I can speak it! In recent years, I’ve achieved something very special—new friendships. Now that I know more about different cultures, I can connect with people from all over the world.

I’m sure my future will be bright. I hope to do an exchange program in Europe one day because I love their culture. My big goal is to live in Canada when I’m an adult because it’s so multicultural, and it snows! I also dream of becoming a doctor and helping Mais Caminhos grow even more, making my community better. None of this would be possible if I hadn’t met Mais Caminhos, and I’m so grateful this NGO exists!

For anyone just starting to learn English at Mais Caminhos, my advice is: never give up! It might be hard sometimes, but learning English will make your future better than your present, and you’ll have so much fun along the way. It will help you a lot in both your personal and professional life!

Mais Caminhos Student, Victor Mendes, 14 years Old.