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Find out more about June

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  For me, it was always important to learn a language at a young age, and therefore I learned Portuguese through my own inspiration:
  
  When I was 16, I discovered Brazilian music, and novels, and immediately was drawn the culture. That sparked by passion to learn Portuguese, which I am now pleased to say that I am fluent in.
  
  Now, after many years of speaking and teaching Portuguese, I feel confident that I can help any level of student, regardless of their personal needs.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  The first piece of culture that stands out is the movie "Tropa de Elite" in which conflicts between the police and the favelas are shown.
  
  Favelas and the conflict in them are a key part of Brazilian life and history and that movie was my first glimpse into that life. From there, it was surreal to actually visit and experience what life is like in the favelas many years later.
  
  In addition, I would like to mention the novel "Caminho das Indias" which motivated me to explore Brazil and learn its language at a young age. The novel is based in Rio, and I used to visualize the stunning landscapes. I feel it subconsciously created an internal goal for me to visit Rio, and thus was surreal when I actually ended up living there years later, as if I was one of the characters in the novel.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behaviour in the language that you particularly like?

  As a lover of the Brazilian language, I find it difficult to choose just one favorite word but if I had to, I would choose the word "Saudades" which is commonly described as "The love that remains".
  
  The reason I choose this is that it represents a feeling of intense longing for someone or something about you left behind.
  
  In some ways I think we can all relate to this word, and "Saudades" is always expressed in Brazilian literature and music and holds great cultural significance.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  For me, it is essential to speak the Portuguese as it helps me connect with the culture and its roots, its music, and its people.
  
  I feel so a massive sense of accomplishment and joy when I can speak like a native and communicate effectively with Brazilians, especially when they themselves are surprised that it is not my mother tongue.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  In general, learning Portuguese can be a challenge, especially when it comes to thinking and speaking in the language.
  
  Also, one of the biggest obstacles when learning Portuguese is the use of contractions, as this language has a multitude of contractions depending on the preposition, noun, or verb that follows it.
  
  This can be very confusing and even frustrating for many students. However, with the right exercises and reminders, sheer determination and passion for the language, you can always find ways to overcome this and achieve your goals.
  
  In the end learning a new language requires a lot of practice and motivation. However, I am a big believer that if you dedicate even just 30 minutes a day to practicing and if possible get yourself a tutor to guide you through the process, you will soon start feeling more comfortable and reprogram your brain to think and speak in the new language.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  My mother is a native English speaker but she didn't often speak the language at home.
  
  Sometimes I could hear her speaking English with her friends and family. I remember asking me, but due to her schedule, she did not have time.
  
  Now, whenever I teach kids, I feel like I am giving them the opportunity that I never had at a young age, which always makes me feel good inside.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  I have been fortunate enough to have lived in Brazil for quite a few years. While there, I got the opportunity to visit several famous cities, including Rio de Janeiro, Araial do Cabo, and Recife.
  
  The beautiful beaches and mountains that would jut out from them in these cities were a highlight of my trip.
  
  However, it was not all beach areas. I also had the chance to explore other areas, such as Penedo and Sao Paulo, which was rich in museums and culture.
  
  Throughout this entire time I immersed myself in Brazilian culture, discovering their diverse types of music, dances, and traditions.
  
  I also got more familiar with the different accents throughout the country, depending on the region.
  
  One thing that really stood out to me during my time there was the welcoming nature of the Brazilian people. They are friendly, social, and open-minded. They are genuinely interested in hearing about foreigners' experiences and value people from other countries.
  
  My time in Brazil broadened my horizons, and I'm excited to incorporate these experiences into my teachings and share them with my students.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I consider myself a Superprof because of my passion, organization, and reliability.
  
  I love languages, and thus I put a lot of love and effort into my lessons. Seeing my students happy and confident when they speak Portugues brings me great joy.
  
  I also make it a top priority to be organized, and one of the things I appreciate about tutoring is the ability to customize my classes according to each student's needs.
  
  Lastly, I take my job seriously, and therefore, I pride myself on being communicative and reliable with my students.
  
  At the end of the day, the combination of my passion, organization, and reliability makes me a Superprof teacher.