PIE for Luciana

English is important for international communication, yet not everyone is in a good position to learn English. The English for Kids Foundation aims at supporting and encouraging children and youth to learn English, so that they can take part in mutual communication worldwide and to give them the communicative skills and tools needed to share information with others in the broadest sense of the world.

English for Kids Foundation and Associacao Crescer Sempre in Sao Paulo, Brazil, have been in partnership since 2014. Together they have given the high school pupils opportunity to study English. The first group accomplished the course in 2015.

This edition of PIE for... we want to put a spotlight on Luciana Sousa Silva.

1.       Who are you, what is your position, school etc?
I am Luciana, I've been teaching English for almost 20 years, 6 of them at Crescer Sempre, where I've been teaching since 2012 for English Projects - for adults and teenagers from High School. In 2017 I launched my online school which aims to give online private classes for students in Brazil and Brazilian students who live abroad as well. 

2.       How does the English For Kids Foundation help you?
We see English for Kids Foundation as an extraordinary opportunity to make the kids take part in international communication and also get an International English Certificate, which is essencial for them in a moment they dedicate their time and effort to get into college and the first job as well.

3.       How do the students react, what is in it for them?
At first they get really enthusiastic when they come to English classes; they see it as an unique experience to learn and practice. Besides most of them begin as elementary level, we work with some grammar basis and vocabulary which contributes to a better English communication. 

4.        How important is international communication for kids in Brazil?
Most schools in Brazil don't have excellence in English teaching, specially the ones located in poor communities as Paraisópolis. So, when there's a school which provides English teaching, based in International communication, the guys 'desperately' want to participate. Although they come from a very humble home, they are ambitious when it comes to their future - most of them would like to travel abroad someday and speak English worldwide.

5.       What do you expect from Building Bridges?
Building Bridges will certainty come to support them on their communication development. It's a chance to put into practice everything they've learned during the classes and above all meet other students from different countries and cultures. It will be a rich experience!