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Hello
Two notable things happened this week in Brida. And these two things show that there is a huge difference between Learning English and Learning IN English.
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The Tuesday Get Together team was reduced by 50%. Julia has to prepare for her exams in December, and Igor was away giving a keynote speech. Both dropped out at short notice, leaving me to improvise. Luckily, I am experienced enough to handle it.
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So, I decided to break a rule. Not the first time. We talked politics. In standard or traditional language classes, it is a big NO-NO.
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Except, in Brida, it is about people talking in English. So, standard and traditional methods do not apply here.
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Ismar eloquently and passionately described the political situation in Brazil from his unique perspective. He painted a picture, and he answered questions. He even tried to “destroy your argument, Frank”. He gave his opinion, explained situations and gave examples. He asked questions, and he challenged us. Sebastian crowned our discussion by saying that it was interesting to gain another perspective. Not through the media, but at the grassroots level.
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If you want to discover more, I really recommend his podcast, "Brazil is not for Amateurs".
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A funny thing happened on Thursday. But the story starts earlier. Céline and Alex had introduced themselves a week previously, and now it was time to engage them in further conversation. Because this is how community members improve their English in Brida.
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And then the penny dropped. How? In hindsight, it is simple. Alexandre is an Osteopath. Monique and Bernard recognized him from meeting him whilst walking in the forest. Nathalie (now all the way in South Korea), had heard of him. Maxime said Alexandre’s surgery is close to his parent’s house and that the family are his clients. Clarisse said she is looking for a new osteopath.
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The consequences? Maxime learned that he should make his appointment early. Alexandre discovered he might have a new client. And he also learned how to deal with client requests in English.
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Speaking of experiences. Clarisse told me she listened to the podcast Rosii and I made about education in Brazil.
“The first 5 minutes were difficult to understand, but then it got better.” she told me just after class. Her verdict? Very interesting! Worth listening to.
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Welcome to Brida.
It’s not just about English. It’s about life.
Brida, it’s life in English.
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Our themes in Brida this week:
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Old versus New
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Maxime challenged Martin on the advantages of the software he develops for train systems. What will Martin say?
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Current podcasts
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A Tale of Two Cities
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Both cities start with the letter "S" and have the same population size. What do Seoul (pictured left) and São Paulo (pictured right) have in common? What is different? Nathalie and Rosii will tell us.
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Kimji Day.
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November 22 is Kimji Day in South Korea. It opens a wide discussion about national culture, food, strange habits and stranger food. After all, we all have to eat, don't we?
In case you were wondering, Nathalie and Cléa don't like it.
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A note for your diary.
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Clarisse and Monique sing in a Gospel choir which is giving a concert in Wissembourg, on Dec. 18. What would you like to know? What can we learn about this kind of music? Why not ask the two singers?
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Would you like to practise speaking with others in English? As a member of the Brida Community, you can go to the Brida Café and meet me and other community members from other countries. Choose from the meetings below:
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Tuesday Get-together.
18h UTC / 19h CET (Duration 60 minutes)
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Thursday Morning Get-together.
9h UTC / 10h CET / (Duration 90 minutes)
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Hosted by me in France, meet Ismar & Lisa from Brazil, Levent in Turkey, Sebastian in Germany. The level of English is upper-intermediate.
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Nathalie in Seoul, Clarisse, Monique and Bernard in France, and Babette in Germany. We span half the globe and there is plenty to talk about.
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The level of English is intermediate.
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Thursday Afternoon Get-together
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Thursdays
13.30h UTC / 14.30h CET
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The young at heart group. Maxime and I talk about Engineering for beginners, and anything else, with a focus on being young.
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The level of English is upper-intermediate.
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Fridays
13.30h UTC / 14.30h CET
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Brazil and Europe are connected. What do we have in common? Let's find out.
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The level of English is upper-intermediate.
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Become a member of the community.
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Would you like to practise and improve your English? You can do so by joining the Brida Community. I offer a 30-day free trial and then if you like it, become a member.
With your membership, you can:
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1. Have regular meetings with me and other community members to practise and improve your English. Meeting times are flexible to suit your routines.
2. Participate in and contribute to the community conversation.
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3. Read our conversations when you want.
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4. Collaborate in global projects.
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5. Read and contribute to the Brida Journal.
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Contact me for more information or :
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