
General Tips
- Focus on activities that you like and that are motivating;
- Look for resources and activities at your language level;
- Meet with friends: “Facetime”, WhatsApp, etc.;
- Remember that you learn more using English – not just doing grammar or vocabulary exercises.
Types of Activities
- Watch videos like “Do it yourself” (do it yourself). (YouTube or Facebook) in English — recipes, craftwork, home repair, cleaning, sewing, carpentry, etc. Do it yourself!
- Watch movies and shows in English. If you can’t understand, use subtitles in Portuguese or English to understand;
- Listen to music in English. Try to learn the music and sing along.
- Communicate in English through social networks. For instance, create a WhatsApp group with friends to practice your English. Use complete sentences, and no switching between Portuguese and English!
- Read widely known stories in English. For example: fairy tales, historical events, parables or other stories that everyone has heard. You can access many of these stories online, often at different levels of English.
- Read news in English. Access: ESL News: https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator-english/esl-news-articles/
- Talk to friends in English. Here are some ideas of topics: ask for information, share your preferences, share gossip! Avoid the use of Portuguese. The conversation does not need to be with a native speaker. It may even be better to talk to another Brazilian who is learning English.
- Play in English. Use traditional games such as tic tac toe, checkers and chess, or a game in English, like Monopoly. Create your own games, using the vocabulary and grammar you want to practice!
- Create an English club. It can be useful and very fun! At americanenglish.state.gov, for example, there is a guide that can help you build your own club!
- Participate in a MOOC! These are massive online courses — there are many available for teachers and students.