Projects
Real English happens outside the classroom.
I always tell my students: class is practice, but the real game happens out there. Nobody becomes fluent inside the classroom alone.
That's why I created projects for you to use English in real life: traveling, talking, interviewing real people, competing and even having breakfast. When you study with me, you never study alone.
Gabriela AlvesEnglish teacher
English immersion in Rio de Janeiro
A trip surrounded by travelers from all over the world
Once a year, my students and I pack our bags and head to Rio de Janeiro. We stay at a hostel full of travelers from all over the world, and there's no way around it: English leaves the notebook and becomes real conversation, at breakfast, on the beach, on every tour.
The goal is for you to hear different Englishes: American, British, Australian, and the English of people who also learned it as a second language. That's how your ear adapts and your fear of speaking goes away.
What you get
- Real conversations with people from many countries
- Exposure to different English accents
- The courage to speak outside your comfort zone
Group sessions: conversation and pronunciation
A big group, every two months
Every two months I bring a big group together online, on Zoom, for a special session. There are conversation sessions, to help you unlock and speak without fear, and pronunciation sessions, so you sound more natural and get understood the first time.
Talking to different people, at different levels, is practice that one-on-one classes alone can't give you. Sometimes there are special guests too: fluent speakers and, every now and then, even people from other countries! And honestly, it's a lot of fun!
What you get
- Group conversation practice
- Clearer, more natural pronunciation
- New classmates to practice with
I'm Gabi's student and I need your help with my English project!
“How often do you go to the movies?”
Interviews in English
You interview real people
In this project, English leaves the classroom and goes into real life: you prepare the questions, choose who to interview and run the interview in English, for example through WhatsApp voice messages. And if you don't have anyone to interview, don't worry: I can find those people for you too.
Then comes the most challenging part: giving a presentation about the person you interviewed. You practice asking questions, understanding real answers and speaking in public, all in English.
What you get
- The courage to start conversations in English
- Practice with real answers, not textbook ones
- Experience giving presentations in English
Yearly feedback
See your progress clearly
Once a year I take a careful look at each student's progress: what you've achieved, where you still get stuck and what the plan is for next year. No guesswork: you see your progress clearly.
And feedback goes both ways: every year you also rate my classes in an anonymous form. That's how I get a little better every year.
What you get
- A clear view of your progress
- Goals and a plan for next year
- An anonymous form for you to rate the classes
English Rats
The Consistency Challenge
You know a “gym rat”, that person who never leaves the gym? An English Rat is someone who never lets go of English. Three times a year I open an English Rats season, our consistency challenge, and activities earn you points.
Whoever scores the most points wins prizes, and yes, there's food involved! In the end everybody wins, because the competition gets you studying every day almost without noticing.
What you get
- Motivation to study every day
- Prizes for the top scorers (food included!)
- A study habit that stays after the competition
Monthly prize draw
Didn't miss a class? You're in the draw
Consistency is what makes English happen, so I like to reward the students who show up. Every month, everyone who doesn't miss a single class enters the monthly draw for a little treat.
It's a small gift, but the message is big: every class counts. And, between us, it's extra motivation not to skip that Monday class!
What you get
- Extra motivation not to miss class
- A surprise treat for the winner
- The habit of studying every week
English Breakfast Club
Breakfast, in English
This is my newest project and I'm so excited about it! Once a semester, a small group of students will meet at a bakery to have their favorite breakfast... in English.
Ordering coffee, starting a conversation, talking about your weekend: simple everyday situations, which is exactly where fluency shows up.
What you get
- English in everyday situations
- A small group and a relaxed vibe
- Your favorite breakfast as an excuse to practice
Travel & Meet
If I'm visiting your city, let's meet
Many students take my classes online from other cities and even other countries. So whenever I travel, I try to meet the students who live nearby.
A coffee, a walk, a face-to-face conversation. Because to me you're not just a little square on a screen: we're a community.
What you get
- Meeting your teacher in person
- Connecting with the student community
- Even more motivation to keep going
Class is practice. The real game happens out there.
These projects are for my students. Send me a message, tell me your goal and I'll show you where to start.
I want to study with you