Student Spotlight: ANA

Ana (left) with her English teacher, Dana, at Speak!

Interview with Speak! Owner/Director, Christina Ball

A scientist from Brazil adapts to life and work in a new place - with a little help from Speak!

A native of São Paolo, Brazil, Ana Oliveira moved to Charlottesville recently to begin a job at the University of Virginia.

Find out more about Ana and her quest to develop fluency in English in her spotlight interview!

Ana, tell us a bit about yourself, by way of introduction:

I am from Brazil. I am single and don't have kids, cats or dogs... just flowers and books! I work and study a lot and take great pleasure in both. But I also have other pleasures like practicing yoga, cooking, eating and drinking well!!! I love to travel, meet different people and learn about other cultures. But I find it nice to stay at home as well, taking care of my plants and giving myself some rest!

I am a biologist, and I realized soon after graduating that I wanted to work in science. That's why I'm here in the USA: I'm an Assistant Professor at UVA, and I work with immuno-oncology.

How long have you been an English speaker? Do you speak other languages in addition to your native Portuguese?

Over the last 5 years, my English has improved, but I lose the ability to speak very quickly when I don't practice it. I can say that I started studying several times and gave up, which hindered my learning. But now, living in the US, everyday life forces me to move forward. Dana's lessons at Speak!, which focus on listening and pronunciation, help me improve my English more and more.

I don't speak another language, but I've studied Spanish and German for a short time, so I know some words! had three main motivations:

What do you miss most about Brazil now that you live in the U.S.? What are the biggest cultural differences between Brazil and the U.S.?

I miss my parents, family and friends. Food is not an issue. There are bad things that both countries share, like bureaucracy and high taxes.

Charlottesville feels like a magical city. It's small but has everything you need: culture, leisure and quality of life. The city has a vibrant university atmosphere. Lots of cultural activities and lots of green areas around! There is no traffic in the city, which is good because you don't lose part of your life stuck in traffic.

What do you most look forward to seeing and experiencing in both Charlottesville and the broader U.S.?

I'm working at the University and I work a lot, but I'm always looking for new things to do and see. I don't have any specific plans right now, but I want to discover new places while I'm in the US.

What motivated you to sign up for English lessons at Speak!

I need to communicate well in everyday life and especially at work. I bet on Speak to help me on this journey. It's working!

Ana outside Speak! Language Center. “I hate having my picture taken” - but we got her to smile, anyway!

What are your English goals in the short and longer term?

I want to listen and speak fluently!

What do you enjoy most about your lessons with Dana?

Our classes are very dynamic. Dana always has something new and especially a lot of patience and didactics. It's an enjoyable environment, and everything flows well.

How would you describe your Speak! experience in 3 words?

LEARNING - KNOWLEDGE - FUN