Teacher Laila writes about Laura

"I am supposed to write about Laura, my sweet student. 

We got to meet only in 2013, apart from the rest of her group that I've known for so long. 

She studies English with Brenda, Gabriel, Leonardo, Nicolle, Leonardo, and Arthur on Fridays, at PBF.

Laura called my attention for being beautiful and having a wonderful and sincere smile. 

Her hair is long and naturally brown, I think. 

Her face has cute freckles. 

She's got braces and piercings all over. 

She is not short, yet she isn't tall. 

Laura is 14 years old and she is a very bright young woman, like the character Jennifer in the movie 'My First Mister'.

Laura is very witty that is why she speaks fast. She can choose any college major for her future career, however I believe that she wants to be a doctor. 

She can be whoever she wants to be because she's a genious and a committed individual.

OUR 2014 RESOLUTIONS:

Arthur's New Year's Resolutions:

Brenda's New Year's Resolutions:

At the moment, I’ve never thought about this. Now, my challenge is to start this list as soon as possible... By the way, I like making lists, but not for actions. Well, lets start!

First: I would like to work on point of me: patience. I'm so impatient, and this brings me so many problems that could be avoided. 

Second: It would make me happy to wear more clothes with colors, not just black things.

Third: If I laugh more at stupid things, I could forget real things that make me sad. So I would like to laugh more... I'm so serious.

Fourth: I won't advance much with homework, as obviously I'm doing now, a week before it is due.

Fifth and last one item: I would be, AND I WILL BE more happier, more motivated and more BRENDA!

Gabriel's New Year's Resolutions:


Leo's New Year's Resolutions:

2014 will be better than 2013

Laila's new year's resolutions:

@Go back to college, maybe;

@Publish a book;

@Travel to San Diego;

@Eat healthier and restart exercising;

@Learn to use an appointment book;

@Stop complaining about life;

@Stop complicating things;

@Pay attention to my body and mind;

Laura's New Year's Resolutions:

In 2014, I have a lot of things that I intend to do, and things that I want to change in me.

In 2014, I …

I don’t want to be shy. I want to be Laura in every situation, and so nobody will say that I don’t exist. 

This year, people that should know who I am didn’t do, because I never talked to them. It’s just because of my problem of shyness, so I will change it.

I want to lose weight. In 2013, I gained so much weight, and now I’m feeling fat. People say that I’m not fat, but I know that if I become thin, I will be happy. But I want to be healthy too.

I will get new piercings in my body! I want a lot of new piercings, but I have to wait the healing of one to get another. I really like it.

I want to start a new sport, like soccer or dance. I like sports, and I don’t want to keep going to the bodybuilder. 

I want to travel to a different place.

I want to keep my friendship with my friends and meet new people.

I want to have good grades at school and PBF, and study hard.

I want to have longer nails. It’s hard for me to keep them long because they break and I’m clumsy too.

Ohhh there are so many things! I won’t list all of them, but I’m sure I will work hard to make everything happen.

Leonardo's New Year's Resolutions:

My expectations for 2014:

1. I want to continue beautiful as I am.

2.I hope can see the final of the World Cup.

3.I hope that final World Cup is between Brazil and Germany.

4.I hope can evolve into various things like the guitar.

5.I hope to do me well in the new school which will study

6.I hope do me well in the  high school.

7. I hope to continue living as live the way I live.

8. I hope to continue to live with the same people.

9. I hope to meet new people.

10. I hope it's English class on FRIDAY.

11. But I hope I never stop being who I am.

Nicolle's New Year's Resolution:

- Get a tattoo.

- Get two piercings, one on the lower lip and other on the nose.

- Buy more CDs.

- Have a girlfriend.

- Go to Amextreme

- Dye my hair black.

- Renovate my room.

- Start drawing and singing classes.

Nicolle's response

My world with no rules

In my world with no rules it would have no prejudice, I'd rape someone (yeah, this is creepy but it's a will) and rockstars would be my neighbours.

I would have my own band and I'd be the lead singer. People could do what they want without any restriction, like smoking , getting drunk, doing drugs and stuff.

People would be immortal, with no health problems. Things would be for free and infinite. 

People could say all the bad words they want, and school would only teach what would be necessary for life.

Leonardo's Response

In My World of Fast Learning

In my world,  things would be different from this world but unlike other minds, I think everyone has to be ruled by some rules, for example in my world, working hours such as 8 hours per week would not be required but the right should be to work only for two days and then we would take vacation of one month, once a year. 

This is because I believe that a world without rules, there is no society.  It ends with work and out of work. In a world without rules, people would live by themselves in solitude and loneliness. Or maybe there would be no survival. But I also have a few principles when people are off work, they would have to enjoy the most of their free time this way. In my world, only schools for two years. And after college for only one year. 

In my world, cities would be made into the sea because my planet would have only a few land areas and over water areas because the land areas would need to be preserved with the few living beings that inhabit it. And that would be my world.

Brenda's Response

A World without Rules

I believe in a free world, where you can do whatever you want to do... But unfortunally our world is a machine, controlled by people... As a Megadeth’s song says: “You take a mortal man and put him in control, you watch him become a god and watch peoples heads a'roll”. I believe in this miracle: a world without rules.

If I could live this way, I would walk naked, rob stores, destroy public property ... I'd do everything you have always been taught not to do. Certainly, you have this wish like me, and it’s because this and all this snowball called “system” that I hate been locked in a system (capitalism) that I can’t runaway. 

Society put labels in poor people,  rich people, well dressed people... This is scared, because anyone can live their life in the way that they want to live. This is how I think, and you?

Laura's Response

Well, a world without rules;

Without rules, people wouldn’t pay taxes for anything. But how would the world be like if there were thieves free on streets? It would be a little dangerous, I guess. But without rules, everybody could work and have a great life with this money. And without rules, politicians mustn’t be necessary, so this profession wouldn't exist.

But people would have a bad thought about money. I’m sure a lot of people would try to be richer than others. And people would use violence at moments of rage, and without rules, people would be free after hurting or killing someone. It would be awful.

People would destroy nature to take feedstock, or things that can make them rich. And anything, that lives in nature, would die, like native animals. About animals, people would abandon pets if they don’t want them anymore, and nothing could be said, because there is no rule about protection of animals.

I’m sure that rules aren't good at all, but it's necessary to make the world organized.

What would happen if there were no rules in the world?

Anarchy? Not really. Chaos? More probable. I can't wait to see the students' responses which should be as creative as possible.

Gabriel writes about his teacher Laila

An eternal learner

She learned to read and write at the age of 4 years old, Laila Chris Burden has always had contacts with books and the world of education. Her parents are teachers and they both influenced directly in her choices. The university was question of honor for the family. Soon after graduating from high school, Laila had to focus on majoring in anything.

Her choice of major came from so many possible majors to choose from such as Biology , Advertising, Journalism, and Psychology. She opted for the latter and graduated from the State University of Londrina - PR . The decision was not guided thinking, and the professional practice or the practice of being a journalist was never a possibility in Laila's life. She just thought about the curriculum and study the techniques involved in this area . At no time crossed his mind to give up, but at the end of graduation she did not bother to send her resume to any communication channel .

What caught her attention in journalism was the courses on semiotics, theories of communication , cinema, and so she decided on another degree. She picked out Arts, minor in Creative Writing. The Major was Arts. held in Florida - USA, made Laila thought of being a teacher . And since becoming a teacher of English, is a passion in her life .

She takes advantages in the division that teacher Laila carries out during the week,  sometimes being a teacher, sometimes being a student. " Being a teacher makes me take a critical look and wonder how my own teachers teach me so and why he/she chooses that method and so forth. And by being a student, it helps me understand the best way I can deal with and reach out my students" she says.

Laura writes about Arthur

Hi, here I am. This time, I am here to write about Arthur. He has light brown hair and pale skin, and he’s thin. I can’t remember him well, but I think his eyes are brown, like his hair. I met him when I started studying at PBF English School, at the beginning of the year. I thought he was a little shy when I met him, but I was completly wrong. He looks like a happy person, and he’s funny and receptive (:

According to my teacher, Arthur is a good student, but he could do better if he did his homework and studied for the tests. 

Gabriel's Personal Hero

In this text I will talk about my favorite band : Hollywood Undead. They are my personal heroes. The band was born in 2005 with a song titled "The Kids " . 

The band became successful thanks to " MySpace " site , which was where they posted their songs. Initially , the group was formed by Aron Erlichman ( Deuce ) , Jorel Decker ( J ­Dog ), George Ragan ( Johnny 3 Tears ) , Jordon Terrell ( Charlie Scene) , Dylan Alvarez ( Funny Man ), Matthew St. Claire (Da Kurlzz ) and, finally , Shady Jeff, who left the band in the first few months. In the first nine weeks on MySpace, their songs played about 1 million times and in 2006 they became one of the biggest independent artists on Myspace with their songs playing over 8 million times . Until November 2008 the band had nearly 440,000 friends on the site .

The band performs with masks to give an sensation of mystery. This came from his MySpace page in which they had pictures with hockey masks . They played their first live show in August 2008 in Virgim Mobile Festival after winning 285,000 votes, more than half the total of a band contest against the other 4 groups . The most popular song of the group is called " Undead " and is the soundtrack of the games Madden NFL 09 and UFC 2009 Undisputed .

Brenda writes about Leonardo

My awesome classmate!

Brenda and Leonardo at our pbf computer lab

First of all, I would like to say something: at the beggining of year, I wasn’t happy in this group. Why? Because I was a little shy with all of my classmate. I met Laura, also shy too, and we’ve started to talk. 

During the year, I was becoming attached in such a way with my classmates whom I became attached to our group became strong, and I can also say that I feel this too with my friend Leonard.

Leonard, as we know, is a sweet boy, who makes us laugh all the classes. He disturbs the teacher every little minute but Laila loves Leo! Hehehe

I conclude that our class is unique, and without any of us, especially without Leo, we would not be more than a class. I feel affection for Leo, and if I had to present it to someone, I would say he is one of the dearest boys I know!

Nicolle's Personal Hero:

My Heroes:

I don't have an only hero. My heroes are from My Chemical Romance, they all went through and overcame difficulties. 

Gerard Way was a suicidal, self mutilate, drank, bullied and drugged. Mikey Way was a drugged. Frank Iero is depressed and was bullied. Ray Toro was bullied. 

They formed a band together and overcome their problems. Their music saved so many lives as mine.

Now they broke up for unknown reasons, but they still make music in solo.

Brenda's Personal Hero

My Personal Hero

At the beginning of the Universe, as we almost know today, something must be the creator of all. This creator has been alive in our minds since millions of years, and instigates me to think about. 

My personal hero is this creator, this energy, this big peace of life (whatever you want to call), so powerful than nothing. 

In my conception, you can’t give this atribute for a human, like you, because at the same time you’re calling yourself unable to satisfact your heroic thirst. A hero must be a superior energy , a thing that you may aspirate goodness. Heroes aren’t perfect Heroes are the pure essence of your existence, and this is the most beautiful thing. 

Laura's Personal Hero

Hey, I’m here again. 
Today I came here to talk about my personal hero. 

Who is he?
Well, he is Robert Downey Jr, best known as the Iron Man. OMFG I LOVE THIS MAN, really. He is absolutely the best actor in the world and the most handsome old man I know - he is still 48, but It's to old to me. 

I got to know him watching Iron Man, and WOW. He is handsome, cool, funny , and more: At Iron Man movie, he likes AC/DC , and I love it. He doesn’t play in movies only as Iron Man, but as Charles Chaplin and Sherlock Holmes too. 

In his movies, he’s always an intelligent guy, who knows everything. But I like his personality as a normal man. He used to do drugs in the past, but since he met his wife, he made a promisse that he wouldn’t do it again – and he has made it. 

Well, he has been my personal hero since 2007, when I watched Iron Man .

Teacher Laila's Personal Hero

Here's my personal hero: Anthony Bourdain

Hi, there. This is teacher Laila again announcing the new topic for new posts that these kids are going to work on: MY PERSONAL HERO. I understand by hero someone to look up to, someone to admire, respect, and have strong wish to become that person. I do have these feeling towards this chef/reporter/writer called Anthony Bourdain. His famous for hosting shows such as "No Reservations" and "Parts Unknown", being both travel/international cooking shows. Anthony writes not only for his TV shows, but also for books. I've read a couple of his books "Kitchen Confidential" and "Medium Raw". His trips are countless. He has been literally in every continent at least 20 times filming, writing, recording, helping edit, eating and drinking, what not? On a youtube video, there is this girl who doesn't buy what Mr. Bourdain states about his job: that it is not easy to fly from country to country and find there whatever is interesting and amusing for his TV shows. Of course no one would buy Bourdain's opinion on his job.

Leonardo's short Bio

I was born on March 30 in 1999. But, now, I am 14 years old and I live in Caxias do Sul, RS in Brazil. I study English at pbf, the best English school in the world. Besides, I have the best teacher ever: Laila Chris Burden.  I also have a family with Magno my dad, Simone my mom, Lara my sister, Felipe my brother and this is my family.I study in eighth grade at Mutirão Objetivo.I like:video games,books,anime,to sleep,chocolates, and other many things.And I dislike: volleyball, onions,soap opera, Globo Channel, Internacional Soccer Team, Chinese food, tomate and many other things. My life is based on getting up early, then going to school,  having lunch, and I always have dinner and sleep during the night  like everybody else does. These are my basic needs and this is my life.

Nicolle writes about Brenda

Brenda

Brenda da Rolt Nervis is my classmate, She's pretty, cool, funny and she likes almost the same bands as I do. 

She studies at Colégio Madre Imilda and she's in the second year of high school.

She has a cat called Rubi, It's very cute.

Her boyfriend's name is Davi, He studies at Colégio São José. He's nice. We had lunch with all the English classmates at Tonico Lanches and he was with us.

Gabriel's Bio

Well, let's get started. My name is Gabriel Camargo and I am fifteen years old. I was born in 1998, in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. I study at Murialdo, in first year of the high school and live with my family in a house. My nuclear family is composed by my mother, my father, my sister, my aunt and I. My favorite things boil down to sleeping, writing and reading. I like to listen to music too, and my favorite band probably is Hollywood Undead. Oh yeah, I also play the guitar.

However, I hate some things too, that includes roast beef, pork meat, annoying people and many other things.Yeah, I have more dislikes than likes. And some pet peeves too. One of my pet peeves are arguments with ignorant people without knowledge. Okay, maybe that’s a pet pevee, since it irritates me deeply. Well, I think that’s all I can show it to you. For the time being; one new week, one new text. 

Bye for now.

Nicolle's Bio

My Description

Hello, my name is Nicolle Christine Sartor and I am 15 years old. My bithday is on August, 31. I'm in the first year of high school at Colégio Murialdo, My favortie subject is Philosophy. I live with my dad Carlos Alberto, my mom Izabel and my sister Monique. I have two dogs: Mellody and Snoopy, they're such good pets. 

I like anime, videogames, music and Twitter.

My music taste is not very varied, most of the bands I like are rock bands. I like My Chemical Romance (my favorite), Arctic Monkeys, Fall out Boy, Panic! at the disco, Paramore, The Used, Rolling Stones, Stone Sour, Misfits, Iron Maiden, Korn and LeATHERMOUTH. Other musical styles that I like are J-rock, K-pop and a unique pop singer, that is Miley Cyrus (I like her current songs, not the old ones).

My style is a little emo, my favorite color is black and the second one is red. I wear black pants, all stars, band T-shirts and these kinds of clothes. 

Only ME

                                        

Hey my name is Arthur. I’m thirteen years old and I was born in Caxias do Sul, on March first of 2000. Actually I live with my parents. I’m an only child, and my parents protect me too much but I understand it because they want the best for me. 

On the day that I was born The Constitution of Finland was rewritten.

What annoys me? People annoy me, especially when they pick on me. This is so irritating and this annoys me so much! 

A curiosity about me: I am too much sincere with people and this hurts me! Some people like this but some others don't. 

I'm not shy and I am not patience with people. I like to sleep, eat, see TV, use the computer and go out with my friends!

Hi, I'm Laura

Hi, I'm Laura. I'm 14 , and I live with my parents and my sister in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. I live here since I was born, in 1998. I study at São Caetano school, and I'm at the first grade.

I like piercings and tatoos, but I hate butterflies - If I see butterflies flying, I'll probably run away. My family always says that I'll get hurt someday because of this fear, but its something that I can't control.

My family is perfect: We're completely crazy!

When I was born, nothing changed in the world, but it was the best day of my parents' life, I'm sure.

Something wrong about living...

Hey, I’m Brenda I’m fifteen years old, almost sixteen. I’m a Brazilian kind of strange girl. 

Did you know that  0n the day I was born, a Russian military plane fell onto a residential area in Siberia, killing 46 people? Sad but true =/

My family is a kind of nice (when they want).

I study high school at Madre Imilda School, located in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. I intend to major in “International Relations” at Unisinos, although I like’ physics (hehe). I am used to being a stressed person that does not leave anything for later… 

I don’t have many friends, but the friends that I have, I love them. I have a boyfriend too, and with him, I learn about life every day…  Above all, I don’t want to be happy, I wanna be the happiness in people’s lives! That’s me!

Welcome to PBF Caxias do Sul

Students' Blog!

by Laila Chris - pbf English Teacher

I am Brazilian and live to write. Laila is my first name, 38 years old is my age. I happened to have started a fiction book, back in 1999 that is still unfinished, and since then I have been trying to give a dynamic rythm to the story which seems to be endless. As I said, "seems to be". To my opinion, writing looks like complicated and it may even be, but we can't assume that without trying it.

Since writing is one of the tools I have to teach English (ah! I might've forgotten to say that I teach languages!), I insist to my students to write essays and short stories with topics previously assigned by me or free issues which may be related to their lives. I believe that if they start writing from their lives' matters, they'll get to find more elements to recognize vocabulary they know and sometimes seems to be not there. I find quite terrific results through their writings.

If you are trying to follow my thoughts, you may be asking yourself "what kind of blog will this be?" and I would like to give you a hand on that. Well, PBF is an acrynom that stands for Pink and Blue and FREEDOM. These are names for the very first and best Brazilian methodologies for teaching English to kids and teenagers in Brazil, it goes back to 1965 more exactly. There are about 250 PBF schools in Brazil. 

In Caxias do Sul, pbf school is located downtown on the main avenue called JULIO DE CASTILHOS, in LOURDES NEIGHBORHOOD, Caxias do Sul city, Brazil.  There the students can spend some time logging on the web, playing pool, table tennis, video games, chatting with the teachers, doing their homework, making friends for a lifetime, and definitely learning English and Spanish once and for all.

The purpose that these kids and young adults have to learn English are countless, however they all know that at this school, PBF - Pink and Blue/FREEDOM, they have got to acquire knowledge concerning both the spoken and the written aspects of the language. ESL studies are important for their future and even more important for their mental occupation.

Writing, most of the times is not a well-seen activity or not easily accepted by the general public. Therefore, we can't agree more that the best way to start loving writing is by actually giving it a try. We've thought this over and figured 'why not asking them to write entries regularly and publish them...', at least for a month, therefore I named this project: NOVEMBER BLOG.  During the month of November, Nicolle, Laura, Brenda, Arthur, Leo, and Gabriel will weekly publish post on random topics for you to read, obviously, in ENGLISH. And Laila, the teacher, will carefully proofread everything ;)

So, delight yourselves with these kids' and the teacher's posts. I am sure they have tried to do their best and make us even prouder of being their mentors. Hope they will find the way to give the right rythm to their writings.