Would you please tell us about yourself?
My name is Hellen. I was born in Peru, but I moved to Argentina when I was a baby, so Argentina for me is my home. I don’t have siblings, but I don’t have «only child syndrome» either, so don’t worry!
In April 2022, I moved to Europe. I want to see the world. This year (2023), I visited France, Spain, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Portugal. Now, I am living in Lisbon and I work in the IT area, although I studied Archeology… So is life.
I choose to live here, because it is the only country where I can find work without a visa. I am still waiting for my residence. I hope to have it soon, because more countries are waiting for me!
I miss Argentina. I miss my family, my friends, my home, the food, and my culture. It is so hard to want to feel close when you are so far. But sometimes, on the weekend, I meet with my Argentinian friends here in Lisbon, and we listen to Argentinian rock or cumbia, and we make asado or pasta on Sundays. These moments fill me up with new energy.
So, I am just here living my life…
Why are you learning English?
English is necessary for life in general, and more so when you are in a country where they speak another language. When I arrived in Europe, I thought my English was good, but here many people speak perfect English, like natives. For example, I had job interviews, but they wanted a person with C1 or more in conversation. So I started with English classes again, to try to speak more like a native. Now I’m studying every day.
What is your favorite part of learning English?
I love when Gau asks me, «How was your week?» Haha. It’s a simple question, but here people don’t speak so much, and they don’t ask you about your week. If you ask, «Hey, how was your week?», they look at you like what do you want to know about my life?
So when I have class with Gau, I can speak about everything, and I feel free. I know I need more practice in English, but he teaches me that if I make a mistake, it’s okay.
What is the most difficult part of learning English?
I think the most difficult part for me is when I try to speak in English while thinking in Spanish. Sometimes, I don’t find exactly the right word in English, and I feel so crazy. But I remember what my dad told me, “Traduttore è un traditore.” It is an Italian proverb, and it means that a translation is not exact because the meaning of words change from one language to another.
Do you have any suggestions for people who are learning a language?
I am sure that if you really want to learn English or another language, you need to practice and study apart from class. It is necessary if you want to think in English. If you practice in your free time, you will see that you have conversations with yourself in the language. For example, with common phrases like, Oh, I need to cook dinner, or I need to go to the supermarket, you will think in English. For me, being bilingual is my goal.
Is there anything else that you would like to share?
English is good if you have an excellent teacher like Gau. When I finish my classes, every Tuesday and Thursday, I feel so happy! In class, I speak, read, talk about life, and I can see that if I want something, it is never too late!
Hellen’s Contributions
