ELC BLOG

Introducing Fernanda Michelle Cordeiao Da Silva! Fernanda, from Brazil, is a lively spirit who loves to travel, enjoys theatre, and meeting new people. She is at ELC to improve her English because it is important for her career, and because she wants to be able to talk to people in English and get to know them. Read on to learn more about Fernanda.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in the northeast area of Brazil, in the countryside of Caruaro.

Why are you studying English in Los Angeles?

I like LA because of the weather and its friendly environment. It’s also a big city but not as big as Sao Paulo! I am interested in studying acting and I think LA is good for that..It’s the film capital of the world. I work for an American company so it’s important for me to know English. Also, it’s the most spoken language in the world! Since I like talking, learning English allows me to approach people and meet new friends.

Is this your first time in the US?

This is my second time in Los Angeles. I have been to the US about five to six times since my job is headquartered in Florida. And this  is actually my third experience studying abroad. I’ve previously studied in London and Vancouver.

Did you experience culture shock?

I did not experience much culture shock because Brazil is similar to the US. There are similar movies, fast food, and music. American people always ask “how are you doing?” but when people ask that in Brazil, they actually want to know how you are doing!

What do you miss about your country?

I miss my husband the most! I also miss my food since Brazilian food is healthier than the food here. I also miss my friends and family.

What do you do for fun?

Traveling! Within two months, I went to San Diego, the Bahamas, Florida, San Francisco and Las Vegas with friends. I also like going to the theater. I love traveling, beach cinema, and dance!

What is your favorite phone application?

My favorite phone application is WhatsApp. It’s a messaging application and I can chat with friends much faster. It’s better than Facebook and Instagram.

Do you have any tips for people who want to learn English?

Don’t be shy and speak more! Don’t worry about making mistakes, you can learn from them. Read the lyrics when listening to music, watch movies, and my teacher Vraje taught us to write letters to improve our English.

Favorite place in LA:

Santa Monica Pier

Favorite restaurant in Westwood:

800 Degrees Pizza

Favorite type of food:

All food! I particularly like Italian food.

Favorite moment in class at ELC:

I really enjoy Vraje’s classes. He picks interesting topics to make us think and discuss about. Some topics we have discussed are homeschooling, homelessness, and “what is beauty?” It feels like a philosophy class.