9.+12th+E+folks,+TIME+FOR+ASSESSMENT

9. 12th E folks, __TIME__ FOR ASSESSMENT ** The schoolyear is coming to a close. So, let's assess all the work done and share some opinions! Point all all the positive and not so positive, or even negative points!... **** Just let me jot down a few topics for you to consider: **

** A. Expectations - Were they fulfilled or not? Why (not)? ** Personally, I didn't really knew what to expect, I had heard a lot about this class and the teacher but "you never know what you're gonna get" ! At first I was overwhelmed and surprised with everyone's english and their capacities. It took me some __time__ to fit in and feel confortable enough in class but, when I finally did, it started to be completly different. Not every class was a fun from the begining to the end, but I think you managed to keep them interesting and the themes we discussed were appropriate for our age and tastes. In the end, we have to thank you for all your efforts to keep us interested :) Although it takes a lot of work sometimes, I just make fun of all my friends that didn't choose english, I told them .. Emilia Mota

When it was time to make a decision about what we would have this last year at school I confess I was a little bit unsure. However, I don't regret it, it was a very good option and we were able to learn more, to discuss some different contents and make different activities. What I really like most in these classes is that we are not only learning English but also obtaining a lot of information we didn't know that well. Teresa Silva

Last year when it was time to take a decision it was not really difficult, english seemed to be the best option which turned to be true. I believe that this year gave me not only the oportinity to continue improving but also to gain some new skills and knowledge about different aspects. Moreover, in out classes I fell that we are not there only to learn english but also to obtain new and different knowlegdes about a diversity of themes. To sum up, I would say that my expectations about were fulfilled and that I really enjoyed the themes we discussed during this year. Ana Paula

One more year has passed and unfortunately the last one. This year fulfill my expectations like the previous ones with lots of roleplays, class discussions and movies. I must say when I came to the 10th grade I was not expecting anything like this but at the end I was quite surprised because it was much more fun than what I was expecting. The 12th grade was also great with lots of new things and different activities from the previous years and it still was able to impress me.

Filipe Borges

Because we know each other for three years now, this year proved how well we work toghether. The dinamic and the "at-easy" we have showed during classes. That contributed a lot to the students performance. It was more than I expected because of that bond that I think grew bigger this year. Rita Rebelo

I did not had any expectations whatsoever but I can easily say that we grew as individuals and got better in group activities and that is clear in the roleplays, the improvisations, the speaking activities in class and the coments on the movies. =Pedro 12ºE= = I didn't have many expectations too, because at the time, I had no friend that had The subject English, in 12th grade. I knew the classes wouldn't be much different from the las years' and at some point, I think I was right. The fact that we'd know most of us for three years just leads the classes to a whole new level. I think this year.. For instance, the teacher and the students were realy at ease, like Rita said. Both students made jokes between them and with the teacher, and the teacher also mocked at us, which gave us confidence, a great feeling within the class. Also, comparing to the first year.. The comments on what the teacher asked us to do are different now.. There are more people participating and comments are truly erudite ! Mariana Marques =

I chose English as a specific subject because not only did I already know the way classes would be conducted, which I appreciate, but I also believed it would be the most useful tool I would have in my futur, academically and socially speaking. Most of college books are written in english, even classes are often taught in english; if we want to go abroad, and nowadays we're not only supposed to want but also to need to go abroad, we will need a solid basis on the universal language, so we all have that nearly covered. Plus, since we knew from the beginning which teacher we were going to have, our path became easier to define. So, I can assure this year was really enriching and my expectations were thoroughlly reached. Vitória Melo

My expectations were definitely fulfilled. There were many different activities according to the various themes we dealt with. I think we broaden the limits and talked about some problems we face nowadays in our society. The fact that we apply the subject to our own life makes it much more interesting. Núria Paulo.

I In retrospective the whole english experience was enriching and I can´t say that these 3 years weren't a different and original approach the the old fashioned concept of the usual english class. My expectations are fulfilled and I abandon this class with the conscience that I am doing it with more knowledge not only related to the language itself but also with more practical knowledge and also knowing more about a huge variety of concepts. Diogo Silva

** B. Contents / topics dealt with - Which one(s) did you like best and least? Why? ** i really enjoy the part when we learned about the decades culture it helped me to understand our past and how it was in the other countries. diogo portugal

Despite confusing and complicated, I really like when we talked about wall street and financial collapse. It was a subject that was not dominated by me. But I also appreciated very much when we talked about the music / culture. Moreover I also loved when we developed the project about who's afraid of virginia wolf. Filipa Pina

The topic I liked the most was the “1950s-1990s: culture, art and society” because it was a completely new subject we have never talked about. It was really new for me and interesting because there was a lot of contents which have improved our personal education. Carolina Cunha 12ºE

I liked very much the topic “1950s-1990s: culture, art and society” because it was a totally different topic and the ideals and history of 20th century is something that I'm interested in. I also liked very much this last topic because we could give more attention to the English that we aren't used to listen that much, if we can say like that. The videos you showed us were very funny, specially the one with the irish men on the elevator. Teresa Silva

The topics that we dealt with this year where all interesting and I liked all of them. It allowed us to have many different kinds of activities. Like the others have already said, my favourite one was the Decade's topic. After all, we're teenagers, music, movies and culture is what we like to talk about, it worked really well. Emilia Mota

The project about the play "Who's afraid of Virginia woolf" was the one that I most loved not only because it had an really interesting and catching story but also because it can be useful for us as citizens and human beings. It represented much more than just a subject that we had to work and it was really easy for me to study it because it was not an obrigation at all. The topic about " 1950s-1990s: culture, art and society" was probably the one that contributed more for our culture and to improve our knowledges about history and social backgrounds. I also believe that the fact that each group had to deal with a different period was a great ideia because we had to find funny and creative ways to present each years. However, I have to admit that this last topic about varieties of languages was not something that I enjoyed a lot and found interesting. Ana Paula

I must admit some were a bit repetitive like the ones about cultural diversity and woman's rights, but a good thing was that we didn't do the obvious approach. I liked a lot of the 50's to 90's culture, because we got to understand how much of our corrent culture is connected to those decades. Rita Rebelo

The topic I least liked was the one regarding women's rights just because we had already discussed the subject a lot and clearly last year, as mentioned. The one I most liked was 1950s-1990s: culture, art and society.. We usually relate a lot to music.. Even if it isn't the common music of our times. I guess that's why we all really liked the topic. And also because, for instance, in my case, when the radio is tunned on rfm, for example, my parents start singing like crazy ( I guess I got that gene too) and then dancing with each other all in love. It was really good to me to know more about my parents' icons. After all, their attitudes were the ones my parents' generation looked up to, so I guess, it could also help me to understand some way of thinking.. And after that, we even sang together some musics that I'd just hear in class. I really liked it. Mariana Marques

I agree with the previous comments in relation to the repetitive themes that were approached in class however I understand that this approach is needed to raise awareness to the world social crisis not only to the stigmas of our society about racial differences but also about the pre designed ideas about inequality between men and women. Moreover I would like to congratule the work developed in the topic of the 50's to 90's culture, from my point of view it was a innovation that allowed to know our past culture better in a different way. =Pedro 12ºE=

I really liked the classes we talked about different cultures and women power. Personally, I learnt a lot about other communities and the difficulties some people still undergo nowadays. I also enjoyed the classes related to previous decades and its most important influences and artistic movements. Núria Paulo.

My favourite subject was the multiculturalism one. It really allowed us to see the huge differences present in such a small world. Also, it showed us that every single person is different than the next and that, in order to live in harmony, we should learn to deal with that. Diogo Silva

I adored dealing with the theater of the absurd of Samuel Beckett in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”. All of its complex emotional background, glamorous ironies, and existential crisis conquered my deepest interest. From watching the play and the movie to the open class discussions about it, everything was incredibly amusing and brain-storming. Our roleplay that term was somehow related to the play, so it became the extension of the knowledge we already had about its themes and characters. Vitória Melo

** C. Class activities / materials - Which activities / materials used did you like best? And least? Why? ** I think you did a great work making the classes so dinamic but in the other hand I don´t really like this activity of improvisation, because tha´s not a really improvisation some group do it on the same day and have to do an improvisation others do it in other day and it is no longer an improvisation but a mini-roleplay... And that is not just. But after 3 years It was a great job and in terms of class activities it was great **Renato**

I think that the pyramid discussion is an interesting method. Although it is not a lot of fun but I had never participated in something like that and to me it is a diferent way to have a class. I also enjoyed the classes that we gave. The themes were catchy and everyone should want to pay attention to them. Some of the groups worked harder or had a better audience, anyway, I really liked that part of the 2º term. I would have to say that what I don't really enjoy are the improvisation classes. Some of the groups make us laugh and are pretty creative but, personaly, I struggle with that part because I always feel that I was not creative enough. Emilia Mota

I agree with Renato in what improvisation role is concerned. After 3 years of hard study, one week before the end of classes and exams coming, we are just a little bit tired and you shouldn’t expect much of us. Personally, I don’t feel comfortable doing it too, because I do not consider myself good at “theatre” or even doing it in a funny way. Some people do it very well and it’s pleasant to see, but I’m not one of them. Furthermore, I think you did your best coming up with all those different ways of presenting the topics in order to be creative and to spare us of having boring classes. Carolina Cunha 12ºE

The activities I liked best were the pyramid discussion and cafe concert. These are activities that promote our speaking and argumentative skills. In addition, these activities provide different, innovative and fun classes. Filipa Pina

I liked very much when you showed us the video of Charlie Chaplin's speech and when we saw and discuss Forrest Gump. Moreover, you are great in what concerns choosing movies and innovating the classes. Teresa Silva

For me oral presentations were the best, despite of all the work it envolves to prepare them they are funny to watch and to perform. Nuno Pipa

As Teresa said you choices of movies are really good and you always try to choose something that is current so that it cause a biggest impact on us but you also the ones that can give the best aproatch to the topics we are supposed to deal with. The only film that I did not liked at all was Gattaca, it was a litle strange.Another material that you used were the speeches that were well chosen and pleasant for us to watch. About the activities you promote I think that they are innovative and that demand our dedication and attention which is the objective. The pyramid discussions are a great way to make everyone participate and share their opinions and sometimes to establish interesting discussion in the class. The improvisation were from my point of view a good ideia to develop our creativity and critic spirit because it has to be something natural and at the same time funny. It is someyhing that I really liked to do not only in the first term but also this last ones. The roleplays are also a work that is funny to do. It demands a lot of effort and work but it is worth in the end because we learn a lot with it and gain some spirit of responsability. Ana paula The kind of classes we do are far from dull, because we debate almost all topics it makes classes and learning more interesting, because you want share your opinion. Of course, the films are another great way to attract our attention, not only do we learn vocabulary from it, but we also deepen our knowledge. However, this year my favourite activity was going to the theatre, and then discussing the play, I think it was because this play had depth and we really connected with the themes. Rita Rebelo Your classes are always enthusiastic. I mean, you walk into the room, you see the chairs and tables all over the place, and you litterally don't know what to expect. That's what I like more in your classes. Or even when we think we're gonna have a normal class, you let us do improvisation work and that really entertains a lot ! And then, we have got to give you credit about the work you have after we see a movie. It's like at home.. If I see a movie, I see the movie, laugh or cry xD, but never going to search about it.. But, with you, it is different, you make us all so clever, with lots and lots of new knowledge, and I really like that feeling at the end of the day. About the materials I liked the least.. Maybe, when you ask us to do some wrtiting work.. You understand it.. We're so used to participate in class and speak, discuss with you and our colleagues, that we tend to forget that part.. And when you ask us to do, I think of it as something painful xD However, the WIKI project has obliged me to write and that is solving part of the problem :) Mariana Marques

The activities I liked the most were the roleplay presentations and maybe some of the open class discussions( some of the ones in witch we switched places, I'm not sure it was this year). Like Pipa said, besides all the work involved in the process of making the role play, it is allways a good feeling finishing it and presenting it while listening to some laughs. The material i liked the least was maybe the Wiki, but I think that is explained by my antipathy for this forum-like web sites, It's just not for me... Diogo Silva

There was no movie that I didn’t like watching, so I choose all of them, plus some videos like those funny ones about different varieties of English. This final activity we’ve been developing about the several trailers of movies that mix distinct accents, like “Godfather”, “Lost in Translation” or “L’Auberge Espagnole” is also quite captivating and smartly thought. However, since the end of the term is approaching and we’re all tired and thinking about the exams it’s not having the finest results, I believe. Vitória Melo

** D. Which was the best movie project that I suggested? And the most terrible? Why? ** I did not like at all 'Gattaca', it was kind of weird for me. Too futuristic, it had some special effects that turned it into a too heavy sci-fi movie. Still, it had a strong message.My favourite one was Forest Gump. It mixes a bunch of important historical events, with the character's own innocence, luck and some funny facts. For sure one of the best movies ever! Nuno Bico SInce I've only been with you this year, my favourite movie would have to be Forrest Gump like Nuno said. In general, I liked all the movies we watched this year, they were all very distinct but amazing and appropriate (Charlotte Gray, Wall Street, Fair Game..) I cannot resist, I believe that we watchde the same movies in the other 2 years: I loved Into the Wild! It was a movie with a very deep, troubled and unique message and inicially, I thought that it would be hard to catch everyone's attention. Surprisingly, it did and in my class we spent so much time analysing and talking about it, and no one got tired of it. Again, i share Nuno's oppinion, Gattaca was not the type of movie that I enjoy, but you cannot please everybody! Emilia Mota

I liked Charlotte Gray very much, Into the Wild and Forrest Gump, they were my favorites. As the most terrible, I agree with Bico, I think Gattaca had a lot of special effects and was just too weird. Carolina Cunha 12ºE

Of all the movies we've seen, my favorite was undoubtedly Into the Wild. I loved everything about this movie. From the soundtrack to the story, everything was perfect. I liked so much the movie that I had already turned to see it a million more times. Right now I consider it as one of my favorite movies. This year, I do not highlight any movie but the theater "who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?". Filipa Pina

My favorite movies were Forrest Gump and Into the Wild, probably because it is something that I would like to experience myself. Probably Gattaca was the one I liked less because I don't appreciate that much sci-fi movies. However, I liked very much the soundtrack and the "misterious side" of the movie. Teresa Silva

The best was definitely Forrest Gump, it's just a great movie and there is nothing not to like about it. The worst for me was Australia it talks about a great subject that deserves better. Nuno Pipa

In the three years my favourite movie was "Into the wild" it is simply touching and an really emotional movie that defenitly caught my attention.Another film that was remarcable for me was crash, it has a different format and it showed so many and distant life stories that in the end were all connected. It make us realise how do we depend on each other and that we should never ignore anyone. This year I liked watching "Eat, pray, love" it is the style of movie that I use to enjoy and it makes me feel very zen! The film portrays a beautiful story and it transmits an important message. Moreover, I have to admit that when I am sad I sometimes review some of the episods of this movie that I most liked. Ana Paula

Definitly Forrest Gump and Into the Wild. Two impressive films with a strong message and a clear life lesson. One showed us that even handicap people have their shot in life and with a lot of strength and courage we can overcame all obstacles (Forrest Gump). The other movie, Into the Wild, told us the story of a teenager who decided to forget his past and start a new life with different costumes. Amazing films that will not be forgotten.

Filipe Borges

"Forrest Gump" was the absolutly best film we've have ever seen:) This year there wasn't one I didn't like. I also appreciated the films and trailers we have been watching for the past few classes...Seeing the trailers and talking about them really made me want to watch them. Unfortunatly I wasn't there when we´ve watched an all-time favourite "The Godfather"! Rita Rebelo

Regarding only this year, Forrest Gump was my favourite. I'd already seen part of it during vacations and at home I watched it again. So, when I saw we were going to watch it in class, I was really glad. Like I said before, because I saw this film in class, I learned many more things about the movie I didn't knew. I'm talking mostly of the hhistorical events that, at the time, I didn't give it many attention, but after knowing what they were and what they represented, I could understand the movie better. It was a great movie ! On the other hand, NOT, one film I didn't like. But.. I thought it was the toughest for me.. Wall Street - The money never sleeps. When we first started seeing the moovie, I could understand just a bit and I guess that's why, at first, I wasn't really enjoying it. The problem was that we had never dealt in class with vocabulary regarding financial concepts and money issues. But, when we studied that vocabulary during and after the moovie, everything became more clear to us. Mariana Marques I believe the best movie project was the one that connected Australia an Forrest Gump. The fact that we could join all of that in our roleplay, as a way of dealing with different people and different backgrounds was really clever and interesting. Núria Paulo. Movies like "Into the Wild", "Forrest Gump", "Freedom Writters" were nice choices, but, on the other and, films like "Bend it like Beckham", "Gattaca" and "The Joneses" were not the best options in my point of view... Even so, the message was clean and contextualized in every theme that we where approaching. Diogo Silva Like I said before, there was no terrible movie option at all. I liked them all and I surely recommend them to everyone. I’m with Rita on this one and I stick for “Forrest Gump” as the best movie we saw this year. Built on beautiful and enlightening metaphors and counting on an extraordinary cast, it caught my attention until the end. It was great being able to include part of the message it conveyed in our musical roleplay, this term. Vitória Melo ** E. Which class(es) did you like the most? And the least? Why? **

Roleplay presentation classes are the best, you really have a great time. You laugh with your colleagues jokes even if their making fun of you, no words for that. You also realise that your friends have talent for the weirdest things, and that's awesome. Nuno Bico

I agree with Bico we really have talent for the weirdest things! And yes, roleplay presentations are the best! I also liked very much these last videos you showed us about the English speaking countries, the café concert activity, the Charlie Chaplin's speech as I already said, the surprise activities about leadership and politicians and of course the field trips we were able to do.Teresa Silva

Has i said before roleplay presentation classes, we can see and do the most inappropriate things in class. Nuno Pipa

Once again, I agree with what has already been said. Role Plays are great, sometimes it's really nerve racking, it takes a lot of work and time, but in the end, it's worth it. It's a unique feeling in the end of a roleplay, even when it didn't work as we expected, knowing that we created that and that's something we should always be proud of. I believe I've mentioned this, but those classes with the discussions and the cafe concert activity were great also. Emilia Mota The café concert was one of the classes that I most liked. It was different from any other activity that you have ever done and it mixed music with representation and food which made us feel more confortable and close to each other. There was a atmosphere that led us to a different period of history. The roleplay presentation, as it was already said, are the funniest classes not only when we are acting but also when we are assisting. It is amazing to discover that we can do things that we had never imagine to do, moreover, roleplays are a way for some people discover their talents and themselves. It also help us feeling more free and loosing all shame that we probably feel in the beginig. Ana Paula

I love roleplay classes, discussing films, I liked the class where we debated religion and the corrent scandls around it, also the class about the arabian women, any class that is about recent news and about cinema or music culture are great. Rita Rebelo Roleplays? It is impossible not to answer it at first xD But, I really like all those classes that are not ordinary, such as roleplays, improvisation roleplays, films, pyramid discussion.. Because.. we come from a day of school where in other classes, there are not so many calsses out of the ordinary. So, it's like, with this classes, we're being surprised with a little party :p And then, regarding all the english part, we know that when we discuss we're devolping our skills, without thinking of it. However, I have to admit that I don't agree with Paula when she says café-concert was one of the best.. I wasn't expecting what happened.. I think that some people worked for that class, came prepared and invested in it. Others didn't engaged as much. And that, honestly, interfereed a bit with the class and didn't give it the idea we were all lloking for and that we see on telivision. In my opinion, I've got to be honest, it didn't worked on its fullest. Mariana Marques

I particularly like the classes where we have student’s presentations and the ones we watch movies. I think we have proved that by watching films connected to the themes and units we study, we absorb the information much better. In what concerns to presentations, I consider that, in spite of being very demanding, it is always great to see what we and our colleagues can do when performing a character. Furthermore, we are much more involved in the activities, which is always positive. Núria Paulo.

Besides role play presentations, field trips and movie watching classes are always great to participate. I also like when you manage to engage a theme with a nice song, it is always nice to see a different aproach on one theme, no matter what it is. Diogo Silva

I’ll miss roleplays so much, this was definitely something unique in our high school history and helped us a lot increasing the power of our imagination, our ability to speak in public and to work in group, respecting and supporting each other. Roleplay presentations were amazing classes with lots of laughs and surprises. I also like open class discussions and debates about the several activities we developed this year, it’s always exciting finding symbols in the movies and attaching their meaning to them, drawing the pros and cons about a serious issue in our society. But test lessons are my favorite ones for sure ;) Vitória Melo

** F. How did you like your teacher? What were/are her qualities as a teacher and as a person? What about her defects? (I promise it won't interfere with your mark... So, be honest pleaseeeee!!!! ** I think you’re not just our teacher but our friend also, I think you know how to listen and to respect us, and that should be taken into consideration. In what flaws are concerned, I think everyone has its owns so don’t worry :D Carolina Cunha 12ºE

Two qualities I really think are important in your personality and way of teaching is that you are very good at understading our way of thinking, or teenagers way of thinking. As you said once, you are a teacher that like much more to be in a students' room than in a teachers' room and that just reflects the facility you have in addapting to our mentality and to also help us as a friend. The other quality is that you always try to be innovative and creative and to find different ways of teaching. Teresa SIlva

I really appreciate the fact that you try so hard to fit in and keep your classes fun and interesting..I know a lot of boring teachers who don't give a crap about the way we feel. That's a great quality, that I believe has brought you some anguish but you should keep being like that! As Carolina said, I think of you as a friend if I need, and you always allow us to say everything we feel and our oppinions. Impressively, you always manage to respect them, dialogue is the key for any relashionship, and you've created a great one with us. Emilia Mota I really like the relationship that you creat with us because it is much more than and teacher student relationship. You have a really young spitit that make us feel confortable with you. knowing that we can trust you and that you had already had our age make us realise that we can trust you. You are not only worried about giving the topics and teach english you do much more than that by finding ways to connect us with the topics, to make us creat bonds with what we learn and to make us better individuals. For me that is the defenition of a teacher, someone that knows us that teachs us the subjects but also someone that contributes to our growth as human beings and transmit us values. So thank you for being always so positive, innovative and for being our friend. Ana Paula

A great feature of our english teacher is her imediat connection to the students, we fell that we know her already, eventhough we might have just met her. After a while we're talking to her like to one of our peers, and sometimes we push it to far, and she gets upset. The problem is that because we have that ease to talk to her we tend to forget that line. Rita Rebelo

I reaaally like my teacher. The thing is that, it can be a problem, it can be an advantage, but I don't look at her as a normal teacher.. She makes jokes about me, knowing that I have a great sense of humor, and I do too,because I know she will laught at it. And for instance.. this year.. when you gave us those classes about love, we all got the idea that if we needed to.. we could come to you, as that girl came to her teacher, even if you're not our DT. Sincerely, Thank you for that too. On the other side, I feel your need to motivate us. When you feel like the classes are being too boreing and we're not answering the way you liked it, next week you come, with a much more good humour, ready to push for us. That's an admirable quality. And.. because you care so much, and we know you care, everyone notices.. sometimes you may take things too personal. We are 17/18 years old, but sometimes we can act like a 6/7, and I know we can be a really pain in the ass. Anb because you care so much, that tends to affect you. I don't know if I'm making my point, but caring works as a dual quality/defect sometimes. So be careful in the future too. Mariana Marques

You really care about all of us as students and individuals and that is something rare among teachers, so you should preserve it. You’re also extremely creative and smart since you’re able to design so many and different activities about a single theme, keeping the pace with a cool sense of humor. That makes classes really enthusiastic and motivating. Vitória Melo

** G. What would you like to have changed, added or simply taken away? ** I'm surprised because right now, it seems that I can only remember the good things. I've said this, the improvisation activities are not my favourite and because you bring so many different materials and ideas to the classroom, I don't really like when we have to have a "normal class", using the book for example. Emilia Mota

I agree with Emilia, I like the concept of the improvisation activity but I don't enjoy the process as much.Maybe you could call some students first and the would beggin a certain scene that they´ve choseen or that you´ve prepared and then the other students have to join them, as the first begin to leave the "stage" whenever the wish to do do. Just a idea... Rita Rebelo

In the line of what Rita and Emília said, I would like to suggest teatro-fórum it could also be a good idea. I would also change the sylabas.. It is always good to have some brand new contents to comment on. And for you, teacher.. You need to save up some paper xD I know we see many clips, and multimedia files, and , consequently , we comment on it, but try to arrange somehow a way to reduce some paper, if you can :p The ladys in the Reprografia probably hate you to the guts xD Mariana Marques

Listening comprehension tests! I’m kidding, I know they’re needed and lots of times they help increasing our mark; however I hate them. I think tests should be a little shorter, I was never able to finish them on time and, like me, there were a few other students, so I believe teachers should find a way to improve that. This year we didn’t have much time to train our compositions and writing skills and that should be taken into consideration for the students to come, as well. Vitória Melo

** H. Any special memories you will keep? Which ones? ** We will always remember our role plays and our “clumsy way” of representing. That’s something we will keep in our memory for sure xD All the bad and good things we have learned made us who we are today. Carolina Cunha 12ºE

Definitely the first movie we saw, the first roleplay, the incredible plays we watched, the favorite movie, our laughs... All this is going to be on our memories certainly. Teresa Silva

I would never forget all the characters that I played in this three years and all the funny moments that we had inside of our room. Ana paula

Good and special moments always stay in our minds, the only thing that makes me sad is that we're not able to see all the roleplays again and again. I try to make everyone see that english is the right choice and that we have an amazing work environment. I feel that in a few years I will be convincing my children to love it and telling them my personal experience, telling them about all the teachers I had for all these years. Because that's what I do now, I'm always saying to my cousin that chose spanish what a mistake she did and how much fun she's missing ! Emilia Mota

I will never forget the roleplays and especially the special moment when my "band" performed in the 10th grade, our first and last show but it was a lot of fun. You should have more iniciatives like that one for the next years. :)

Filipe Borges

The English classes will be the ones we'll remmember more clearly, it's when we discuss that we find more about one's personality, these classes have anable us to speak more freely. We won't forget the stupid scenes, he criative and immaginative part of any roleplay, they´re are really stuck with us. Rita Rebelo

Hum.. I'm gonna be honest here. You said memories, not best memories.. So, the jokes in the roleplays will always stay in my mind, and I remember perfectly sitting on the top of one table, we, in circle, just speaking about some subject. Honestly, I don't remember which one was it, but I just have this wonderful image in my head. On the other side, one thing that truly marked me.. You were the first teacher to open your thoughts so directly to us. You know what I'm talking about.. In no other class, I had one like some with you, where you showed to be a human being, with problems too. And I guess, we, ignorant pupils, don't spend enought time thinking about it as we should.. Thank you also for being so open and transparent, when you needed too. I got the idea that besides helping us to understand some things, it helped you too. Mariana Marques

We have a huge range of moments of pure fun during classes, but I keep emphasizing roleplays presentations because that’s when our wilderness, sense of humor, creativity and sensuality come out and take over the stage. Like you say, we’re a bunch of heartless bitches sometimes but we feel at ease and we reveal our sweet personality back there and it’s amazing ;D Vitória Melo

** I. Any suggestions for the coming students:)) ** English is the option! I don't regret it at all and personally I learned a lot and I really appreciated it. Teresa Silva

I would say that the most important for a english student is to do not feel shame of participating and express their opinion. I remerber that one day in the first year you told me that and it was a great advice. Moreover, I would say that it is important for them to enjoy everything they do and to find a way to review themselves in the projects because that way the resolts would be better than the expectation. Ana Paula

Firstly, I would say: You're making the right choice! I know a lot of people that struggled with this language and I understand that it might be hard for them, but we need it in the future, in our careers, traveling..it's always useful. Secondly, if you're scared or regreating it: I've been there, the roleplays demand such an effort that we just wish we had chosen other language...but after the first one's it gets easier and we start seing it as a way of having fun together. Emilia Mota

English is extremly important to one's future. The topics will help you understand other cultures and appriciate your own. The classes are free judment, so express your view and make sure you liten to your collegues. Rita Rebelo

Start by.. Asking specificly Ana Maria for your english teacher XD You won't regret it ! Now, as it has been said, English is the base of the world, and this subject is also veeeeeery develpoed, our generation is already mentalized that english is needed and that it opens a lot of doors that we didn't know, maybe, exist. Also, if you stay with this teacher, start seeing newspaper and some other cultural things. You'll realise it is always good to keep up with the news and that that will give you a lot of use in english classes.. Besides, you won't feel nerdy by being the one who knows the concepts you should now if you're an erudite person. Mariana Marques

I heard some rumors about forbidding English classes in this final year of high school and I find that absolutely disgusting. In a world on behalf of globalization, in a country where a huge rate of unemployment takes place, this policy means saying good-bye to every opportunity of being successful and powerful in science, art or any other area where we’re supposed to go to international conferences, speak in foreign countries, participate in revolutionary projects. And we don’t need to go that far, college is right next to us and we’ll English to study or to present our own projects. It’s shameful. So, rage against the machine, choose English, you won’t regret it, especially with Mrs. Annie Maria. Vitória Melo

** J. Any special message to your teacher:)) ** Just keep up with your good work and inspire teens. Make a difference like you did with us. Carolina Cunha 12ºE

Keep up teaching like this and giving other students lessons of life like you gave to us. It's not only about the English but the way you teach it! Congratulations for your work. Teresa Silva.

Keep on being so creative and innovative and keep on loving what you do because that raise in us a special feeling for english. Congratulations for the great teacher that you are and for being an inspiration for us. Ana Paula Personally, I really enjoyed spending this year with you. You are a great teacher, a great woman, a great "mother" and friend. Keep on being who you are, showing teenagers what good music, great movies and inspiring life lessons are :D I believe we are better human beings because of having you as a teacher and all the moments we shared. Thanks so much for everything Emilia Mota

First, thank you for your patience, kindness, sympathy. You've taught us, to be creative, to work very hard, to be prefectionist, to make fun of ourselves. We've grown with your help. Rita Rebelo

Bah.. Sorry, awful with these kind of messages, teacher : / I hope you keep up the good work you've been developing and that you're really well succeded in every area.. A BIG THANK YOU because of all you know.. Mariana Marques

Life is divided into several stages, and it´s with you that we close an important one to us. We learned, (role)played, laughed...and above all, we have created a huge friendship and affection. Thank you for every moment, because these are the memories that we will always carry with us. ** Bernardo Teixeira ** The only thing I would like to stress is that, in spite of all the problems, we all were pushed and had the opportunity to become more confident when facing an audience. Moreover, I believe that we are quite comfortable talking in English, which is the all purpose of learning a different language. So, all the activities that demand actually speaking and having a conversation in English end up being very useful. Thank you and good luck. Núria Paulo.

I think my comments above say it all. Thank you is what's left and a big big kiss. Vitória Melo