Hello everyone

I bring today the last episode of the Brazilian cultura mark. I hope you have enjoyed it.

Sorry I took longer than my recent schedule on posting episodes, but I am here once again to present something that might surprise many of you. Brazil is famous for many cultural aspects such as beautiful beaches, beautiful women, soccer, samba and MPB are the maybe the greatest ones. Which ones I listed are familiar to you? Leave in the comment section. 

However, according to Spotify, the most listened music styles in Brazil today are neither samba nor mpb. In fact, they are Funk Carioca, Brazilian university country music and arrocha, which is a variation of forró. In my personal musical taste, I am far from the most listened to in Brazil, I like rock and heavy metal. Believe or not, in Brazil from the beginning of 80’s up to late 90’ rock was the biggest music style in Brazil along with samba and axé. Despite rock, samba and mpb losing their top, they still have a huge amount of fans. If you take bands, singers who are in their 30-year career or so, they don’t come on tv too often, on the other hand their concerts are crowded. Recently, I attended a concert of a band which is 40 years old and it was just crowded, about 10 thousand people. In the city I live, a concert this size, believe me. It is crowded. 

Considering samba being a traditional cultural mark in Brazil, there are not as many people dancing samba as you think. Actually, it is easier for you to know more people that don’t dance than people who dance samba. Relating the traditional MPB, seems like it is aging as Jazz did. Our first MPB and Bossa Nova generation is about 80 years old and despite having a huge number of fans, sadly doesn’t seem to be renewing their fan base. Therefore, it will become music listened to by less people compared to today. 

Well, Brazil has a huge diversity in art relating to dancing and music. If you are curious enough to try to discover this precious cultural mark, I can help you. Send me a message on my instagram @bestenglish.br or on LinkedIn Teacher Bruno Gon. I hope I have made you curious about our music enough to make you start digging into it. If you liked this episode, please rate it 5 stars, forward to friends. Thank you very much. 

I bring the latest episode of the series of Brazilian Cultural Aspects. I hope you are enjoying the series and becoming more interested in getting to know Brazilian culture.

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Best English Podcast by Teacher Bruno Gon. Today’s episode brings other two aspects of Brazilian culture. Here, I will tell you how we handle these two aspects.

First aspect is: Living by oneself

Unlike what goes on in the US where people leave their parents' house when they go to college, in Brazil the tradition for lack of a better word, is different. Most college and university students who are around 18 years old live with their parents. The reason besides a cultural aspect is that many teens at this age don’t work or are trainees with low salaries, which is not enough to rent an apartment or a studio. Families who have a better financial life, provide this financial support so their sons and daughters don’t need to work. It is a generic sensation of making them busy with their studies only, like they don’t need to work now. It is relatively common that first registered jobs start at around 23 years old for most brazilians. First because what I narrated before, second because companies take advantage of them being in college to hire these young adults as trainees for lower costs. All these aspects combined, make young adults continue to live with their parents. So, you might be asking yourself, when do Brazilians leave home? Culturally, we leave our parents’ home when we get married. Despite this cultural aspect, the number of Brazilians who are leaving their parents’ home before marriage has been increasing. Boyfriends and girlfriends are choosing to move in together, similar to what is already part of US culture. Others are choosing on their free will to move out of their parents’ home just because. Usually, many parents are not happy about it, but they end up accepting it. In general, Brazilian families are very protective and present in their sons and daughters lives even after they leave home.

For our second costume today: first name basis. 

If you are not Brazilian, this is strange. it is extremely common in Brazil to use only the first name to call people, no matter how intimate you are with the person. You may be the new guy at school, work or any place. You are introduced by your first name and it is pretty common to be only this. Unlike the US and Euroupe for example, there is no social need to use last names or complete names so often in Brazil. Let’s look at some scenarios. If you are a kid and you make a new friend and he takes you home, you will call your friends’ parents as “uncle” and “aunt” + their first names. Believe it or not, this custom is used in many workplaces to call cleaning professionals. This uncle and aunt is used by many students in their first years at school to call their teachers. When students in Brazil get to middle school and high school, they call their teachers as teachers or by their first names. College and university are the same. Unlike the US and Europe, you refer to them as Mr or Mrs + last name. For example, at the school I work at today, I have many workmates and I call every one of them by their first names, without exception, even my principal. Last names are less common. If there is no need to know them, you don’t really care about knowing them. 

By that, we close this episode of Brazilian Cultural habits. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate it 5 stars, forward to friends and hit the button for further notifications. If you wanna get in touch with me, follow me on instagram @bestenglish.br and on LinkedIn Teacher Bruno Gon. Thank you.

Hello everyone, here I bring another sequence of the Brazilian cultural habits relating these two common social aspects.

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Best English Podcast by Teacher Bruno Gon. Today’s episode brings other two aspects of Brazilian culture. Here, I will tell you how we handle these two aspects.

Habit one relates to drinking alcohol. 

Well, unlike the US for example. Bars in Brazil are open to the streets. It means that it is ok to not only carry, but also have drinks while walking around. As bars are open, it is normal to see people sitting on tables on sidewalks having a beer. Recalling that Brazil is a hot country, so the most common alcoholic drink is beer, especially cold. For Brazilian people, beer must be extremely cold, not becoming ice cold, but very cold. There is even a popular saying which in free translation is “if it is mason shin, that’s good to drink”, meaning that after taking it out of the freezer, it must have a thin cover of ice. Despite this habit, Brazilian driving code is very strict, there is a zero tolerance law which is nicknamed “dry law”, that says that even the small percentage of alcohol detected is enough to be fined, have your car towed and be sued. In addition, the fine is not cheap. 

Now, for our second habit: smoking.

As a non smoker, I must say. I feel great that it is no longer a huge habit. I remember about 20 years ago, a massive campaign against smoking took place all over Brazil and it started having positive effects on the population, which resulted about 10 years ago, the law forbade smoking inside places such as bars and restaurants. Yes, there is no smoking area in any place in Brazil. If you are a smoker and you want to smoke, you must get outside from wherever you are, and don’t think for a second that people are tolerant to it. Places and staff from these places will massively complain if you light up inside. In addition to that law, it was amended that not even under marquees is allowed to smoke. This law was made with the goal of disencourage people from smoking. It worked so well that it is already part of Brazilian culture. Then, you must be asking: “do people still smoke in Brazil?” and I answer. Yes. You can find them, yet these people respect the “smoking outside” law. 

By that, we end this episode about Brazilian culture. If you enjoyed this episode, please forward to friends, rate me 5 stars, subscribe and hit the bell for further notifications. You can find me on instagram @bestenglish.br and on LinkedIn Teacher Bruno Gon

Hello guys, here is a sequence of the last episode of Brazilian Cultural aspects

Hello everyone, and welcome to the Best English Podcast by Teacher Bruno Gon. In today’s episode we’re going to see other Brazilian habits which are strange for foreigners. I would like to thank everyone who sent messages. Thank you for the support. 

Now, let’s see two other habits. The toilet paper can. 

Unlike Europe and the US, in Brazil there is something called “toilet paper can”. What is that? Well, it is not to put the toilet paper to use it. In fact, it is to put the paper there after using it. What? Really? Well, yeah. In Brazil, this habit causes some strangeness to foreigners because there, they just flush it down the toilet. Toilet papers in Europe and the US are greener than in Brazil and their plumbing supports it, way different from here. So, when foreigners come to your house, it is important to make them aware of it. This hygiene habit is something that they don’t appreciate about us. And if they find it a little, not to mention a lot, disgusting. Don’t take it hard, it is really different for them. Usually, foreigners ask about the smell or cleaning this can. Some Brazilian people are installing in their houses and apartments a device, an expeller right above the toilet that sucks air from the bathroom out in order to make it breathable again and one in or the next one to use so they don't feel embarrassed about the smell. It is important to add, this also goes for female tampons which are discarded after using by ladies. 

Now, for our second habit. Farewells.

My listener, have you ever noticed that in US movies and series farewells are not common? You never see people saying “bye” or any other farewell word. Unlike there, here in Brazil, we hug, kiss, shake hands and also our unique high five, which is a simple hand tap and a soft punch. One very interesting feature of farewells in Brazil, is that they take forever sometimes. When we are with friends or family and we start to say we need to go home, we usually say “the talk has been great but I gotta go” or some little variants of this sentence. Right after it, everyone around starts saying not to go, start asking if you have appointments the next day. And up to the moment you in fact leave, don’t worry if it takes like half an hour or someone asks to open a last can or bottle of beer. At this moment, people start kissing cheeks, long hugs, thanking their presence. Even if you are with friends at a bar or by the beach. If you meet them to talk anywhere. Fact is that Brazilian farewells last long. 

So, with this, we close our second episode about Brazilian habits. If you liked this episode, rate it 5 stars, forward to friends, follow me and hit the buzzer for further notifications. If you wanna get in touch with me, follow me on instagram @bestenglish.br and on LinkedIn Teacher Bruno Gon. Thank you so much everyone.

Hey guys

Until today, many foreigners find strange some of Brazilian hygiene habits, so here I will talk about some of them.

Transcription:

In Brazil, some customs are perceived as peculiar by foreigners. One particular habit that has drawn my attention is tooth brushing. It appears that in the USA and Europe, people don't engage in this practice as frequently as Brazilians do. For instance, in Brazil, we are taught from a young age to brush our teeth after every meal. This implies brushing three times a day: after breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Moreover, it can be affirmed that there are individuals who may even brush their teeth more frequently due to their job interactions with the public or their participation in in-person meetings. In case these individuals have bad breath, it can create discomfort among others. Let's face it, no one enjoys being around people with bad breath.

Given that most people work full-time or have lunch near their workplaces, it is common for almost 100% of them to carry a hygiene kit containing dental floss, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash. Some people visit restroom facilities in restaurants or their workplaces to perform a thorough oral hygiene routine.

A similar trend is observed regarding showering. As Brazil is a tropical and hot country, taking showers is ingrained in our daily routine. Unlike other countries, bathtubs are not culturally prevalent in Brazil, although they can be found in some households. Instead, we use showers, where we stand to cleanse ourselves. Even during winter, most people take two showers a day, usually the first upon waking up and the second at night, typically after returning from work or college. In the high spring and summer seasons, it is common for most people to take a third shower, and some even take four. Furthermore, due to the predominant hot climate in Brazil, most beverages are served cold, including water, juices, sodas, beers, and wine.

Hello everyone, today's episode I bring to you some of my visions along with some readings I have done about the topic.

The accessibility of AI to the general public through online platforms has sparked discussions on its profound influence on education and classroom practices. As a former student and current teacher, I have witnessed the shift from traditional libraries to computer labs, along with computer courses that taught basic software skills. The integration of AI tools into our daily tasks, such as writing emails and creating social media content, calls for a new perspective on computer classes. This text argues the need to expand computer education beyond basic software skills and educate students, teachers, and parents on the responsible use of AI tools.

The emergence of the internet and online libraries raised questions about their impact on education and reading habits. In the 90s, no one could predict the extent to which libraries would need to adapt to the internet. Yet, libraries managed to reinvent themselves and coexist with digital resources. Similarly, in the 2020s, physical school books and libraries are maintain their relevance alongside the rise of digital books. Adapting to these changes has been a matter of necessity. Personally, I recall visiting the library as a 12-year-old to find and hide books for assignments, but once the internet became accessible, I found it more convenient to use online resources. The subsequent introduction of computer labs in schools made physical book searches obsolete. However, some teachers continued to rely solely on traditional book-based research methods.

In today's era, AI has become an integral part of our lives, prompting us to question the content and approach of computer classes. My generation and those that followed have been exposed to the internet, social media, and online tools, but there has been little emphasis on educating individuals about their responsible use. This article argues the importance of providing guidance and instruction on effectively utilizing AI tools. In recent years, educators have faced challenges with students who struggle to differentiate between the entertainment and educational uses of electronic devices. Despite efforts to integrate these devices into the classroom, the results have been less than satisfactory. Additionally, the lack of professional development opportunities for teachers, along with the persistent issues faced by public schools in Brazil, such as inadequate infrastructure, overcrowding, underpaid staff, and malfunctioning devices, present further obstacles to embracing AI in education. The absence of a comprehensive computer education syllabus exacerbates these challenges. Therefore, it is crucial to implement computer and technological literacy classes in schools, revamp college courses to address this reality, and encourage schools, both public and private, to support tech courses and provide professional development opportunities for their staff.

The omnipresence of AI demands a fresh perspective on computer classes and the cultivation of technological literacy. As AI continues to shape the future, it is essential to equip students, teachers, and parents with the necessary knowledge and skills to responsibly navigate this evolving landscape. By embracing the integration of AI tools and technology education in schools, investing in infrastructure, and offering professional development opportunities for educators, we can bridge the gap between the potential of AI and its effective utilization in educational settings.

Hello guys, I bring this last episode on the evolution of English Language.

Hello and Welcome Best English podcast by Teacher Bruno Gon and today's episode, we will conclude our journey through the evolution of the English language. We'll be exploring the transition from Middle English to Modern English, uncovering its characteristics and the people who used it. So, let's dive right in!

As we learned in our previous episode, Middle English emerged as a result of the Norman Conquest in 1066, blending Old English with Norman French influences. However, the evolution of English didn't stop there. By the late 15th century, Middle English gradually transformed into what we now call Early Modern English.

One of the defining characteristics of this transition was the Great Vowel Shift, which began in the 14th century and continued into the 18th century. The Great Vowel Shift was a significant sound change that affected the pronunciation of English vowels. Long vowels shifted in pronunciation, resulting in the distinct sounds we recognize in Modern English today.

Another notable change was the standardization of spelling and grammar. Early Modern English saw efforts to establish consistent rules for spelling and grammar, although the process wasn't fully completed until later periods. These standardizations helped pave the way for a more unified written form of the language.

During the Early Modern English period, new words were introduced into the language through exploration, trade, and scientific advancements. This era witnessed the influence of Latin and Greek, as well as borrowings from other languages, such as Spanish, French, and Dutch. These linguistic additions enriched the vocabulary of English, expanding its range of expression.

Now, let's discuss the people who used Early Modern English. This period saw a rise in literacy and the spread of English beyond the ruling elite. The printing press, invented by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century, played a crucial role in making books more accessible to a wider audience. This increased availability of written materials contributed to the popularization and standardization of English.

One influential figure during this time was William Shakespeare. His works, such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth, exemplify the language and creativity of Early Modern English. Shakespeare's plays and sonnets contributed significantly to the development and expansion of the English language, introducing new words and phrases that are still used today.

The exploration and colonization of the New World by English-speaking nations also impacted the growth of the language. English encountered various indigenous languages and adopted words from Native American, African, and Asian languages, further diversifying its vocabulary.

Over time, Early Modern English transitioned into what we now know as Modern English. The 18th and 19th centuries saw further standardization and refinements in spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. The Industrial Revolution, scientific advancements, and global exploration continued to shape and expand the English language.

Modern English has become a global language, spoken by millions around the world. Its influence can be seen in fields such as literature, science, technology, business, and entertainment. And that concludes our exploration of the transition from Middle English to Modern English. We've examined the characteristics of this linguistic transformation and the people who used the language during this period.

I would like to invite you all to follow me on instagram @bestenglish.br and follow me on LinkedIn Teacger Bruno Gon. If you liked this episode, rate me 5 stars, follow me back and foward to friends. Thank you all.

Hello everyone, this is the second episode of the evolution of English Language.

Welcome to Best English Podcast by Teacher Bruno Gon and today we continue our journey through the evolution of English. In this episode, we'll explore the transition from Old English to Middle English, examining its characteristics and the people who used it. So, let's dive right in!

As we learned in our last episode, Old English was the language spoken in England during the Anglo-Saxon period. Around the 11th century, England underwent a significant change that would impact its language: the Norman Conquest of 1066. With William the Conqueror taking the English throne, the ruling class shifted from Anglo-Saxon to Norman French.

This transition brought about a blending of the two languages, giving rise to a new form known as Middle English. Middle English retained some of the grammar and vocabulary from Old English but adopted many French words and influences. It became the language of the nobility and the ruling elite, while Old English continued to be spoken by the common people.

One of the most significant characteristics of Middle English was the Great Vowel Shift. During this period, the pronunciation of long vowels in English underwent an enormous change. The way vowels were pronounced shifted, resulting in a significant transformation in the pronunciation of words.

Middle English also witnessed changes in grammar. While Old English had a complex system of noun declensions, in Middle English was a simpler system and relied more on word order to convey meaning. Verbs also underwent changes in conjugation and the use of auxiliary verbs became more prevalent.

Now, let's talk about the people who used Middle English. As mentioned earlier, Middle English became the language of the nobility and the ruling class. The Norman French-speaking aristocracy held power, and their language and customs influenced the development of Middle English. However, it's important to note that Middle English wasn't solely confined to the upper class. It gradually spread and permeated through various levels of society.

Middle English also saw a rise in written literature. Geoffrey Chaucer, known as the "Father of English Literature," composed his famous work, "The Canterbury Tales," in Middle English. This collection of stories provided a vivid depiction of the language and society of the time.

As time went on, Middle English continued to evolve, and by the late 15th century, it transformed into Early Modern English. This change was catalyzed by the introduction of the printing press and the influence of the Renaissance.

The transition from Old English to Middle English to Early Modern English marked a fascinating linguistic journey, shaped by historical events, cultural interactions, and the creativity of the people who spoke and wrote the language.

And that concludes our exploration of the evolution from Old English to Middle English. We've learned about the characteristics of Middle English and the people who used it, witnessing the fusion of Anglo-Saxon and Norman French influences.

In the next episode we will conclude the series about English Language Evolution. Don't forget to subscribe, forward to friends and rate me 5 stars. If you wanna find me, check my instagram @bestenglish.br and also on LinkedIn Teacher Bruno Gon. It’s been a pleasure everyone.

Hello everyone

I bring today the beginning of English Language. Now, I provide you the transcription of the episode.

Welcome to the Best English podcast by Teacher Bruno Gon. Before we start I’d like to thank you for listening and also invite you to follow me on instagram @bestenglish.br and in today's episode, we're taking a step back in time to explore the intriguing language known as Old English. From its characteristics to its places of origin and the people who spoke it, we have a lot to uncover. So, let's get started!

To understand Old English, we need to travel back over a thousand years to the Anglo-Saxon period in England. Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon, was the language spoken by the Anglo-Saxons, a group of Germanic tribes who settled in England during the 5th and 6th centuries.

One of the key characteristics of Old English is its inflectional grammar. In Old English, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and verbs changed their form to indicate their grammatical function in a sentence. For example, nouns had different endings depending on whether they were subject, object, or possessive.

Old English vocabulary was predominantly Germanic but also included loanwords from Latin, Norse, and Celtic languages. Many words we still use today have their roots in Old English, such as "house," "father," and "love."

Now, let's talk about the places of origin of Old English. As I mentioned earlier, it emerged when the Anglo-Saxon tribes migrated to England. These tribes, including the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, hailed from what is now modern-day Germany and Denmark. They brought with them their language, which evolved over time into Old English.

The dialects of Old English varied across different regions of England. The West Saxon dialect, spoken in the region around modern-day London, eventually became the standard form of Old English due to the influence of King Alfred the Great, who promoted it during his reign in the 9th century.

Now, let's delve into the people who spoke Old English. The Anglo-Saxons were a diverse group of tribes, each with their own distinct cultural and linguistic identities. They settled in various parts of England, establishing kingdoms and communities. The Angles settled in the east and north, the Saxons in the south and west, and the Jutes in the southeast.

These tribes had a strong oral tradition and storytelling played a significant role in their culture. Many of the Old English literary works, such as Beowulf and The Dream of the Rood, were composed during this period. These texts provide valuable insights into the language, beliefs, and values of the people who spoke Old English.

However, with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Old English gradually gave way to Middle English, influenced by the Norman French of the ruling class. Over time, Middle English evolved into the Early Modern English we recognize today.

And that concludes our journey into the world of Old English. We've explored its characteristics, discussed the places of its origin, and learned about the people who spoke it—the Anglo-Saxons.

Join us next time as we uncover more linguistic gems from around the globe. Remember to subscribe to our podcast and follow us on social media for updates and additional content. Thank you for listening, and until next time, keep exploring the rich tapestry of languages! If you liked this episode, please rate it 5 stars, forward it to friends and follow me on instagram @bestenglish.br 

Hello guys

Today, I bring to you one of the craziest things about English. Was the past of Go, Goed? Well, let's hear it.

Now, I have the transcription of the episode for you to follow

Welcome to "Best English Podcast by Teacher Bruno Gon" and today we'll be delving into an intriguing aspect of the English language—the past forms of the verb "go." Specifically, we'll be exploring the usage of "went" and the less commonly used "goed." So, let's dive in!

Before we jump into the past forms, let's first establish a foundation. The verb "go" is an irregular verb, meaning its past forms do not follow the typical pattern of adding "-ed" to the base form. Instead, it has its own unique forms. In the present tense, we have "go" for the first and second person singular, and "goes" for the third person singular. Now, let's explore the past forms of "go" and the differences between "went" and "goed."

The most common past form of "go" is "went." We use "went" for all people, whether singular or plural, in the past tense. For example, "I went to the store yesterday," "She went on vacation last week," or "They went to the party together." "Went" is the standard and widely accepted past form of "go" that is used in modern English.

Now, let's talk about "goed." While it may seem like a logical past form for "go," it is not commonly used in modern English. However, "goed" was historically used as the past tense of "go" in certain dialects or regional variations.

In some dialects, particularly in certain parts of England and Scotland, you may come across "goed" being used as the past tense of "go." For instance, you might hear someone say, "I goed to the park yesterday." These regional variations showcase the diversity of the English language and its evolution over time.

Over the centuries, the meanings of "go" and "wend" began to shift and overlap. The verb "go" retained its general sense of movement, but "wend" started to acquire the meaning of "to go" as well. This linguistic transformation created a fascinating linguistic dance between the two verbs.

Fast forward to Middle English, and we witness the emergence of the past tense form "goed" for "go." However, this form gradually fell out of use, and by the 15th century, it vanished from everyday speech. Instead, "went" solidified its position as the standard past tense form for "go."

Despite the existence of "goed" in some dialects, it's important to note that it is not considered standard English. In most formal and informal contexts, "went" remains the preferred past form of "go." Standardization helps maintain clarity and consistency in communication, ensuring that English speakers across different regions can understand one another effectively.

Now let's focus on "wend" and its own evolution. While "went" was once exclusively the past tense of "wend," it eventually went on to acquire the same role for "go." This shift in usage led to "wend" falling out of favor as a standalone verb for "to go" and becoming more archaic.Today, "wend" is rarely used in everyday conversation, but it hasn't completely disappeared. You might come across it in older texts, literature, or poetry where authors use it to evoke a sense of nostalgia or add a touch of poetic flair.

And there you have it—the past forms of the verb "go." While "went" is the widely accepted and commonly used past form, "goed" may still pop up in certain dialects and regional variations. Understanding these variations helps us appreciate the richness and diversity of the English language.

Thanks for joining us on this linguistic journey through the past forms of "go." We hope you found it enlightening and that it deepened your understanding of the English language. Remember to subscribe to our podcast for more intriguing language insights. Until next time, keep exploring the fascinating world of languages. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate it 5 stars, forward to friends and keep following it to learn the best about English.