Business vocabulary II

Source: Business English Glossary - Disal Editora

A quem possa interessar - to whom it may concern

Área de livre comércio - free trade area

Ativos e passivos - debits and credits / assets and liabilities

Bolsa de valores - stock exhange / stock market

Cheque ao portador - check to bearer

Cheque sem fundo - bounced check

Dedutível do imposto de renda - tax-deductible

Dia útil - working / business day

Empresa de fundo de quintal - cottage industry

Empresa familiar - family-run organization

Faixa de preço - price range

Formulário de declaração do imposto de renda - tax form

Gerente de fábrica - floor manager

Horário comercial - business hours / opening hours

Imposto sobre valor agregado - value added tax (VAT)

Índice de preços ao consumidor - consumer price index

Interview - A Brazilian aupair in the States

Would you like to work and study in the USA? So, check this interview with Psychology student Carla Tiveron, who has been living for almost three years in Massachusetts. But first, try to spell the name of the state fast, without looking ;-)

Where are you living now and how long have you been there?

Carla - Right now, I'm living in Needham (Massachusetts), which is about 20 min from Boston. It's a very nice little city in the suburbs, and most of the people that live here are Jewish. I've been living here for almost three years.

How did you first go, I mean, did you go to take a course, to work, just to backpack?
Carla - I first came as an aupair, an exchange program just for girls in which you come to live with an American family and take care of the kids that are going to live with you. We call them our host kids. I lived my first year in New York and then moved to Boston.

Are you just studying now or working too?
Carla - I study and work. I work as a nanny, taking care of two wonderful girls, and I go to College as well. I go to MassBay and I'm taking Psychology classes. I totally love it. It's really interesting.

What difficulties did you have there at first?
Carla - My first three moonths in this country were awful. I thought about going back home every single day because I had a hard time on making new friends and all the girls that came with me as aupairs were from Europe, and I felt that people from Europe don't like Latin Americans very much. Maybe they were a little prejudicious because they were young, and they were not in their home countries, but there was no way for them be friends with me. Fortunutely after a few months, I met my first two friends in this country (Mario and Thais) and we remain friends until now. They are like my siblings, I love them to death. One of the best things of living abroad is being able to find incredible people, true friends.

What are the main differences between there and Brazil?
Carla - Good points: security, technology, shopping is much cheaper, the highways are reaaaalllyyyy good, the traffic I think I don't even have to mention that here is much better, it's really cheap to travel from here.

Bad points: here we cannot find all the variety of food we do in Brazil, especially fruit, people here don't know how to party (the nightclubs close at 2am), the weather in Brazil is much better. Here is too cold. There is not much prejudice against us here. 2% of the population in Massachusetts is Brazilian, can you believe it? So, we rule here!!!

You are in college there. How does it work for foreigners? What kind of visa is needed, how long does it last etc?
Carla - I have a student visa that is valid for 4 years, and if that is not enough, you can renew it. The only bad thing about being in the student visa program is that we have to pay double the price that residents pay.

What are your favorite places there?
Carla - The most wonderful places that I've been here were Montana and I just got back from Grand Canyon and that place is TRULY INCREDIBLE! I'm speechless about it.

What do you miss most about Brazil?
Carla - My family, my dog, rodízio, pizza and Bohemia :-)

A message for Brazilians who want to live abroad:

Carla - Go for it. It's an unique experience that you mostly will just take good memories and experiences from it. You'll learn how to be a better person and how to be much more tolerant with you and the others. And you also live a totally diffetent way of life that you are used to, which is also amazing, HAVE FUN!

Salão do Estudante 2009

Quem deseja estudar no exterior, ou apenas aproveitar a chance de praticar Inglês ou Espanhol por aqui mesmo, não deve deixar de visitar o Salão do Estudante, a maior feira de educação da América Latina. O evento proporciona a oportunidade de conhecer diversas instituições estrangeiras, conversar com seus representantes e obter todas as informações necessárias para uma experiência internacional bem sucedida.
Aqui em SP, o evento ocorre nos dias 7 e 8 de março (sábado e domingo), das 13h às 20h, no colégio São Luís. A entrada é gratuita, basta imprimir um convite no site http://www.salaodoestudante.com.br/

Confira as datas do evento nas outras cidades:
Rio de Janeiro - 10 de março
Curitiba - 12 de março
Salvador - 15 de março
Porto Alegre - 17 de março
Florianópolis - 19 de março

Interview - From the country of Santa Claus

Have you ever thought about visiting Finland? Have you ever met someone from Finland? That's your chance! I mean, not actually "meet", but get to know a bit more about Hanna-Leena Koykka, a medical student from Helsinki, who is currently living in Estonia (another country you probably don't know much about).

Where do you live and what do you do?
Hanna - I used to live in Helsinki, Finland. I worked in an oil company as Human Resource Expert. Prior to that, I studied Economics and Intercultural Encounters. At the moment I live in Tartu, Estonia and study to be a medical doctor. (Quite a change in my career, don't you think?)

When did you come to Brazil and how long did you stay?
Hanna - At first I came to Brazil as an exchange student. I lived with a family and studied with other Brazilian students at high school. That's how I got to know Mieko (our mutual Brazilian friend). I lived in Jundiaí (SP) for one year. I liked Brazil quite a lot and so I came back for a half year to take part in a trainee programm in a Finnish company in São José dos Campos (SP). And I have also been on holiday in Brazil just to visit some friends.

What's your opinion about Brazil? What's the image Brazil has in your country?
Hanna - I really like Brazil and the people. Brazil as a country is so big that I can't say what the best part is, but one is the nature with its forests and beaches, animals etc. I also think that the most friendliest people I have ever met have been Brazilians. Brazilians are also often optimistic and open, easy to get along with. And they are very beautiful too ;-). In Finland Brazil is often connected with samba, Carnival and football. We also know about favelas and the violence in Rio. Mainly the image is still positive.

What are the main differences between Finland and Brazil, besides the weather, obviously? Is there anything in common?
Hanna - I would say that common is the everyday living. In both countries we get up in the morning, go to work/school, see some friends etc. The biggest difference is propably the attitude to living. As I said, in Brazil people are optimistic and in Finland we are more worried.

What are your favorite places in your city and here in São Paulo?
Hanna - In Helsinki I love the sea. In a summer time we often go to little islands around the city (the biggest is Suomenlinna, which is an old sea fortress). In São Paulo I like most the atmosphere, the feeling that everything is in my reach and that everything is possible. But I don't know SP enough to tell you my favourite spot.

What advice could you give to someone who wants to work/study in your country? Hanna - Studying at the University in Finland is free, and the quality is said to be quite ok, so it should be a good idea to come to study here. But the problem is that getting a visa/permit is quite difficult. And finding a job is also often difficult if you don't speak Finnish.

Break for Carnival

Hi, everyone
I'm not posting these days cause I'm visiting a friend in Rio (but very far away from Sambódromo, of course). By the way, what are you guys doing in Carnival?
See on on Wednesday!

Interview - Português de Portugal

Você também anda sofrendo com as novas regras de ortografia que visam unir o "Português de Portugal" e o "Português do Brasil"? Relaxe, pois os portugueses não estão muito apressados para fazer essa unificação. E quer saber se eles contam piadas de brasileiros? Então confira essa entrevista com o gerente de RH Felipe Hessel, diretamente de Cascais, ora pois!

Ah, esta entrevista é em Português justamente para vermos algumas diferenças nas nossas línguas (veja o "facto" com "c" na 4a pergunta, por exemplo)

Qual sua nacionalidade e onde você mora atualmente?

Felipe - Moro em Cascais (perto de Lisboa) e tenho 3 nacionalidades: portuguesa, brasileira e alemã.

Você já morou no Brasil? Que lugares você conhece aqui?

Felipe - Já morei por dois anos no Brasil, em SP e Santos. Conheço SP e litoral Paulista, Curitiba, Minas Gerais (BH, Ouro Preto, Lagoa Santa e pouco mais), Parati e, claro, Itacaré, Bahia! ;-)

(Felipe e eu nos conhecemos neste Ano Novo, em Itacaré)

Quais as principais diferenças e semelhanças, na sua opinião, entre Brasil e Portugal?

Felipe - A comida é similar; dependendo da região do Brasil existem muitas semelhanças, principalmente no RJ, onde as pessoas são mais fechadas (apesar de não o parecerem) e têm aquilo que chamamos aqui de manha (socialmente hábeis... if you get what I mean)

O que você mais gosta no Brasil?

Felipe - As pessoas, a cultura, a falta de stress, a simplicidade e principalmente o facto de "olharem sempre para o futuro" - não há passado no Brasil.

E quais são seus lugares favoritos em Lisboa?

Felipe - Em Lisboa, Bairro Alto (great night life), Alfama (não há nada mais típico) e claro Cascais, esta bela cidade à beira mar plantada!

O que você acha desta Reforma Ortográfica?

Felipe - Qual reforma ortográfica?... aqui ninguém vai querer saber de nada...

Como os portugueses a estão encarando?

Felipe - Não estão.

Qual a opinião geral dos portugueses sobre o Brasil e os brasileiros?

Felipe - Pois é, eu afirmo que o português sofre da síndrome de ex-colonizador ultrapassado, mas também tem muito desconhecimento sobre a verdadeira realidade do país (as novelas da Globo não são o melhor exemplo do mundo).

Os portugueses fazem piada de brasileiro?
Felipe - Não tem piadas. Acham que os brasileiros são todos uma de duas coisas, consoante sexo e orientação sexual: ou servem em bares/restaurantes ou são cabeleireiros.

How do you say... in English? Part II

Source: Fale tudo em Inglês em Viagens, by José Roberto A. Igreja, published by Disal Editora.

Acostamento: shoulder (USA), hard shoulder (Eng.)

Acetona: nail remover

Água oxigenada: peroxide

Amortecedor: shock absorber

Bagageiro: luggage rack (USA)/roof-rack (Eng.)

Carne moída: ground beef

Calota: hubcap

Castanha-do-pará: Brazil nut

Cotonete: cotton swab; Q-tip (USA); cotton bud (Eng.)

Chuteira: cleats

Engraxate: shoeshine boy

Funilaria: bodywork

Leite desnatado: skimmed milk

Pão integral: whole wheat bread

Sujeito a guincho: Tow away zone

Torcicolo: stiff neck

How do you say... in English?

Adapted from e-mail sent by Dialecto English
Source: How do you say...in English, by José Roberto A. Igreja, published by Disal Editora.

Curso de reciclagem/atualização - Refresher course. Our company provides a refresher course every six months to keep us updated on new techniques and market trends.

Dia sim, dia não ... - Every other day. Brad shaves every other day.

Pegar um bronze - To get a tan. Lying by the pool and getting a tan is one of Susan´s favorite pastimes.

Fazer hora extra - To work overtime. If demand for our products keeps up, we will have to work overtime.

Cumprir um prazo - To meet a deadline. You are supposed to hand in your report by Friday. Are you sure you can meet the deadline?

Ficar em cima do muro - To sit on the fence. You´ll have to take sides. You can´t just sit on the fence anymore!

Terceirização - Outsourcing. Outsourcing of non-core activities is a usual practice among many companies nowadays.
Para dizer "terceirizar", use o verbo to outsource: Many companies prefer to concentrate on their core business and outsource other departments.

De uma vez por todas - Once and for all. I think it’s about time we cleared up this misunderstanding once and for all!

Un poco de Español - Juego del consenso

Esa es una actividad muy interesante para que los estudiantes hablen de sus opiniones.


Abrigo subterráneo

La ciudad vive la amenaza de un bombardeo, a cualquier momento. Hay un abrigo subterráneo que puede acomodar a seis personas, pero doce personas pretenden entrar. Ustedes han sido elegidos para decidir quiénes entre esas doce personas deben salvarse, es decir, entrar en el abrigo.

1.Un violinista de 40 años, drogadicto.
2. Un abogado de 25 años.
3. La mujer del abogado, 24 años. Ella acaba de salir de una clínica de reposo, ingresada por manifestar graves problemas psicológicos. El matrimonio desea estar junto, en el abrigo o fuera de él.
4. Un sacerdote de 75 años.
5. Una prostituta de 34 años.
6. Un ateo de 20 años, autor de varios asesinatos.
7. Una universitaria que hizo voto de castidad.
8. Un físico, de 28 años, que sólo acepta entrar en el abrigo si puede llevarse su pistola.
9. Un actor fanático de 21 años.
10. Una niña de 12 años con un bajo cuociente de inteligencia.
11. Un basurero de 47 años.
12. Un policía de 32 años.

Pictures around the world - Memories of a photographer

Are you the kind of person who loves taking pictures when you travel? So you'll enjoy reading this interview with photographer Renato Negrão, who has been to Europe, Africa and Asia and has wonderful pics to share with us, like this one from Varanasi, India.

- As a professional photographer, you have traveled abroad many times. What were the best experiences and why?
Renato - It was my trip to India. My first day in that country was in the city of Mumbai, former Bombai. I was completely amazed to walk on the streets, facing the new things, to meet a very different people, who transmitted a fantastic feeling of peace. It’s impossible to go there and come back the same person. It may sound like a cliché, but that’s true.
I’m the kind of person that, when I travel, I always try to learn and not judge. I guess a good traveler must have disposition to, at least, know the new things, and be open to the different things. I hate it when I hear someone complaining about something just because that is different from the background this person has. I always tell everyone who asks me about India that you can go, but go prepared not to judge, and then you’ll have one of the greatest travel experiences in your life.

- What was the most exotic place you've visited? How was the experience?
Renato - It was in Varanasi, also in India. In my blog I describe the experience,
but it was like I was in trance. The city is 2000 years old and it is the sacred place for the Hindus. I’ve seen bodies being burnt on the edge of Ganges River, children’s bodies being tied to a stone to be thrown at the river, I woke up at the dawn to see the sunrise and watch a wonderful ceremony; it was a trip to the sacred.

- What are the main difficulties you face when traveling abroad to work? Is there any kind of prejudice against Brazilians?
Renato - I was always welcomed on these business trips. When I was covering the World Cup, for example, the fact that I was Brazilian helped me a lot; we were always wearing a green and yellow uniform to identify ourselves. I’ve already been to Africa and Europe to work and I’ve never felt any kind of prejudice, but I know sad stories about Brazilians who work in Europe or the USA.

- You have also lived in Europe for some time. When and where did you live? What did you do there?
Renato - I lived in London and Paris, from 1997 to 2000 and after that I spent a period of 8 months in the countryside of England in 2006. It was fantastic; I guess my life is divided in “before” and “after” this experience, because I learned many things about the world and about my feelings for Brazil, for example. Just when you are away you value some things you have here. In my first trip I went there to study English and I took my first course on Photography, and in my last one I traveled to develop a personal project about the lives of Brazilians who live abroad, I want to turn it into a photography book soon. Some images are in my site: www.renatonegrao.com.br.

- What were your favorite places in some of the cities you visited? And what places do you still dream of visiting?
Renato - It’s impossible to choose only one. I’ll list 5 ok? Paris, Prague, Istanbul, Varanasi and Kathmandu. I really want to know Tibet, Lebanon and Israel, as contradictory as it may seem.

English curiosities on Radio USP

Do you want to know more about slang in English and be ready to explain some typical Brazilian expressions to a foreigner? And do you want to travel abroad and be able to ask information in English about transportation, accomodation, places of interest and so on? Then, don't miss the radio program "Momento do Inglês", at Rádio USP FM (93,7), every day at 7:40 am and 5:40 pm, with the authors Jack Scholes and José Roberto A. Igreja.
You can also listen to the program on the web: http://www.radio.usp.br/.

Revista online gratuita sobre a Bélgica

Você já leu a entrevista da brasileira Alda Inácio, que vive há 11 anos na Bélgica? Ainda não? O que você está esperando para conhecer um pouco mais sobre este pequeno país europeu? Aproveite para conferir também a revista online http://www.abclassificadosbelgica.com/, criada por outra brasileira em Bruxelas, Angela Piqui.

Interview - José Roberto A. Igreja

One of the most known ELT professionals in Brazil, José Roberto A. Igreja is the author of 7 books, including the most recent Fale Tudo em Inglês em Viagens. After attending his workshop at Disal, on Feb 13, I invited him to talk to us.

- What's your graduation and how long have you been working with ELT?

José Roberto - I have a BA in English and Literature from PUC – SP and hold certificates of proficiency in English from Michigan University and BYU - Brigham Young University - Utah. I´ve been working in the ELT field since 1982, when I started teaching English.

- Do you current work at any schools or are you a full time writer/lecturer?

José Roberto - Besides writing books - I have 7 books published, all by Disal Editora (Check all his books at the end of this interview) - I´m responsible for the website http://www.dialectoenglish.com.br/, we teach English in companies in São Paulo. And I also talk on a radio program Disal has on Rádio USP every other day about colloquial expressions and curiosities about the English language, taking turns with Jack Scholes. It's a quick program, about 5 minutes or so, at 7:40 am and a repeat at 5:40 pm, you can listen to it on the web: http://www.radio.usp.br/ or on FM radio, 93,7.

- In your most recent book, Fale Tudo em Inglês em Viagens, you indicate many situations a student can face when traveling abroad. What would you suggest a student do to prepare themselves to travel for the first time (besides reading your book, obviously)?

José Roberto - Besides preparing language-wise for the trip, learning as much as possible about the country one is planning to visit certainly plays a major role in turning one´s trip into a pleasant and successful one. Being aware of particular cultural aspects of the country one is visiting also helps. In short, whatever you can do beforehand in terms of planning, as for example how to get from A to B, makes a difference.

- Besides the language, what cultural aspects should students be aware of when traveling and why?

José Roberto - They should have information about the currency of the country they are visiting, that is, find out about the most important bills and coins. They should also be aware of the typical dishes, as well as local customs and traditions and popular holidays. Apart from that, information on the different measuring units and temperature scale (miles, feet, inches, pounds and Fahrenheit) is also a plus.

- Have you ever been in any embarrassing situation abroad because of language or a cultural aspect?

José Roberto - Well, I lived in England for a year and three months, and I remember that once I was taking a shower in the building where I rented a room (in England some of the old buildings only have a bathroom per floor, so you have to share the bathroom with other people) and suddenly the landlord of the building started knocking on the bathroom door, and telling me I had already been long enough there. The thing is, we Brazilians usually take a shower every day and sometimes long showers, and this is completely different for them, so the landlord couldn´t understand why I took long showers so often, since English people don´t usually do that. It wasn´t really an embarasssing situation but it was a bit of a cultural shock!

- What message could you send to a student who is demotivated with their progress in English?

José Roberto - I would tell them not to give up, to try to make a change, maybe they are not happy or satisfied with the methodology that is being used, or the teacher. It´s also important to be exposed to different stimuli. Some students say they can learn better when they “see things”, as for example, the new words and expressions they are learning clearly written on the board (visual stimuli) and others who find listening activities a key element to their progress (auditory stimuli), and still others, who feel they need to act out a dialogue in order to really grasp it! (kinesthetic stimuli). All of this should also be taken in consideration. In short, whatever you do, try to have fun along the process!

Check all the books by José Roberto A. Igreja:

Fale tudo em Inglês em Viagens!
English for Job Interviews! (co-author with Robert C. Young)
Fale tudo em Inglês!
How do you say ... in English?

Falsos Cognatos - Looks can be deceiving!
Phrasal Verbs and Essential Phrasal Verbs (co-author with Jonathan T. Hogan)
American Idioms! and Essential American Idioms (co-author with Joe Bailey Noble III)

Interview - Living a fairytale in Ireland

Have you ever imagined moving to a foreign country to study and end up getting married there? Well, its sounds like a fairytale, but it did happen to Edna Cardoso, who lives with her husband in Ireland. Check it out.

- When did you go to Dublin and where did you start living?
Edna - I came to Dublin in April 2005. First, I lived with a host family, nowadays I live in my house with my husband.

- Why did you go to Ireland?
Edna: I came to study English, and then ... things happened.

- How did you find your first job there? What do you do now?
Edna - I met a Brazilian girl on the street, who helped me to get the first job. I worked as a cleaner in a nursing home, nowadays I work as an accountant in an office.

- What difficulties did you have there at first?
Edna - The language is the most difficult thing, after finding a job and a house to live.

- What are the main differences between Dublin and São Paulo?
Edna - The main difference between Ireland and Brazil is the security, here I feel much safer, the police don't have guns, for example.

- Is there prejudice against Brazilians? What kind?
Edna - No, I never noticed, Irish people like Brazilians.

- You're married now to an European, right?
Edna - Yes, I am married now, and being married to an European in Europe lets you hold a residency visa that helps to get better jobs as a professional.

- What are your favourite places there?
Edna - My home, Cavan, Galway, Grafton Street.

- What do you miss most about Brazil?
Edna - My family.

- A message for Brazilians who want to live abroad:
Edna - It could be very expensive, so think hard before you do it. I was lucky, but it is not always like that. I know lots of Brazilians who came here, didn't get a job and had to come back after spending all the money, but if you can afford it, it is a very rich experience to study abroad. Good luck for you all!

Interview - De Goiânia para a Bélgica

Quer saber um pouco mais sobre a vida na Bélgica? Então confira a entrevista com Alda Inácio, autora dos blogs A Vida na Bélgica e

Crítica e Denúncia.

- Há quanto tempo você está morando na Bélgica e como foi parar aí?

Alda - Estou em Bruxelas desde 1997, há 11 anos, na capital mesmo, pois é onde há mais possibilidade de trabalho. Eu vim parar aqui de maneira inusitada: era diretora de escola, mal paga, fui pedir meu divórcio no Forum de Goiânia e lá estava uma senhora que foi pedir a guarda de seu filho para levá-lo a Bélgica, onde ela morava. Neste dia tomei conhecimento de onde ficava a Bélgica e o que se fala e faz pra viver por lá. Curiosa, perguntei o máximo, só pra saber. Nem imaginava que 4 meses depois eu tomaria a decisão de deixar o Brasil em direção a este país.

- Qual foi e como você conseguiu seu primeiro emprego em Bruxelas? O que você faz agora?

Alda - Quando aqui cheguei não sabia nem dizer "bom dia" em francês, mas havia estudado 6 meses de espanhol e achei que esta segunda língua fosse suficiente....foi barra, fiquei um mês e meio sem trabalho e ia voltando, quando o destino bateu à minha porta. Uma brasileira da igreja ia partir para o Brasil e precisava de alguém para substituí-la, "garde malade" (acompanhante de idosos) e lá fui eu tomar conta da primeira senhorinha numa cadeira de rodas. Acabei por me especializar neste trabalho. Bem mais tarde, quando aprendi a língua francesa, comecei a fazer traduções e hoje ainda tomo conta de uma senhora, de onde tiro meu salário principal, e faço traduções.

- Por que a Bélgica? Muitos brasileiros sonham ir para a Europa, mas tenho a impressão que raramente para a Bélgica...

Alda - A Bélgica é equiparada a Londres, são os dois maiores polos de trabalho na Europa, e no meu caso aconteceu a história contada acima, mas aqui há mais de 45.000 brasileiros, coisa que pouca gente sabe. As razões disto? É fácil arrumar lugar pra morar, é farto de trabalho doméstico, casas muito fáceis de limpar, 80% da população é idosa, por isso quem gosta de cuidar de idosos tem o que fazer aqui.

- Quais foram as principais dificuldades enfrentadas no começo?

Alda - A maior dificuldade era não falar a língua francesa, e minha sorte foi ter encontrado um trabalho que não necessitva falar, pois a senhora com a qual me ocupei durante 9 meses não se comunicava mais. No entanto, tive outras dificuldades, alugar meu primeiro quarto também foi uma barra; comprei um dicionário, o jornal classificados e parei uma pessoa na rua, ao lado de um orelhão e mostrei o jornal. A pessoa compreendeu e ligou para mim. Depois de falar com o proprietário do quarto no telefone, ali na rua mesmo, a pessoa marcou no jornal o horário para o rendez vous (reunião).

- Quais seus lugares favoritos aí?

Alda - Eu gosto do centro da cidade, o Broukere, a Grand Place, o Hector, onde eu gosto de comer um franguinho com arroz (aliás, arroz é raridade aqui). Eu sou muito caseira e a cada dois meses vou à Holanda, a 65 quilômetros daqui, visitar minha filha.

- O que você mais sente falta do Brasil?

Alda - A maior falta é meu filho, que é autista; estou voltando para ele antes do fim deste ano. De resto, sinto falta de tudo, do sol, do feijão com arroz, do Pequi, das frutas, ai ...tanta coisa, apesar de ter de tudo aqui, mas nada tem o gosto do Brasil.

- Que sugestões você daria para um brasileiro que quer morar na Bélgica? Como funciona a parte burocrática?

Alda - Para estudar é possível vir legalmente trazendo 50.000 reais, que é o valor exigido como depósito na conta bancária, além de precisar também de uma carta de fiança com alguém do Brasil que tenha um salário superior a 5.000 reais. O visto é como para outros países da Europa, vale por três meses sem direito a trabalho. Trabalhar legalmente aqui só se arrumar uma firma no Brasil com filial aqui, o que é raro, ou se você for da àrea diplomática, e terá visto por no máximo 2 anos. Caso contrário, não há outra possibilidade de ficar legalmente aqui. Ou melhor, tem sim... casando com um belga rs...

Interview - Brazilian guy living in London

Want to know how's the life of Brazilians living in other countries? So, check the series of interviews I'll start posting. And if you live/has lived abroad and want to give me an interview, just contact me!

Our first interview is with Fagner Alves, restaurante manager and photographer who has been living in London since 2002.

- When and how did you go to London?
Fagner - I came to London for the first time in 2002 to have a year off University in Sao Paulo, which I was unhappy with. I had had an accident with my car at the time, and decided to keep the money from the insurance and come to the UK, which was my biggest dream. My first intention was to take a short course on photography and return to Brazil a year later to finish school. I did have to return in the end, however, I came back to London on the day after my graduation. I love this city.

- How did you find your first job there?
Fagner - Humm... First job. I worked as a cleaner in a few places, some friends got me these jobs. I collected rubbish, cleaned the bathrooms, apartments, and I even cleaned a sex shop weekly. I also distributed free magazines in the street. When you travel to another country you meet people in the same situation as you very easily and people help each other out a lot. Usually these people end up being your new family.


- And what do you do now?
Fagner - Now, I manage a restaurant in central London and work as a freelance photographer. I have had a couple of exhibitions last year and there are a few coming up during summer, it is really exciting.

- What difficulties did you have there at first?
Fagner - Money. Big time! I never had problems with the language as I worked as an English teacher in Sao Paulo before, however, I never thought I would go through certain things. The English Pound at the time was five times more expensive than the Brazilian Real. It was the hardest time of my life out of Brazil but luckily it only lasted a few months. One good thing about London is that you have different types of supermarkets with massive differences in prices (and also in quality). That means that even on a tight budget you can make do with what you have.

- What are the main differences between London and São Paulo?
Fagner - Not that I feel totally safe in London, but I take the night bus home very frequently without the slightest worry of being mugged. As a photographer, I can carry my camera at night, in the street, and I won't be scared. I love going out in London and I feel safe wherever I go. Sadly enough, I can't say the same about Sao Paulo (which I love). I have been carjacked, had my shoes stolen inside a bus in daylight, a cap taken from my head in the tube, and a watch stolen on Paulista Avenue. On the other hand, we have to put up with this horrible weather. Last week it snowed so badly even the banks were shut. London is grey, wet and cold. There is no sun for months apart from a few weeks during summer. The nearest decent beach is in Spain!

- Is there prejudice against Brazilians? What kind?
Fagner - Totally. Not on a professional level, but it does exist in our social life. It is understandable, though, some Brazilians over here are hard to believe. We are known for trying to get away with things, being illegal and meeting europeans for the sake of getting fake marriage to get their passports. It is not very funny sometimes.

- You graduated in college there, right? How does it work for foreigners?
Fagner - Yes, I graduated last year from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and I took a Postgraduate Certificate Course in Fine Art Photography. I had to prove I could speak English fluently, which was not a problem. I also managed to get the European fee, which is three times cheaper than the one for foreigners. Things were easier for the fact that I have been living here for a considerable time. Right now I am in the middle of applying for my Masters Degree in Fine Art. Things are easier for foreigners as they pay massive amounts of money to study here. The Colleges are very happy with that, believe me!

- What about a visa, do you have a permanent one? How does it work for foreigners who want to live/work there?
Fagner - I (finally) have a visa which allows me to work full time and have free access in an out of the country. It is not permanent, however, I can apply for my permanent one in a couple of years. For someone who wants to come to the UK (if you don't have an european passport), you need to enrol for a school accredited by the Home Office, and prove you have means to keep up with your expenses while abroad. You need to obtain this visa in Brazil, before you come. A student visa allows you to work 20 hours a week, which is half of what you need to make a living. I have seen people getting 2 different jobs with 20 hours each before.

- What are your favorite places there?
Fagner - The TATE Modern Art Gallery is to die for (it is just by the River Thames and it holds incredible exhibitions), Hyde Park for summer days (we dont have beaches over here, our summer days are all about going to parks), East London (where all the hype people meet, cool old bars with a really nice attitude). Oops, I nearly forgot, the Fabric nightclub.

- What do you miss most about Brazil?
Fagner - My mother and my friends. I see them usually once every 2 years and I really want to make that every 6 months. I also miss coxinhas, the "Pedaco da Pizza" on Augusta Street, Unibanco Cinema also on Augusta St, one sunny afternoon after the other, drinking at night in bars outdoors, going down to the beach, eating beans every day, and also pastel with sugar cane juice. Buying fresh food under the sun in street fairs. The list could go on endlessly.

- A message for Brazilians who want to live abroad:
Fagner - Make sure your papers are totally legal before you come. There is no need to be one more illegal immigrant in any country. It might be difficult, but I am sure you can make it, and believe me, it'll be worth every single pence you spend. It is amazing to live abroad and meet people from so many different places, it is mind blowing. You grow up as a person. And of course, you'll have the hell of a lot of fun.

I have a dream - Speech

Check one of the most famous parts of Martin Luther King's remarkable speech.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!

Want to hear and read it all? Check http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

If - Poem

By Rudyard Kipling


If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

The word UP and its multiple meanings - Funny stuff

Sent by teacher Leandro dos Reis

Lovers of the English language might enjoy this. It is yet another example of why people learning English have trouble with the language. Learning the nuances of English makes it a difficult language, (but then, that's probably true of many languages).

There is a two-letter word in English that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that word is 'UP.'

It is listed in the dictionary as being used as an [adv], [prep], [adj], [n] or [v]. It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP?

At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ? Why do we speak UP, and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report? We call UP our friends and we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car.
At other times the little word has a real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.
To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special. And this up is confusing: a drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!
To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4 of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.
If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.
When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP . When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it wets UP the earth. When it does not rain for awhile, things dry UP.
One could go on & on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now ...my time is UP , so time to shut UP!
Don't screw up. Send this on to everyone you look UP in your address book. Now I'll shut UP.... And the rest is UP to you! :D

Expresiones en Español V

Fonte: Conexión

En un debate...

Dar la palabra
Es su turno...
Tiene usted la palabra.
Ahora puede intervenir.

Interrumpir el turno del interlocutor
Perdone que le interrumpa...
Perdone que le corte...
Perdone la interrupción, pero quería comentar...

Defender el turno que tenemos
No me interrumpa, por favor.
Déjeme terminar de hablar.
Haga el favor de callarse.
Ahora estoy halando yo.

Pedir el turno
¿Podría decir algo?
¿Podría señalar una cosa?
Quisiera decir algo.

Logos after recession - Funny stuff

Site - Superinteressante disponível na web grátis

Mais uma indicação recebida de site que vale a pena: a revista Superinteressante disponibilizou gratuitamente todo o conteúdo dos seus 20 anos de história no site http://super.abril.com.br/superarquivo/index_superarquivo.shtml. Estão lá desde as primeiras edições da revista, em 1987, até as de 2007.
Vale a pena conferir!

Indicação de site - cursos de idiomas gratuitos

I've just been informed about the site Livemocha It's a kind of Orkut, but specifically for leaning languages, not only English, but Spanish, Italian, French, Mandarin, Japanese, Russian and others. And the best part, it's free!
Check it out! Livemocha

Idioms about colors

Fill in the blanks with one of the colors below. Some words might be repeated.

black, blue, brown, green, grey, red, white, yellow
1 – In most countries, goods that are scarce are usually freely available on the _________ market – provided you have the money to pay for them.
2 – You can argue with her until you´re _________ in the face, but once she´s made up her mind she won´t listen to you.
3 – After several weeks of discussions, the group was given the _________ light and could finally go ahead with the new project.
4 – There´s no point in asking my boss for a day off next week. I´m in her _________ books at the moment, so she´ll probably say no.
5 – Although we got a lot of nice wedding presents, we also got one or two_________ elephants.
6 – There´s a common prejudice that girls who are very beautiful must automatically be lacking in _________matter, so-called “dumb blondes”.
7 – After sunbathing for two hours every day, Joanna was as _________ as a berry.
8 – She went as _________ as a sheet when she heard about the accident.
9 – I´m sorry, James, but I refuse to believe it unless you can show it to me in _________ and _________.
10 – Ever since Tom got that huge order with Saudi Arabia he´s been the boss´s _________-eyed boy.
11 – Don´t mention the present government in front of my father; it´s like a _________ rag to a bull.
12 – I was _________ with envy when my neighbor drove up in a brand-new Jaguar.
13 – For some reason, Swedish films are often synonymous of _________ films, which is very strange as there is relatively little pornography in Sweden.
14 – Sometimes it´s better to tell a _________ lie than to hurt someone´s feelings.

Idioms about animals

Fill in the blanks with the expressions in bold:

dog-eat-dog: describes a situation in which people will do anything to be successful, even if what they do harm other people
(to rain) cats and dogs: to rain a lot
let the cat out of your bag: to tell a secret
don’t look a gift horse in the mouth: don’t refuse something good that is offered
(to hear) from the horse’s mouth: to hear something from the person who has direct personal knowledge of the matter
cash-cow: a product or a business unit that generates unusually high profit
early-bird: a person who always gets up early
cock-and-bull story: a story which is obviously not true, especially one give as a excuse.

1 - Wow! It's raining _____________________today! I wish I'd brought my umbrella to school!
2 - I never learned how to use a computer, so I lost my job to a new employee. It's a _____________ world.
3 - Be happy. Don't look ___________________in the mouth.
4 - Bob didn't tell anyone that he was sick, but his wife let _________________.
5 - With strong sales every year and a great brand name, the car Mercedes is a ______________for the company.
6 – Did Jill tell you herself she was getting married?
That's right. I got it straight from ___________________!
7 – He gave me some _____________________ about having to be at his cousin’s engagement party.
8 – He wakes at 6 am even on Sundays! He’s really an ____________________.

Expresiones en Español IV

Fonte: Conexión
Oraciones concesivas

A pesar de que en mi trabajo tengo que viajar much y resulta cansado, también eso tiene sus ventajas.
Aunque era interesante que todos me reconocieran en la calle, muchas veces echaba de menos mi intimidad.
Por mucho que cambiemos la realidad laboral, siempre habrá cosas que podamos mejorar.
Aun cuando en este trabajo no se gana mucho dinero, uno se siente completamente realizado.

Expresar obligación y necesidad / Negar la obligación y la necesidad

Hay que...
Tiene que...
Debe...
Se necesita...
Haca falta...
No hay que...
No es necesario (que)...
No hace falta...

Referirse a una situación presente

Actualmente...
En la actualidad...
Hoy por hoy / Hoy en día...
En nuestros días / En el presente...
En nuestra época / En nuestro tiempo...

Referirse a perídos de tiempo

Hace mucho tiempo que...
En aquella época / Antiguamente...
Entonces / En aquel momento / En aquellos tiempos...
Al principio...
A principio de los años setenta...
A mediados de los ochenta...
A finales de los años noventa...

Grammar or vocabulary?

Check the post in teacher Higor's blog about an interview in the magazine New Routes with Raymond Murphy, author of one of the most famous series of grammar books, in which he discusses the importance of vocabluary (lexis, to be more exactly) and grammar.

Expresiones en Español III

Fonte: Conexión

Mostrar interés por lo que sucede a otra persona y dar consejos

¿Qué te pasa?
¿Te sientes mal?
¿Te duele algo?
Tienes que...
Lo mejor es que (vayas)...
Lo mejor sería que (fueras)...
Tendrías que...
Yo que tú, (iría)...
Deberías...
Es bueno que...
Es necesario que...
Es perjudicial que...
Es aconsejable que...
Es conveniente que...

Expresar una opinión

No es normal que...
No es lógico que...
Es absurdo que...
Es natural que...

Referirse a hechos constatados
Está demonstrado / comprobado que...
Es cierto/ sabido que...
Está claro que...

Expresar la causa y la consecuencia
Estoy enfadado porque acabo de perder el autobús.
Todavía me voy a casa, que tengo trabajo.
Se ha ido, pues tenía mucha prisa.
Viajan en primera clase debido a su posición privilegiada en la empresa.
Perdí el avión a causa del tráfico.
Llegamos tarde por culpa de la manifestación.
Lo conseguí gracias a ti.
Como no tenía pasaporte, no pude viajar.
Ya que no tengo vacaciones este año, al menos voy a ahorrar.
Puesto que has logrado la beca, te concedemos el visado.

Desmentir una causa
No es que no quiera ir, sino que no puedo.
No voy, no porque no me guste viajar, sino porque tengo miedo al avión.

Expressions - parts of the body

Choose the correct part of the body to fill in the blanks

Heart, mouth, tooth, leg, blood, finger, hand, chest

1 – Being retired, he suddenly found himself with lots if time on his __________ but with little to do to occupy it.
2 – She had a sweet _______ and couldn´t resist buying chocolates.
3 – I think I´ll go and stretch my __________. I´ve been sitting down all morning.
4 – There´s something wrong somewhere. I can´t put my __________ on what it is exactly, but something just doesn´t feel right.
5 – The cruel way some owners treat their pets makes my __________ boil.
6 – Getting a problem off your ________ is the first stage to being able to solve it.
7 – You´d better be careful what you say to Samantha. She is very sensitive and takes everything to __________.
8 – Stop putting words into my __________! I never said that.

Practice your reading - Discover your entrepeneurial type

Adpated from USA Today 7/7/06

Ask someone what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, and they'll say you have to be a risk-taker, outgoing, workaholic. But look around: It's just not true. I've known people who've been successful entrepreneurs — making lots of money — who've either been a grouch, hate to take a risk, or don't get up before noon. How do they do it? They find a business that suits what I've named their "E-Type," or Entrepreneurial Type.
Based on my experience with thousands of entrepreneurs, I've developed a way of categorizing the different types of entrepreneurial types into nine categories. One of the keys to being a success in your own business is to find a business that fits your personal "E-Type."
Here are the nine E-Types I've identified:
•Adviser: Lots of people would like to be paid just for giving advice; usually it takes experience or education to be able to do so. Advisers include attorneys, accountants and financial planners. But many great salespeople also consider themselves — and are considered by their customers — as advisers.
•Administrator/Organizer: While the other E-Types are busily designing, building, buying or selling, it's the administrator who's taking care of the nitty-gritty aspects of business. This E-Type can work with people — organizing schedules, closets, weddings — or they can work with businesses — taking care of accounts, databases, order fulfillment.
•Builder/Creator: These E-Types encompass a diverse range of entrepreneurs — from artists to bakers to carpenters to designers to electricians. Those who fall in this E-Type are driven to create something tangible where it did not exist before.
•Caretaker: Our society has a great need to have people and things taken care of, maintained and assisted. That opens up opportunities for entrepreneurs who are patient and nurturing — whether of people, plants, or property.
•Communicator/Trainer: People who can transmit information or language are in demand, whether for business or personal interactions, sales, education or information.
•Entertainer/Host: If you thrive on interaction with people, you may fit this category. This E-Type includes the obvious — actors, musicians — but it also includes those who thrive when they create a positive experience for customers, especially in the hospitality industry or some service industries.
•Investor/Owner: If you've got money to invest, you might be able to put your capital to work for you. Being an active owner enables you to leverage your money into additional income without having to show up to work every day. This is also a good choice for a grouch!
•Seller: Great salespeople are always in demand. This E-Type also includes Brokers — those who act as a go-between helping others find the products or services they need. Real estate agents are perhaps the best-known broker, but you could broker almost any kind of product or service, such as autos, insurance, financial products and even wine or art.
•Technologist/Engineer: Were you figuring out computers, autos or engines when you were still a kid? Do you wonder why anyone ever needs instruction manuals? If so, then you're likely to be a Technologist/Engineer E-Type. Business options include consulting, software development, engineering and being a value-added reseller of technology.
What type of E-Type are you? By discovering the right business for your personality and skills, you've got a head start on the road to success.

Practice your reading - Text - Kids and Money

Teach Kids to Save

Adapted from: http://childcare.about.com/od/volunteerism/a/financialhelp.htm

In the consumer society we now live, kids start asking for money at an early age. At first, it is an allowance, but soon it may be a request for a debit or even a credit card. When should kids start receiving financial incentives? Janet Bodnar, executive director of Kiplinger's Personal Finance, offers a timeline for your child's financial development.

- Preschool means savings. Kids this age can be taught to "save" money, but need to literally see it to understand the concept. Adding weekly quarters to a piggy bank, for example, is much more effective than saving money in the bank, where kids think it disappears.
- Elementary kids should open a savings account. By this age, kids can understand the benefit of having a savings account and you can teach them responsibility, basic math facts and, maybe, even the concept of interest.
- Working teens need a checking account. If your teen is old enough and responsible enough to have a regular paying job, then it's time to open his/her own checking account. The benefit is that kids can learn about the rewards and consequences that come with a checking account, and learn responsibility for balancing their checkbook and being responsible for their own money.
- College-bound students need financial independence. If your child didn't get a checking account before now, be sure to open one BEFORE he leaves to college, and then take the time to teach basic financial responsibility concepts. Don't assume your child knows; probably he doesn't. The account should offer an ATM/debit card also.
- The final year in college is a good time to get a credit card, as long as the notion of job and lifestyle independence is clearly set. Otherwise, the illusion of easy money could have disastrous results.

Funny stuff

Revista online gratuita

Acaba de ser lançada a "Revista de Direitos Humanos", disponível em pdf no site da SEDH - Secretaria Especial de Direitos Humanos. A idéia da publicação é promover um debate nacional sobre as questões de Direitos Humanos no país, e a primeira edição traz como destaques fotos de Sebastião Salgado e uma entrevista com Augusto Boal, idealizador do Teatro do Oprimido.
Vale a pena conferir!

Interview - Patrick Nee - Yappr.com

Have you checked the suggested site YAPPR? Not yet? What are you waiting for!?
But before that, check the interview with Patrick Nee, founder of the website that offers lots of videos to improve your English.

- How and when did you have the idea for this site?
Patrick: I lived in Japan for a number of years in the early 1990s. Although I had studied Japanese before moving to Tokyo, I found that I had difficulty following a natural conversation between two Japanese.
At first, television wasn't very helpful. I didn't understand enough of the dialog to enjoy a television show. But when I finally progressed to the point where I could just make out the plot, I found that my Japanese improved rapidly. Because funny commercials, television shows, and sporting events are inherently interesting, I could enjoy a few hours of watching television while improving my Japanese. Television became the most effective way to study Japanese because it was fun.
I wanted to take that experience and help people study English. I designed yappr.com to have tools to lower the skill level somebody needs to start having fun with English videos. Need the translation? Only need the transcription? All these tools are at the user's fingertips.

- What is the aim of the site, exactly, is it an online course or one more tool for students of regular courses?
Patrick: Yappr.com currently offers a fun way for people to practice their English for a few minutes every day. I think it is very important to practice daily, but realistically that only happens if studying is fun. With a wide variety of videos, and new videos every day, users can return to the web site and hear native speakers each day.
This site doesn't teach English to people that have never studied the language. But most people now study English in their middle and high school curriculum, so many people have a good understanding of English grammar. Yappr.com can help them get comfortable with native English.

- How did you start broadcasting the site and how did you get readers to help you?
Patrick: Yappr.com was launched in November of 2007. We did some advertising on Google, and spent a lot of time trying to get the word out in blogs as well.
In the middle of 2008 we turned on our first Wiki feature that allows users to fix translations that are incorrect. I was very nervous; I didn't know whether users would improve the translations, worsen them, or post malicious messages. With my partner, who was born in El Salvador, we watched the activity on the Spanish version of yappr. Sure enough, users started making changes and they actually improved the translations! It was very exciting.

- How can new readers participate?
Patrick: New users can start just by watching videos that interest them. We have everything from cartoons, news, music, sports and more. They can see whether they can understand the video without any assistance, or show the transcript and the translation as needed.
Users can now help us select the videos on the site by pointing us to videos on YouTube. In addition, they can help by translating the video, increasing the number and variety of videos available to the community.

- Do you know how many videos are there available in the site? And how many members are there who actively participate?
Patrick: We currently have a couple thousand videos on yappr.com. When we started I selected all of the videos that we published, but recently users are uploading and translating more videos than we can prepare in-house. The community is making itself stronger by contributing, which is amazing to see.

- What's the advantage/differential of this site to others about English?
Patrick: Yappr.com is all about fun. If students of English can watch whatever content they want, they are bound to study more and make more progress. The site has no fixed curriculum and no teachers, just a chance to relax while learning and having fun!

Guidelines for reviewing books

When you have to make a presentation or write a summary about a book, these guidelines may help you:

Title:
________________________________________________________

Author:
________________________________________________________

Setting:
________________________________________________________

Main characters (names, ages, jobs, description):
________________________________________________________

Plot (maximum 15 lines):
________________________________________________________

Climax (most important or interesting moment):
________________________________________________________

Personal opinion (Would you recommend the book? Why (not)?
__________________________________________________________

Business vocabulary

Fill in the blanks with the words below. Anyone who wants the answer key, just write to me:

bankrupt, cash flow, bid, trade barrier, asset, alliance, brand leader, dismissal, market leader, mailshot, counterfeit, dumping,market challenger, perk, takeover, niche market, turnover, resign


1 - An agreement between two or more companies to work together ________________
2 – Something belonging to an individual or a business that has value ________________
3 – Not having enough money to pay your debts ________________
4 – Something that makes trade between two countries more difficult or expensive ________________
5 – An offer to buy something or the price offered ________________
6 – The brand with the most sales in a particular market ________________
7 – The amounts of money coming into and going out of a company ________________
8 – To copy something so that it looks like something else, usually illegally ________________
9 – When someone is removed from their job by their employer ________________
10 – The activity of selling products in an export market cheaper than in home market, or cheaper than the cost to make it, usually in order to increase market share ________________
11 – When information or advertising material is sent through mail to a large number of people ______
12 – An organization or product that has the highest sales or one of the highest sales in its market or industry ________________
13 – An organization or product that may take the place of the organization or product that has the highest sales in its market or industry ________________
14 – A market for a product or service, perhaps an expensive or unusual one that does not have many buyers but that may be profitable for companies who sell it ________________
15 – Something in addition t money that you get for doing your job, for example a car _____________
16 – The act of getting control of a company by buying more than half of its shares _______________
17 – The amount of business done in a particular period, measured by the amount of money obtained from customers for goods or services that have been sold ________________
18 – To officially leave a job, usually through your own choice ________________

Los falsos amigos en Español

Algunas palabras en Español y Portugués tienen la misma grafía, o muy semejante, pero significan cosas completamente distintas.

1. Acordar (español): Recordar o traer a la memoria
2. Acordar (portugués): Despertarse
3. Exquisito (español): de gran calidad, sabroso.
4. Esquisito (portugués): Raro, excéntrico
5. Apenas (español): Casi no, inmediatamente después
6. Apenas (portugués): solamente
7. Apellido (español): nombre que nos pasan nuestros padres y madres
8. Apelido (portugués): apodo
9. Cachorro (español): cría de algunos mamíferos
10. Cachorro (portugués): perro
11. Competencia (español): oposición, rivalidad, principalmente en relación al mercado de trabajo
12. Competência (portugués): capacidad, habilidad para hacer determinadas cosas
13. Embarazo (español): estado en el que se encuentra la mujer que está esperando un hijo
14. Embaraço (portugués): perturbación, confusión
15. Pegar (español): unir una cosa a otra por medio de alguna sustancia. También, maltratar, dar patadas o bofetadas.
16. Pegar (portugués): coger, agarrar, sujetar, tomar (el autobus)
17. Novela (español): narrativa larga, compuesta de narrador y personajes
18. Novela (português): telenovela
19. Sobremesa (español): tiempo que se está a la mesa después de haber comido o también, toalla que se pone sobre la mesa.
20. Sobremesa (portugués): Postre