A few weeks ago Student of the Year, Maria Emilia Faustino Ferraz de Amorim, picked up her Certificate of Excellence at a ceremony near our city centre campus in Dublin. We decided it would be nice to catch up Maria and find out more about her experience with us in City Language School and her time in Dublin.
“I was so happy and so grateful to be nominated for Student of the Year,” says the graduate from San Paulo in Brazil. “Everyone here is so lovely with me.”
Maria came to Ireland in May to study English and to experience the culture of both this country and its nearest neighbours.
“I came to Ireland because I wanted to improve my English and because it’s in Europe, it is easy to travel and explore other countries and cities,” she says. “The Irish accent is also a difficult accent, so I think when you learn to speak to Irish people it’s easier to learn to speak with people from other English-speaking countries. We’d be more used to hearing American accents so it takes a bit of getting used to.”
Though the the 21-year-old might struggle with the nuances of the local lilt, she says she has really enjoyed her time at City Language School and is a big fan of Dublin.
“I have a lot of friends and I love the teachers,” says Maria. “My teacher, Aoife, is incredible and very patient with us because sometimes it can be difficult. The other staff are great too, people like Finola have helped me with any problems I’ve had and everyone has been lovely. They help me everyday. There is a big Brazilian community here in Dublin but in my class, we have a good mix. As well as some Brazilians, we have students from Turkey and some Spanish speakers from different countries.”
“I love Dublin,” she continues. “The weather is a little different to Brazil but I’m enjoying getting to know the city.”
Maria found it easy to pick up some work in Dublin and said that it wasn’t too difficult to get a job. So far she has worked as a cleaner and a childminder. She finishes her course next month and plans to stay on in Dublin until January.
“My plan is to go back to Brazil in January,” she says. “I graduated as a language teacher so I intend to study and improve my English and become the best teacher I can.”
We at City Language School are pretty sure she’ll the very best
City Language School Dublin
City Language School is right in the heart of Dublin City Centre. Dublin is the proud and vibrant capital of Ireland and with its cosmopolitan and modern feel, it has repeatedly been voted Europe’s friendliest city by Trip Advisor. Dublin boasts strong links with literature, music, dance and storytelling. As you walk through the streets of Temple Bar, you can absorb the musical tradition which spills onto the streets from the many bars and restaurants; truly a city of enormous beauty! Dublin is surrounded by breath-taking natural scenery that will leave you with lifelong memories. It is perfectly located on the eastern coastline of Ireland and is a convenient gateway to the rest of Europe.
We are conveniently located in the heart of Dublin on Dame Street, giving you easy access to the whole city of Dublin as well as bus and tram lines for you to get around.