Don't give up when it comes to learning English

Steffanie Zazulak
Two people sat togther with phones smiling
Reading time: 2 minutes

We love sharing stories of English learners and educators whose lives have been positively transformed by the language. One such inspiring story comes from Rodrigo Tadeu in São Paulo, Brazil. Discover why he holds a special appreciation for mastering English.

Motivations for learning English?

Rodrigo grew up speaking Portuguese in South America. As a child, he never thought about learning another language. However, when he became an adultand began aspiring to a career, he realized that expanding his language abilities would help him achieve these dreams.

"I worked as an accountant for an American company," he said. "So, to communicate and achieve professional success, I had to learn English!"

Rodrigo has changed jobs since then. And even though he’s no longer required to speak English with his new company, he still feels a responsibility to himself to continue his education.

The road to English fluency

There are many tools that you can use to improve your English language skills, and Rodrigo used several – some he’s still using to this day. First, he started learning English formally by taking classes in high school. However, his shy disposition made it difficult for him to practice because he was afraid of failing in front of others. At the time, he didn't havecareer goals motivating him to learn the language either.

Later, however, our adventurous accountant decided to learn English in earnest, so he traveled to Canada to study and become aconfident speaker. When he returned to Brazil, he kept studying and continues to do so. Reading books and articles, listening to podcasts and copying other English speakers have also helped develop his conversational skills. Among his favorite podcasts are "English as a Second Language" and "Freakonomics".

English learning is not without challenges

Rodrigo noted that he struggles with pronunciation most.“The way English speakers say words is very different than the way you would say something in Portuguese.”

He thinks the issue is the same for Spanish speakers as well."In Portuguese or Spanish, if you know the words,you can basically speak exactly what you read. In English, it's totally different. You cannot speak the words that you are reading. So you have to know about this!"

This might be the most challenging part of learning the language for Rodrigo, but he assured us that he’s not giving up.

English for enjoyment

Rodrigo may have initially studied English as a way to progress his career, but the language quickly became something he enjoyed.And instead of being content with the skill that he has now, Rodrigo dreams of continuing his English-speaking education so he can travel and further enjoy his life.

"These days, English has become fun!" he said. "Now it's better to watch movies and TV in English."

He also mentioned that he eventually would like to visit Europe. But when asked about his dream destination, Rodrigo said that:“I’d like to move back to Canada, maybe live in Vancouver for a year or two!”

Advice for English language learners

After working hard for years to learn English, Rodrigo now offers advice to fellow Brazilians (and others) who wish to speak another language:

"You have to be confident, and don’t give up. You have to keep your dreams. It's difficult to ... speak one language that's not your mother language ... If you can imagine, you can achieve, and you can do. So 'don't give up' is the perfect phrase."

Read our blog posts 'Learning English and employability' and 'Fascinating facts about English'.

More blogs from ɫèAV

  • A group of university students sat on the stone steps of a university campus

    From experience to innovation: How PTE Academic helped shape ɫèAV English Express Test

    By
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    When we launched the ɫèAV English Express Test, it’s true - we were not starting from scratch. We were building on years of experience, research, and innovation from PTE Academic, our globally recognised, high-stakes English test trusted by thousands of institutions.

    ɫèAV English Express Test may be new, but it is backed by everything we have learned from delivering millions of secure, accurate, and trusted assessments around the world.

    A legacy of trust

    PTE Academic has been setting the standard for English language testing since 2009. It is known for its AI-powered scoring, robust security, and global recognition. Over the years, we have refined every part of the testing journey, from how we assess speaking and writing, to how we protect against fraud and ensure fairness.

    That legacy gave us a strong foundation to build something new. With ɫèAV English Express Test, we took the best of what we know and reimagined it for a different kind of test taker, one who needs speed, flexibility, and simplicity, without compromising on quality.

    What we carried forward

    ɫèAV English Express Test uses the same AI scoring technology that powers PTE Academic, trained on over 147,000 responses and verified by human experts. 

    This ensures that every score is consistent, fair, and accurate, no matter where or when the test is taken. We also brought our deep understanding of test security into the design of ɫèAV English Express Test. From dual-camera proctoring to biometric voice verification, every layer of the test is built to protect integrity and build trust. 

    And just like PTE Academic, ɫèAV English Express Test is aligned to the Global Scale of English and mapped to CEFR levels, so institutions can set score requirements with confidence. 

    Designed for a new generation of learners

    While PTE Academic is ideal for students applying globally, ɫèAV English Express Test is purpose-built for learners with their sights set on the United States. It is still faster, fairer and simple, all at a great price, without losing the rigour that institutions expect.

    Students can take the test from home, receive results in minutes, and get certified scores within 48 hours. That kind of accessibility is a game-changer, especially for students in remote regions.

    Why this matters for institutions

    By accepting ɫèAV English Express Test, institutions are not just offering another test option. They are offering a test backed by years of proven success. They are giving students a faster, more flexible way to apply, while maintaining the standards that support academic success.

    And for institutions already familiar with PTE Academic, ɫèAV English Express Test is a natural extension, one that complements your admissions toolkit and helps you reach more students, more easily.

    Experience you can trust

    At ɫèAV, we believe that innovation should be grounded in experience. That is why ɫèAV English Express Test is not just a new test. It is the next step in our mission to make English testing more accessible, more secure, and more student-friendly.

    Because when we combine what we have learned with what students need today, we create something truly powerful.

  • A girl sat at a laptop with headphones on in a library

    5 myths about online language learning

    By Steffanie Zazulak
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Technology has radically changed the way people are able to access information and learn. As a result, there are a great number of tools to facilitate online language learning – an area that’s been the subject of many myths. Here we highlight (and debunk) some of the bigger ones…

    Myth #1: You will learn more quickly

    Although online learning tools are designed to provide ways to teach and support the learner, they won’t provide you with a shortcut to proficiency or bypass any of the key stages of learning.Although you may well be absorbing lots of vocabulary and grammar rules while studying in isolation, this isn’t a replacement for an environment in which you can immerse yourself in the language with English speakers. Such settings help you improve your speaking and listening skills and increase precision, because the key is to find opportunities to practise both – widening your use of the language rather than simply building up your knowledge of it.

    Myth #2: It replaces learning in the classroom

    With big data and AI increasingly providing a more accurate idea of their level, as well as a quantifiable idea of how much they need to learn to advance to the next level of proficiency, classroom learning is vital for supplementing classroom learning. And with the Global Scale of English providing an accurate measurement of progress, students can personalise their learning and decide how they’re going to divide their time between classroom learning and private study.

    Myth #3: It can’t be incorporated into classroom learning

    There are a huge number of ways that students and teachers can use the Internet in the classroom. Meanwhile, ɫèAV’s online courses and apps have a positive, measurable impact on your learning outcomes.

    Myth #4:You can't learn in the workplace

    Online language learning is ideally suited to the workplace and we must create the need to use the language and opportunities to practise it. A job offers one of the most effective learning environments: where communication is key and you’re frequently exposed to specialized vocabulary. Online language learning tools can flexibly support your busy schedule.

    Myth #5: Online language learning is impersonal and isolating

    A common misconception is that online language learning is a solitary journey, lacking the personal connection and support found in traditional classrooms. In reality, today’s digital platforms are designed to foster community and real interaction. With features like live virtual classrooms, discussion forums and instant feedback, learners can connect with peers and educators around the world, building skills together.

  • Woman on a laptop working focused in her office

    Helping students succeed with ɫèAV English Express Test

    By
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    When a student applies to university, they are not just submitting a form. They are sharing their potential. And when institutions review those applications, they need to be confident that the tools they use, especially English proficiency tests, are giving them a clear, accurate picture of that student’s readiness.

    That is why accuracy matters. It is not just about getting a number. For us, it is about setting students up for success and helping institutions make decisions they can stand behind.

    Getting it right from the start

    The ɫèAV English Express Test was designed to be fast and flexible, but never at the expense of accuracy. No – this was a top priority. Students can take it from anywhere, at any time, and receive results in minutes. But behind that speed is a powerful scoring engine that ensures every result is fair, consistent, and reliable.

    ɫèAV English Express Test uses AI trained on over 147,000 responses, with a 0.98 correlation to human scoring. That means institutions can trust that the scores reflect real ability. And every test is reviewed by a human expert before certification, adding another layer of quality control. Add to this that admissions teams can review written and spoken samples – it really is a multi-faceted approach to the reliability of scores.

    Why accuracy supports academic success

    When students are placed in the right programs based on accurate scores, they are more likely to thrive. They can keep up with lectures, contribute to discussions, and complete assignments with confidence. That leads to better outcomes, higher retention, and a more positive student experience.

    On the other hand, if a student is placed when their scores are not representative of their skills, it can lead to frustration, poor performance, or even dropout. That is why accurate scoring is not just a technical detail, it really is a foundation for student success.

    What this means for institutions

    For admissions teams, accurate scoring means fewer surprises. It means being able to confidently admit students who are ready to succeed. And it means fewer resources spent on support for students who were not quite prepared.

    It also supports your institution’s reputation. When students succeed, they become advocates. They share their stories, recommend your programs, and contribute to a thriving academic community.

    A commitment to quality – Across the board

    While ɫèAV English Express Test is ideal for students who need a fast, flexible option, ɫèAV also offers PTE Academic, both of which support U.S. study applications.

    Together, ɫèAV English Express Test and PTE Academic offer a complete solution, one that supports students at every stage of their journey and helps institutions make decisions with confidence.