Antonio

Antonio

When did you come to Australia?

I was about 12 when we came to Australia. It was at the very end of year 6, so I started then and then came up to this school for year 7. I did my primary school years in Brazil.

What language do you speak at home?

We all speak Portuguese at home. My brother can speak English a little bit, and my Mum and Dad only speak a little bit of English.

What language do you speak the most of?

Portuguese. Even at school I often speak Portuguese. My social media accounts are also in Portuguese, but I can read English on my phone.

When you are listening to English do you translate?

Sometimes I can now. But sometimes I have to translate it to Portuguese.

What helps you in class?

I didn’t always come to school in the early years. But I have a good friend here now so I come often. I like to sit near another Portuguese speaker in class because if I have a question I can just ask them and just get help.

Using my laptop helps me if I’m writing in English, because I can get help with spelling and grammar.

What about talking in English?

I don’t like to do it much, but even in Portuguese I don’t talk a lot.

*These profiles are constructed from real interviews, but are not direct transcriptions.