4 Years

🎓 Four Years: A Teacher’s Tale of Time, Friendship, Dumplings, English corner, flower in the lake, graduation ceremonies, fashion show and a lot of good memories.

Time flies when you’re teaching, and believe me—it has wings.

Four years ago, in 2021, I stepped onto the campus of Henan University of Engineering, fresh-faced and full of energy. That’s the same span it takes for most students to journey from day-one jitters to cap-and-gown confidence. Watching that transformation over and over has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

💥 Memories in Motion Every year came with its own rhythm, like a melody that repeats but never sounds the same twice. Spring brought the Sports Festival, with cheers and cheer leaders echoing across the campus. Summer waved in the graduation ceremonies—tears, triumph, and tassels. Then there was the annual English Speech Contest, where I proudly got to be a judge and listen to inspiring words that made my teacher heart burst with pride.

And let’s not forget December: the shortest day of the year, but somehow one of the warmest. Students gathered in the canteen to make dumplings, laughing and folding dough with skill and love. I always wandered in, hoping to “accidentally” crash the party. Spoiler: I never needed an invitation.

🌱 Growth Beyond the Classroom I’ve watched students arrive with nervous smiles and military training uniforms, unsure of what the future holds. By year two, they hit their stride—comfortable, confident, maybe a little cheeky. They've started mastering the art of university survival, knowing how to balance classes, clubs, and the occasional nap.

🎤 More Than English Here’s the thing: not every student starts off loving English. Some don’t see the point. But I do. I’ve lived it. So my job isn’t just to teach—it’s to inspire. I want them to want it. That’s why I wrote a book about learning English—full of ideas and tips to make progress. I sell it online, but every one of my students here in China gets it for free. Because language, like learning, needs practice—and heart.

❤️ Chelsy: A Special Goodbye A few months ago, I said goodbye to a dear friend—Chelsy. She was once my student, but she quickly became something more. Even after our classes ended, she kept in touch, inviting me to dinner, sharing dreams and updates, treating me not just like a teacher, but like family. She graduated last month, and while WeChat is still there, it’s not the same as sitting face to face, sharing a laugh over shared rice. I’ll send her this post, because I want her to know: her kindness meant the world to me.

🌸 The Lake’s Quiet Lesson When I first arrived, a flood wiped out the flowers and aquatic plants in the campus lake. It was sad—but life finds a way. Four years later, the lake looks almost as it did back then, slowly restoring itself. Nature teaches us that growth takes time—but beauty always returns.

🇨🇳 My Chinese Journey (Or Lack Thereof 🙈) Here’s my humble confession: I still don’t speak Chinese. Yep. Still. It’s no one’s fault but mine. But hey—my native language is Portuguese, and I speak English daily. So I always tell my students, “I’ve learned a second language once. So I get how tough it is.” And that’s why I push them to practice—not just for tests, but for life.

 

To all my students—past, present, and future—your journey inspires mine. Don’t just study for a degree. Live these years with intention, curiosity, and kindness. Laugh loud. Speak boldly. Learn passionately.

Here’s to the next chapter. 🥂

— Teacher Gameiro

Article by Marcelo Gameiro

Published 18 Jul 2025

 

Xinel Lee # A Catch-Up That Sparked Memories and Inspiration

A Catch-Up That Sparked Memories and Inspiration

A few days ago, I reconnected with an old friend—Xinel Lee. It had been a long time since we last chatted. She's the amazing person who first introduced me to China. I actually shared that story in one of my very first blog posts, where I talked about the power of networking to land a better job after university.

networking-is-an-essential-part-of-building-a-successful-career

In that post, you’ll find the photo I started this article with —taken right in front of the BIEI headquarters in Beijing.

Fast forward to today, Xinel is now married and living in Vancouver, Canada. So much has changed in just a few short years! I was honestly thrilled to see how drastically life can evolve in such a short time. She even told me she never imagined herself getting married, and yet here she is—happily married. That made me smile, especially because so many of the girls I talk to on campus say they don’t want to get married. Funny how life surprises us!

Now, the reason I’m sharing this today is because during our conversation, I asked Xinel how learning English had changed her life. Her answer really inspired me—and I think it might inspire you too. Here’s what she wrote:

How Learning English Changed My Life

A few days ago, I read Marcelo’s article, “Life Before College,” and it really resonated with me. He talked about how learning English changed his life, and it reminded me of my own journey. I’m glad I have something to share too — because English has truly transformed my life in many ways.

1. Better Job Opportunities

Like most people, I started learning English in school, but I never had many real chances to use it. My real English journey didn’t begin until I got my first job. I was working as an administrative assistant at an international education institute, where I had to interact with teachers from the U.S. and other countries — and deal with a ton of paperwork in English.

That was a wake-up call. I realized how essential English is in the workplace. Not long after, I quit that job and started teaching English to children. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. Teaching was fun, and more importantly, it gave me a chance to use English every day. I gradually became more confident speaking it, both at work and in life.

Looking back, those two to three years were incredibly important for my career. Since then, English has become one of my biggest strengths — helping me land better jobs, grow professionally, and even earn a higher salary. It really opened doors I never thought possible.

 

2. Access to Information, Education, and Entertainment

To be honest, learning English hasn’t always been fun. It took years of effort — memorizing vocabulary, repeating phrases, and making mistakes again and again. But it does get easier. Over time, you develop a sense of the language — you start to “feel” it, and you no longer need to memorize everything just to express yourself.

If your job or studies require you to use English daily, your progress will naturally be faster. But even if that’s not the case, I have a tip that worked for me: change your phone, computer, and other digital devices to English. It won’t magically make you fluent, but it helps you get used to seeing and thinking in English — an easy way to make the language part of your everyday life.

Learning English can actually be simple — especially now that we have AI. Tools like ChatGPT can help you practice, correct your writing, or even explain grammar. For example, while writing this very testimony, I used ChatGPT to polish my words. 

As my English improved, I gained access to a much wider world. I could read books, take online courses, and understand academic materials that weren’t available in my native language. I also started following English-language social media — full of amazing content, from educational YouTube channels and inspiring TED Talks to hilarious memes and trending videos. Knowing English has made learning more fun and even relaxing!

 

3. Confidence, Adaptation, and Global Communication

I never felt more grateful for my English skills than I did three years ago — when I moved to Canada to start a new life.

Adapting to a new country is never easy, but speaking English made everything smoother. I could handle daily tasks, talk to locals, and make new friends without too much stress. It also gave me the confidence to be independent and proactive in this new environment.

Speaking English helped me connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures. It made me feel included, rather than isolated, and helped me build a life that I’m proud of. In many ways, English wasn’t just a language skill — it was a bridge to a whole new world.

 

Many people say that learning English can be fun — and yes, sometimes it is.
But my personal experience was not always so joyful. I went through long periods of anxiety, afraid to speak up. I felt frustrated when I couldn’t express myself fluently, and discouraged when I saw little or no progress.
But the truth is, these struggles are simply part of the learning process. I didn’t have a perfect solution for them — I just had to face them. What I can tell you is: they are temporary.
And now, when I look back and talk about how English changed my life, I don’t just feel lucky — I feel like I earned it.

There are many opportunities in life — don’t let poor English skills limit your potential.

 

英语如何改变了我的人生

几天前，我读了 Marcelo 写的文章《大学之前的生活》。他说英语如何改变了他的人生，这让我想起了我自己的经历。我也很高兴能分享一些自己的故事，因为英语真的在很多方面改变了我的人生。

1. 更好的职业机会

像大多数人一样，我从学校开始学英语，但一直没什么真正使用它的机会。直到我找到第一份工作，我的英语学习之路才真正开始。当时我在一家国际教育机构做行政助理，要跟来自美国和其他国家的老师打交道，还要处理大量英文文件。

这让我意识到英语在职场中的重要性。不久之后，我辞掉了这份工作，转而去教小朋友英语。事实证明这是我做过最正确的决定之一。教学的过程很有趣，更重要的是，我可以每天都在用英语。渐渐地，我越来越自信，也更敢开口说了。

回头看，那两三年的经历对我职业发展非常关键。从那以后，英语就成了我最大的优势之一，帮助我找到更好的工作、提升专业能力，甚至获得更高的薪资。它真的帮我打开了许多原本触不到的门。

2. 获取信息、教育和娱乐的渠道

说实话，学英语的过程并不总是快乐的。这是一个漫长的过程，需要反复记单词、练句子、不断犯错。但坚持下去真的会变得更容易。随着时间的推移，你会逐渐形成语感，不再总是依赖背诵来表达自己。

如果你的工作或学习每天都需要用英语，那进步会更快。但即使你没有这样的环境，我也有一个简单的建议：把你的手机、电脑和其他设备的语言都调成英文。它不会立刻让你流利，但能让你更熟悉英语，是把语言融入生活的最简单方法。

而现在学英语其实可以变得更简单，尤其是有了 AI 的帮助。像 ChatGPT 这样的工具可以帮你练习、改写、解释语法。比如我写这篇见证的时候，就是用 ChatGPT 帮我润色的。

随着我的英语能力提升，我进入了更广阔的世界。我可以读英文书、上在线课程、理解以前看不懂的研究资料。我也开始使用英文社交媒体，那里有各种有趣的内容，从教育视频、TED 演讲到搞笑短片、流行趋势。英语不仅让我学得更多，还让我在空闲时感到放松和快乐。

3. 自信、适应力和全球沟通

三年前我移民加拿大，开始新生活。那是我第一次真正感谢自己学了英语。

适应一个新国家从来都不容易，但英语让一切变得顺利得多。我可以处理生活琐事、和当地人交流、交朋友，一切都轻松了很多。英语也让我更有信心去独立生活、主动面对新挑战。

英语帮助我与来自不同文化背景的人建立联系，让我不再孤独，反而感到被接纳。它帮助我建立了一个让我感到自豪的新生活。在很多方面，英语不再只是语言技能，它更像是一座通向新世界的桥梁。

很多人说学习英语很有趣——的确，有时候是这样。但我的亲身经历并不总是那么快乐。我经历了长时间的焦虑，害怕开口说话。当我不能流利表达自己时，我感到沮丧；当看不到什么进步时，我感到灰心。但事实是，这些挣扎只是学习过程的一部分。我没有完美的解决办法——只能去面对它们。我想告诉你的是：这些都是暂时的。现在，当我回头谈论英语如何改变我的生活时，我不仅仅觉得幸运——我更觉得这是我应得的。

人生有很多可能性，不要让英语不好限制了你的人生。

 

Article by Marcelo Gameiro

Published 03 Jun 2025

 

 

Life Before College

Life Before College: A Time to Reflect and Prepare for What’s Ahead

Not long ago, I wrote an article about life after college—a stage full of uncertainty, excitement, and personal growth. You can check it out here. But today, I want to shift the focus. Let’s talk about life before college—a chapter that is equally important, if not more so, because it sets the stage for everything that comes next.

From My Grandfather to My Children: Four Generations, Four Realities

Manoel (my grandfather)

When my grandfather graduated from high school, he had specialized in accountancy. Back then, that was enough to land a stable job. He spent most of his life working at the train station—even during World War II—and provided well for his family. Life was tough, but simpler in some ways.

Wedding of Claudio (my Father)

My father, on the other hand, married young and started with almost nothing. But he worked hard, put himself through university, and earned a degree in Business Administration. Eventually, he became one of the directors—and part-owner—of the company where he worked. He was, by all definitions, a successful man, and when he passed away a few years ago, he left behind a meaningful inheritance for me and my brothers.

My Graduation

Then comes my generation. I earned a master’s degree, and my brother holds two degrees and several post-graduate diplomas. And yet, even with all that education, having a guaranteed job or a secure career was no longer a certainty. The world had changed. A degree was no longer a golden ticket.

And now I look at my children’s generation—and, to be honest, things are even more complicated. That’s not to say education is pointless. Far from it. But formal education alone no longer guarantees success. In fact, some of the world’s wealthiest and most innovative minds—people like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs—were university dropouts. Of course, that doesn’t mean dropping out is the secret to success. It just means that education comes in many forms, and we have to think beyond the traditional path.

Redefining Education: More Than Just a Degree

Education is still one of the most reliable ways to improve your life, especially financially. But it’s important to understand that education doesn’t only happen in a classroom. You can become educated by reading books, taking online courses, or learning directly from a mentor or tutor. The real value lies in what you learn, not just where you learn it.

Today, I find myself in China, working as a university teacher. And I see so many brilliant, hardworking students who are deeply discouraged. They face fierce competition just to get into a good university. And even after they graduate, many feel unprepared for the job market. Some keep studying—pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees—hoping things will get better. But the future still feels uncertain for many of them.

And honestly, I understand their concern. The system is not easy. The pressure is intense. And the fear of being left behind is very real.

A Powerful Solution: Learn English, Change Your Life

But here’s the good news: I believe there is still a simple and powerful way to improve your future. It’s a skill that has worked for me, for many others I know, and it still works today.

That skill is learning English.

I’m not saying English is a magic solution to all problems. But what I am saying is this: being able to speak English fluently opens doors that are often closed to others. In both my home country and in China, most people don’t speak a second language. Those who do—especially those who speak English well—often get the best opportunities, whether it’s a great job, a chance to study abroad, or access to global networks and information.

I wouldn’t be here in China with a great teaching job if I hadn’t learned English. Simple as that.

Don’t Just Study English—Live It!

If you’re a university student in China, you’ll likely spend four years or more earning your degree. Imagine if you spent just 20–30 minutes a day studying and practicing English during that time. By the time you graduate, you could be fluent. That would make you stand out—not just as a graduate, but as someone who can work in international environments, talk to clients from around the world, and solve problems in a global context.

And the best part? Learning English can actually be fun. Watch English movies or series, listen to music or podcasts, join speaking clubs, or even make friends who are learning English too. The secret isn’t studying hard—it’s studying consistently, and finding ways to enjoy the journey.

The World Is Changing—So Should You

What worked for my grandfather doesn’t work today. What worked for my father may not work anymore. But learning English still works, and it may continue to be one of the most effective tools to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

So why not make that investment in yourself? Why not take the next four years and build a skill that can truly transform your future?

And hey—if you happen to study at the university where I teach, why not come say hi? Invite me to lunch at the canteen, and I’ll gladly share some tips, resources, and ideas to help you speak better English and feel more confident doing it.

Because improving your English isn’t just about learning a language—it’s about creating a future you’ll be proud of. Also if you manage to learn English your future will not be bleak like I portray in the post: “Life after College”

 

Chinese version translated by AI for your convenience

 

当然可以！以下是您的文章《Life Before College: A Time to Reflect and Prepare for What’s Ahead》的中文翻译版本，保持了原文的情感色彩、结构逻辑，并增强了启发性和可读性，以鼓舞学生努力学习英语并思考大学前的意义。

上大学之前：反思与准备人生下一步

不久前，我写了一篇关于大学毕业后的生活的文章，内容涉及毕业后的不确定性、成长与挑战（点击查看：链接）。
但今天，我想换个角度。我们来聊聊上大学之前的生活。这个阶段同样重要，甚至可以说，它决定了你之后人生的很多方向。

从爷爷到我的孩子：四代人，四种现实

我的爷爷高中毕业时学的是会计，在当时这已经足够找到一份稳定的工作。他在火车站工作了一辈子，甚至还经历了第二次世界大战。生活虽然艰苦，但相对简单。

我的父亲则是在一无所有的情况下与母亲结婚。他后来努力奋斗，考上了大学，获得了工商管理学位。最终，他成为公司董事之一，甚至拥有公司的一部分股份。他是一位非常成功、值得尊敬的人。几年前他去世时，给我们兄弟留下了相当不错的遗产。

My parents wedding

然后是我这一代。我拿到了硕士学位，我的哥哥拥有两个大学学位和多个研究生学历。但即便如此，也不能确保拥有稳定的工作或美好的未来。时代已经变了。大学文凭不再是通往成功的“金钥匙”。

再看看我的孩子们这一代，情况似乎更复杂了。这并不是说接受教育没用，恰恰相反。事实上，许多全球最成功、最富有的人——比如比尔·盖茨和史蒂夫·乔布斯——都曾是大学辍学生。
当然，这并不意味着辍学就是成功之路，而是告诉我们：教育的形式可以多种多样，我们需要跳出传统框架去思考。

重新定义教育：不仅仅是学位

教育依然是改变人生的有效方式，尤其是经济方面。但我们要明白，教育不仅仅发生在课堂里。你可以通过读书、在线课程，甚至向导师或榜样学习而变得有知识、有能力。真正重要的不是你在哪里学，而是你学了什么、有多努力。

如今，我在中国担任大学老师。每天我都能看到许多聪明、努力的学生，他们常常感到沮丧与迷茫。进入一所好大学竞争激烈，毕业后面对的就业市场又充满挑战。很多人选择继续深造，攻读硕士甚至博士学位，却依然看不到明确的未来。

我非常理解他们的感受。这个系统真的很不容易，压力很大，不确定性也太多。

一个实用的建议：学好英语，改变未来

但我想告诉你一个简单而强有力的解决方案。这个方法对我、对许多人都起了作用，并且到今天依然有效。

那就是：学习英语。

我不是说英语是解决所有问题的万能钥匙。但我确实想强调一点：能流利说英语的人往往能获得别人得不到的机会。无论是在我的祖国，还是在中国，能够熟练使用第二语言（尤其是英语）的人，总能获得更好的工作、更高的收入、更多的国际机会。

就拿我自己来说——如果我不会英语，我根本不可能来中国工作，也得不到这样一份体面的教学岗位。

别只是“学英语”——要“活在英语中”

如果你是一名中国大学生，你可能需要花四年时间完成本科学业。试想一下，如果你每天花20到30分钟来学习和练习英语，等你毕业时，你的英语水平将达到一个完全不同的高度。
这不仅会让你在毕业生中脱颖而出，还会让你有能力与世界对话、拓展国际视野、解决全球性的问题。

而且，学习英语其实可以很有趣！你可以看英文电影、听英文歌曲或播客、加入英语角，甚至交一些学习英语的朋友。关键不是用力学，而是坚持学、快乐地学。

世界在变，我们也要跟着变

曾经适用于我爷爷的方式，如今早已不再适用；适用于我父亲的路径，也不一定适合我们了。但学好英语，仍然是你能掌控的人生“加速器”之一。

所以，为什么不从现在开始投资自己？用接下来的几年时间，把英语这项技能打好基础，让它成为你打开未来之门的一把钥匙？

如果你正好是我所任教的大学的学生，欢迎找我聊天，或者邀我一起去食堂吃个饭。我会很乐意与你分享更多学习英语的方法和技巧。

因为，提升英语水平，不只是学语言，更是创造一个你值得骄傲的未来。

如果您还需要将此翻译内容以文章形式发布在您的博客，我可以帮您设置格式，或者再为其生成适合中文读者的简化摘要版本或配套短视频文案。图像也即将准备好，我会第一时间发给您！

Article by Marcelo Gameiro

Published 31 May 2025