At first glance, Bulga’s emails urging students to volunteer and join Friendship and Language Acquisition (FALA) may seem like just another reminder in your inbox. But behind those messages is a club with a rich history and meaningful mission.
As one of the oldest service clubs, founded in 1999, FALA teaches English every Saturday (9:00 AM-12 PM) at Graded to people through the city of São Paulo who can’t afford classes. Today, the program has over 330 students enrolled, but over its 26 years, it has impacted hundreds of community members, staying true to its mission of providing language opportunities to those who need it most.
You might expect to be teaching little kids, however, the students’ ages actually range from young children to teenagers, adults, and even elders, each bringing their own energy and perspective to the class. Depending on your comfort level with Portuguese, you’re assigned to different English-level classes. In these classes, you’ll work alongside another lead or co-teacher. Over time, as you gain confidence and develop your teaching skills, you have the opportunity to become a lead teacher yourself.
Of course, being a teacher isn’t easy: waking up early every Saturday morning and staying at school for three hours requires more than just showing up: it involves planning lessons, preparing activities, etc. But just the thought of teaching your students and seeing their interest and enthusiasm makes every Saturday worthwhile. The feeling of a student truly understanding the material is incomparable—a relief and a reward all at once.
Being in FALA benefits student volunteers just as much as it benefits the students. You learn to appreciate opportunities you might take for granted, like being bilingual, and gain exposure to different life experiences. Teaching also helps you develop leadership and teamwork skills, since you get to personalize and prepare your own lessons, deciding how to teach your students, creating their tests, collaborating with co-teachers and more.
That being said, this club isn’t something to be taken lightly. Again, FALA requires responsibility and perseverance, and as a teacher, it’s expected that you put in the effort to be present. Your actions have real consequences for your student’s learning.
The impact of FALA goes beyond just teaching grammar or vocabulary. For many students, learning English opens doors to better job opportunities, improved communication, stronger connections with the global community and even the achievement of personal goals.
It’s not just learning a new language: it’s about creating the same opportunities by giving people the tools to build their future. The impact of this club is far-reaching. If you’re looking for a way to give back, grow as a person, and be part of something meaningful, taking a closer look at Bulga’s emails is a great place to start.
