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Rafael and Gabriel Ribas, from Santo André, Brazil, attended Magnus Academy in Newark to improve their English




Twin brothers from Brazil are spending their entire summer holidays in the Newark area to improve their English.

Rafael and Gabriel Ribas, 16, are staying with their uncle, Mr Marcelo Ribas, of Witham St Hughs, who has lived in England for many years.

The pair, who come from the Santo André area of Brazil, are spending three hours every morning working on their English.

16-year-old twin brothers Gabriel and Rafael Ribas from Santo Andre in Brazil are in the Newark area for seven weeks improving their English during their school holidays.They will have spent the morning at Magnus. They are being tutored by Mr Geoff Burgess, who is a retired lecturer in EAFL.They are staying with their uncle, who has lived in England for 20 years. They live in a large city so Newark is a bit of a culture shock. Pictured L>R - Rafael Ribas, 16, Retired english teacher at Newark College Mr Geoff Burgess & Gabriel Ribas, 16.. (27332360)
16-year-old twin brothers Gabriel and Rafael Ribas from Santo Andre in Brazil are in the Newark area for seven weeks improving their English during their school holidays.They will have spent the morning at Magnus. They are being tutored by Mr Geoff Burgess, who is a retired lecturer in EAFL.They are staying with their uncle, who has lived in England for 20 years. They live in a large city so Newark is a bit of a culture shock. Pictured L>R - Rafael Ribas, 16, Retired english teacher at Newark College Mr Geoff Burgess & Gabriel Ribas, 16.. (27332360)

They are being taught by Mr Geoff Burgess, of Newark, a retired lecturer at Newark College.

Rafael and Gabriel, whose native language is Portuguese, arrived in the UK before Christmas and will return in mid-February.

Rafael said the trip had been their mother’s idea, and they had been delighted when she suggested it.

“It was a fantasy to think we could come here to improve our English,” he said. “Better pronunciation is what we are hoping for.”

As well as working on their language skills, the twins have been finding out more about English culture and lifestyle.

Gabriel said they had particularly enjoyed the pre-Christmas events in Newark Market Place.

“It was like a festival,” he said “People were laughing and enjoying themselves.”

They have also been trying out local restaurants, visited Lincoln, and spent a morning at the Magnus Church of England Academy in Newark, where Mr Burgess used to be a governor.

They attended lessons, and had a school lunch ­— including roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with gravy, which they loved.

Mr Burgess said they were both keen students,

“They are bright boys, who are both very extrovert and friendly,” he said.

“Learning English in a classroom is very different to speaking it in practise, but they were pleased to find that they could understand people and be understood.”

Both twins are hoping to go to university. Rafael wants to study aircraft engineering, and Gabriel hopes to be a physicist.

“Learning English is essential,” Gabriel said.

Before returning home, Rafael and Gabriel will be spending some time in London, including a visit to the London Dungeon.

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