Roberta Serralvo’s path to teaching English did not begin in a traditional classroom. Originally from Brazil, before becoming a Global Teacher she worked in human resources, recruiting and training teams—an experience that would deeply shape the way she teaches today.
Looking to broaden her perspective and live an international experience, Roberta moved to Australia for an internship. There, she continued improving her English alongside students from different countries who were preparing for the IELTS exam. It was in that multicultural environment that she discovered something essential: the value of learning as a community.
“We started forming study groups to support each other, share strategies, and practice together. In that process, I realized how much I enjoyed training, practicing, and sharing knowledge,” she recalls.
That peer support quickly turned into a vocation.
“A close friend asked me, ‘Why don’t you become a teacher?’ At first, I didn’t feel ready, but that moment changed everything,” Roberta explains.
From then on, teaching English became a way to bring together her experience in training, her passion for languages, and her belief that education is a powerful tool for empowerment.
Teaching English in Corporate Contexts: Focus, Impact, and Results
Throughout her career, Roberta has taught children, teenagers, and adults, which has given her a clear understanding of what makes English learning in corporate environments unique.
While in school settings the focus is often on motivation, gradual development, and emotional safety, in the corporate world English serves a different purpose.
“In corporate contexts, English is a tool for professional performance. Learners are looking for immediate results that they can apply directly to their work,” she explains.
Her previous experience in human resources allows her to design classes aligned with each learner’s professional reality, turning the classroom into a collaborative, practical space focused on concrete goals. For Roberta, what distinguishes corporate English is its direct impact: helping professionals communicate more effectively, contribute with greater confidence, and perform successfully in global environments.
Confidence, Empathy, and a Safe Space to Learn
For Roberta, effective learning begins with confidence. Creating a respectful and close environment is just as important as teaching vocabulary or grammar.
“Building students’ confidence is as important as teaching the language itself. Confidence directly impacts how they communicate at work,” she says.
Active listening, respecting each learner’s pace, and understanding their personal objectives are key pillars of her methodology. Roberta aims for every learner to feel safe making mistakes, knowing that errors are a natural and necessary part of the learning process.
Personalized Classes, Connected to Real Life
Each class begins with a needs analysis: role, responsibilities, communication challenges, and professional goals. Based on this, Roberta adapts content so learning has immediate relevance.
“I use real workplace situations and also personal interests. Many times, I close the class with content like TV series, news, or current topics to create a more natural space for conversation,” she explains.
This approach allows English to integrate organically into the learner’s daily life, helping sustain motivation and engagement.
Real Progress Linked to Concrete Challenges
Among the achievements that have marked her the most, Roberta highlights those where learning is directly connected to real professional challenges.
She recalls, for example, a learner who needed to deliver a key presentation at their company. They worked on vocabulary, structure, and clarity—and the result was evident: a confident and effective presentation. In another case, she supported a learner who had to travel to Japan for work, aligning classes with practical and intercultural situations.
“In both cases, progress was directly tied to real work demands, which made the learning meaningful and impactful,” she says.
The Value of Human Connection in English Learning
Looking ahead, Roberta recognizes the value of technology and artificial intelligence as supportive tools—but she is clear about one fundamental point:
“The key to effective learning will continue to be the human connection between teacher and learner. Technology can support learning, but it cannot replace the relationship, empathy, and real-time adaptation.”
That connection is what allows teachers to create a safe space, respond to learners’ emotions, and support not only skill development, but also confidence.
At Bridge, we believe that this combination—methodology, personalization, and human support—is what allows English learning to generate real impact. Roberta Serralvo’s story reflects how the role of a Global Teacher goes far beyond teaching a language: it’s about supporting processes, opening opportunities, and building confidence—one class at a time.
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