Elder Estrela, CEO.

Elder always dreamed of achieving success in the United States.

He began studying English at the age of 16 while still in high school in Belo Horizonte. His dedication and immense passion for the language drove him to continue his studies in the United States.

At 21, with his mother’s support, he enrolled in an English program at the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont (now World Learning). He also lived and worked in Kansas City, Missouri, as well as in other U.S. states. Upon returning to Brazil, he secured his first job as an English teacher.

Having deeply absorbed American culture, he returned to the United States in 1981, where he lived and worked for several years in Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey.

It was during this time that the S.O.S. Method was conceived. Though initially just an idea in his mind, he already had a clear understanding of what was necessary for a person to learn English effectively. When he returned to Brazil in the early 1990s, he wasted no time in developing the layout for his remarkable method.

Dedicating long hours to his work, he hired native English speakers and spent extensive time in recording studios. Rolling up his sleeves, he created a comprehensive set of audio materials featuring real-life everyday situations, which he has successfully used with his private students for over 17 years.

The project took off in 1996. Noticing a gap in the market due to a shortage of qualified professionals, he began offering private lessons in homes and offices throughout the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte.

Today, with the advent of the Internet, his method has successfully transitioned to an online learning format. Through e-learning tools, the program has revolutionized the way languages are learned, eliminating the need for travel and the stress of navigating heavy urban traffic.

The platform provides participants with a dynamic learning experience, where interaction is a key component. This approach enables students to reach conversational proficiency within the first few lessons of the course.

Committed to making English learning accessible to those with limited financial resources, he also offers scholarships to students in need, selecting recipients based on their interest and dedication to language learning.

By combining the effectiveness of the S.O.S. Method with the enthusiasm of those who need to learn English quickly—while maintaining a spirit of generosity toward the less privileged—his method is poised to transcend borders, sharing the knowledge he has acquired over decades of experience.