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**** The Solo Sensei Newsletter - Volume 13 ****
February 5th, 2002
Over 5000 Readers Japan-wide
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IN THIS ISSUE
1. FindaTeacher.Net / SenseiSagasu.com News
2. Keep Your Students
A. Use a Study-Friendly Atmosphere
B. Have a Plan
C. Check the Level of the Student
3. Making Sure First Time Students Pay
4. Refresh and WIN
A. MacMillan's - "English Learner's Dictionary" (5)
B. Oxford's - "Advanced Learner's Dictionary" (3)
5. Detailed Japan Map Added
6. Tips/Events
7. What's Your Request?
----------------------------------------------------------
1. FindaTeacher.Net / SenseiSagasu.com News
----------------------------------------------------------
So far in 2003, requests for teacher contact information doubled their November / December 2002 levels and are climbing. If you haven't logged in to refresh your findateacher.Net record in a while, be sure to do so now because heaps of students are browsing/choosing. Also, if you have any friends in need of private students, please let them know they can sign up too.
In 2002, you helped make Findateacher.Net the largest searchable database of foreign language teachers in Japan (over 3500 active teachers Japan-wide). In 2002, over 11,300 introductions were made. Chances are - you were one of them. In 2003 we'll get even bigger, better, and more user-friendly for you.
Thanks and 5000 yen went to 4 teachers since our last Solo Sensei Newsletter (this newsletter) for helping us identify underpaying schools. If a school contacts you claiming they found you on SenseiSagasu.com....let us know and you too could get 5000 yen deposited into your bank account.
----------------------------------------------------------
2. Keep Your Students
----------------------------------------------------------
So....the student selected you and came to a first lesson with you. Great, but are they coming back? Here are a few suggestions to prevent them from running off with another of their 4 chosen teachers:
A. Use a Study-Friendly Atmosphere
Make sure the place you choose to teach is a place someone can actually learn - not just a place that's convenient. If the lesson takes place in the teachers house/apartment, a screaming baby or slobbering dog may be cute to the teacher - but will probably turn off a student visiting for a trial lesson.
If using a cafe/restaurant as a study place, besides just checking the noise and lighting levels, be sure that other customers are not sitting close enough to peer over your shoulder or blow smoke in on your lesson. Also, consider going during the non-busy (quiet) hours OR to a shop that is not very popular (so there aren't as many customers)
B. Have a Plan
A mediocre plan better than no plan at all. Just have something in mind for the structure of the first lesson. Tokyo's Margaret L. claims that "the first lesson is the easiest to plan for because it's basically the same thing each time". Her first 5 minutes are for basic introductions/small talk, the next 10 - 15 for warming-up and simultaneous level checking, the next 5-10 for introducing a potential course of study (ex. textbook/workbook), the next 20-30 minutes to actually try the material with the student, and the final 5 minutes to check if the student is interested in scheduling a next lesson, getting paid for this first lesson and saying goodbye. "Before you know it...the hour is gone, the student is happy, I've gotten paid, and - if the student returns - we have a course of study for the next 4 to 6 months".
During the first lesson, it is also a good idea to convey to the student that you *do* have a plan for this lesson and explain it. Ron W. from Yokohama, for instance, tells the students at the beginning of the first lesson that "This lesson will be a little bit different from my normal lessons because I have to ask you a few questions to check your level, then show you some books we could use at your level, and then we can decide together which book/course you like the best".
C. Check the Level of the Student
Making the student understand that you are checking their level in order to find a starting place for them to study, they'll see that you know what you are doing and more strongly consider sticking with you as their teacher.
Level checking can range from simply asking about their language study experience (ex. asking how/where they study now, or have studied, what book they have used/most recently completed) to oral questioning at different grammar levels to more complex level checking tests available through some book publishers, on-line, or even those used by the 4-letter language schools (if you have access to them).
After checking the level, explain to the student where they are now and how you will get them to where they want to be.
D. Other ideas
* Offer the student a few different course options as to how they can study with you.
* Tell the student your opinion of which of these options will help them the most.
* Be organized. Keep records, folders, schedule book etc. and keep them in the student's view.
Of course, there are those occasional students who specify from the start that they are only taking your lesson to kick back/relax and chat with you to maintain their language ability - making most of the above totally unnecessary.
----------------------------------------------------------
3. Making Sure First Time Students Pay
----------------------------------------------------------
Many teachers do not offer a free trial lesson because they:
* Like/Want/Need money
* Don't believe in free lessons (just as a barber doesn't offer new customers free first haircuts)
* Have enough students so that the lure of a free lesson is not needed to attract new students
Recently, a French teacher in Tokyo who charges a modest first-lesson fee, had the unpleasant experience of a student refusing to pay for the first meeting. Although the teacher had the "first lesson price" clearly written in her findateacher.Net profile, after the first lesson, the student said that another of their 5 chosen teachers did not charge for the first lesson, so he felt that he could walk away from this lesson too without paying. This left the teacher unpaid and not very happy. (FYI, findateacher.Net subsequently contacted all of this student's other 4 chosen teachers to tell them to be careful about this fellow)
Findateacher.Net's advice for those teachers charging for the first lesson:
A. Make sure that you have effectively communicated to the student more than once that the first meeting is a *paid* meeting/lesson. Use different terms such as "not free", "for a charge", "yen needed", (in Japanese) "Saisho no jugyo wa yuuryo desu" etc. to make sure the student understands what you are transmitting. If your student uses the term "trial (taiken) lesson" during your first contact it is important that you explain that although it is a "trial" lesson - that it is also a *paid* lesson.
If you are worried for some reason that a student will not pay, you always have the option to make them pay at the beginning of the meeting OR in extreme cases you can insist that you'll not meet them until you can verify that they have wire transferred your fee ahead of the lesson. This might be done if the student has already not shown up for one or two appointments with you and then calls again attempting to schedule another.
----------------------------------------------------------
4. Refresh and WIN!
----------------------------------------------------------
A. Five (5) teachers will win the "Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners" (paperback with CD-ROM: 3,800 yen) which is not just another dictionary - it is every English learner's tool for life. Coupled with an CD-ROM, it features clear, simple explanations using only 2,500 defining vocabulary. Moreover, 7,500 of the most productive words that native speakers use 90% of the time are highlighted in red, and quick menus are provided in long entries to get you to the meaning you want - fast! Take a guided tour on:
http://www.macmillandictionary.com and see just why it's sold over 450,000 copies in its first 10 months on the market!
B. Oxford is offering 3 teachers its new and improved Advanced Learner's Dictionary (a 3500 yen value) The latest edition has 4,500 new words and meanings, 10,500 idioms and phrasal verbs, 2,000 illustrations, 82,000 examples, and 80,000 references.
TO QUALIFY for the prizes above, refresh your record in the findateacher.Net database (by logging in and clicking "Refresh") then email us at prize@FindaTeacher.Net. Include your complete *postal* mailing address and name of the prize you are most interested in winning.
Congratulations to last month's 20 lucky winners!
----------------------------------------------------------
5. Detailed Japan Map Added
----------------------------------------------------------
If you are only registered in one area and unsure of what your neighboring city / ward is, please use the following on-line detailed Japan map (in English) from the Japan National Tourist Organization to help you select more areas:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/mapindex/E/mapindex.html
Teachers can (and in most cases *should*) select more than one area to display their record in. Up to 10 areas in metropolitan areas are suggested. Students will travel for a teacher they like or one who has something special to offer. For more details about choosing places see section 4 of:
http://findateacher.Net/solosensei/volume5.html
----------------------------------------------------------
6. Tips / Events
----------------------------------------------------------
A. Any teacher who was unable to pick up their 2003 ESL teaching material catalogue at Findateacher.Net's 2002 Year End Party can still request a catalogue from:
http://findateacher.Net/links.html
B. If you have doubts about the look of your findateacher.Net on-line photo, ask someone you know to evaluate it. Decide carefully. 80% of those teachers chosen are those with photos.
C. The Oxford Kids' Club Tour features presentations of useful ideas and entertaining activities for teaching children. Admission is free and no pre-registration is necessary. Join the event and get the 25th Anniversary Jazz Chants CD Sampler for free! For details, please visit
http://www.oupjapan.co.jp and click on "Upcoming Events"
D. Need help handling calls in Japanese? Here are some handy phrases:
http://findateacher.Net/handlingcalls.html
E. Logging-in and clicking "refresh" moves your record to the top of the list for each area in which you are registered. Teachers at the tops of the list are selected significantly more often than those lower in the lists.
----------------------------------------------------------
7. What's Your Request?
----------------------------------------------------------
Let us know what you'd like to see in 2003. Several upgrades are already in the works because of your suggestions. Thanks!
Jake Rollins
Solo Sensei, Producer
Teacher Helper
----------------------------------------------------------
1. FindaTeacher.Net / SenseiSagasu.com News
----------------------------------------------------------
So far in 2003, requests for teacher contact information doubled their November / December 2002 levels and are climbing. If you haven't logged in to refresh your findateacher.Net record in a while, be sure to do so now because heaps of students are browsing/choosing. Also, if you have any friends in need of private students, please let them know they can sign up too.
In 2002, you helped make Findateacher.Net the largest searchable database of foreign language teachers in Japan (over 3500 active teachers Japan-wide). In 2002, over 11,300 introductions were made. Chances are - you were one of them. In 2003 we'll get even bigger, better, and more user-friendly for you.
Thanks and 5000 yen went to 4 teachers since our last Solo Sensei Newsletter (this newsletter) for helping us identify underpaying schools. If a school contacts you claiming they found you on SenseiSagasu.com....let us know and you too could get 5000 yen deposited into your bank account.
----------------------------------------------------------
2. Keep Your Students
----------------------------------------------------------
So....the student selected you and came to a first lesson with you. Great, but are they coming back? Here are a few suggestions to prevent them from running off with another of their 4 chosen teachers:
A. Use a Study-Friendly Atmosphere
Make sure the place you choose to teach is a place someone can actually learn - not just a place that's convenient. If the lesson takes place in the teachers house/apartment, a screaming baby or slobbering dog may be cute to the teacher - but will probably turn off a student visiting for a trial lesson.
If using a cafe/restaurant as a study place, besides just checking the noise and lighting levels, be sure that other customers are not sitting close enough to peer over your shoulder or blow smoke in on your lesson. Also, consider going during the non-busy (quiet) hours OR to a shop that is not very popular (so there aren't as many customers)
B. Have a Plan
A mediocre plan better than no plan at all. Just have something in mind for the structure of the first lesson. Tokyo's Margaret L. claims that "the first lesson is the easiest to plan for because it's basically the same thing each time". Her first 5 minutes are for basic introductions/small talk, the next 10 - 15 for warming-up and simultaneous level checking, the next 5-10 for introducing a potential course of study (ex. textbook/workbook), the next 20-30 minutes to actually try the material with the student, and the final 5 minutes to check if the student is interested in scheduling a next lesson, getting paid for this first lesson and saying goodbye. "Before you know it...the hour is gone, the student is happy, I've gotten paid, and - if the student returns - we have a course of study for the next 4 to 6 months".
During the first lesson, it is also a good idea to convey to the student that you *do* have a plan for this lesson and explain it. Ron W. from Yokohama, for instance, tells the students at the beginning of the first lesson that "This lesson will be a little bit different from my normal lessons because I have to ask you a few questions to check your level, then show you some books we could use at your level, and then we can decide together which book/course you like the best".
C. Check the Level of the Student
Making the student understand that you are checking their level in order to find a starting place for them to study, they'll see that you know what you are doing and more strongly consider sticking with you as their teacher.
Level checking can range from simply asking about their language study experience (ex. asking how/where they study now, or have studied, what book they have used/most recently completed) to oral questioning at different grammar levels to more complex level checking tests available through some book publishers, on-line, or even those used by the 4-letter language schools (if you have access to them).
After checking the level, explain to the student where they are now and how you will get them to where they want to be.
D. Other ideas
* Offer the student a few different course options as to how they can study with you.
* Tell the student your opinion of which of these options will help them the most.
* Be organized. Keep records, folders, schedule book etc. and keep them in the student's view.
Of course, there are those occasional students who specify from the start that they are only taking your lesson to kick back/relax and chat with you to maintain their language ability - making most of the above totally unnecessary.
----------------------------------------------------------
3. Making Sure First Time Students Pay
----------------------------------------------------------
Many teachers do not offer a free trial lesson because they:
* Like/Want/Need money
* Don't believe in free lessons (just as a barber doesn't offer new customers free first haircuts)
* Have enough students so that the lure of a free lesson is not needed to attract new students
Recently, a French teacher in Tokyo who charges a modest first-lesson fee, had the unpleasant experience of a student refusing to pay for the first meeting. Although the teacher had the "first lesson price" clearly written in her findateacher.Net profile, after the first lesson, the student said that another of their 5 chosen teachers did not charge for the first lesson, so he felt that he could walk away from this lesson too without paying. This left the teacher unpaid and not very happy. (FYI, findateacher.Net subsequently contacted all of this student's other 4 chosen teachers to tell them to be careful about this fellow)
Findateacher.Net's advice for those teachers charging for the first lesson:
A. Make sure that you have effectively communicated to the student more than once that the first meeting is a *paid* meeting/lesson. Use different terms such as "not free", "for a charge", "yen needed", (in Japanese) "Saisho no jugyo wa yuuryo desu" etc. to make sure the student understands what you are transmitting. If your student uses the term "trial (taiken) lesson" during your first contact it is important that you explain that although it is a "trial" lesson - that it is also a *paid* lesson.
If you are worried for some reason that a student will not pay, you always have the option to make them pay at the beginning of the meeting OR in extreme cases you can insist that you'll not meet them until you can verify that they have wire transferred your fee ahead of the lesson. This might be done if the student has already not shown up for one or two appointments with you and then calls again attempting to schedule another.
----------------------------------------------------------
4. Refresh and WIN!
----------------------------------------------------------
A. Five (5) teachers will win the "Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners" (paperback with CD-ROM: 3,800 yen) which is not just another dictionary - it is every English learner's tool for life. Coupled with an CD-ROM, it features clear, simple explanations using only 2,500 defining vocabulary. Moreover, 7,500 of the most productive words that native speakers use 90% of the time are highlighted in red, and quick menus are provided in long entries to get you to the meaning you want - fast! Take a guided tour on:
http://www.macmillandictionary.com and see just why it's sold over 450,000 copies in its first 10 months on the market!
B. Oxford is offering 3 teachers its new and improved Advanced Learner's Dictionary (a 3500 yen value) The latest edition has 4,500 new words and meanings, 10,500 idioms and phrasal verbs, 2,000 illustrations, 82,000 examples, and 80,000 references.
TO QUALIFY for the prizes above, refresh your record in the findateacher.Net database (by logging in and clicking "Refresh") then email us at prize@FindaTeacher.Net. Include your complete *postal* mailing address and name of the prize you are most interested in winning.
Congratulations to last month's 20 lucky winners!
----------------------------------------------------------
5. Detailed Japan Map Added
----------------------------------------------------------
If you are only registered in one area and unsure of what your neighboring city / ward is, please use the following on-line detailed Japan map (in English) from the Japan National Tourist Organization to help you select more areas:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/mapindex/E/mapindex.html
Teachers can (and in most cases *should*) select more than one area to display their record in. Up to 10 areas in metropolitan areas are suggested. Students will travel for a teacher they like or one who has something special to offer. For more details about choosing places see section 4 of:
http://findateacher.Net/solosensei/volume5.html
----------------------------------------------------------
6. Tips / Events
----------------------------------------------------------
A. Any teacher who was unable to pick up their 2003 ESL teaching material catalogue at Findateacher.Net's 2002 Year End Party can still request a catalogue from:
http://findateacher.Net/links.html
B. If you have doubts about the look of your findateacher.Net on-line photo, ask someone you know to evaluate it. Decide carefully. 80% of those teachers chosen are those with photos.
C. The Oxford Kids' Club Tour features presentations of useful ideas and entertaining activities for teaching children. Admission is free and no pre-registration is necessary. Join the event and get the 25th Anniversary Jazz Chants CD Sampler for free! For details, please visit
http://www.oupjapan.co.jp and click on "Upcoming Events"
D. Need help handling calls in Japanese? Here are some handy phrases:
http://findateacher.Net/handlingcalls.html
E. Logging-in and clicking "refresh" moves your record to the top of the list for each area in which you are registered. Teachers at the tops of the list are selected significantly more often than those lower in the lists.
----------------------------------------------------------
7. What's Your Request?
----------------------------------------------------------
Let us know what you'd like to see in 2003. Several upgrades are already in the works because of your suggestions. Thanks!
Jake Rollins
Solo Sensei, Producer
Teacher Helper
jake@FindaTeacher.Net
http://www.FindaTeacher.Net
http://www.SenseiSagasu.com
*** Made for Teachers by Teachers ***