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**** The Solo Sensei Newsletter - Volume #18 ****
February 12th, 2004
Over 5500 readers Japan-wide.
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You are receiving this newsletter as part of your membership in
findateacher.Net. If needed, see remove instructions below.
IN THIS ISSUE
1. FindaTeacher.Net / SenseiSagasu.com News
2. Site Upgrades
3. Side Effects of Sending Out Teacher Data 24/7
4. Selected but Not Contacted?
5. Seminars for Teachers of English to Children
6. Refresh and Win
7. Tips/Miscellany
8. Feedback Invited
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1. FindaTeacher.Net / SenseiSagasu.com News
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Over 1200 teachers' contact information is being sent out to students weekly. Currently, 5218 teachers are actively accepting students while 1122 are on "Break".
So far, 115 teachers have upgraded their records by sending in their optional proof of graduation and/or proof of language school experience. Adding these has already shown an increase in the number of views by students.
250 folks joined us for findateacher.net/SenseiSagasu.com’s 1st international party of 2004 in Shibuya. Although we did not set out to make the party a teacher and student meeting place, several teachers reported being approached and found by students there. One student at the party claimed that she came to the party to meet the teachers she had seen on the SenseiSagasu.com website in-person (rather than pay for their contact info on the site!)
The next party will be held Saturday, February 28th from 6:30 - 9 pm. Of course, you are invited. Details at http://findateacher.net/iparty.html
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2. Site Upgrades
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A. Ability to Send Teacher Data Immediately - Added
Students are now able to receive your contact information almost immediately 24 hours/day 7 days/week. Previously, data was sent out two times each weekday. However, now that students can pay by credit card, they are able to get your data whenever they want.
B. More Credibility Symbols - Added
Graduation hat symbols have been added to the records of any teacher who has sent in proof of graduation and/or training. Red checkmark symbols have been added for those who have sent in proof of current or former language school employment/experience. These symbols are placed on your findateacher.net record next to the name of whichever of these we receive proof for.
C. Opt-In / Opt-out of Party Mail - Added
Receiving reminders about the findateacher.net / SenseiSagasu.com gatherings near you is now optional. To opt out, log in to the Record Control Center and click the button next to, "I would like to receive information about FindaTeacher.Net parties and events in my area"
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3. Side Effects of Sending Out Teacher Data 24/7
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Since students are now able to get your contact information whenever they want, please be sure that the phone number you have listed is one that you have under control; that is, one you can turn off or take a message when you do not want it to ring (like when you are sleeping). Students are reminded not to call too late at night. So far, we have not had any complaints from teachers about students calling too late.
Also, if you haven't read the email from us which says, "Congratulations! You have been selected", before a student gets your phone number or email address, the student will contact you before you even know that you have been selected. So...please be aware that unfamiliar phone numbers on your number display might be new students calling.
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4. Selected but Not Contacted?
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A frustrated teacher in Fukuoka, who is often selected by students, writes, "I am never contacted by any of the students who select me. What's going on?"
For anyone having a similar experience, please keep in mind that when a student gets your contact information they will often log back in to look at their chosen teachers' records again so they can decide the order in which they will contact them. When doing so, they look - perhaps even more carefully than the first time - at their chosen teachers full records. Make sure your record shines. Here are some suggestions:
A. Do what the students do. Compare your record to other teachers' records near you at:
http://www.Sensei-Sagasu.com
Make sure someone half as qualified as you doesn't look twice as good as you in their record. Make sure your prices are reasonable and in-line with others near you. If your prices are higher than average, consider explaining why in the "Comments" section. Make sure your photo is clear, your details are not error ridden, and that your "Comments" say something useful compared with your other teachers in your area. Too many teachers use the "Comments" section to simply rehash (in sentence form) what's already displayed in other sections of their findateacher.net record.
B. If the student has decided to give you their contact information (in the congratulations note that is sent to you when you are chosen) *use it* to contact them first. That's why they gave it to you. However, being over-aggressive in doing this (i.e. multiple emails/phone calls) can lead to not getting chosen.
C. Also, if your telephone number is hidden, consider making it visible to students. Some students call first - rather than email - because:
- they prefer the immediacy of phoning.
- they like to hear the voice of their teacher over the phone.
- they are not good at writing emails in English.
So, if you make students email you, you may have to wait. While you're waiting they may be setting up their first lesson with one of their other 5 chosen teachers - on the phone. To check whether your phone number is displayed or hidden in your findateacher.net record, log in to the Record Control Center at: http://findateacher.net and click "Edit Page 1".
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5. Seminars for Teachers of English to Children
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Several fun-filled and free seminars for teachers of English to children are being held around Japan as part of the teacher-training tour sponsored by Longman, Matsuka Phonics and Maruzen. It features presentations by Aleda Krause author of SuperKids, Beat Eisele author of Hip Hip Hooray!, and many others. Admission is FREE and there are many special discounts.
If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact
Longman at 03-3391-1387, or visit their website:
http://www.longmanjapan.com
click on the "Events" button
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6. Refresh and Win
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1. Need something new for your children's classes? Four findateacher.net teachers will win Longman's "Hip Hip Hooray! Teacher Support Pack" (worth 17,500 yen/each). Each contains the teacher's Edition textbook (with Japanese support), Class CD's, Picture Cards, and a Penguin Young Readers book. The Hip Hip Hooray! children's book series uses beautiful illustrations in the context of classic, popular storylines. The course has strong phonics and grammar strands, lots of TPR, role-play, and songs.
2. While not directly related to teaching, but probably handy for you cosmopolitan teachers, the kind folks at Longman have also offered to give away 10 "Time Out" city guides (three London, three Dublin, three Sydney, one Lisbon guide).
TO QUALIFY for one of these prizes, refresh your findateacher.Net record (by logging in and clicking "Refresh") then email us at prize@FindaTeacher.Net before March 1st, 2004 to let us know which prize you'd like to win. Include your current *postal* mailing address.
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7. Tips / Miscellany
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A. If you are not being selected and want to be, try:
- Refreshing your record regularly (log in and click "refresh")
- Changing your photo (ask someone's opinion to be sure)
- Making sure you have enough Places/Stations selected for best exposure (log in and click "Edit Places/Stations")
- Adding credibility to your record (see how at http://findateacher.Net/links.html#credibility )
B. Catalogues for 2004 teaching materials from most major ELT publishers on the findateacher.net website at:
http://findateacher.Net/links.html#catalogue
C. The ongoing "Tattle and Win" contest is hot. Since the last Solo Sensei newsletter, we were able to award 11 teachers 5000 yen each (55,000 yen). Details at:
http://findateacher.Net/links.html#tattle
D. Need healthcare insurance? - GlobalHealth.jp offers a special Teacher's Plan for foriegn teachers in Japan - comprehensive health insurance, suited to fit any budget. Total in-patient/out-patient cover, maternity benefits, loss of
income protection, emergency home return cover, travel, etc. Please check:
http://www.globalhealth.jp/
Copyright 2004 FindaNet, Ltd.