Last week one of my one-on-one students arrived 30 minutes late for a two-lesson block on Saturday morning. He was still wearing his suit from the night before and told me that he was out with “the boss” all night and hadn’t made it home yet. So I decided it was opportunity time and started [...]
Now that is music to my ears. I have heard this sentence twice this week and I am sure many others have as well. It tells me two things. One, that I am certainly doing something right on the motivational side. To like something is to continue doing it. Secondly, it tells me that learning English [...]
My winter break was quite good. I went on a few day trips, spent three days in Tokyo, but the highlight of it all was a simple dinner with my family. For those that think Japan is nothing but fish and rice, think again. It is all here, and we chose the “Outback Steak House” [...]
It was a good year here. Lots of new faces of all personalities and ages…Steady growth at Smith’s Hashimoto…And yes, so much to be thankful for, as Mark Smith said…Here is MY list: I am thankful for: Two parents that are still alive, two beautiful children, this safe haven I live in, the dynamite support from [...]
Last weekend I met up with several teachers in Japan that I used to work with or have an acquaintence with. We had drinks and food in a nice place and it was real nice to see these people again. Thankfully they all have jobs and seem to be in high spirits about what they [...]
I worked for that other place way too long. I thought I was getting a good salary. I was, comparatively. I was probably one of the highest paid eikaiwa EMPLOYEES in Japan. Lucky me though, I escaped the place three years before the collapse. Ask me what my salary was…Not telling…But I will tell you [...]
Yes, I think we are. I worked for a large company here in Japan when the bubble burst. Students kept joining regardless of the large fees they had to pay… That was surprising to me…But I think those days are coming to an end, and this is why we are special…We are Smith’s…We require our [...]
I have been out of the net for some time and feel the need to come back. I am really glad to read all the things that have been posted. Great stories and advice from so many. The “Team” is getting stronger as time goes on… I don’t know about other train stations, but Hashimoto [...]
Two weeks ago I had a very inexpensive, nice day and night soaking in the natural hotspring waters of Hakone. While it is not the most extravagant place I have stayed at, it suited all our needs. “Kappa Tengoku” is located just 3 minutes from Hakone Yumoto Station. I got a room for two for [...]
Recently a good friend of mine (Shawn) who is affiliated with the United States military here in Japan was able to rent a cottage located at “Tama Recreation Center,” a nice natural hideout and escape from the Tokyo concrete! For 85 US dollars (cabin rental, not per person) four of us stayed in a very [...]
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