Category Archives: students keep coming

What is an International Language?

February 25, 2010 – 10:58 pm

Of course English is perhaps the most widely accepted international language. But actually any language, including Japanese, can be an international language. I personally experienced this about 15 years ago on a business trip to Taiwan for a design meeting with our Taiwan supplier who was to make a charger stand for our [...]

By Al Bartle | Also posted in English School Articles, Franchise Owners' Speak, SSE Okamoto Corner, english in japan, enjoyed this a lot, my passion: language, teaching: why i do it | Tagged | Comments (0)

TOEIC+ Listening Practice Videos

February 14, 2010 – 5:15 pm

I have been reading the posts here and I am so impressed with so many of them. We really have a great team at Smith’s School of English.
Recently John Coleman (See his post on the movie “Invictus“) and I are collaborating on some TOEIC listening practice videos for the Smithweb site. We have [...]

By Al Bartle | Also posted in English School Articles, Franchise Owners' Speak, Living in Japan, New start up or franchise?, SSE Kawanishi Corner, SSE Okamoto Corner, a look back, a reward in itself, english in japan, enjoyed this a lot, my passion: language, teaching: why i do it | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

Blind Souls Video ビデオで英語を勉強する

January 17, 2010 – 4:52 am

If you have time and want to see what can be done if you invest some time, watch Blind Souls Parts 1 to 4. If you click on this link it will take you to part 1. You can then watch the other three parts.
This video is good for students’  listening practice. My friend made [...]

By Al Bartle | Also posted in English School Articles, Franchise Owners' Speak, Free Advice English Schools, Living in Japan, New start up or franchise?, SSE Okamoto Corner, english in japan, enjoyed this a lot, my passion: language, teaching: why i do it | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Power of the Franchise Revealed!

January 7, 2010 – 8:06 pm

This week I had two students start who transferred from other Smith’s School (Otsu and Kotoen). This really brought home the meaning and the power of the franchise to me and it is something anyone thinking about starting an English school in Japan should consider carefully.
If I were out there on my own, I [...]

By Al Bartle | Also posted in English School Articles, Franchise Owners' Speak, Investor or school owner?, Living in Japan, New start up or franchise?, SSE Okamoto Corner, Seek to understand, a look back, a reward in itself, english in japan, enjoyed this a lot, my passion: language, teaching: why i do it | Tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

スミス英会話鶴橋校　クリスマス2009年：Tsuruhashi’s merry little Christmas!

December 28, 2009 – 6:03 am

ビデオ：To watch the video of the Christmas party, please click HERE
Mike and myself had big expectations for our first Christmas party at Smith’s School of English, Tsuruhashi. They consisted of a fun filled evening where we could savor new found friendships,and delight ourselves in listening to the continued development of our students ability in conversational [...]

By Paul | Also posted in English School Articles, Franchise Owners' Speak, Living in Japan, SSE Tsuruhashi Corner, a reward in itself, english in japan, enjoyed this a lot, my passion: language, rewarding job change, teaching: why i do it | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

Smith’s School of English Tsukaguchi, Okamoto and Kawanishi’s 2009 Joint Christmas Party

December 21, 2009 – 8:38 pm

Smith’s School of English’s 2009 Christmas party was held on December 13th at Capall Uisce Irish Pub in Nishinomiya Kitaguchi. Tsukaguchi,Okamoto and Kawanishi schools joined the party. 26 people including students, teachers, family members and friends attended.
It was a lot of fun. When the party began to swing, we played a game named “White Elephant [...]

By Al Bartle | Also posted in English School Articles, Franchise Owners' Speak, SSE Okamoto Corner, enjoyed this a lot, rewarding job change, teaching: why i do it | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Okamoto News (Smith’s Okamoto School)

December 13, 2009 – 10:58 pm

We are now looking good! The street was just repainted green as is common for streets around schools in Japan. It looks great! But on top of that we have a new shop downstairs.
TAKO YAKI (Hot Octopus Balls) are now available including various tastes: SHOYU (Soy), SHIO (Salt), PONZU (Soy-vinegar), KARE [...]

By Al Bartle | Also posted in English School Articles, Franchise Owners' Speak, Living in Japan, SSE Okamoto Corner, a reward in itself, english in japan, enjoyed this a lot, teaching: why i do it | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

スミス英会話BBQイベント2009年

November 29, 2009 – 6:00 pm

On September 27th we had a very nice BBQ Party attended by 29 students, teachers, family members and friends from Okamoto, Tsukaguchi and Kawanishi Schools.  We enjoyed some great barbecued beef, seafood, drinks and two great cakes and great Hawaiian coffee supplied and served by Derek of the Tsukaguchi School. Watch the Video here.
These events [...]

By Al Bartle | Also posted in English School Articles, Franchise Owners' Speak, Living in Japan, SSE Okamoto Corner, a reward in itself, english in japan, enjoyed this a lot, my passion: language, teaching: why i do it | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

英語で考えよう　－ 日本の未来 － Let’s think in English: Japan’s Future

September 8, 2009 – 12:51 am

I recently read an article in TIME magazine about Japan and how, if the current trend continues, the population will drop by 25% to 95 million from the current 127 million by 2050.  Also, at that time more than 50% of the population will be over

By Al Bartle | Also posted in English School Articles, Franchise Owners' Speak, Living in Japan, New start up or franchise?, SSE Okamoto Corner, a reward in itself, english in japan, my high level students, my passion: language, teaching: why i do it | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

How to Practice English 英語上達のための “質問練習”

August 19, 2009 – 8:15 pm

Since there are many students who read this blog, I have included here one useful way to improve your English conversational ability.  I have also posted this in the Japanese soapbox for students who want to read about it in Japanese.
Click here for Japanese –>英語上達のための “質問練習”
There are many ways to improve your English ability. One [...]

By Al Bartle | Also posted in Franchise Owners' Speak, Living in Japan, SSE Okamoto Corner, communicative method, english in japan, my passion: language, teaching: why i do it | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

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