Meet, Greet, and Introductions....stop by and say hi here!

[Paul]

Hello everyone my name is Paul........I am an Englipedia Forum Aholic........(Hello Paul, everyone echoes back)
The last time I posted was like two seconds ago.

Ok but seriously now, I may have missed it on the old forum seeing as how I am such a regular here but I thought to shit, oopps sit right down here and tell everyone here a little about me lonesome and maybe others will follow along too.

I have been living here in Japan, drum roll please, for over 2 decades now, I have almost forgotten where I originally came from, but often have flashbacks in my dreams to this big place over the ocean to our east or is it west, must be getting senile as I get older here, from the land of all over sized gwaijin A-me-ri-ka.

Married, 3 kids, billingual, oh but I am not PC, nor am I typewritter or PC proficient either and make all sorts of typo's because my fingers are too damn fat for typing on these small arsed mebius keyboards.

I will share more as I get time....hope everyone stops by and says.....Hi Paul..........

[regardo]

Hello Paul!

[junkdna]

Hi everyone, Junk here. I've been in Japan half-a-Paul. I'm not sure if I'm bilingual, but I'm a cunning linguist. Over at the old forums, I had over 1000 posts. (Fear me.)

I like to blab and receive NEGATIVE KARMA cuz anyway you slice it I'm headed for the anti-Nirvana.

I have a little boy and a kick-ass wife. I like to write (and not just in the forums).

Later gators,
JunkDNA

[Paul]

Hello Paul!

Hello.....I apologize if I wasnt clear enough, happens quite often actually, I think something then assume that I typed it too......

Anyway I was thinking that this thread could be the introductions thread for people who are posting here to get a chance to chat about themselves a bit.

SW island huh.....I am on an island too, Okiwana.

[Otaku]

I'm Otaku from the previous forum. I've been Japan half-a-Junkdna and am the proud father of Junkdna's little boy. ;) JJ!

Also, the owner/creator of the Englipedia website. The site and forum has been an ongoing project for almost two years. The site's b-day is Feb. 27th.

I'm just a regular ALT who actually quit my last job and changed prefectures for the sole reason of a crappy BoE. They wouldn't let me build Englipedia during my down-time at work, which I had a lot of. The last year of my prior contract, I had 80+ classes cancelled, which resulted of me doing a lot of sitting around.

So, I moved and found a more loving BoE who supports what I'm trying to do.

[Paul]

I'm Otaku from the previous forum. I've been Japan half-a-Junkdna and am the proud father of Junkdna's little boy.

by junkdna on Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:22 pm
I have a little boy and a kick-ass wife. I like to write (and not just in the forums).

Later gators,
JunkDNA

Am I like seriously missing something here?

I am fairly progressive in some ways and I really don't want to make an assumption here.......

If Engliadmin is the proud father of Junkdna's little boy and Junkdna has a little boy and a kick-ass wife you guys really have to have something going here and I truly have to give you credit for actually admitting that one of you is the father of the other guys kid.

Just curious is Mom a member here too?

[regardo]

Yes, Paul! I'm a member here, too! :D

...and i think otaku made a joke. we are not that open, or are we? ;)

[Paul]

Yes, Paul! I'm a member here, too!

...and i think otaku made a joke. we are not that open, or are we?

Thank you..... I would steal his karma but I am not so lucky to have that ability yet j/k

However thank you for clarifying.

[Otaku]

Yeah, I was just joking around. The back story goes like this...

Junkdna and I used to work together. We were at a meeting one time and he brought up that he and his wife were trying to have a baby, and without even thinking about what was coming out of my mouth, I responded with: "Do you want some help with that?" Since then, I joke around that his baby is actually mine. Truthfully speaking though, it's too cute to be mine...

[junkdna]

Yes, Paul! I'm a member here, too!

Sweetie, you shouldn't be spending too much time on the forum when you are sick. Are you feeling better? （＾3

[junkdna]

Yeah, I was just joking around. The back story goes like this...

Junkdna and I used to work together. We were at a meeting one time and he brought up that he and his wife were trying to have a baby, and without even thinking about what was coming out of my mouth, I responded with: "Do you want some help with that?" Since then, I joke around that his baby is actually mine. Truthfully speaking though, it's too cute to be mine...

Oh, he's started in on his Terrible Twos a half year early. You are WELCOME to him. =P

[crustpunker]

Hey there all! My name is Adrian and I have been here in Japan for the last 10 years or so.
I am from the East coast of the U.S. and grew up in Boston where I studied fine art.
Married with a 4 year old son and expecting our second in September.
I am based in Kagawa, in the city of Takamatsu and look forward to interacting with you all on the boards.
I teach at a private JH/HS and am usually swamped with classes and trying to prepare things on my own all the time as the kids for my class don't have a textbook. As you can imagine this can be quite stressful and for this reason Englipedia has been a welcome respite to racking my brain for the next warm up, lesson idea, activity. I hope to be able to give something back to the community!
here is where I am based:
http://www.k-seiryo.ed.jp/

Also am an avid gamer so if anyone fancies some online gaming with me sometime do let me know. I am on PS3 as crustpunker
all the best to you and yours!
Cheers!
A.

[junkdna]

hey crustpunker... wow, there are more long-term expats around than i ever imagined.

[raindrop]

Hi all,

I've been a member of englipedia for about.. a year? Since then I've been fascinated by all the cool activities, games and the friendly folks out here.

I'm Japanese, and I've been teaching English conversation to mainly adults for more than 8 years. I used to work for major language schools but now I'm doing it on my own. I love teaching and laughing at my students' mistakes. I live in Miyazaki, Kyushu. It's a nice sunny place with lots of beaches! Let me know if anyone wants to come down, I'm a good guide with no sense of direction. I enjoy traveling, driving, music, movies, reading and hanging out with friends. Since I work on my own, sites like these are really helpful. I hope to contribute more in the future.

yoroshiku!

Rika

[crustpunker]

hey crustpunker... wow, there are more long-term expats around than i ever imagined.

Yes I was happily surprised as well to find out there seems to be quite a few old timers here!
Gives me some small modicum of hope that it IS in fact possible to continue to eek out a living teaching here in Japan...

[crustpunker]

Hi all,

I've been a member of englipedia for about.. a year? Since then I've been fascinated by all the cool activities, games and the friendly folks out here.

I'm Japanese, and I've been teaching English conversation to mainly adults for more than 8 years. I used to work for major language schools but now I'm doing it on my own. I love teaching and laughing at my students' mistakes. I live in Miyazaki, Kyushu. It's a nice sunny place with lots of beaches! Let me know if anyone wants to come down, I'm a good guide with no sense of direction. I enjoy traveling, driving, music, movies, reading and hanging out with friends. Since I work on my own, sites like these are really helpful. I hope to contribute more in the future.

yoroshiku!

Rika

Hey there Rika! It takes a lot of courage to venture out on your own! I think a lot of people who come here from other countries still view Japan as it was during the bubble period and that it is simple to come here and teach privates and make a lot of money doing so. I know firsthand that it NOT that easy. As the economy continues to nosedive I think that we will see it get harder and harder to break into the private sector. Much respect and best wishes for the success of your school!
Cheers!
A

[regardo]

Yes, Paul! I'm a member here, too!

Sweetie, you shouldn't be spending too much time on the forum when you are sick. Are you feeling better? （＾3

Hahahaha, NOOOO! I'm not, darling... Mooahahahahahaha!

oh shit, this job get's to me.

[junkdna]

it IS in fact possible to continue to eek out a living teaching here in Japan...

bite your tongue and don't you EVER say anything so cruel and mean-spirited again.

[junkdna]

Rika

Rika?

RIKA???

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKA!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[raindrop]

crustpunker: Thanks for the nice wishes! I feel welcomed! I know, the economy is bad and everything but strangely I got 3 new students last week! It's not all that bad! - but I'm a cheap teacher.

junkdna: yes?

[Paul]

Howdy folks looking forward to interacting with ya'll.

[crustpunker]

crustpunker: Thanks for the nice wishes! I feel welcomed! I know, the economy is bad and everything but strangely I got 3 new students last week! It's not all that bad! - but I'm a cheap teacher.

junkdna: yes?

Rika-
Congrats on getting some new students! I have always seriously considered trying to go private but I just don't seem to have the confidence (especially in the current economic climate we are in) that I would be able to make ends meet. It seems like SUCH work is involved. I wouldn't know the first thing about renting a building/setting up shop, organizing a timetable, what to do if a student cancels a lesson in regards to their tuition etc... Also, the fact that while I speak Japanese fairly well, I am not able to read or write Kanji well makes things all the more difficult...

On average, most people I know who do teach privates seem to charge between 2000 and 4000 yen.
In your opinion is there a "standard" amount for group/man to man lessons or do you think it depends on the area? (big city vs. rural area)

[raindrop]

crustpunker: Thanks for the nice wishes! I feel welcomed! I know, the economy is bad and everything but strangely I got 3 new students last week! It's not all that bad! - but I'm a cheap teacher.

junkdna: yes?

Rika-
Congrats on getting some new students! I have always seriously considered trying to go private but I just don't seem to have the confidence (especially in the current economic climate we are in) that I would be able to make ends meet. It seems like SUCH work is involved. I wouldn't know the first thing about renting a building/setting up shop, organizing a timetable, what to do if a student cancels a lesson in regards to their tuition etc... Also, the fact that while I speak Japanese fairly well, I am not able to read or write Kanji well makes things all the more difficult...

On average, most people I know who do teach privates seem to charge between 2000 and 4000 yen.
In your opinion is there a "standard" amount for group/man to man lessons or do you think it depends on the area? (big city vs. rural area)

crustpunker
- well, I live in a small town ( population of 130,000 ) and there are only a few English schools here so it's not that competitive. As for the classroom, I just use one of the rooms in my apt., and it's good enough for now. I'm not that business-minded either - so I'm like... well as far as I can make a living and be happy teaching not getting too stressed out, I'm happy. I charge 3,000 yen for an hour man to man lesson, and 8,000 yen for group lesson (once a week, four times a month). Obviously, I can make more when I have group lessons, but space-wise, I can only have 3 students at a time. Also, they have to have pretty much the same level to be comfortable with each other in the group lessons... so I end up having more private lessons. It's not as effective as I want it to be. I think I have luck with people, they keep introducing me their friends so I don't have to pay a fortune to put an ad on the papers. Some native teachers charge much more than what I charge here, and they can still get students you know... some people prefer "native" teachers to Japanese teachers..

[crustpunker]

Sounds like you have a very nice set up! I really hope it works out for you!
Let me be the first to say that your English is really really good!
If you (or anyone for that matter) ever find yourself in this part of the country I would be more than happy to take you on an Udon tour!
All the best!

[Paul]

crustpunker: Thanks for the nice wishes! I feel welcomed! I know, the economy is bad and everything but strangely I got 3 new students last week! It's not all that bad! - but I'm a cheap teacher.

junkdna: yes?

Rika-
Congrats on getting some new students! I have always seriously considered trying to go private but I just don't seem to have the confidence (especially in the current economic climate we are in) that I would be able to make ends meet. It seems like SUCH work is involved. I wouldn't know the first thing about renting a building/setting up shop, organizing a timetable, what to do if a student cancels a lesson in regards to their tuition etc... Also, the fact that while I speak Japanese fairly well, I am not able to read or write Kanji well makes things all the more difficult...

On average, most people I know who do teach privates seem to charge between 2000 and 4000 yen.
In your opinion is there a "standard" amount for group/man to man lessons or do you think it depends on the area? (big city vs. rural area)

crustpunker
- well, I live in a small town ( population of 130,000 ) and there are only a few English schools here so it's not that competitive. As for the classroom, I just use one of the rooms in my apt., and it's good enough for now. I'm not that business-minded either - so I'm like... well as far as I can make a living and be happy teaching not getting too stressed out, I'm happy. I charge 3,000 yen for an hour man to man lesson, and 8,000 yen for group lesson (once a week, four times a month). Obviously, I can make more when I have group lessons, but space-wise, I can only have 3 students at a time. Also, they have to have pretty much the same level to be comfortable with each other in the group lessons... so I end up having more private lessons. It's not as effective as I want it to be. I think I have luck with people, they keep introducing me their friends so I don't have to pay a fortune to put an ad on the papers. Some native teachers charge much more than what I charge here, and they can still get students you know... some people prefer "native" teachers to Japanese teachers..

You live in a small town of 130,000 people? Cripes that is a city I would bet, I think that I have a slight advantage about Town size here, the town I live in has less than 15,000 people.

But there are about 1.2 million people on the entire island

Wow how little did I realize how inexpensive teaching privates has become. Back in the day I would charge between 5,000 to 7,000 per hour and had no arguments or complaints from my students. Alas that was around 2o years ago and I havent taught any private lessons since about then but I am shocked that it has dropped so low.

Public school teachers get about 3,000 per hour to teach one class when they are hired hourly , plus they have to deal with tests, grading etc etc.

Things really have changed.

[raindrop]

Sounds like you have a very nice set up! I really hope it works out for you!
Let me be the first to say that your English is really really good!
If you (or anyone for that matter) ever find yourself in this part of the country I would be more than happy to take you on an Udon tour!
All the best!

thanks for the compliment... I try but I know I still make mistakes here and there... yeppeee... Udon sounds great!

[raindrop]

Hiya Paul... I guess I'm one of the cheapest teachers you know... I know many people still charge twice as much. When I used to work for a language school they charged something like 10,000 yen an hr... with all the language learning tools nowadays, and considering the size of the city, I am not brave enough to raise the tuition... I guess if I were a native speaker though, I would charge more.

[junkdna]

jesus, i charge like 2000 yen an hour. 1 man is insanely stupid.

[Paul]

jesus, i charge like 2000 yen an hour. 1 man is insanely stupid.

You know I would say that depending upon the teacher and student that isnt unreasonable.

I recall one class that I had that I charged 5 students ￥10.000 each per month for one 60 minute group class per week. There were no complaints, however we agreed upon a 6 month time limit for the lessons and I was paid ￥60,000 from each student prior to starting the class. This of course was back in the bubble economy and I didnt need the work at all, I was making close to 8.5 million yen per year as an account rep for a "major" telephone company working in their branch office here.

That money was my beer money

Damn I miss those days..........

[tarinai]

Helllooo minna! (^^)/~
I'm Kat. I've only been in Japan for almost 2 years now. Sooooo happy for Otaku's helpful Englipedia site and DEFINITELY for this forum!! Even though I don't post very often It keeps me sane to read your posts and get a little laugh during an incredibly boring day! (This week I've ZERO classes!!... apparently due to tests etc..And of course NOONE talks to me. Believe me, I've tried to chat with everyone and anyone, but I guess they're busy and all...=/) Anyways.....I wanna post more on the forum!
OH CONGRATS Otaku!! I knew you'd be a proud father someday! hehehe
junkdna: How's the cold and snowy west coast?? hehe