Eikaiwa and work (English)
The parents' observation week- and the party
24/01/07 08:30
Last week, all the parents came to watch their children's classes. We have this parents' week twice a year so that the parents can see how much English their children have learned.
Everyone at BJ club was nervous about the parents' week. We want our students to perform as well as they can, but many students change their behavior in front of their parents. Some get too nervous, others get too excited, and the others forget what they have learned.
We also ask parents to fill out questionnaires with questions such as 'What did you think of the teacher?' and 'How was the teaching?'. We give out these questionnaires to see if there are any improvements we can make. Reading the comments from the parents feels like getting a school report from a teacher. Most of the reviews were very positive, though. That was a big relief.
As we survived the whole week, we went out for a drink after work on Friday night. We talked about classes, and much else besides.
Suddenly I noticed that a certain Ms. E was laughing one moment, and the next moment was asleep. And then she made an effort to stay awake. She was laughing for a little while, and then she could not help falling asleep again. Watching Ms. E, we could not stop laughing. I laughed so much that I could not hold the mouthful of drink I had just drunk.
I guess Ms. E was really tired and relieved that night.
Everyone at BJ club was nervous about the parents' week. We want our students to perform as well as they can, but many students change their behavior in front of their parents. Some get too nervous, others get too excited, and the others forget what they have learned.
We also ask parents to fill out questionnaires with questions such as 'What did you think of the teacher?' and 'How was the teaching?'. We give out these questionnaires to see if there are any improvements we can make. Reading the comments from the parents feels like getting a school report from a teacher. Most of the reviews were very positive, though. That was a big relief.
As we survived the whole week, we went out for a drink after work on Friday night. We talked about classes, and much else besides.
Suddenly I noticed that a certain Ms. E was laughing one moment, and the next moment was asleep. And then she made an effort to stay awake. She was laughing for a little while, and then she could not help falling asleep again. Watching Ms. E, we could not stop laughing. I laughed so much that I could not hold the mouthful of drink I had just drunk.
I guess Ms. E was really tired and relieved that night.
Running a small business
10/12/06 09:03
As I was asked to make a speech at a 'starting your own business seminar' next February in Saijo, Higashi-Hiroshima, I started thinking about the days when I launched B.J.Club English School.
For the first 4 years, from 1995 to 1999, business didn't go well at all. I thought of not continuing B.J.Club and going back to a translating job many times as I hardly made any money and kept spending my savings.
Money wise it was very difficult, but I enjoyed every moment at work. It was my dream came true. I used to go out for a drink with the students (adult students, of course) after class. I had lots of free time to think of what I could do for B.J.Club.
By the year 2000, more students started coming to B.J.Club. Now B.J.Club has excellent teachers and staff. I am proud of our service. What I always have in my mind is 'Keep improving and do my best all the time' .
Today's topic was a bit serious. I will write about my 'band aid incident', next time.
For the first 4 years, from 1995 to 1999, business didn't go well at all. I thought of not continuing B.J.Club and going back to a translating job many times as I hardly made any money and kept spending my savings.
Money wise it was very difficult, but I enjoyed every moment at work. It was my dream came true. I used to go out for a drink with the students (adult students, of course) after class. I had lots of free time to think of what I could do for B.J.Club.
By the year 2000, more students started coming to B.J.Club. Now B.J.Club has excellent teachers and staff. I am proud of our service. What I always have in my mind is 'Keep improving and do my best all the time' .
Today's topic was a bit serious. I will write about my 'band aid incident', next time.