Job Discussion Forums

tokyorabbit · Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I realize this is VERY GENERAL question and I apologize. Any thoughts would appreciated.

I am thinking about taking on a private lesson in Tokyo just as an experiment (to see if I like it, if it is lucrative, etc.) I plan to charge a decent amount, but also plan to give a good structured lesson.

Can anyone recommend a good book or book series for private lessons? Do you usually use a textbook for your private lessons? I realize there are different levels of students and that is why this question may be too general, but is there a "standard" text that most students would be using? (For example, when most people study Japanese they go for "Japanese For Busy People", etc.)

How much prep time do you put into your private lessons? What are the expectations of your students? (Again, I realize that every student is different but I am just looking for a place to start..)

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

What books I use depend on what the goals of the students are. I never ask students to buy books, nor do I bring one to class. Prep time is minimal, usually less than half an hour, but that's because I have dozens of lessons that I can recycle from my eikaiwa days.

Students' expectations differ widely. Some may just want a gab session for an hour. Some may want serious grammar help. Some may want something in between. ALL of them want the cheapest lesson possible.

Celeste · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2004 1:22 am Post subject:

A couple of books that I have used in private lessons:

Talk your Head off by West&West

Expressways level 1 by Bliss& Molinsky

I use these for my one on ones. I will also use Expressways with small groups. I generally make up my own materials for groups that are paying more. That way I can really tailor the materials to their skill and interest levels.

foster · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 485 Location: Honkers, SARS

For grammar , I like the red/blue set of Essential Grammar in Use and Everyday Grammar. There is also a burgundy book for advanced students.

I also used Step by Step and Active Vocabulary.

I was lucky enough to win a set of oral books as well - Intermediate, Beginners, Elementray and Advanced Oral games.

Meet your students, find out what they need and WANT, as some classes may only want to be spoondfed travel sentences or study for TOEFL.

Good luck.