英会話 英語 那覇市 国場 沖縄県 english conversation naha okinawa 英検 TOEFL
チットチャト英会話スクール
Are you looking for work as an English teacher on Okinawa?
Hi, my name is Ken Howells. I run Chit Chat English School. I cannot guarantee a position here, but even if there is nothing available here, I will be happy to send your resume or information along to other schools that might be looking for instructors. I am not sponsoring anyone at this time, so some kind of visa is needed (other than a visitor/tourist visa) for me to consider you.
If you have a resume ready, feel free to e-mail it to me. Just click on the e-mail link above on the left. If you wish to call, my phone numbers are:
Naha Office: (098) 835-4510
My Cell: 090-1942-9061 (AU in case you want to C-Mail me)
You may also first want to read through some of my thoughts about teaching here at Chit Chat (keep reading below).
What is Chit Chat like?
Chit Chat English School was started in 1997. Classes are usually scheduled between 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
The students range in ages from six years old to adults. There are classes at various levels of English proficiency. My goal is to get students to be confident enough to take chances in using English in order to improve their English communication abilities. I want classes at Chit Chat to incorporate all aspects of English, including culture (depending on the level of the class). Learning set phrases to just get by for a test or to use in certain situations is not really learning to communicate in English.
Some (obvious?) Points about Classes at CC
I feel that all classes are different and molded by the instructor and the students. For the most part, I like to give instructors freedom in conducting classes in their own way. However, I do have a few points concerning conducting classes at Chit Chat:
- I want my students to have fun by being able to use English to express themselves, not just playing games and singing songs.
- Students feel free to use Japanese if they must, though the teacher backs up the Japanese with English. Therefore, it is helpful if the teacher knows some Japanese.
- Students are treated with respect and not talked down to, no matter the age; so that means the teacher does not use baby (broken) English and does not speak excessively slowly.
- Absolute worse response from a student is silence. The students need to learn how to communicate in English, so "I don't know," "I don't understand," "I forgot" and any variation of these should be taught and used in class.
- For the adult classes, it is very helpful if the teacher is up on Japan / local news.
- Chit Chat does not make money from textbooks, so there is no pressure for teachers to race through textbooks. Therefore, students are able to ask questions freely, hopefully in English or pertaining to English.
- Classes, especially high school and above, should start out with free conversation with the emphasis on students asking questions (though do not count too heavily on that ideal situation).
- Although the textbooks are important, English pertaining to the needs of the students takes precedence. This means that planned lessons may not be gotten to.
- If not needed to make a point, the teacher should keep personal information, personal complaints, family matters, etc. out of the lesson.
- Dress is casual, as long as it is clean.
