The Free Talk Staffroom

I’m not a complete dinosaur, but there’s a time and place for high-tech in language learning, and I maintain that is mostly out of the classroom. Do you agree? Or am I indeed a fossil of an extinct way of teaching?Want to know how to teach English in Japan for yourself? I wrote a book just for you here: https://freetalktefl.substack. com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

I don’t think I’ve mentioned it before, but there’s something that self-employed teachers have over apparently higher-status company or school teachers’ experiences… Want to know how to teach English in Japan for yourself? I wrote a book just for you here: https://freetalktefl.substack. com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

It’s not all shabu shabu and sakura blossoms when you jack in the corporate job to go self-employed. Here, I talk about the adjustments I had to make to get to grips with teaching for myself. Maybe you can relate?Want to know how to teach English in Japan for yourself? I wrote a book just for you here: https://freetalktefl.substack. com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Let me show you the basics of how to teach children to learn to read in English… and FOR THE NEXT TWO weeks only, you can get the workbook I use with two-thirds off its usual price.Here are the links to the reduced-priced Tower Talk Phonics workbook, available around the world from Amazon sites as cheap as I can make it:Available from Amazon.jp here at https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B09918LPTJAvailable from Amazon.com here at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09918LPTJAvailable from Amazon.uk here at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09918LPTJ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

I don’t mean like Stalin, but just make a rough projection of student numbers and therefore income that you might expect over the next couple of years. Why should you bother? Well, I didn’t for 20 years until, er, last week. When I sat down and worked out some basic numbers, I was pleasantly surprised…Want to know more about teaching English in Japan for yourself? I wrote a book just for you here: https://freetalktefl.substack. com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

You don’t have to do the teaching-English-in-Japan thing like I do, you don’t have to be an expert, you can find your own way. In fact, I recommend you do…Interested in going it alone in Japan? I wrote a book just for you here: https://freetalktefl.substack. com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

When you first start out as a self-employed teacher and look over at your company/school employed comrades, it’s tempting to think you done messed up, boy. Give it a year or two, and you and your bank balance will be happy you stuck at it.Interested in going it alone in Japan? I wrote a book just for you here: https://freetalktefl.substack. com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Age catches up with all of us, if we’re lucky, and being self-employed actually gives us a few advantages over the company drone. But you have to grab the steering wheel yourself if you want to navigate to an early retirement…If you are interested in driving your own English school in Japan rather than being a passenger at the back of the eikaiwa bus, I wrote a book just for you here: https://freetalktefl.substack. com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Well, I was asked to apply and then told to sling my hook, but it all worked out for the best…If you are interested in running your own English school in Japan rather than jumping through the university hoops, I wrote a book just for you here: https://freetalktefl.substack. com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

This was the comment on YouTube I got a couple of weeks ago. At first I thought, what rubbish! Then, I thought, well the commenter is kinda right, when it comes to working for a chain. But….(Those dots mean watch the video for more, not that I can’t be bothered to summarise my thoughts here when it’s all in the video. Although, that is also true.)If you are interested in running your own English school in Japan for more than six months, I wrote a book just for you here: https://freetalktefl.substack. com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Kids were always a scarier proposition for me, but I’ve mellowed as I’ve aged. How about you? Do kids fill you with fear or does the thought of a group of adults give you palpitations?My book, The Tower English Way, has more details, available here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Buy one, get one free? Introduce your friends and get a free toaster? Sell your own grandmother (on the value of English) and get a free bag of irregular verbs? Doesn’t really make me want to pay for English lessons. So what does? I offer a few thoughts among the cherry blossoms above. My book, The Tower English Way, has more details, available here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

I’ve been busy completing my latest textbook for adults, Free Talk Conversation 4. I talk about it above, but you can download the Kindle version for free and the paperback version for the lowest price I can set it for the next few days (until the price reverts to ¥6,000 for the paperback and ¥999 for the Kindle). So hurry up and download for free or purchase the paperback for super cheap while you can from https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0GTSPYF7J or any Amazon site, but the three most common are below: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

It’s the best of numbers and the worst of numbers when it comes to business. More thoughts in my book, available at https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

How you can do something nice for your students today that will pay off in the long run, though you can just do it to be nice.More thoughts, in my book available at https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

While I wait for the English muffin shop to open, I fill you in on the three biggest dangers for self-employed English teachers in Japan and what to do about them. More details, of course, in my book available at https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

The number of students you need to have a viable teaching business in Japan is a lot lower than you might think*. More details at https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start * TL:DR… 40 students paying ¥8,000 a month (for four lessons a month) should be your first target. I said ¥8,000 per lesson in the video, I meant ¥8,000 per month! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Hey, ever feel like you don’t belong? Or don’t want to belong? Join the club… or not, as the case may be. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

I thought I’d try making a video short that might serve some purpose, so here’s 10 pieces of wisdom in 60 seconds from 20 years of teaching English in Japan. My book, The Tower English Way, has more details, available here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

A few thoughts (sparked by listening to New Yorkers arguing about money) that might help you on your journey to self-employment.The episode where I talked about what kind of money you might expect to earn as a self-employed English teacher in Japan is here:The painting at the start of the video is one of mine. Details at https://artbypatricksherriff.substack.com/p/teganuma-rainy-evening This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Do you have what it takes mentally to teach English in Japan? I can’t speak for you, but I can tell you how I approach teaching, which has served me well for 20 years. What about you? Do you have the mindset to thrive as a self-employed teacher?The sketch at the beginning of the video is one of mine, details at https://artbypatricksherriff.substack.com/p/newsprint-nude This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

It’s complicated. Or rather, it’s as simple as deciding if qualifications add to your story or not, which isn’t always straight forward. The painting at the start of the video is here: https://artbypatricksherriff.substack.com/p/okada-san. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Are they to be found at the train station? In your neighbourhood? Lurking on the internet? Maybe. But here I talk about a better way of finding more students.More details are in my book, The Tower English Way, details here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start The painting is one of mine, from here: https://artbypatricksherriff.substack.com/p/fusa This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

I was chatting to a fellow self-employed English teacher in Japan who said school ALTs often don’t realise how few students they would need to make a good living doing their own thing. So, I thought I’d spell it out in this video. For a more thorough explanation, I recommend The Tower English Way, How to start and run your own little English school in Japan, available here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start The painting at the beginning of the video, Can’t Buy Me Love, is one of mine, details here: https://artbypatricksherriff.substack.com/p/cant-buy-me-love This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

What are your hopes for 2026? And more to the point, what are you going to do to give those hopes a chance of becoming real? Here are a few of my thoughts. But I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a comment about your hopes, plans or dreams for the New Year. All the best,PatrickPS If you’re looking for a little inspiration to get your s**t together for the New Year, may I humbly recommend this book, guaranteed no woo-woo: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/how-to-get-more-meaning-from-your lifeThe thumbnail painting is one of mine, from here: https://artbypatricksherriff.substack.com/p/blue-teganuma-sky This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

That’s a headline I never thought I’d ever write, but here we are. And a Happy New Year to you too.Speaking of the new year, I wrote a book you might dig if you are into self-improvement and resolutions but are not into woo-woo: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/how-to-get-more-meaning-from-yourThe painting at the beginning of the video is one of mine. Details here: https://artbypatricksherriff.substack.com/p/dashiell-hammett This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

It’s not all milk and honey teaching in Japan. Here are (probably 10?) tips to make it through as a self-employed English teacher when you’re feeling like you can’t go on. But if you’re earlier in your career, or know someone thinking of teaching English as a career, may I recommend The Tower English Way, a summary of what I know about setting up shop for yourself. It’s on Amazon Prime so would make it in time for Christmas. Details here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-startThe thumbnail picture is one of mine, details here: https://artbypatricksherriff.substack.com/p/teganuma-drama This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

It’s getting to that time of year to assess how things have gone and what to do to get ready for the New Year. But let’s leave all the teaching stuff in the classroom and instead think about your long-term future, and that means saving and investing for your retirement. If that scares you, good, then you are ready to do something about it. Watch the video above and then you could do no better than heading to RetireJapan to get started. Tell Ben I sent ya.PatrickThe thumbnail painting is here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

The short answer is yes, both. But it depends on what stage you’re at in your career. And yes, being a self-employed English teacher in Japan is a career, if you choose to make it so.The painting at the start of the video is one of mine, here, borrowing heavily on the style of Canadian artist Tim Packer. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Does it really matter what the status is of English teachers? Yes and no, but here are my thoughts on cutting through the BS and getting on with it. If that resonates with you, you might enjoy my book: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-startThe painting at the beginning of the video is here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Not many educators look to the French dictator for EFL classroom advice, but perhaps they should, as I argue in the video. The link to the books I mentioned is here:https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/free-talk-basics-1-3 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

I’m really pleased to announce the publication of three new textbooks designed for adult learners of English who are beginners/lower intermediate level. They are currently as cheap as I can sell them, but the price will go up in December. Full details and links to buy are below:https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/free-talk-basics-1-3 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

If we welcome AI wholeheartedly to take over our core functions as teachers, things are not going to end well for us self-employed English teachers in Japan. Maybe it’s time to embrace a more human hands-on approach? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

I try to balance adopting new technology with keeping myself in the driving seat. Here, I discuss how I use AI for lessons with three of my students. Next week, I’ll talk about what I don’t want AI to do. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

I time myself getting ready for a busy Friday and surprise myself how fast I can prepare for seven, 40-minute lessons. How long does it take you to prepare your classes?The main reason I can race through the prep time is I’ve already done it in the form of age and ability-specific textbooks, so on the day I just have to remind myself of the lessons.You can see what textbooks I use here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/books This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

For more details of the get-together, go to the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/782098757904130 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

If you know what your syllabus is and what grammar and vocab your materials are, doing a level check is a doddle. If you don’t have a syllabus, might I suggest you get one? Where do you get one from? This post about textbooks and writing your own might help: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/how-to-write-your-own-textbooks-workingNeed help with grammar and what a syllabus actually is? I wrote a book to help: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

When you’re self-employed you can pretty much choose your own work schedule, within reason. And one reason to consider teaching on Sundays is that’s when your students might be free. Just remember to pace yourself though, you still need time off …The textbook I made for use with first year university students is here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/i/119447247/textbooks-for-adults This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Before you answer that question, consider what you would be doing if it wasn’t for the need to earn a living? You may think you are sick of preparing lessons, dealing with kids, dealing with parents, dealing with businesspeople, but consider what else you might be doing. I’d rather be a little teapot than a corporate drone, but hey, you do you. I wrote a book about this too, called JEFWARS: How to reclaim your life’s meaning — one scribbled box at a time here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/how-to-get-more-meaning-from-your This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

This vid is just a few thoughts from an eikaiwa English teacher (me) on why and how to do a speech day. My thoughts from last year’s speech day are here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/59-have-you-thought-about-runningAnd the Instagram from speech day 2024 is here: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

For more about how we went from teaching from our living room to owning our school, see the series of posts that culminates with us buying our own place: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/how-we-came-to-own-our-english-school This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

I’m new to this game of hiring and training staff, but here are some half-baked thoughts about it. What do you think?Here’s an earlier post about team teaching in the classroom (with my wife), you might find useful if you find yourself in a similar spot: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/thoughts-on-team-teaching-children This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Oh, and from today and through the weekend, you can download Free Talk Business 1: Get your dream job for free as a Kindle ebook. Hurry though, the link reverts to paid only from Monday. Get it here for free from Amazon.co.jp:https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Patrick-Sherriff-ebook/dp/B0FNQS99KT Get it here for free from Amazon.com:https://www.amazon.com/-/en/Patrick-Sherriff-ebook/dp/B0FNQS99KT Get it here free from Amazon.co.uk:https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/en/Patrick-Sherriff-ebook/dp/B0FNQS99KT If you find it useful, I’d really appreciate 5 stars or a nice review in exchange.All the best,PatrickFor links to the courses and details in Japanese (and English), click here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/free-talk-business-1-to-3 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Not so weird, maybe, but certainly not covered in the textbooks. Here’s a related post about my three biggest mistakes — it’s not just students who mess up, you know — https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/my-three-biggest-mistakes-as-a-self This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Yeah, origin stories are all very well, I hear you say, but how can I get more students to sign up with me? I found out accidentally what marketing chaps already knew: exude “with or without you” energy. Details are here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-secret-to-getting-more-students This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Two opposite tips actually, but they kind of work together. More advice here:https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/your-secret-weapon-as-a-self-employed This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

And that simple idea is… lesson planning. But more than that, do it right and you’ll never have to plan a lesson again. If this video resonated with you, you might find these links interesting too:How to write your own textbook: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/how-to-write-your-own-textbooks-workingHow to set up your own English school: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/the-tower-english-way-how-to-start This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

From the POW camps of Borneo, to the backseats of a minivan tearing through the suburbs, there’s a bit of variety in the life of a self-employed English teacher in Japan. More basic tips on teaching English to Japanese kids here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/a-few-little-things-you-might-need This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

I don’t want to cancel America, but Trumpism tests more than just my patience. By the way, I made a lesson plan to teach about Murder on the Orient Express, as mentioned in the video, here: https://freetalktefl.substack.com/p/murder-on-the-orient-express This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com

Find yourself still getting entry-level pay but you’ve been in the teaching game for years? One solution might be starting your own school. Yeah, there are pitfalls, but there are also great opportunities. Speaking of opportunities… fancy popping out to a South African cafe bar and looking at some oil paintings? (That’s what I do when I’m not teaching). My show is on until the end of the month at Sun Beam terrace in Mabashi, on the eastern edge of Tokyo. It would be lovely to see you if you can make it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com