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Language teachers in Japan - get your own private students

Welcome to 121sensei.com

121sensei.com is for the use of all language teachers in Japan. We can help teachers find private students no matter what language you speak, teach, or where you live in Japan. Registration and use is always free for language teachers in Japan - Japan-wide.

Why private lessons? Teachers view

Teaching private lessons in Japan has numerous benefits for the teacher. It can give you multiple choices: Where you teach: How you teach: What times you teach: How much you get paid: What teaching materials you use: How little or much you want to work: How you dress, etc.

Why private lessons? Students view

Students attending large chain schools in Japan can pay high prices for courses. Fees vary depending on which course is bought, add in the joining fee it can be expensive for some students... enter the private language teacher. Students choose their teacher: Students pay their teacher on a per-lesson basis: Students get personalized lessons: It offers flexibility to the teacher and student.

The lessons - first contact

Once a student has chosen a teacher we will notify the teacher of their selection. We forward the teachers contact information to the student (teachers email and phone details), and the student can then contact the teacher directly to arrange a meeting. Initial contact from students is usually by email. When students call you it is a good idea to speak clearly and keep it simple, perhaps repeat and have the student repeat details about meeting time and place also.

Lesson venue

Teachers elect to teach private lessons at home, in a cafe, or their classroom. Initial meetings between the teacher and student may be more comfortable in a neutral setting, your local McDonald's may do. If you teach students in your apartment it's a good idea to have it on the neat side of the scale.

Lesson venue - part two

Don't limit yourself to your immediate neighborhood for teaching private lessons. Check out some other places near home or perhaps you can attract private students near your work.

Teaching materials

Use teaching materials that you are comfortable with. Textbooks get a little pricey so photocopy a few of your colleagues or friends books (maybe textbooks from your school?). Check the classifieds as you will occasionally find people giving teaching materials away. There are various websites where you can download ready made lessons and other teaching related materials, check our teaching tips page.

Scheduling and cancellations

When arranging lesson dates and times get your student to repeat the details to you, just so you don't forget! Seriously though, no one wants a no-show. In the event of cancellations try to give as much notice as possible.

Students pay you

Students pay teachers cash on a lesson-to-lesson basis. If you've never been paid this way before you may feel a little awkward at first. Maybe having the student give you your lesson fee in an envelope could feel better.

Students know teachers lesson fees from their online profile but it's still a good idea to slip it into the conversation on your first meeting with all students so there's no confusion. Also, please don't increase your fees at the time of selection for the student that has selected you as their choice has been made based on details on your profile at that time.

Teaching in Japan? Register now to teach private lessons. Teachers use at no cost.

Teach private lessons in Japan to your own students. If you are Teaching English in Japan and you would like to teach private lessons then please register.

Updated - Thursday May 17 2012

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