Message to my students (or potential students) I am getting very frustrated with the lessons I have been giving, because every single one consists of me having to answer and re-answer the same questions over and over again. So I have decided to post this notebook entry so we can get on with the lessons. Frequently Asked Questions: Where are you? I live in America. ____ Have you ever been to China? No, I have never left America. But I want to visit China and Japan. ____ When did you become a teacher? Technically, I didn't. I joined iTalki in late January 2011 in hopes of learning Japanese. But I started meeting alot of Chinese and they asked me to help them with their English, so I did. After a few months, a few of them suggested I apply to be a language teacher on the site. After a couple weeks, I finally gave in and applied. I have been a language teacher since 21 March 2011. ____ What are your courses? I offer three. 1) Conversations Course type: Speaking / Listening Hourly Rate: 50 ITC Basically, in the months before I applied to be a teacher, my Chinese friends told me that they are tired of teachers who have very complicated courses and have them memorize all sorts of different things. Alot of them told me that they just wanted someone to talk to, to just practice English with. So the Conversations course is just having conversations to practice your English. I have been criticized by students who say I "don't even have any real lessons". Well, take some of my other courses! 2) Creative Writing Course type: Writing / Reading Hourly Rate: 50 ITC Before I became interested in helping people improve their English, I was a writer. Have been since 2004. I have always enjoyed reading material others have written. In this course, I will give you a topic or scenario (or have you chose one) and have you write a short story using that topic or scenario. when you are done, I will read it and correct any mistakes you have made and explain to you how that is the correct way of wording something or why I made the corrections I made. 3) American Culture and History Course type: Culture Hourly Rate: 50 ITC Another thing that my friends and students have asked me is about life in America and what the history here is. I am a major history nerd and absorb almost anything to do with history. when I am not giving lessons, I am probably looking up videos or articles on historical events. Just give me the aspect of American culture and/or history you are interested in when you schedule, and I will gladly prepare a lesson just for you on that topic. ____ Now I have some "rules" for the lessons. Lately, I have had a few students who were quite obviously simply wasting time. They schedule the lesson, and when I go to correct them on something they have incorrect, they either tell me I am wrong and that they are right, or (in most cases) so silent and won't respond to anything I say after that. Now, I understand that the criticism will make you too shy to speak sometimes. but you are paying for the lesson and by not even trying to learn or improve you are not only wasting my time, but you are also wasting your time, and your money. I have been very patient with these students for a month now, but from now on if it seems like the lesson is just being wasted, I will end the call and cancel the lesson. I hate to sound mean, but I can't help you if you're not trying to help yourself. You have to meet me halfway. I want to help you, but I need your help to do so. Consider this your warning. If I end the call and cancel the lesson, don't say I never said anything. I feel this message has gone on for too long, so I will end it by saying I hope this message doesn't scare you off. I give everyone chance when they want to learn or improve on their English, so feel free to schedule a lesson. I would be glad to help you in any way I can. =]]