Hello Cafetalk Community!

How are you? I'm doing fine in Canada where the weather is definitely getting a lot warmer. I guess it's officially summer and it's the rainy season here in the middle part of Canada. I've only been in Canada for about three years now and I'm used to sunny weather all-year-round! Even in Santa Monica, it got very very hot for about 2-3 weeks each summer! As freezing cold as it gets in Canada, it sure does get hot here too.

[About the photo above:]

When I was still living in Santa Monica, my friends from the Santa Monica Main Public Library gave me a lovely party when I graduated from the San Jose State University Graduate School with a Masters in Library and Information Science (MLIS). 

Now that I think about it, my education in getting my Master's degree came in handy to become an English teacher now. Over the six years I attended graduate school, I read countless magazines, newspapers, and scholarly articles. Then, we had to write our opinion and arguments about the assigned resources that we read. I've never had to read and write so much in my life! I'm glad I don't have to go through that kind of grueling schedule and stressful situation ever again.

This is after my long acting career in Hollywood as a TV and film actress. When I first moved from Japan to go to UCLA at the age of 18-years-old, I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre Arts. Before I moved to Los Angeles, I was a successful model in Tokyo, Japan for over 5 years. If you are about my age, you might remember me from "Shiseido," "SOEN Magazine," "Emeron Shampoo," "Renown," "Bulgaria Yogurt," "Ann-ann," "Non-non," and so many other modeling jobs.

Anyway, as difficult as it was to get a Master's degree, in hindsight, it was the best thing I could have done to prepare to be an English teacher in Cafetalk! All those years when the professors corrected my writing enables me to correct my student's English speaking, writing, and reading! 

It goes to show you that you never know what kind of cards life will deal you. Sometimes, great things happen. Like when I got a job on "T.J. Hooker" with William Shatner straight out of UCLA! Or when I booked a job as a game show model on an NBC daytime game show called "Time Machine." I can tell you any number of fortunate circumstances that have come my way. I am truly grateful to be able to parlay my education and pass it on to others. 

Due to my Master's degree along with my undergraduate degree, I feel my education has led me in this direction to teach English. When I was a model in Japan, everyone was so nice to me. I was treated like a princess and got whatever I wanted. Now, I believe it's time for me to give back to the community. 

It is really rewarding to see my students grow and improve their English. I enjoy my work and I am always looking for new and creative ways to teach English to children and adults. This is my full-time job, so I am almost always available to help you with your English-learning needs. 

Please let me know if you are interested in a free-talk conversation or a text-based lesson. I realize different students like to work in different ways. Whatever your goal, I will be happy to adjust my lessons to meet your needs.

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[To parents with small children who want to learn English:]

In my lesson, I believe I help each child feel very special. So, your child will be building their self-esteem while learning English. I realize that there are many lessons in Cafetalk that teach English in various ways like magic, cooking, yoga, etc.

I believe the magic I can offer your child is to surreptitiously build and support their child's self-esteem. It's not something I do overtly, but I believe the magic is in my delivery, complete attention on your child, combined with the way I feel about them.

All these things come naturally to me during the lesson. I think children pick up on the fact that you approve of them. I think they can tell when you are their friend and ally, instead of someone who is there to criticize their every mistake.

I believe it is important to build children's self-esteem as they learn another language. It makes them feel better about themselves and the lesson. Well, I am Sympatico with kids and I get along with them. I "get them!" . . . You know what I mean? If you get my drift, please feel free to request a lesson so I can meet your child. Children naturally thrive on encouragement and praise!

Warmest regards,

Lady Ayame

(Patricia Ayame Thomson)