Alex S Tutor Interview

Alex S アレックス Tutor Interview

Q. Hi Alex! Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. May we ask you to briefly introduce yourself?: A. Yes, of course! My name is Alex. I'm an Italian-Brazilian who has lived in Japan for over twenty years. I have professional training in teaching languages, and I teach English, Brazilian Portuguese, German, and Japanese. I've also earned money with these four languages in translation, proofreading, interpretation, and transcription. I study other languages but haven't brought them to the professional level.

I'm 53 years old and have taught languages for over 25 years.
Q. Please tell us more about your hometown and the area where you currently reside.: A. I live in a very small town in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. It's very quiet but has many old houses from the Warrying Period. It's interesting to walk past these houses and drink a nice cup of coffee at the Seven Eleven at the end of the street. It's a big contrast but I like it.
Q. What motivated you to become a tutor on Cafetalk?: A. Time flexibility, interesting conditions (buy 4 lessons and pay 3, coupons, etc), easy-to-use homepage, and excellent staff assistance.
Q. What are you usually up to when you're not teaching on Cafetalk? What are your hobbies and interests?: A. When I'm not teaching on Cafetalk, I make/upload YouTube videos, research AI, and try to find how AI can help students learn languages. I'm also writing my PhD thesis.
Q. A lot of students are probably curious about the atmosphere in your lessons. What can a student imagine a lesson with you to be like? What’s your teaching style?: A. Firstly, I send a set of questions to prospective students: if the student just wants some lessons to solve a pinpoint problem, or the student wants to go the long way, etc. Depending on it, I plan a set of lessons to the student, and at the end, I ask the students what they can express with the content so far. After a few rounds doing it, I ask the student what he or she would like to learn, etc. The course is tailored according to the students' needs.
Q. Which lessons would you recommend to your students?: A. I offer a "Consultation Session" where the student and I can talk about his/her needs and expectations.
Q. Finally, would you like to leave a message for your current and future students?: A. Languages are the property of the universe. Anyone can learn any language with the right time, approach, and a good teacher.