Andy B

Andy B Tutor Interview

Q.　Hi Andy, could you tell us a little bit about yourself!

A. Hi there, I’m Andy! I am a 29 year old American living in Yokohama, Japan. I have been traveling all over the world the past 4 years as an English teacher, SAT instructor, bollywood actor, day-trader and musician, but I’ve hopefully settled down for a bit now in Japan.

I’ve taught English and test prep courses at 5 different schools in Vietnam and Japan, so I have some solid experience working in traditional teaching environments. I enjoy doing Skpye lessons, and I have a few regular clients from around the world that I meet with each week. In my spare time, I enjoy playing guitar, writing and recording music, hiking, traveling, doing yoga and practicing meditation, cooking and reading.

Q. According to your profile, you’ve been teaching English in several countries, Japan, Vietnam and India during the last 4 years. Could you share with us about your life there?

A. After I graduated from college, I spent a year writing and recording music, as well as performing music live with a band. After that, I spent a year living at a Yoga retreat center in the mountains of Northern California. From there I went to India, where I backpacked around the country and ended up supporting myself by teaching English and acting in a Bollywood TV show. I lived in hotels, ashrams, dharamsalas, tents, huts, hostels, you name it! It was a great adventure.

I had a friend living in Vietnam, so when it was time to leave India, I flew to Ho Chi Minh City where I worked as an SAT instructor, English teacher and private tutor in all the city districts. I also spent some time in the Mekong Delta, working with a company there. In 2012 I returned to Japan to work for NOVA as an ESL teacher. I lived and worked in Kichijoji mostly, next to the beautiful Inokashira park. I also did some online and in person tutoring during this time. I went adventuring back to India, Vietnam and the US after my last trip to Japan, before returning to Yokohama this past January.

Q. As we know, you taught in the international school in Tokyo. How and what did you teach there?

A. I helped start up the SAT prep program there. I taught the reading and writing sections of the test, using various methods (Princeton Review/Barron’s/Yola/etc.)

Q. I’d like to ask about your city, Montrey! Do you have any recomended place to visit for sightseeners?

A. I am actually living in Nokendai, a suburb of Yokohama, Japan at the moment! But yes, Monterey is a wonderful, beautiful place to visit. It, along with Big Sur, has some really amazing, rugged natural landscapes, from our pine forests, to our redwoods, our beaches and tide pools, Monterey Bay, and the valleys of Carmel. We have many birds, butterflies, squirrels, gophers, possums and a host of other wildlife. Walking down the street, it is common to see a wild deer strolling along the sidewalk, or a crafty raccoon looting someone’s garbage cans! Lots of great natural wonders to explore, as well as a world famous aquarium, golf courses, historical buildings (from when Monterey was a part of Mexico!), churches, restaurants and hotels.

Q. Could you tell us about your lesson, “SAT Reading/Writing Section Tutoring Session”? How do we prepare for the exam in this lesson?

A. I go over strategies to help answer the questions, such as elimination techniques, evidence gathering, and keyword identification. There is a specific logic that underpins all of the questions—-each one can be answered correctly if one has the right tools. It takes a lot of practice with the questions and detailed explanations for them to really grasp that logic.

Q. I’m interested in your lesson, “Dating in English”. This is a great opportunity to prepare for some day in the future! Please tell us the feature of this lesson.

A. This is an exciting class because it simulates a real date! Dates can be awkward, difficult and confusing—and when they happen between people from different cultures and languages, it gets even harder! So I like to take the mystery out of it a bit, and “translate” words and phrases from a western man’s perspective. This is not just a class for English instruction—I will also teach you techniques to show the right amount of interest, how to keep a conversation going, decide who will pay for a meal (or how much), and how to deal with difficult situations. Words are powerful—you want to make sure you don’t say the wrong thing, especially on a date with a future boyfriend or girlfriend.

Q. Finally, would you like to leave a message for our students.

A. I am fully committed to each and every lesson I teach—you are my number one priority! My classes are very relaxed and laid back—anything goes. So feel free to be yourself and have a good time! I hope to see you soon ;) Thank you!

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Andy B

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