Robin Tutor Interview

Q. Hi Robin, would you like to give us a short self-introduction?: A. A short introduction, okay… “Hello, my name is Robin ~ my full name is actually Robin Jeremy Garneys LeMare – quite a handful, so Robin is fine ;-) I am from England, born in the north of the country (near the Lake District – ’tis a lovely place to visit), and finished High School and College in the south. I have always enjoyed helping people and started to extend this ‘helping’ by teaching Japanese children when I was about 21-22.
Q. I know that you are good at speaking Japanese. According to your profile, you had lived in Tokyo for 10 years. Did you learn Japanese during that time?: A. 日本語？ I guess that kind of gave it away ~ yes, I speak Japanese. I lived in Japan for 10 years but was able to speak it before I moved there -> I worked at Hotel Okura and Ricoh in Holland, and that is where I picked-it-up by listening to all the Japanese staff, repeating what they said and learned it like you learned Japanese. That is why I stress in my classes the importance of listening and REPEATING ~ it works!
Q. Why did you decide to teach at Cafetalk? What is a way to keep up motivation to teach English?: A. I love the system at Cafetalk, as it is oriented towards the students and what ‘they want’. Most schools are there to help and teach – which is what we all want to do – but you offer the students sooooo much more of a choice relating to what they want. They can choose the kind of tutor, the style and the time that fits them – it is a wonderful concept! ‘My motivation to continue teaching?’ ~ that is a good question ~ this kind of sums it up -> the want in my mind and my heart to help people and be the tool that enables them to be better and to be able to reach their goals…!
Q. I guess you are working in a multicultural community. What is the advantage of working at the community?: A. ‘Multicultural community’ ~ I am a traveller, have lived and worked in several countries and enjoy (not just teaching but) learning the different ways and styles and thoughts and cultures and languages, as by ulitising that knowledge and those experiences, I will be able to not only better myself but also others when I share it with them.
Q. I think your lessons really play to your strengths. For example, you have a lot of experience teaching children and teenagers, and you’ve created a lesson called “小中高校生のためのRobinの夏休みSPECIALクラス！“. What is the most important point to teach them?: A. “小中高校生のためのRobinの夏休みSPECIALクラス！” ~ the most important point to teach and share with anyone (especially kids), is that THEY CAN DO IT! And to often give them boosters for their confidence that they ARE doing well.
Q. Now, people are excited about London Olympics!! You also posted a column about the Olympics. Do you like to watch sports?: A. The London Olympics ~ yeah, go Great Britain! Yes, I exercise everyday myself and I do enjoy sports. I like watching the Olympics and find it very interesting, as there are so many countries in the world and so many different types of sports that people can do and be involved in.
Q. Before we finish, would you like to give our students a message.: A. ‘A message to my students and everyone’ ~ you are doing well! Just by making the effort to be with us at Cafetalk and better your English, whether that is for reading or writing or conversation or whatever you goals are, is a big thing that will help you to get where you want to be. Continue with your determination, as you will look back in a month or a few months time and think “Wow, I have improved so much!”