Henry sends his bio from Japan and thank you Henry:
I started out as a picture framer. Did my degree in literature and linguistics part time while working (due to being fed up with all these artist types I met who thought that they had something I didn’t). Then, at the tail end of a long graduation process met my Japanese wife who wanted to raise our family in Japan rather than the west.
Don’t worry, there are loads of English teaching jobs in Japan. You’ll never have a problem, I was told. Unfortunately, however, the state schools here are all hamstrung by a system that is even more centralized, prescriptive and test driven than that which pertains in America and the private operations are all about money with no interest in whether anyone learns anything or not. I’m not exaggerating.
Now, I’m self-employed and trying to change to TPRS but I’m not a fast learner. Video is best for me. I love Ben’s videos, but even better I love videos where the target language is English. Not many of those around, although one was put up on Blaine’s site recently. When the language is not English it’s great for experiencing the learner position, but I tend to concentrate all my attention on understanding rather than on watching what the teacher is doing and how they do it.
One day I dream that someone will put up video of a set of classes or even a whole course in sequence in English. If that ever happens I will be a subscriber. There are thousands of English teachers out there, not to mention millions of learners so if done right it could be a money spinner for someone, as well as spreading the TPRS gospel to the widest possible audience.
I note that the mission statement of this site limits its focus to American schools. Correspondingly, there is much on the site that is not immediately relevant to me. I enjoy being a member nonetheless because of the emphasis everyone places on having the right attitude to students. That’s really helpful to me.