NOTE: For more Online English
School, please check English Partner
An online English
conversation school based in the Philippines is attracting Japanese learners
by offering inexpensive lessons from college graduates who can't find work amid
the country's economic slump.
"This is 'intellectual
fair trade,' " said Md Moin, founder of Pikt Corp.'s website.”Filipinos
are able to earn their living as English tutors, while Japanese can learn
high-quality English with cheap tuition." Moin, a 32-year-old
Bangladeshi who has lived in Japan for 10 years, came up with the idea with a
Filipino friend, Aireen Zaballa, 34. The two were classmates at Ritsumeikan
Asia Pacific University in Beppu, Oita Prefecture.
The online school
uses about 50 tutors, including graduates of the prestigious University
of the Philippines, to offer English conversational lessons to Japanese
students via Skype Internet telephone service. By using the Filipino
graduates, the school can effectively undercut English-conversation
classes offered by its Japan-based rivals.
Ten courses are
provided for English-language students based on their proficiency, including
some specializing in business English or tailored for children.
Some tutors said teaching,
which pays better than other jobs they can find at present, have allowed them
to provide more nutritious food for their children.
"The tutors are
good, it's easy to make a reservation and a good opportunity to speak
English" said Toshikazu Saito, a 43-year-old businessman in Tokyo.
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NOTE: For more Online English
School, please check English Partner
VOCABULARY
1.
Amid
(prep.) - while noisy, busy, or confused events are happening - used in writing
or news reports
2.
Slump
(v) - to suddenly go down in price, value, or number
3.
Intellectual
(adj.) - an intellectual person is well-educated and interested in serious
ideas and subjects such as science, literature
4.
Trade
(n) - the activity of buying, selling, or exchanging goods within a country
or between countries [= commerce]
5.
Prestigious
(adj.) - admired as one of the best and most important
6.
Undercut
(v) - to sell goods or a service at a lower price than another company
7.
Proficiency
(n) - a good standard of ability and skill
8.
Tailored
(adj.) - made or done specially for someone's particular need or situation
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1.
What do you know about Philippines? Filipinos?
2.
How did you find about Online English Schools?
3.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
studying online.
4.
Why do you want to study English?
5.
Tell us about your English study habit.
