Hello everyone!
So it's been almost 3 months since I returned to the States. I obviously haven't posted anything new here for a while, and I think it's time I close this blog with a "what am I doing now?" post.
I've been occupied with a few things here and there.
1. First, I looked for teaching positions abroad. Either there wasn't any that I wanted, or there was one that I wanted but it was either too late or sketchy. I still hope to teach abroad again, but in the meantime, I'll settle for #2. . .
2. I started teaching English online through SkimaTalk. It's a platform / "marketplace" where English teachers and English students can meet and arrange to take classes. Here are a few things about SkimaTalk:
- All the English teachers are native speakers and citizens from one of there 7 countries: Canada, UK, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Ireland, & USA.
- Native English speakers DO NOT have to have teaching experience to sign up--but of course, it helps.
- YOU pick as many/few sessions as you want to teach (1 session = 25 min). This is the most flexible scheduling I have ever seen--and yes, it's by half-hour. You set your time zone when you make your profile, but no worries: the system does the conversion for you and your booked sessions are shown according to the time zone you chose.
- To be accepted, you have to set up your profile--include a professional-ish looking picture of you (must see your entire face and you must be alone in the picture--think passport pic or portrait) AND a short video (30 - 90 sec.) where you introduce yourself to your potential students. You also need to take a test which is ridiculously easy. You submit everything to the SkimaTalk team and they will decide if you make the cut or not.
It doesn't say on their website, but when you're going through the process, it states that they accept about 10% of the applications they receive. Don't let that stop you! Just show them how interesting you are (be enthusiastic, speak Japanese, etc.) in your profile and especially in your video intro. and you'll most likely be accepted.
- One thing you might not like, is that you will not get paid for your first 3 classes. This is like an orientation to the system by testing the waters with an actual student (all students will know whether you're a new teacher or not. Your profile keeps a public record of how many sessions you've taught in the system). But once you've taught your first 3 classes, you'll automatically start getting paid the average $8 USD per session (yeap, session = half hr., so you can potentially make $16 USD /hr!).
- As far as pay, there are different types of classes and the pay ranges from $8 - $14 USD per session. In order to get paid, you need to set up a PayPal account. Around the 10th of the following month is when they pay you (i.e. I got paid Sept. 9 for the classes I taught in Aug.). SkimaTalk will take a cut (you'll get $6.40 from $8) and PayPal will take another short cut.
For example, I got about $40.80 from SkimaTalk, and by the time it arrived to my PayPal account, it was $38.something (after SkimaTalk & PayPal deductions).
- Don't get into it thinking you can work there full-time (unless you have some magical secret weapon) because I'm basically free all day, and I had 9 or 10 sessions in 1 month. Hey, I'm not complaining (better than nothing), just keep in mind that this is better as an "on-the-side" kind of gig to get some pocket money.
SkimaTalk is perfect for me right now. It gives one of the most flexible scheduling options (you can teach all-day everyday, or 1 session once a week. Completely up to you) I've ever seen. So far, all of my students have been Japanese (I believe it's an American company with 80%+ Japanese clientele--but don't quote me on that, 'cause I honestly don't know).
Of course, there is so much more I can say (like how your schedule automatically disappears after a certain period of time--which could be bad (reopen sessions) and good (oh, something came up, no students? Yes, I'm free!)), but it's best if you check it out for yourself by clicking: SkimaTalk.
The main reason SkimaTalk is perfect for me is because of #3 . . .
3. I've been working on another of my Dad's books.
In case you don't know, my dad is a struggling author. He works as a truck-driver to pay the bills, but his dream is to be a full-time author. In faith, he has already written over 40 books; he just needs to get them presentable for the readers.
He writes in Spanish, so by default, I'm the one who translates them to English. I've translated about 5 of his books so far (yeap, I have a LONG way to go), but only 1 is really up for sale (there are 2 others, but those publishing companies turned out to be scams, so they don't really count, sales-wise).
The one we've got up so far is called "Achor" in English and "Acor" in Spanish. We published them ourselves and you can find them on Amazon (Australia, France, UK, Mexico, India, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Canada, Italy, Japan, Brazil, China, and the US).
Feel free to take a look at this book. You will get a closer glimpse into my family (each member).
It's about one man's journey and discovery through an archaeological dig site, but in the most unusual way--yet very real way.
For more info about the books, click on their titles in the previous few paragraphs.
I'm currently working on another--actually, updating one I translated before. It's part of a series (I think dad changed the number of books in said series) all about one boy with supernatural abilities and how he becomes the most important, powerful ruler in the world. To some, he is like a savior, messiah, what have you; but to others . . . well, if you said "the Son of the Devil", you're actually right. What's scarier, you haven't exaggerated at all . . .
Seriously, there are parts in that book that scares me--and this is the first book, that is; the nice, tame, " not scary" one!
So here it is. This is what's keeping me busy: dad's books and SkimaTalk English lessons.
I have no idea when I'll go overseas again, but I'll go gladly and excitedly. Who knows? Maybe I won't go as an English teacher, but as my dad's assistant on his book tours . . .
So it's been almost 3 months since I returned to the States. I obviously haven't posted anything new here for a while, and I think it's time I close this blog with a "what am I doing now?" post.
I've been occupied with a few things here and there.
1. First, I looked for teaching positions abroad. Either there wasn't any that I wanted, or there was one that I wanted but it was either too late or sketchy. I still hope to teach abroad again, but in the meantime, I'll settle for #2. . .
2. I started teaching English online through SkimaTalk. It's a platform / "marketplace" where English teachers and English students can meet and arrange to take classes. Here are a few things about SkimaTalk:
- All the English teachers are native speakers and citizens from one of there 7 countries: Canada, UK, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Ireland, & USA.
- Native English speakers DO NOT have to have teaching experience to sign up--but of course, it helps.
- YOU pick as many/few sessions as you want to teach (1 session = 25 min). This is the most flexible scheduling I have ever seen--and yes, it's by half-hour. You set your time zone when you make your profile, but no worries: the system does the conversion for you and your booked sessions are shown according to the time zone you chose.
- To be accepted, you have to set up your profile--include a professional-ish looking picture of you (must see your entire face and you must be alone in the picture--think passport pic or portrait) AND a short video (30 - 90 sec.) where you introduce yourself to your potential students. You also need to take a test which is ridiculously easy. You submit everything to the SkimaTalk team and they will decide if you make the cut or not.
It doesn't say on their website, but when you're going through the process, it states that they accept about 10% of the applications they receive. Don't let that stop you! Just show them how interesting you are (be enthusiastic, speak Japanese, etc.) in your profile and especially in your video intro. and you'll most likely be accepted.
- One thing you might not like, is that you will not get paid for your first 3 classes. This is like an orientation to the system by testing the waters with an actual student (all students will know whether you're a new teacher or not. Your profile keeps a public record of how many sessions you've taught in the system). But once you've taught your first 3 classes, you'll automatically start getting paid the average $8 USD per session (yeap, session = half hr., so you can potentially make $16 USD /hr!).
- As far as pay, there are different types of classes and the pay ranges from $8 - $14 USD per session. In order to get paid, you need to set up a PayPal account. Around the 10th of the following month is when they pay you (i.e. I got paid Sept. 9 for the classes I taught in Aug.). SkimaTalk will take a cut (you'll get $6.40 from $8) and PayPal will take another short cut.
For example, I got about $40.80 from SkimaTalk, and by the time it arrived to my PayPal account, it was $38.something (after SkimaTalk & PayPal deductions).
- Don't get into it thinking you can work there full-time (unless you have some magical secret weapon) because I'm basically free all day, and I had 9 or 10 sessions in 1 month. Hey, I'm not complaining (better than nothing), just keep in mind that this is better as an "on-the-side" kind of gig to get some pocket money.
SkimaTalk is perfect for me right now. It gives one of the most flexible scheduling options (you can teach all-day everyday, or 1 session once a week. Completely up to you) I've ever seen. So far, all of my students have been Japanese (I believe it's an American company with 80%+ Japanese clientele--but don't quote me on that, 'cause I honestly don't know).
Of course, there is so much more I can say (like how your schedule automatically disappears after a certain period of time--which could be bad (reopen sessions) and good (oh, something came up, no students? Yes, I'm free!)), but it's best if you check it out for yourself by clicking: SkimaTalk.
The main reason SkimaTalk is perfect for me is because of #3 . . .
3. I've been working on another of my Dad's books.
In case you don't know, my dad is a struggling author. He works as a truck-driver to pay the bills, but his dream is to be a full-time author. In faith, he has already written over 40 books; he just needs to get them presentable for the readers.
He writes in Spanish, so by default, I'm the one who translates them to English. I've translated about 5 of his books so far (yeap, I have a LONG way to go), but only 1 is really up for sale (there are 2 others, but those publishing companies turned out to be scams, so they don't really count, sales-wise).
The one we've got up so far is called "Achor" in English and "Acor" in Spanish. We published them ourselves and you can find them on Amazon (Australia, France, UK, Mexico, India, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Canada, Italy, Japan, Brazil, China, and the US).
Feel free to take a look at this book. You will get a closer glimpse into my family (each member).
It's about one man's journey and discovery through an archaeological dig site, but in the most unusual way--yet very real way.
For more info about the books, click on their titles in the previous few paragraphs.
I'm currently working on another--actually, updating one I translated before. It's part of a series (I think dad changed the number of books in said series) all about one boy with supernatural abilities and how he becomes the most important, powerful ruler in the world. To some, he is like a savior, messiah, what have you; but to others . . . well, if you said "the Son of the Devil", you're actually right. What's scarier, you haven't exaggerated at all . . .
Seriously, there are parts in that book that scares me--and this is the first book, that is; the nice, tame, " not scary" one!
So here it is. This is what's keeping me busy: dad's books and SkimaTalk English lessons.
I have no idea when I'll go overseas again, but I'll go gladly and excitedly. Who knows? Maybe I won't go as an English teacher, but as my dad's assistant on his book tours . . .
