from Brian's brain...

I posted my first video clip on my Mixi. I plan to start posting video clips on my Mixi and on my AEL website soon.

Some videos will be educational while others will be musical or humorous. This particular video clip will be the intro to the humorous video clips I post.

The concept and title for the humorous video clips will be called "from Brian's brain".

Please feel free to leave any comments, good or bad. English or Nihongo (Japanese language) are both welcome.

And now... "On with the Show"...

Nihonjin Eigo Sensei...

My last blog "Sending out an S.O.S." generated quite a surprising response from people here in Japan. I am thankful to all who contacted me and I hope to hear from more of you.

It has caused me to think about posting another request. Soon, I will post an ad to meet and collaborate with Nihonjin Eigo sensei (Japanese teachers who teach English) to discuss lesson programs, techniques and creative ideas.

In return, I will be happy to help you with your English pronunciation, etc.

If you are interested to contact me before I post the ad, please feel free to do so.

Sending out an S.O.S.

The time has come that I must seek some help with research, marketing, scheduling, correspondence and maintenance for both American Eikaiwa Lounge and my musical performing.

Because my Nihongo skills are insufficient to maintain the tasks needed for both AEL and my musical performing, I have decided I must look for a person or persons to assist me.

I am looking for some help which would require no more than a few hours of help each week or month. I hope to find a few people of varying skills to assist me with various tasks.

In return, I would like to offer assistance to improve their English conversation and pronunciation. If you are interested or know someone who might be, please click on this link for more information.

My Mixi...

I am now officially a Mixi member. For those of you who don't know Mixi, it's the largest online community here in Japan similar to Facebook or Myspace.

I also have an American Eikaiwa Lounge (AEL) mixi community. Other Mixi members can join My Mixi and the AEL community. It's a way for people to find me and AEL and also a place for me to post my online diary and other useful content.

Mixi is a bit difficult for me because it in Japanese language only, so I must rely on my wife as I am learning what I can do and how to get around the site. Soon I'll be adding some interesting content as I understand and learn to use Mixi much better.

For other Mixi members reading this post, here is My Mixi ID is "Brian_AEL". When you go to My Mixi, you can then join the "American Eikaiwa Lounge" (AEL) mixi community. (Don't forget to introduce yourself!)...

Upcoming changes at AEL...

As I mentioned in the previous post, I am receiving many requests from my guests for additional services, etc. Starting in April, I will change the schedule at AEL to enable me to offer new programs and courses in the near future.

Right now at AEL, I offer what I call "open conversation". My lounge is open to anyone who would like to use, practice and improve their English conversation ability with a native English speaker from the USA. But in April, I will start to offer additional programs. Here is an idea of what I will offer:

- Open Conversation: The current program at AEL as described above
- Private Conversation: One on one private conversation. By appointment only.
- Private Lesson: One on one private lesson. Based on your particular needs.
- Group Lesson: Class size will be 4-6 people with 2 different courses.
1. Pronunciation: Phonics based pronunciation. Detailed explanation of vowels and consonants usage, along with extensive listening and speaking drills designed to help you improve your English speaking skills and ability.
2. Conversation: This course will be based on understanding the usage of many different applications of words in the English language. For example, you will learn the difference, context and correct usage of similar words like see, look and watch.

Please check my website in the upcoming days and weeks as I introduce and roll out some of these programs.

New Opportunities...

A few recent developments have caused me to rethink and reshape American Eikaiwa Lounge.

I have recently been hired by a professional driving school here in Yokohama to conduct English conversation and pronunciation lessons for their driving instructors. This came about after a few of the driving instructors visited my conversation lounge. They enjoyed their experience here and talked to their boss about hiring me, so they did. Tonight I will conduct my fourth lesson. I am very surprised how much I enjoy helping them improve their conversation ability. I try to make the lesson really fun and enjoyable and I think the driving instructors like it very much.

Secondly, I have been hired to conduct my first "Friends Circle" starting in April. Basically it is a gathering of young children who are 3 to 4 years old. It's a small group of 6 to 8 kids and my purpose is to immerse them in English. I am very excited about this because I love children (I'm just a big overgrown kid myself, so I'll fit in great!).

Bad Blog Boy...

Well, I've been a very Bad Blog Boy...

I haven't been blogging because I'm very busy (a very lame excuse, who isn't busy?). Things have been going well at my English conversation lounge. I am having more new guests every week. Yesterday I had three new guests come to American Eikaiwa Lounge.

My original concept for AEL was to provide a comfortable and affordable place for Japanese people to use, practice and improve their English conversation skills. But the last few weeks have brought some very interesting requests and developments that will change AEL very soon. I am very excited about the immediate future.

I will explain further in upcoming blogs (I promise to post more, honest!).