The Free Talk Staffroom

By Patrick Sherriff

Advice for the self-employed English teacher in Japan. Drops every Friday.

freetalktefl.substack.com... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about The Free Talk Staffroom:

How many episodes does The Free Talk Staffroom have?

The podcast currently has 85 episodes available.

The Free Talk Staffroom episodes:

February 23, 2025 Are you free tonight? Come say hello in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
I’ll be at the Good Heavens British bar in Shimokitazawa to help raise money for Matthew Dons (see his GoFundMe page here) in his increasingly urgent fight against cancer. Come on out, donate as little as ¥500, and have a chat over a beer. Tomorrow is a national holiday after all. Cheers!
Patrick

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com
...more
4min
February 14, 2025 65. You gotta love Valentines... for English schools
Sure, it’s maybe too late now, seeing as it’s Feb. 14th already, but in general, if you can figure out an English-language-learning angle to whatever annual events happen, you are doing everyone a service. More written thoughts on that on this post here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com
...more
4min
February 02, 2025 64. New students — it’s all about the birds and the bees
Well, OK, not so much the birds. But certainly the bees.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com
...more
6min
January 22, 2025 61. Time to get your act together
In which I talk about things to do this January. Not sure what you need to do to start and run your own little English school? I have a book about that — The Tower English Way. Details are linked to here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com
...more
4min
December 08, 2024 60. Lovely to see you at the Expo yesterday
Thought it might be helpful for you if I collated questions from all the folk I met at the Gaijin Pot Expo 2024 yesterday and my (slightly) more considered answers today.
Yoroshiku!
Patrick

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com
...more
15min
December 01, 2024 Come say hello this Saturday
As I say the in the video, I’ll be in Akihabara, Tokyo, this Saturday afternoon at Gaijin Pot Expo 2024 (I kept saying 2025 in the video but I meant 2024!).
Come along if you’re free and want to say hello.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com
...more
3min
July 28, 2024 59. Have you thought about running your own speech day?
In which I talk about why I haven’t posted recently — been busy with running the annual speech day. Here are a few thoughts about why you might consider doing a speech day in your English teaching business.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com
...more
12min
June 14, 2024 58. Do you really want to be a one-trick pony?
In which I make the case against over-specialising in teaching English in Japan.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com
...more
5min
June 07, 2024 57. Why I teach.
In which I spill the beans on why I teach. And it’s not for the money.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com
...more
6min
May 31, 2024 56. Reasons to become a self-employed English teacher even if you have your doubts…
You don’t have to be in love with teaching from the beginning to turn teaching English into a successful, enjoyable business in Japan that opens plenty more doors.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freetalktefl.substack.com
...more
6min

FAQs about The Free Talk Staffroom:

How many episodes does The Free Talk Staffroom have?

The podcast currently has 85 episodes available.