Conrad's English House
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Conrad
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Todd
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Todd: So, Conrad, you have a new business. Can you talk a little about your new business?
Conrad: Sure, I have a small English language school called Conrad's English House here in Odawara, where we're sitting here, and by the way, thanks for helping me as my guest teacher today, Todd.
Todd: Oh, no problem, no problem.
Conrad: Yeah, I started it in April and all of my students are very motivated and it just makes teaching a very joyful experience.
Todd: So, what's it like being a new business owner, or owning your own business compared to working for somebody else?
Conrad: Yeah, well, it's so much better to run your own school and to be in control of things for one thing, but also, all of the hard work that us English teachers do here in Japan, usually we're doing it for another company, but now I'm doing it for myself and it makes, really, every minute of it much more pleasurable.
Todd: Can you give an example of why it's different, or how it's not the same as working for a company?
Conrad: Yeah, well, for one I can set my own schedule and the times, the hours are what are comfortable for me and what I think match my students needs the best as well.
Todd: Is there anything about owning your own company, or your own business, that you don't like?
Conrad: Not, yet Todd. It's just been since April and so far everything's been nothing to complain about although, you know, just being a new business owner there's lots of things that need to be taken care of and thankfully my, wife, Aki is taking care of all those things like setting up the school and getting a business license and all of those things that need to be done.
motivated
All of my students are very motivated and it just makes teaching a very joyful experience.
When you are 'motivated' to do something, it means that you work hard, because you have a goal that you want to accomplish.
Notice the following:
- I am motivated to lose some weight.
- If you are a runner, you have to find a way to keep yourself motivated.
run your own school
It's so much better to run your own school and to be in control of things.
If you 'run your own school,' it means that you manage and are in charge of a school.
Notice the following:
- If you really love teaching, you can always run your own school.
- I would like to run my own school one day.
set my own schedule
I can set my own schedule and the times, the hours are what are comfortable for me and what I think match my students' needs the best as well.
To 'set your own schedule' means that you are in control of what you do every day and how you spend your time.
Notice the following:
- I work from home, and I set my own schedule.
- If I set my own schedule, it means that I am more likely to get things done.
nothing to complain about
It's just been since April and so far everything's been nothing to complain about.
'Nothing to complain about' means that there no problems and everybody is satisfied.
Notice the following:
- The hotel was very nice, there was nothing to complain about.
- There is nothing to complain about; the food is great.
business license
My wife, Aki, is taking care of all those things like setting up the school and getting a business license and all those things that need to be done.
A 'business license' is the certification that you need from the appropriate local authorities in order to open and run a business.
Notice the following:
- I need to apply for my own business license.
- I am not sure if he has got a business license.
Vocabulary Quiz
complain • license
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Conrad talks about starting up his own English language school.
