October 2008 was a strange time in the USA. For millions of Americans there was terrible fear, but for millions of others, great excitement!
Many were afraid because of the global financial crisis. Many saw the value of their homes or stocks drop by one-half or more! Many people lost their jobs and retirement funds.
But at the same time, many other Americans were full of joy. A little-known US Senator from Illinois, Barack Hussein Obama, seemingly came out of nowhere to defeat well-known Hillary Clinton and by October was well on his way to becoming the next US president. To hear the way many in the news and entertainment media were presenting him, Obama seemed to be a new savior to solve our problems and show us the way!
Against this odd backdrop, I tried something I had never done before. On Wednesday, October 22, 2008, I taught my first online English class to Asia!
Seated by my laptop on my dining room table in my hometown of Roanoke, Virginia, I taught my inaugural online lesson to two sisters in Hsinchu, Taiwan, where I had lived from 1989-1999. The class began at 7:00 a.m. and ended by 7:50 Eastern Time, so I could then hop on my bicycle and teach the rest of the day at my full-time job at a local high school. I had been a licensed teacher since 1987, and had taught both in Virginia and Taiwan, but presenting a lesson over the internet was a novelty then. Over the passing ten years, the internet has exploded with more and more classes, shopping, and much else, but in 2008, that was still a new step, both for me and for the parents and students who trusted me with this responsibility.
You can listen to more of the story below.
Listen to Podcast Episode 12. Listen here.
To celebrate our 10th Anniversary of Online English classes, I am offering FIVE FREE classes all next week, October 22-26! Here are the details.
When? Monday to Friday at 9:00 p.m., China Standard Time
How do I join? Download the free software at www.zoom.us/download then at 9:00 p.m. click https://zoom.us/j/781304165
How long will the class be? About 30 minutes, but you can start or leave at any time. No worries!
What level does my English have to be to join? Since Scott speaks Chinese, you can be at any English level, or speak none at all and just speak Chinese! However, most of the discussion will be at a DreyerCoaching.com Intermediate Level (Steps 4, 5 or 6) or above.
What kind of questions can I ask? Feel free to ask Scott any question about life in the USA or the English language, from basic level to advanced.
I hope to see YOU online SOON!
–Scott Contact me today if you have any questions or would like to know more!