Introducing SeeYouSpeak®
American teacher Ken Estep has improved the EFL (English as a Foreign Language) world by creating SeeYouSpeak®, the online English school digitally connecting students with their teacher.
Going to America without leaving home:
Teacher introduces English lessons using free video calls to Hollywood, California.
Hollywood, California – September 8, 2008
American teacher Ken Estep has improved the EFL (English as a Foreign Language) world by creating SeeYouSpeak®, the online English school digitally connecting students with their teacher.
Mr. Estep envisioned the idea while talking to his mother via Skype on New Years Day 2008. "I thought, if I can have a great conversation with my mom from the other side of the world, why couldn't I be having great conversations with my students from the other side of the world?" Mr. Estep said.
Upon returning to America, after teaching English in Japan for 4 years, he took the idea and ran with it. Mr. Estep says "I returned to California and knew the timing for such a service was perfect." He immediately drove to his local Apple Computer store and said to the saleswoman "Here's my credit card, give me the most powerful computer you've got." For the next 2 months he created the SeeYouSpeak® website and 24 hour reservation system. His friend Dave, a professional animator for Disney, agreed to help with the illustrations. The result? A fun, state-of-the-art,video-calling service offering one-on-one English lessons.
Mr. Estep comments: "We live in an age when individuals are strapped for time due to work and family commitments, and this often makes it hard to study English. But now Japanese students have the ability to practice English in the comfort of their home after breakfast or from work during their lunch-hour. There's no need to leave work, slog through the rain, get on the subway, only to join a crowded class for 30 or 40 minutes. It can be stressful."
By offering one-on-one lessons students can get the individual attention necessary to improve their English skills. They also have the ability to choose what kind of lesson they want. Maybe this week they'd like a traditional text-lesson but the next week simply want to practice speaking freely. It's no problem. Some students are professionals using English in the work-place and need help with an up-coming presentation or email. "Before the lesson students simply email me a copy of their PowerPoint presentation or speech. So in the lesson we can now concentrate on what that student needs most. I also help students with their homework or to study for an upcoming English test." says Mr. Estep
Mr. Estep says: “Only a few years ago creating such an advanced communication system would have been impossible. But now with SeeYouSpeak® I'm able to talk with my favorite students every week and they get to spend more time with me one-on-one. There's no stress and it's fun. It's like they've been magically transported to Hollywood.”
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About the Owner
Ken Estep is 38 years old and works as a full-time English teacher for Japanese students only. He lives in Hollywood, California. The website is http:www.seeyouspeak.com