About Teacher Rodger
Hello! I’m Rodger, an English teacher with over two decades of experience teaching students of all ages and backgrounds grow in their English language abilities.
My story
My journey began in 2001, when I first moved to Taiwan, and later continued in Japan. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of working with every kind of learner—from shy beginners who barely whispered their first words, to energetic students who needed gentle guidance, to highly motivated individuals chasing fluency at full speed.
I’ve taught one-on-one private lessons and led large classes of over 40 students. My youngest learners were curious kindergarteners just discovering the joy of language; my oldest were university professors refining their academic English. This wide range of experience has taught me that no two students are alike—and that’s exactly what makes teaching so rewarding.
Now, I teach from my home in Osaka, offering small, friendly classes in a cozy, relaxed setting. Whether you’re looking for a casual way to enjoy English conversation or you’re serious about making fast progress, I’ll design each lesson around your goals, pace, and personality. Every class is personalized, enjoyable, and built on trust.
My Teaching Style
The biggest influence on my teaching is ALG (Automatic Language Growth), developed by Professor J. Marvin Brown. ALG is based on a powerful yet simple insight: we learn languages best not by speaking early, but by listening.
Babies learn their native language by silently listening to their mothers. They learn , ALG learners begin with a “silent period,” absorbing the rhythm, emotion, and meaning of language before speaking naturally.
Professor Brown believed that overthinking—translating, analyzing, or forcing speech—can actually slow progress. His surprising advice? No thinking.
Although this method is challenging to apply outside of a university setting, I’ve adapted its core principles for my classes in Japan.
Photo Collection
Over the years, I’ve collected many photos from my teaching journey—from bustling classrooms in Taiwan to quiet, focused lessons here in Japan. These snapshots tell the story of a life devoted to education, and I’m proud to share them with you.
WORK EXPERIENCE
SIFA (Suita International Friendship Organization)
Minami Senri, Osaka, Japan
April 2015 – present
I teach groups of 5 to 18 adults grammar and conversational English. I also teach children and kindergarten.
Gaba Corporation
Sep 2014 – June 2017
I taught man-to-man classes students and business people.
Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan
Berlitz Japan, Inc.
Feb 2011- March 2014
I mostly taught one-to-one adult classes. I was also dispatched to kindergarten, high school and University locations.
Senri Chuo, Osaka, Japan
Earnest English School
July 2009 – September 2010
I taught kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high school students. My lessons were well planned and interesting despite an busy schedule and little preparation time. I had a 95% sign up rate with trial lessons.
Nagano City, Nagano
KICC English School
July 2007 – January 2009
KICC is a small, country school located in Wakayama prefecture. My students ranged in age from 2 to 79 years old. I organized and took part in activities such as school picnics, camping trips and dinner parties. I arranged special classes such movie class, debate class and book club.
Shingu-shi, Wakayama-ken, Japan
Columbia Consulting Company
July 2006 – April 2007
I taught adult classes, designed lessons on Power Point and taught on-line lessons.
South District, Taichung City, Taiwan
Kojen ELS
April 2005 – April 2006
I taught elementary school children. I felt that all my students, from the smartest to the shyest, enjoyed and measurably benefited from my lessons.
Keelung City, Taiwan
GEOS Language Academy
August 2003 – February 2005
I taught business English, conversation classes and IELTS to adults. My students ranged from beginners to almost fluent speakers. I used many activities to create a teaching environment where students enjoyed themselves and were able to develop their English skills quickly and effectively.
Sanmin Rd, Bei Chiu, Taichung City, Taiwan
Shane English School
April 2001 – May 2003
I taught kindergarten, elementary, junior and senior school levels, adults, IELTS and TOEFL. I completed the Shane School ESL course; this is a student-centered approach to teaching with an emphasis on the practical application of skills and concepts.
Taichung City, Taiwan