Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself.
Chinese proverb
(Craig) Hello! My name is Craig and I'm from Toronto. My background is in sales and sales management. I have held positions in Canada at IBM and other companies primarily in the computer and communication field. Before I began my career in sales I worked on-air in radio. For many years I was a host at a television home shopping channel.
It is important for Japanese managers to understand that while Japan is a consensus-based society, English culture is not. Where prefacing remarks in meetings with qualifiers such as "maybe" and "perhaps" is a sign of respect in Japanese culture in English culture it is a sign of weakness. Strong gestures and eye contact in English boardroom and sales meetings are imperative and never rude if done properly.
The Drama Method® is a powerful tool that enables students to conduct mock boardroom meetings, sales calls and presentations in real-time. I have over twenty years experience selling to major corporate accounts, generating new leads and closing large deals. I have trained salespeople for IBM. I believe that when learning to present in English confidence is key! English customers understand their Japanese colleagues may not have native-level speech. However, our students' ability to present and sell with real enthusiasm and confidence obviates any potential misgivings from clients and colleagues.
There is a famous English saying: "When in Rome do as the Romans do." It is an obvious and simple truth. A smart businessperson adapts their behaviour to their environment. Simply learning a language is in and of itself not enough for success in international business. It is equally necessary to understand colloquialisms, context and non-verbal communication. MLS is the only company that focuses on learning much more than just language. We focus on all of the skills necessary for successful business communication!
(Kimberly) Hi, I'm Kimberly. I'm from the East Coast of the United States; I grew up in New York State and lived in Philadelphia, a very historic American city for six years before moving to Tokyo. I have produced and directed plays, operas, and performing arts festivals in the United States for six years.
I love teaching the Drama Method because it allows students to learn language structure, vocabulary, and grammar naturally through proven methods used to train professional actors. MLS instructors aren't just English teachers; we're communication coaches, helping you to say exactly what you mean confidently and fluently in English!
As a stage director for plays and operas, I often had to coach native English speakers to communicate dramatically in a foreign language or foreign dialect, and I used exactly the same types of exercises that we use in the Drama Method so I know that it really works! The Drama Method can give you confidence to speak out, to travel to new places, to improve your business skills, or to make friends and enjoy culture from all over the world in English.
(Andy) Hi there! I've been with MLS for seven years working with actors and corporate clients. I grew up doing improvisational comedy in Chicago, studied acting at Northwestern University, and Asian performance at the University of Hawaii. I've acted on stage and screen, directed, taught stage combat and worked as a vocal coach here in Japan.
As an actor trainer at MLS I have helped actors audition for Memoirs of a Geisha and Letters from Iwo Jima. I worked as a vocal coach for The Last Samurai, Batman Begins, Memoirs of a Geisha, Silk, and Letters from Iwo Jima. I have done English language training with some of Japan's leading actors.
As a corporate trainer at MLS I have led workshops and taught both private and group lessons for corporations including Microsoft, Honda, Fuji Xerox, Asahi Glass and Coca-Cola Japan Corporation. I have worked closely with many of these companies to create class curricula and tailor-made textbooks.
