For female teachers !

Unfortunately, we have received reports from female teachers that some male students are trying to use Hello-Sensei web site inappropriately as a dating site. We have been doing our best to combat these inappropriate users. However, some of them create new accounts with other email addresses, under different names.
Though we notify teachers as soon as we discover new accounts, our notifications may not be as timely as we would like.

We have recently implemented SMS verification for the transaction of some student accounts.
In the mean time, here are some tips about those inappropriate users.

How do they contact teachers ?

• They don't tell teachers much about themselves.
• They don't specify the time/date of their preference for lessons.

What you can do to avoid them?

In case the initial email doesn't say much about him/herself, you can always ask him/her to introduce themselves in more detail.
Also, please be advised that it’s best to meet students for lessons in public for example, like at cafes when the student is a person of the opposite gender.

Those users normally use different emails than the email address they have created their account with on Hello-Sensei web site and also contact teachers by the name of a different person. You can always inquire with us if the person who has contacted you has an account on our web site with the same email address and the same name as the ones they have used to contact you with. We will check the account for you and get back to you as soon as possible.

Any time you feel someone is suspicious, please don't hesitate to report to us by using our contact form.

These are some example lesson request emails from them.

My name is ***
I would like to take trial lesson with you in Shimbasi or Shibuya.
Please let me know which day suits for you.

I used to live in London and USA for my work.

I will be waiting for your reply soon

Thanks

My name is ***
I saw your teaching profile and received your email address from hello-sensei.com.
I would like to know if you have any available times in the near future to have a lesson.
Please let me know.

I am a company employee.
I need English for work so I want to take lesson.

Lesson language : English

Below are listed my preferences for time, and location.

Lesson location : Shinbashi or Shibuya
Day and time : From 17:00 on Monday to Friday

I`m looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Hello I received your email from hello sensei.
I would like to practice English conversation. Do you have any available times for teaching me ? Please let me know. I never take lessons before but maybe level is intermediate. Please let me know.

Thank you,

こんにちは、英会話のレッスンをお願い出来ますか？ 時間と場所は柔軟的に対応出来ます。連絡下さい。
Hello I saw your teaching profile and received your email address from hello-sensei.com. I would like to know if you have any available times in the near future to have a trial lesson. Please let me know.

Thank you,

Hello I’m looking for an English tutor. Mainly conversation skill. Do you have free time for lesson ? Please let me know.

Best regards,

What should I do if I end up meeting them without knowing that they are inappropriate users?

Unfortunately, sometimes it might not be easy to see through their intentions at the time of arranging lesson appointments.
Please always make sure to meet them and take place lessons in public for example at cafes if the counter part is a person of the opposite gender.

In case you find someone with other purpose than language lessons, Please report to us by using our contact form as soon as you can.
And if you should ever feel in danger, please call the police emergency number 110 (English available).