• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Smith's School of English

To provide English speakers the opportunity to own their own business teaching English in Japan.

  • Franchise Entry
    • Buy a Developed Franchise
    • Start Your Own
  • The Franchise
    • Work Visa & Taxes
    • Franchise Training
    • Franchise Support
      • What Franchisees get
      • SSE Products
      • FAQ’s
  • Testimonials
  • About
    • Coaching Confidence
    • Contact
  • Blog
    • English School Articles
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

English School Articles · November 17, 2008

Business VS. Social Work? Can the two merge?

You are here: Home / English School Articles / Business VS. Social Work? Can the two merge?

At a Franchise meeting in June, Mark Smith mentioned that today’s business world is shifting in focus from being merely profit centred to taking into consideration the benefits of social work. His comment was of particular interest to me, since I have spent all of my career in the human service industry, with more than ten of those years actually in the social work field. Naturally, we all bring our past jobs to our current jobs in the form of experience. My training and education in social work has always helped me to be a better teacher. Our philosophy at SSE Kamishinjo has been based on social work principles from the very beginning. Though the principles themselves are long and boring, they basically speak of respect, putting the clients’ (students’) needs first, respecting the privacy of your clients (students) and building trust. These principles sound pretty familiar. I think all successful school owners must follow these principles whether or not they realize they are doing so. Does this mean we can’t care about money if we put our students’ needs first? Well, when I worked as a social worker, I cared about my clients and I still expected to be paid every other Friday. We all go to work to make money. The social work industry may be nonprofit but it is still business. Making money, wanting your business to grow and be successful , and caring about your students are all interconnected. I’m not sure if big business has actually bought into the principles of social work, though it would be a nicer world if they did. The perks for regular customers are definitely getting better, but I’m not sure that’s actually the same as ‘social work’. However, I do believe if you provide a service to people, you must be half social worker, half business person.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • X

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Filed Under: English School Articles

admin

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Al Bartle says

    November 17, 2008 at 8:47 pm

    Carol,

    Very true indeed! We have to keep the things you mention in mind at all times. And yes, the world would be better if we all put some time into some kind of social work or volunteer work to help our community and its people.

    Al Bartle, SSE Okamoto

    Reply
  2. Edward says

    November 19, 2008 at 7:44 pm

    Excellent analogy. Social workers help people become more comfortable in society. ESL teachers help people become more comfortable in English society. Sounds heroic!

    Edward, SSE Ohtsu

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Search

From the Blog

  • Blog
  • English School Articles
  • Smith's Sustainabilty
  • Sustainability Development Goals
  • Testimonials
スミス英会話メインページ

6 days ago

スミス英会話メインページ
今週のワンポイントレッスンはコチラです★What are your best travel memories?旅行の一番の思い出は何ですか?smithweb.co.jp/2025/05/one-point-lesson-7a11/#スミス英会話 #月謝制英会話 #ワンポイントレッスン ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

スミス英会話メインページ

3 weeks ago

スミス英会話メインページ
-----🗣️ BREAKFAST CLUB MAY 2025☕Date: May 7th Wednesday Time: 10:00 - 11:00Place: スミス英会話大津校初心者🔰経験者🤠見学者🫣どなたでも大歓迎👌-----New Art Design: Ayumi (スミス英会話大津校)Thank you, Ayumi! Your designs are amazing! -----The 3rd photo: Lake Biwa in Otsu, Shiga#スミス英会話大津校#englishevent ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Blog Posts
  • Discussing Milestones
  • A Common Listening Problem English Learners Have
  • Protected: The Japan Iwaskows
  • Christmas holidays in Germany (part 2)
  • German Christmas (part 1)
  • Autumn in Japan vs Autumn in Canada
  • Unique Japan- Smith’s School of English, Sagamihara
  • Edward’s Language Journey
  • Osaka Higashi Line – Convenient Fuse
  • Small Talk in Katsura
Smith’s School of English Franchises
#101,8-21-5, Hanafuku-building, Fukushima-Ku,OsakaTel: 0120-222-248 (Japan)
Tel: 81-6-6455-8050 (Other)
Fax: 06-6455-8052
E-mail: info@sse-franchise.com

Copyright © 2025 · Smith's School of English, all rights reserved. · Privacy · Log in

%d