Courses: JAPN 1115, 1117, 1215, 1217
Style of Teaching: Serious learning with fun and hard work.
At Langara Since: 1996
Credentials & Training:
- MA in TESL and Applied Linguistics (UBC)
- BA in Sociology (Kansai University, Japan)
Areas of Academic or Research Interest: My academic specialty is analyzing the process of second language acquisition, in particular, social and political pressures on second language acquisition and the correlation between motivation factors and successful language learning. My current academic interest is to explore the difference in learning patterns of the Japanese language when the instructional language is Japanese, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Academic & Professional Activities:
- Member, Standing Committee on Language Articulation (SCOLA, 1996 - present)
- Organizer & Judge, All BC Japanese Speech Contest; Consulate General of Japan (1996 - present)
- Candidate Selection Staff, Japan Exchange Teacher (JET) Program, Consulate General of Japan (2001)
- Facilitator, Langara-Ryukoku University Exchange Program (2012 - present)
- Keynote Speaker, Cuarto Congreso Internacional de Educación Superior: Autonomy, University of Chiapas, Mexico (November 2014)
- Co-teacher (Japanese), Centro Universitario de Idiomas (CUI), University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (January - February 2014; January - February 2009)
- Teacher (Japanese), Escuela para Estudiantes Extranjeros (EEE), University of Veracruz, Mexico (June - July 2006)
- Professional Japanese-English and English-Japanese translator/interpreter
Other Interests: I enjoy travelling, painting, hiking, cycling, reading, cooking, martial arts, playing the piano and guitar, learning languages, and exploring different cultures. In my volunteer work, I assist new immigrants in Vancouver.
Courses: JAPN 1115
At Langara Since: 2015
Credentials & Training:
- BA in Japanese Linguistics and Education (Osaka University of Foreign Studies)
- MA in Modern Language Education (University of British Columbia)
Areas of Academic or Research Interest: second language pedagogy, second language and heritage language acquisition, identities in second language learning and teaching, technology in second language education.
Academic & Professional Activities:
- Member, Canadian Association for Japanese Language Education (CAJLE)
- Member, Standing Committee on Language Articulation (SCOLA)
Instructional Web
Courses: JAPN 1115, 1215, 1117, 1217
Style of Teaching: Understanding structures and remembering vocabulary are important. It takes a lot of meticulous work to learn a foreign language. When you work hard, you will find it fun to be able to express yourself. I employ different methods and will engage you in listening, speaking, reading, and writing often in class. I do exercises using a lot of visuals. You will learn language to communicate!
At Langara Since: 2012
Credentials & Training:
- MA in Modern Language Education and Applied Linguistics (UBC)
- BA in Linguistics (UBC)
- Associate of Arts in English (Obirin Junior College, Tokyo, Japan)
Areas of Academic or Research Interest: My academic specialties include bilingual programs and heritage language education.
Academic & Professional Activities:
- Member, Standing Committee on Language Articulation (SCOLA)
- Examiner, International Baccalaureate (2011 - present)
- Member, Training Program for Teachers of the Japanese Language, The Japan Foundation, Urawa (1999)
Other Interests: I enjoy hiking, Japanese flower arrangement, gardening, cooking, and reading.
Instructional Web
At Langara Since: 2003
Credentials & Training:
- BA in History (UBC)
- French (University of Alberta)
- Spanish 1-4 (Langara Continuing Studies)
- Mandarin (Langara College, UBC, Beijing Language and Culture University, Nanjing Normal University)
- Confucius Institute Mandarin speech contest, third place (2015)
- Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Scholarship Recipient (2016)
- Confucius Institute Teaching Chinese as a Second Language Scholarship Recipient (2017)
Areas of Academic or Research Interest: My ongoing research interest is in language education technology and methods to enhance language education and study. Among my projects are: developing and improving facilities for language study and practice (i.e. digital language labs and study space); expanding student learning opportunities by developing online, mobile-accessible language learning resources; and expanding the use of course management systems to supplement in-class instruction.