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Summary
I am a Canadian EFL professional with over 25 years of teaching experience, mostly in Japan (since 1995), and mostly at the university level. My experience teaching spans many levels, ages, and institution types. My main academic background is not in TESOL, but I have found the skills and knowledge I amassed in my MLIS program to be readily transferable to the EFL classroom. Before and during my graduate studies, I taught English in Costa Rica and Montreal, and after relocating to Japan I obtained a post-graduate diploma in EFL.
I have taught academic writing, speech communication, current events, pronunciation, small seminar classes, intercultural communication, comparative culture, and study abroad preparation courses in addition to basic reading, writing, and oral communication classes to mostly Japanese students, but also exchange students from North America, Europe, and other parts of Asia. In recent years I have gained experience in team-teaching liberal arts CLIL classes with content professors.
I have supervised Japanese students in their stays abroad, have been involved in pre-departure and intercultural seminars for business people going on overseas assignments or seminars, and have designed and taught ESP training for researchers and sales people when I conducted business training in Tokyo. My full-time university responsibilities have been managerial in addition to pedagogical – I have supervised part-time teaching staff in addition to designing programs and materials and being involved in committee work. I am currently the language program coordinator at my present place of employment. I am a member of several professional teaching associations.
My professional interests include educational technology, learning strategies, learner autonomy, intercultural communication, and CALL. I see computer technology as a boon to language acquisition and try to keep abreast of new developments that can help both myself and my students become more effective in our pursuits.
In recent years, my interests have taken me to Munich to earn certification in administering and debriefing the Intercultural Development Inventory. I have also had the great pleasure of leading teacher presentations for THT (Teachers Helping Teachers, a JALT special interest group) in several towns and cities in Kyrgyzstan, which prompted in me a deeper curiosity for Central Asia.
I am proficient in spoken Japanese and have passed the second level of the Japanese proficiency exam. I have taken a Japanese to English translation survey course and can participate adequately in meetings conducted solely in Japanese. I have worked on several translation projects. In the summer of 2009 I co-wrote the English subtitles for a French documentary film about the prolific Japanese writer Dazai Osamu. At that time I had the opportunity to visit my fading French skills as well (I am originally from French-speaking Montreal). I have permanent residency status in Japan.
In my personal life, I aspire to conscious living through vegetarianism, and have a strong passion for perfume and perfumery. As a youth, I ice skated almost daily, and coached figure skating professionally to support my studies at university. In Japan, I've also been active in endurance sports, such as running events and triathlons. I practiced karate for about 6 years, but my physical life has been much calmer in recent years. I love travel, cycling, and good food with good company.
Education
Degrees
Master in Library & Information Studies (MLIS) McGill University
Sep 1993 - Jun 1995
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (BA) McGill University
Sep 1988 - Jun 1991
CERTIFICATION & TRAINING
- Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) License, Munich, Germany, 2018
- LDT100x: Learning Theories (2017) and LDT200x: Instructional Design Models (2018) – edX MOOCs on Instructional Design and Technology offered by University of Maryland)
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), The English Language Centre, London, UK (1998).
- Intercultural Communication Institute (SIIC) Workshop Certificate 2002
- PLS Method Beginners' Teaching Seminar 1998.
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- Japanese Language Proficiency Test level 2 (2000)
- Japanese Correspondence Course for JET Participants (1996-1997)
- University of Oslo International Summer School Language Program (1991).
- CPR and YMCA Fitness Instruction (1996)
- National Coaching Certification (Canadian Figure Skating Association, 1995)
- Thai Traditional Massage (2003; 2002)
- Master School of Bar-tending Certificate (1995).
Skills
Language Skills
Computer Skills
Experience
Current Position
My Current Job
Associate Professor Miyazaki International College
Feb 2015 - Present
- Act as program coordinator for MIC's 2-year intensive language program.
- Setting up and communicating teaching schedules
- Setting up and communicating exam schedules and coordinating their implementation
- Gathering data, writing yearly report
- Initiating and orientating new faculty and faculty with course content changes
- Coordinating teaching content and inter-program cooperation and communication
- Delegating and overseeing project work to improve language program
- Upgrading program handbook
- Chairing 2 program meetings/ year
- Created Reading Comprehension 1 & 2 exams on Moodle
- Setting up online student accounts for readtheory.org, xreading.com; organizing payment for xreading.com
- Coordinating program wide textbook purchases for students and faculty
- Creating orientation and pre-orientation materials and leading program orientation session to incoming freshmen students in April
- Creating and maintaining online resource pages for teachers in language program
- Keeping records of student grades
- Coordinating freshmen placement tests, placing students into class rosters
- Upkeep of class rosters and other program files
- Upkeep of timed reading and writing records and continued reminders to faculty for input
- Instruct freshmen levels of intensive courses in reading, writing, and speaking in an integrative preparatory program for a Liberal Arts department in which team-taught content courses are offered in an English-only environment.
- Team teach CLIL courses in introductory religion and political science with field specialists (professors).
- Teach TOIEC strategy seminars to remedial students as needed.
- Regular involvement in language program placement, testing, and general student performance evaluation.
- Act as student adviser for typically 3~4 students per grade.
- Act as senior thesis advisor for up to 8 junior and senior students per year.
- Participate in curriculum design for the Language Faculty group; design class materials (course tests and exams, task-based activities, reading comprehension materials, explanation and practice worksheets).
- Maintain rotating membership in several school committees, including the Entrance Exam Committee, the Open Campus Committee, the Committee on Faculty (chair for the Faculty Development Subcommittee), and the Active Learning Committee (a working group for the Acceleration Program grant awarded to the school by the Ministry of Education (MEXT))
- Participate in high school visits, open campus activities, and other recruitment/promotional activities, such as giving high school lectures, promotional introductory lectures, etc.
- Participate in community outreach programs: leading workshops, seminars, and lessons to the elderly, children, business people
- Regularly employ online technology tools such as Moodle, Mahara, Socrative, Lingtlanguage, Praxised, Mreader, Penzu, Xreading, Wordpress, LearnBoost, Teachable, various social media and blogging platforms, MS Office, almost all tools offered by the Google platform, and mobile devices
Previous Teaching Experience
Lecturer, Tokyo Woman's Christian University, Apr 2011 ~ Feb 2015
- Instructed 6 courses in the Department of English Literature and Culture (Freshman English Writing Sophomore Reading and Writing, Junior Composition, Career English 1 & 2, and Presentation Skills) and several Communication Skills and Discussion Skills classes in the Department of Foreign Languages
- Contributed to curriculum design of writing courses and Career English program.
- Developed online social media competence in advanced classes
- Writing materials including course test and exams, university entrance exams, task-based activities, grammar and vocabulary explanations and worksheets and quizzes, etc.
- Selected texts for some courses when required
- Proctored and graded exams; facilitated at speech contests
Lecturer (part-time), MEIJI UNIVERSITY, Apr 2013 ~ Feb 2015
- Taught freshman Speaking, freshman Reading and Writing, and a TOEFL course in the Global Japanese Studies program, Nakano campus
Associate Professor (later part-time lecturer), TAMA UNIVERSITY, Apr 2006 ~ Mar 2013
- Instructed 6 courses in the Department of English Literature and Culture (Freshman English Writing Sophomore Reading and Writing, Junior Composition, Career English 1 & 2, and Presentation Skills) and several Communication Skills and Discussion Skills classes in the Department of Foreign Languages
- Contributed to curriculum design of writing courses and Career English program.
- Developed online social media competence in advanced classes
- Writing materials including course test and exams, university entrance exams, task-based activities, grammar and vocabulary explanations and worksheets and quizzes, etc.
- Selected texts for some courses when required
- Proctored and graded exams; facilitated at speech contests
Lecturer (part-time), Aoyama University, Apr 2009 ~ Mar 2011
- Taught 2 courses – Oral English and the core module of Integrated English in the IE Program
- Taught an advanced course in Intercultural Communication to mostly returnee students
Lecturer (part-time), SEIJO UNIVERSITY, Apr 2009 ~ Mar 2011
- Taught 4 courses – 2 study skills classes, a business seminar course, and a seminar in intercultural communication
- Wrote materials including quizzes, task-based activities, explanation handouts, worksheets, quizzes, etc.)
- Managed class Edubogs blogs
Lecturer (part-time), NIHON UNIVERSITY, Apr 2009 ~ Mar 2011
- Taught 2 textbook-based courses – Speech Communication and basic English 1 for second and first year students, respectively
Business English Instructor (part-time), Sumikin Intercom, Inc.(changed to LINGUAGE INTERCOM, Apr 2005 ~ Mar 2006
- Designed and planned curricula and lesson plans for own classes and for part-time instructors dispatched to various Sumikin clients
- Instructed business lessons for pre-planned curricula and lessons to various Sumikin clients
Lecturer (part-time), NINGEN KANKYO UNIVERSITY, Apr 2004 ~ Mar 2005
- Taught 2 beginner English conversation classes and one 2nd year intermediate course
- Designed curricula and activities; selected and created materials
Lecturer (part-time), AICHI UNIVERSITY, Apr 2004 ~ Mar 2005
- Planned, taught and evaluated students in 4 courses –2 at the jr. college level (a presentation class & a conversation class) and 2 at the Extension Centre for Continuing Education (a current events course and a beginner’s English course). Classes contained 12 to 30 students
- Designed curricula and activities; selected and created materials
Lecturer, MINAMI KYUSHU TANKI JUNIOR COLLEGE, Apr 1999 ~ Mar 2004
- Planned, taught and evaluated students in up to 10, 90-min. courses per semester. Courses included mostly English communication courses, and also Pronunciation, Speech Communication, & Academic Writing. Classes usually contained 4 to 20 participants
- Designed curricula and activities, created materials, and selected texts
- Assisted in planning, organization and implementation of speech contests, school policy formation, and teacher development schemes
Children's ENglish Instructor, PUMKIN ENGLISH SCHOOL, Aug 1998 ~ Mar 1999
- Taught twenty 1-hour classes/week of Communicative English to small classes of 4-9 students (mostly elementary school level, but also some JHS and HS) using the Pacific Language School (PLS) method
- Developed curricula, materials and activities to support and amend the PLS methodology
- Assisted in planning, organization and implementation of speech contests (also worked as judge), special events, and teacher development schemes
Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), MIYAZAKI PREFECTURAL BOARD OF EDUCATION, Feb 1995 ~ May 1998
- Team-taught approximately 15 classes/week with local teachers (JLTs) on JET Program
- Prepared teaching materials; created and planned communicative activities; made presentations; participated in school sporting and cultural events
- Translated documents; created evaluative reports on teachers, activities, and seminars; attended ALT conferences; planned, managed, and taught at JLT seminars and student English camps; edited a regional newsletter for teachers
- Participated in a wide variety of events outside class time related relating mostly to “internationalization" in Japan
EFL Teacher, Progressa Language Institute (no longer exists), Jul 1993 ~ Jul 1995
- Researched, selected, and organized teaching materials; taught evening, general English courses to young professionals; initiated out-of-class language activities; volunteered in translating and teacher training
ESL Teacher, PLATO COLLEGE, Jul 1993 ~ Jul 1995
- Taught classes of mixed ability and age part-time (full time in the summer) to professionals, immigrants, and home-stay vacationers in classes of no more than 20 students; created curricula based on student goals; implemented various activities to promote oral communication
Other Work Experience
Examiner, MERCARI JAPAN, INC., Nov 2019 ~ present
- Conduct 5~10 English level evaluations per week for using CEFR scales for company employees.
- Use company rubrics and work remotely and intermittently (seasonal).
Level 1 Interview Examiner, Society for Testing English Proficiency (STEP), 2009 ~ 2015
- Served as part of rotating, two-member interview examiner for top level of Japan's largest English proficiency testing organization. The Exam is held several times a year all day on Sundays, with between 20 and 30 examinees per day
Thesis Editor, Graduate School of International Policy Studies (GRIPS), Jun & Jul 2007 ~ 2009
- Edited 3 or 4 graduate theses per year of 10,000 to 30,000 words for foreign graduate students in the GRIPS “Transition Economy Program" for 3 years
Early Work Experience
- 1996 ~ 1997; 1988 ~ 1989 Aerobics Instructor – International Culture Center, Ebino City, Japan; Champlain College, Montreal, Canada
- Feb 1994 ~ Apr 1995 Library Clerk Ogilvy – Renault, Montreal, Canada
- Sep 1990 ~ Apr 1991 Reserves Assistant – McGill Redpath Library, Montreal, Canada
- 1990 ~ 1992 Professional Figure Skating Coach – Various clubs of South Shore, Montreal, Canada
Publications & Presentations
Publications
Mork, C. (2022). Book review of Bridging the Humor Barrier: Humor Competency Training in English Language Education. JALT Journal (invited publication; in process).
Mork, C. & Simpson, A. (2021). The Development of a Banking English Seminar. Comparative Culture: The Journal of Miyazaki International College 26, 15-36.
Mork, C. (2020). Assigning Roles in Small Group Discussions for Maximum EFL Learner Participation. The Language Teacher 44(5), 9-17.
Mork, C. (2019). Confirming or denying truths and lies with tag endings. In Julie Vorholt (Ed.), New Ways of Teaching Speaking (2nd ed.). (pp. 83-84). Maryland: TESOL Press.
Mork, C. (2018). Book review of Dynamic Lectures. Comparative Culture: The Journal of Miyazaki International College 23.2.
Mork, C. (2018). Individualized reading development outside of class: A review of readtheory.org. Comparative Culture Special Edition: The Journal of Miyazaki International College 22.2.
Mork, C. (2017, March). An experiment using Penzu for extensive writing. The FLTMAG. Retrieved from http://fltmag.com/an-experiment-using-penzu-for-extensive-writing/
Howard, A., and Mork, C. (2015). An Investigation into active learning at MIC: A beginning and the way forward. Comparative Culture: The Journal of Miyazaki International College 20.
Mork, C. (2014). Benefits of Using Online Student Response Systems in Japanese EFL Classrooms. The JALT CALL Journal 10(2), 127-137.
Mork, C. Using Audio-Visual Input in the Core Component of Aoyama University’s Integrated English Program. Thought Currents, The English Literary Society of Aoyama Gakuin University (unpublished).
Mork, C. (2014). Voxopop for out-of-class speaking practice in the Japanese university EFL context – uses and student perceptions. The Asian Conference on Technology in the Classroom (ACTC) 2014 Official Conference Proceedings, 204-214.
Mork, C. (2014). Fragrance to Help Learning? Makes Scents. Hikaku Bunka Institute for Comparative Studies of Culture, Tokyo Woman’s Christian University 60, 17-20.
Mork, C. (2013). Student Directed Twitter Usage in University EFL Courses. The Asian Conference on Technology in the Classroom (ACTC) 2013 Official Conference Proceedings, 139-146.
Mork, C. (2009). Using Twitter in EFL Education. The JALT CALL Journal 5(3), 29-44.
Mork, C. Co-translation of the film “La Vie Mumurée" (a documentary film about Osamu Dazai) by Des Films Nuit et Jour, produced by Gilles Sionnet and Marie Francine LeJalou, released Nov. 2009.
Mork, C. (2009). Using Multiply as a class management and communication system for EFL classes. The JALT CALL Journal 5(1), 77-90.
Mork, C. (2002). Social Identity as an Obstacle to Foreign Language Acquisition in Japan. Journal of Minami Kyushu Junior College 8, 73-94.
Mork, C. (1998). Teaching Classroom English: Activities for the 1st Few Classes. The Language Teacher 22(7), 37.
Mork, C. NET (Nishimorokata English Teacher), editor, July 1996 – May 1997.
Presentations
“Active Learning through Active Learning" 宮崎英語教育セミナー [Miyazaki Education Seminar], Kiten 大会講座 [Kiten Building Meeting Room], Miyazaki City, Nov. 11, 2019. (slides: https://www.slideshare.net/rawrapture/about-active-learning-through-active-learning)
“What a CLIL course looks like" THT Kyrgyzstan 2019 Conference, Seminar & Workshop Series (for Tenth Annual THT in Kyrgyzstan) and Association of Japanese Language Teachers Forum (city of Bishkek), Sept. 7~11, 2019. (slides: https://www.slideshare.net/rawrapture/what-a-clil-course-looks-like)
“The SQ4R method for active reading" THT Kyrgyzstan 2019 Conference, Seminar & Workshop Series (for Tenth Annual THT in Kyrgyzstan) and Association of Japanese Language Teachers Forum (city of Bishkek), Sept. 7~11, 2019. (slides: https://www.slideshare.net/rawrapture/sq4r-a-strategy-for-active-reading)
「多文化の国カナダ」 [Canada – A Multicultural Country] presented for the Miyazaki International Foundation, Hotel Merieges, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki. March 9, 2019. (slides: https://www.slideshare.net/secret/IJrI3lWgh5xFpc)
“Timed Writing for improved EFL fluency and better CBI." IAFOR International Conference on Language Learning, Dubai, UAE, February 16-18, 2018. (slides: https://www.slideshare.net/secret/BCH1WViiv1BSwR)
“Making an impact outside the classroom." Keynote presented at the 2018 JET Programme Skills Development Conference, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki. Feb., 2018. (http://jetprogramme.org/en/conferences/)
“ReadTheory for university EFL reading practice – perceptions on progress." JALTCALL 2017 Conference, Matsuyama University, Shikoku, June 16~18, 2017.
“A heuristic for categorizing active learning teaching strategies." SUTLF conference 2016, Sojo University, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Feb. 4, 2017.
“Developing creative thinking & L2 communication skills through lateral thinking puzzles & mysteries.“, “Defining and assigning roles in peer-facilitated discussions to ensure full class participation." and “Timed writing – The why's and how's." THT Kyrgyzstan 2016 Conference, Seminar & Workshop Series, Osh Pedagogical Institute of Humanities (city of Osh), Sept 8~9, 2016; Jalal-Abad State University (city of Jala-Abad), Sept. 10; Bishkek Humanities University (for Seventh Annual THT in Kyrgyzstan) and Association of Japanese Language Teachers Forum (at a local HS) (city of Bishkek), Sept. 14~15, 2016 .
“Journaling offline or online for extensive writing – Which do students prefer?" JALTCALL 2016 Conference, Tamagawa University, Tokyo, June 5, 2016. (visuals here)
“Lingtlanguage for Oral Assignments." JALTCALL Conference 2015, Kyushu Sangyo University, Fukuoka. June 6, 2015. (visuals here; conference outline here)
“Online Tools to Streamline Administration and Optimize Language Learning Opportunities." ETJ Association Conference 2014, Kanda Institute of Foreign Language Studies, Tokyo. Nov. 2, 2014.
“Voxopop for out-of-class speaking practice in the Japanese university EFL context – uses and student perceptions. IAFOR Asian Conference on Technology in the Classroom (ACTC) 2014, Ramada Hotel, Osaka. April 19, 2014. (visuals here)
“The Socrative method: Enhancing student engagement through an online student response system (OSRS). Paperless: Innovation and Technology in Education, Kanda University of International Studies, Chiba, Tokyo. February 1, 2014.
“Benefits of Using Online Student Response Systems in EFL Classrooms. 12th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii. January 10-13, 2014. (visuals here)
“Student Directed Twitter Usage in University EFL Courses. IAFOR Asian Conference on Technology in the Classroom (ACTC) 2013, Ramada Hotel, Osaka. April 2013. (visuals here)
“Web2.0 Tools for Speaking Outside the Classroom. ETJ Tokyo Expo 2011 Tokyo Keisai University, Tokyo. October 2011. (visuals here)
“Twitter in the EFL Classroom. ACTJ Annual Mini Conference. Canadian Embassy, Tokyo. Nov. 3, 2009. (visuals here)
“Expressions to Empower Japanese Learners of English" 15th JACET Kyushu-Okinawa Chapter Conference, Civil Aviation College, Miyazaki. Nov. 27, 1999.
Moderator for The 7th Panel Discussion & Speeches for Exchange Students, AZM Hall, Miyazaki. Feb. 6, 1999.
Narrator for “Forestry in Miyazaki Prefecture" & “Let's Enjoy Sunshine Miyazaki City" (promotional videos for Miyazaki Prefecture and Miyazaki City, respectively 1998-99).
“An Introduction to Canada" in Japanese for Kobayashi International Club, Kobayashi Shakai Kyoikukan, Kobayashi, Miyazaki. Oct., 1997.
“Effective Use of the Text" 1996 Mid-Year Block Conference for the JET Program. Tokyo. Oct., 1997.
Philosophy of Teaching
I have come to feel teaching is both a big responsibility and a privilege, as teachers can have a strong impact on the futures of their students. Teachers have to be attentive to the messages they pass on in their classes, and treat the profession as a never-ending learning process. My views on teaching English have evolved over the years and will continue to do so. My guiding principles can be encompassed in the following points:
Learner Empowerment
Teachers should seek to empower or capacitate students with the necessary skills to take control of their own learning (the “tricks" of successful learning). Especially in Japan, I feel learners need help in learning how to learn. From the first class in any oral communication course I teach, I start by introducing students to control language, so that they can politely interrupt, state their level of understanding, solicit repetition, clarification, and rephrasing, confirm though restating and rephrasing, check that others understand, and use circumlocution strategies. With a good foundation in such skills, students can take control of their own learning.
Role of the Teacher
In accordance with the above, I believe the teacher's role to be one of facilitator, guide, model, and mentor, enabling learners to reach their individual potentials.
Improvements in language proficiency are greater when language is not so much studied, but practiced. Students thus need to produce as much language as possible. The teacher should therefore act as a cheerleader, encouraging students to seek out as many opportunities as possible for practice outside the classroom, in addition to in it.
Motivation
It is extremely challenging to teach students something they have no interest in. Especially in university classes where some students many take a foreign language simply for credit, extra effort is needed on the part of the teacher to gain and keep their interest. Teachers need to foster a positive experiences and individual involvement. I attempt to motivate my students by: (a) adjusting the pace of the class to suit my students, (b) making the material interesting and relevant to their lives, (c) creating task-based activities which require active participation, (d) creating a warm learning environment and encouraging a sense of humor, (e) using authentic examples of language used by native speakers to help show that English is not a subject but a living means of communication, (f) employing non-print (audio/visual, internet) materials and technologies, and (g) expressing a contagious enthusiasm for language, learning, and teaching.
Support
Student should be equally valued and respected, regardless of ability or performance in the classroom, and should be expected to participate equally. Students should be encouraged not to be fearful of mistakes, as they a part of the learning process. Corrections should be made in a non-threatening manner, and in some situations the degree of correction can be negotiated with learners. Teachers should outline their rules and expectations early and abide by them. They should also show their commitment to students by making themselves accessible and open to feedback, suggestions, and requests both inside and outside of class. Praise should be awarded as much as possible and encouragement given to students experiencing difficulty. Students can also receive a great deal of assistance from each other, and teachers should promote such peer support. In an interactive classroom, students have the opportunity to get to know each other, and this results in a powerful sense of community.
Methodology
As individuals learn in different ways, teachers should be comprehensive and creative with their methodologies so that various learning styles are accommodated. Repeating the same material through different approaches not only ensures that all styles are provided for, but at the very least allows for the reinforcement of previously learned material.
Culture
Especially where communication style differs substantially from the cultures of native English speakers, English teachers need to focus on socio-pragmatics and help students gain awareness of the cultural aspects that affect the way we interact in different languages. This is why I tend to include intercultural communication topics in my classes, such as non-verbal communication (eye-contact, feedback-channeling, and the use of silence in particular for Japanese learners), different values and beliefs, and the dangers of stereotyping. As learners may in future be using English to interact with other non-native speakers of various origins, it useful to help students appreciate the variety of world Englishes.
Teacher Development
Teachers should take charge of their own individual development. Being engaged in learning a second/third language, presenting new ideas at professional conferences, conducting research, participating in professional organizations, initiating collaborative projects with colleagues, etc. all have a significant impact on our work. Teachers can formulate their own teaching models based on our experiences as both a language teacher and learner. In this way teachers can grow from more than just the understanding of the principals and theories that we have learned.
Professional Affiliations
- Foreign Executive Women (FEW)
- International Academic Forum (IAFOR) CURRENT
- International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL)
- Japan Association of College English Teachers (JACET)
- Japan Association of Language Teachers (JALT) CURRENT
- Moodle Association of Japan (MAJ) CURRENT
- Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research in Japan (SIETAR)
- TESOL Arabia
- TESOL (USA)
- TESL Canada
- TESOL (USA)
Personal Achievements
Awards
- Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Miyazaki International College School of International Liberal Arts, August 5th, 2020.
- Honorable mention and publication in Cottage Life “Dax on Otter Lake." August 2002, p. 21 photo contest
- Honorable mention in “Dobutsu Fureai" [Communication with Animals] Kitamura Camera Co. 2001 photo contest
- 4th place winner of (Japan's) Environmental Agency's “8th Annual Essay Contest: Essays or Activity Reports on the Earth Environment" in The Daily Yomiuri Shinbun [newspaper] (announced Nov. 30, 1998. Title: “Vegetarianism and the Environment")
- 1995 student book award from SLA (Special Libraries Association) for highest course grade
Activities
- Middle Eastern dance, hoop dance, Shorinji Renshinkan Karatedo (black belt)
- Blogger in perfumery, vegan recipes, dance, business
- Over twenty 5 km, 10 km, and half-marathon running races
- Participation in cycling, swimming, and short triathlon races
- Sr. Bronze to Sr. Silver levels in dance, free-style, and figures of the standard Canadian figure skating tests
- Dance test choreographer and partner for several Montréal South Shore figure skating clubs
- Actor in bilingual take-offs of “The Wizard of Oz" (2001) and “A Midsummer Night's Dream" (2000) with the Miyazaki Theatre Company
- Founder and manager of the McGill Scandinavian Club; member of the McGill Travel Club
References
- Anderson Passos, PhD. (ICT) – Dean of ISLA at MIC LINK
- Atsushi Yasutomi (安富淳), PhD. (Political Science) – co-instructor at MIC LINK
- Christopher Johnson, PhD. (Philosophy) – former co-Instructor at MIC LINK
- Louis Ohashi, PhD. (Applied Linguistics) – former colleague at TWCU LINK
- Haruko Ishikawa (石川晴子), PhD. (Linguistics) – former colleague at Tama University LINK
- Takashi Baba, PhD. (Political Science) – former supervisor at MKJC LINK