I have lived in Japan from 2005 to 2012, and have studied Japanese at the university level since 2002.
My experience in Japan includes participation in a study abroad and student exchange program between the University of Arizona and Sophia University in Tokyo, 2 years of teaching English at the international language school Berlitz, and 3 years of working as a Coordinator for International Relations for the Oita Prefectural Government, International Policy Division.
I passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1 (highest level proficiency) with a score of 143/180 in December of 2010. Through many years of living in Japan I have learned about Japanese culture through Japanese cooking classes, shinobue (bamboo flute) and taiko (Japanese drum) lessons, and even lessons for dressing in yukata (summer kimono).
I taught English in Japan through private lessons, Berlitz method lessons for individuals/groups/children, contract courses at Tokyo Keizai University and local pre-schools. I also designed and taught a curriculum for called Medical English for Japanese Medical Professionals, which focused on practical English to be used with foreign patients in hospital and clinic settings. I have 5 years of experience teaching English which I can apply to teaching basic and intermediate level Japanese.
Through my work and study experiences I have become knowledgeable about programs for studying and working in Japan such as English teaching opportunities, the JET Program, and scholarship programs such as the Japanese Ministry of Education sponsored programs. Thus, I can also provide students with counseling on opportunities for living, studying and working in Japan.
After assessing the goals and level of students, I will search out the best text and program to be used in private lessons. I am looking forward to sharing my passion of the Japanese language and culture with interested students.
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