I have been teaching Japanese language since 1997.

For me, teaching a foreign langauge is like having a good conversation. Students should pick up vocabulary and patterns of the language in linguistically and culturally rich context. I enjoy getting to know my students through actively engaging with them in class. Additionally, I believe that culturally appropriate performance is critical for smooth and comfortable interactions with natives speakers. 

I received pedagogical training at Bryn Mawr College, PA, in 1997, through EEP (Exchange Japan Program, currently as known as Allex Japan Program) directed by Dr. Eleanor Jordan, a prominet Japnese educator. After the training I taught Japanese for two years in Kansas City, MO, and my passion for teaching grew more and more. I had an opportunity to study and teach at The Ohio State University (Japanese Literature) and Portland State University (Applied Linguistic) as a grauate student. 

My previous teaching post includes;

Maison de la Culture du Japon a Paris (Paris, France),
Kiev Politechnic Institute (Kiev, Ukraine)
Northeast Normal University (吉林省長春)
Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) 

I also taught at ICU (International Christian University), Portland State University, The Ohio State University as a summer instructor.

Academically I am interested in Performance Based Pedagogy, Intercultural Communication, Literature (Modanizumu), Interpretation and Translation, and "Border" crossing.

In my free time, I enjoy reading books, urban exploration, and singing Karaoke.