Meet the Members

The Meet the Members series started in 2021 during the pandemic as a way for chapter members to get to know each other better, and has endured to become a regular part of the Nara JALT program.

We are always looking for Nara JALT members to volunteer to be interviewed for the next episode of Meet the Members.

The format is simple: you will be asked about (a) your background and how you came to be a language teacher, (b) your current teaching situation, subjects taught, style of teaching, and (c) what role JALT has played in your language teaching journey. Interviews are conducted online via Zoom, and the video recording is published on the Nara JALT YouTube channel—audio is also released as a podcast.

Not only is this a great way for chapter members to get to know each other, it also serves a lasting professional document of your career. So, if you are interested in participating, please get in touch via the chapter email address. We look forward to hearing from you.

Episode 7: Eric Martin

Background:

I originally studied English literature and philosophy as an undergraduate, and had a few journalism-related jobs during that time. After graduating I came to Japan to teach English for a year. I wanted to achieve a degree of Japanese proficiency before I got back to the USA, so I stayed a little longer, then a little longer. Now I’ve made Japan my home, and I love my life and teaching in Japan!

Teaching context:

I teach oral communication classes for beginners, intermediates, and upper-level students at Nara University. I take a task-based teaching approach as the basis for my classes. However, after my first year trying it I realized that a lot of the students want some basic grammar and expressions to practice, and fall back on, during tasks. Therefore, before class I give grammar practice, expressions to study, and models to read and listen to that they can use when speaking. I’ve found that this light support helps them to engage actively and enjoyably in the following week’s conversations.

Engagement with JALT:

I joined Osaka JALT in 2015 and presented at the PanSIG that year about activities that I’d been using to teach young learners. Later, I moved to Kyoto JALT and served as the Membership Chair for a few years. I have recently begun to work in Nara, so I became a member of Nara JALT. The Meet-the-Members series has been a great opportunity to get to meet and learn about the other members of Nara JALT.

For the full interview with Eric, go to the Nara JALT YouTube channel:

https://youtu.be/EY693RBopag

You can also listen to it on our new podcast channel: Nara JALT-Meet the Members.

https://narajalt.podbean.com/e/meet-the-members-episode-7-eric-martin/

Episode 6: Akiko Mokhtari

Background:

A very scary, strict, yet good English teacher at my high school made me study English hard and my English grades improved. I first taught Chinese at university, but intensive listening through a smartphone app, audible.com during my five-year maternity leave made my English strong enough to teach at tertiary education.

Teaching context:

I belong to Faculty of Engineering at Toyama Prefectural University and teach four courses which have an emphasis on writing. I’ve integrated speaking into my classes by asking students their opinions and ideas for writing. At first, they were hesitant to speak, but now they can formulate them and tell them to me in English.

Engagement with JALT:

I presented once in a chapter event in 2018 and then moved to Toyama. When I decided to rejoin JALT, I couldn’t think of any chapters other than Nara, which is a super friendly group. At the September MyShare Event, I’ll talk a bit about my current research, “disfluency.” I’m looking forward to receiving feedback from experienced teachers.

Nara JALT YouTube channel:

https://youtu.be/rgJLRINTc68

Nara JALT Podcast:
https://narajalt.podbean.com/e/meet-the-members-episode-6-akiko-mokhtari/

Episode 5: Azusa Matsumoto

Background:

I went to Australia with junior and senior high school students as a volunteer supporting member and saw shy students become open and try to interact with local students. I wanted to see how students improve their English and decided to be an English teacher.

Teaching context:

I teach at Nara Prefectural Kokusai Junior and Senior High School. I’ve been teaching English in English and students seem to like it. They are very highly motivated.

Engagement with JALT:

My first involvement with JALT as a presenter was at the Pan SIG in Nagano, 2022 and then JALT 2022 in Fukuoka. I also presented at a symposium organized by SPINS, the Student Peer Interaction Network Sub-committee in March this year.

To watch the full interview with Azusa, go to the Nara JALT YouTube channel, or to listen on the go, try our podcast.

Nara JALT YouTube channel:

https://youtu.be/kUKxmgTvwD4Nara

Nara JALT Podcast:
https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-dnd8b-144ee2e

Episode 4: Etsuko Nishi

Background:
“My family lived in Mexico and Los Angeles where I learned Spanish and English. I really liked being a student, but back in Japan I wanted to help students learn English and I became a teacher of English.”

Teaching context:
“At the end of the 2021 academic year, I retired from teaching at universities: Kindai and Osaka Shoin, where I had taught TOEIC and writing classes. Now I teach privately at home and community centers. My students are all adult women and they teach me a lot about life.”

Engagement with JALT:
“Our membership chair, Motoko, invited me to join JALT and I found that its members vary in teaching contexts and nationality. I like this diversity and in particular my chapter, which has a family-like atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to the Nara JALT 2022 Conference.”

To watch the full interview with Etsuko, go to the Nara JALT YouTube channel, or to listen on the go, try our podcast.

Nara JALT YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/sbYPOGY9Ufg

Nara JALT Podcast:
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jmeup-125921c

Episode 3: Shoji Miyanaga

Background:
“I was an engineer and produced liquid crystal displays until 1999. I became a freelance translator and then took the TESOL course at Temple University, Japan.”

Teaching context:
“I teach in the Department of Architecture at Kindai University, where we have two pillars of curriculum. One is focused on the four basic skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing, and the other is a project-based English program where research, discussion, and debate are involved.”

Engagement with JALT:
“My first appearance at a Nara JALT event was 2018, when an Asian scholar from Laos whom I know was invited. Since then I’ve attended several chapter events, but never attended the JALT international conference.”

To watch the full interview with Shoji, go to the Nara JALT YouTube channel, or to listen on the go, try our podcast.

Nara JALT YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/0hrcIgqnvk8

Nara JALT Podcast:
https://narajalt.podbean.com/e/meet-the-members-episode-3-shoji-miyanaga/

Episode 2: Kathy Yamane

Background:
“I’m originally from Upstate New York and always knew that I would become a teacher.”

Teaching context:
“At Nara University I primarily teach Oral Communication courses plus occasional three-day intensive courses for mature learners in the Distance Education program.”

Engagement with JALT:
“I was one of the founders of the Nara JALT chapter. This was going back to 1987–1988—we absolutely felt the need to do more networking—and JALT has been an important part of my life ever since. Right now I’m most actively involved with the lifelong language SIG.”

To watch the full interview with Kathy, go to the Nara JALT YouTube channel:

https://youtu.be/MGpOUOlTugc

You can also listen to the audio version on the go on our new podcast channel:

https://narajalt.podbean.com/e/meet-the-members-episode-2-kathy-yamane/

Episode 1: Motoko Teraoka

Background:
“I was born and raised in Kansai, Japan. I spent a number of years in Australia where I got my masters degree.”

Teaching context:
“I’m currently teaching TOEIC three classes a week at Kindai University and a writing class on Fridays at Shoin.”

Engagement with JALT:
“I’ve been Nara Chapter’s Membership Chair since 2010. For more than a decade now, I have been the face of Nara JALT, the first person you meet when you join the chapter.”

Link: For the full interview with Motoko, go to the Nara JALT YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/NbQrwMVCBo4

You can also listen to it on our new podcast channel: Nara JALT-Meet the Members. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jkfba-118b038

Page updated

Report abuse