Experience Summary
Have been a language instructor since 1980 and have degrees in English (MA) and Foreign Language Education (Univ. of Texas at Austin) Have taught JPN 1 at Long Beach City College since Aug. 2013 and was trained to teach Elem. Japanese at UT Austin in 1991. Also taught Japanese for LBCC Upward Bound for 5 summers. I learned how to read and write Japanese as an undergraduate at the University of California and improved my listening and speaking skills while living in Japan for most of the 1980s and then again from 2000-2003.
Teaching Style
was trained in Community Language Learning (CLL) while I worked as an English teacher in Japan and like working with small groups. fortunately, classes at LBCC tend to be 20 students or less so that I have been able to use this method. Task or project-based learning is an outgrowth of CLL and another key component of my teaching style. Students learn more when they have/show a personal interest in the language they're taking.
My Hobbies
play piano / like to cycle & read and travel by train or plane
Other Comments
My interest in teaching Japanese has grown over the years and I still visit there periodically in order to practice Nihongo and travel.