Pathways to Becoming a Japanese Language Educator
Are you a JET alum or Japanese language enthusiast interested in teaching Japanese?
Join us for a 90-minute session that brings together a panel of educators, including JET alumni teaching at the high school and university levels, as well as experts from Middlebury Language Schools and the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ).
Explore pathways into Japanese language education, from credentialing and certification to navigating career opportunities in K-12 and higher education. Our panelists will share their experiences, offer practical advice, and discuss resources to help you get started. The format will include informative presentations, a panel discussion and space to virtually network with our presenters and fellow participants. Whether you're considering teaching for the first time or looking to expand your career, this session will provide valuable insights and guidance.
Date & Time
US: Friday, May 9, 2025, 7:00 PM ET
Japan: Saturday, May 10, 2025, 8:00 AM JT
This event is free for USJETAA members (must be a JET or JET alum) and $5 for the general public. If you do not have a membership with us, you can sign up for a free or supporting membership here.
Featured Speakers:
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Andrew Greig was a high-school level ALT in Miyazaki prefecture from 2015-2018. He used the experience and savings from JET as a springboard to help him get an MA in Japan-related studies at the University of Michigan. While teaching English part-time as a private instructor for Japanese locals at Koby Learning Group, he began and concluded his course work for his second Master’s Degree in Japanese Language and Culture at Middlebury Language Schools. He currently teaches at Wayne State University as a part-time adjunct professor for introductory level Japanese language courses. Andrew is a big fan of Japanese pop culture, and promotes both study-abroad opportunities and the JET Program to his students.
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Cameron Chien is a Japanese language teacher and instructional coach at North Salinas High School in Salinas, California. He was a Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) with the JET Program in Tokamachi, Niigata between 2008-2013.
Beyond Japanese language instruction in the classroom, Cameron has been involved in developing professional development workshops for world language teachers through the Monterey Bay World Language Projects (MBWLP), leading trainings for US and Japanese teacher participants in the Japanese Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP) (a “reverse JET Program”), and presenting at state and national conferences. In addition to supporting in-service teachers, Cameron also led a methodology course for a single subject credential program student candidates at CSU Monterey Bay. Cameron was recognized by the California Language Teachers’ Association Outstanding Teaching Award in 2023.
Cameron is currently serving as President for the California Association of Japanese Language Teacher (CAJLT), having served on the CAJLT board since 2016.
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Nichole, originally from Chesapeake, Virginia, majored in East Asian Studies at Washington and Lee University. Afterwards, she worked as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) for the JET program in Nagasaki prefecture 1995-1996. She then moved to Fukuoka prefecture where she taught English at cram schools and pre-schools. She also was a radio personality for Love FM, an international radio station. Upon returning to Virginia, she began teaching Japanese in Fairfax County Public Schools. She spent 18 years between South County Middle School and South County High School in Lorton, Virginia. Currently, she teaches at South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia. Ms. Mayfield also serves as emcee for Junior Japan Bowl, an online academic competition for grades 1-8.
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Motoko Tabuse is the Director of the School of Japanese at Middlebury Language Schools and a professor at Eastern Michigan University. She received her Ph. D. in Foreign Language Studies from The Ohio State University. She is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences.
She has served as President of the American Association of Teachers of Japanese, Chief Reader of the AP Japanese Language and Culture Examination, World Languages Consultant for the College Board, and Teacher Certification World Languages SPA program reviewer of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly known as NCATE, and other organizations.
At Middlebury she created a master’s degree program (2021) and actively recruit JET returnees. She will launch a doctorate program in Japanese Language and Culture (teaching focus) and Secondary Japanese language certification program (Vermont) in Summer of 2025.
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Thor Sawin has taught in the Language Teacher Education programs at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey (MIIS) in 2013, and started as Associate Dean for the Language Schools in 2023. Thor taught in Middlebury’s German School from 2018-2022 and has taught both German and English as an Additional Language in 7 countries at the high school, undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Sawin’s research focuses on language learners’ comfortability with technological tools and on learning methods to carry out social impact work in multilingual settings. He has also consulted and done contract teaching in this area with the State Department, the Fulbright Program, the Air Force, several international organizations, as well as many universities around the world.
Funding support for this event provided by:
