Meet our faculty members in Asian Studies and learn more about their background and passions! In this Faculty Spotlight, we introduce you to Dr. Hiromi Aoki, our new Assistant Professor of Teaching in Japanese Language and Culture! Prior to joining UBC, she taught Japanese at various institutions and served as the coordinator of the Japanese language program at the University of Alberta.
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Can you tell us what you will be teaching in the UBC Department of Asian Studies?
What are some other interests you enjoy pursuing outside of your work?
Could you tell us a little about your academic background prior to joining UBC Department of Asian Studies? What brought you to Asian Studies?
I was born and raised in Japan. After graduating from a junior college and working in Tokyo for an American company, observing language learning in the workplace inspired me to become a language teacher. This led me to study in the United States.
My journey as a Japanese language teacher began as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Arizona. After teaching as a lecturer there for several years, I entered the Ph.D. program in Applied Linguistics at the University of California, Los Angeles. In graduate school, I focused on the multimodality of communication, conducting research on the function of nodding, which is particularly prevalent in Japanese conversation. During this time, I continued to teach Japanese as a TA and as an instructor in summer programs at various institutions.
After graduation, I had the opportunity to work at the University of Alberta in Canada, where I served as the coordinator of the Japanese language program. During this time, I had been paying attention to the innovative approach of the Japanese language program at UBC. In particular, I had enviously observed how students were provided with a wide range of learning opportunities outside the classroom through extra-/co-curricular activities such as the Senpai Drill and Extensive Reading and Writing Clubs. The variety of Japanese language courses offered here is unparalleled by other Canadian universities. I’m also drawn to the collaborative environment where experienced teachers work together, constantly challenging and improving each other. I feel fortunate to be joining such an outstanding team and look forward to contributing to the program while continuing to grow as an educator.
What inspires you to teach?
What inspires me to teach is the constant opportunity for new discoveries and the freedom to be creative. Even when teaching the same course, I can observe different student reactions and, if desired, experiment with new teaching methods or activities. The need to constantly learn in order to excel in this environment is never boring and is very appealing to me. I find the dynamic nature of teaching, where I’m constantly challenged to innovate and adapt, both engaging and inspiring.
Can you tell us what you will be teaching in the UBC Department of Asian Studies?
I will be teaching Intensive Intermediate Japanese I (JAPN 360) and Intermediate Japanese I B (JAPN 321) for the coming terms.
This level is a course for students who have learned the basics of the Japanese language, and it’s a rewarding course for teachers because we can witness remarkable growth in our students. Through these classes, I want my students to reevaluate their personal goals for learning Japanese and realize that their language skills are becoming more authentic for their intended purposes. This realization should serve as an important motivation for students to address their weaknesses and learn Japanese more effectively in the future. My goal is to provide instruction that makes students feel that the time and effort they have invested in learning Japanese so far has been truly valuable.
What are some other interests you enjoy pursuing outside of your work?
I am a big fan of sumo wrestling and never miss the sumo tournaments that are held every two months. Once a year, when the opportunity arises, I go to see sumo at the Ryogoku Kokugikan when I return to Japan. The atmosphere of watching sumo live is something you can only experience there. Although I’m not much of a morning person, I hope to one day make the effort to watch the early morning training sessions at a sumo stable.
