Assistant Professor at Nara National College of Technology
Japan
Assistant Professor at Nara National College of Technology
Japan
After a brief stop in Boston for a graphic design cup of coffee, Matt headed to Nara, Japan, to become an Assistant Language Teacher in the JET Programme (Japan Exchange Teachers). After 3 years teaching in elementary, junior, and senior high schools in southern Nara Prefecture, Matt taught for one year at a Kobe-based night cram school before gaining employment at a university in Himeji.
While finishing his second master's degree (Master's of Education in TESOL), Matt moved to Kyoto and joined the faculty of the Institute of Language and Culture at Doshisha University, one of the oldest private universities in Japan, as a contract lecturer.
Starting April 2008, Matt has been employed as a tenured assistant professor at the Nara National College of Technology, in Koriyama City, Nara Prefecture. He also continues to teach part time at Doshisha University, while finishing work on his doctoral EdD dissertation in personality and foreign language speaking confidence at Temple University Japan, Osaka.
In his free time, Matt is the Programs Chair for the Japan Association for Language Teaching College and University Educator's Special Interest Group (JALT CUE SIG), guest editor for the OnCUE Journal, and maintains their web page at jaltcue-sig.org. He is a proofreader/reviewer/guest editor for several JALT publications.
Second Language Acquisition (SLA), editing, proofreading, graphic layout, statistical analysis
(Higher Education industry)
April 2008 — Present (2 years 5 months)
I am currently teaching five sections of English IV for fourth year students (equivalent of junior college first year), aimed at preparing students for academic reading and writing (EAP).
I'm also teaching one section of English 5 "gamma" (English conversation) at the 5th year level (2nd year university equivalent), one section of English Expression at the "senkoka" level (Faculty of Advanced Engineering, 3rd year university level), and one section of English Presentation (2nd year senkoka, 4th year university level) for students wanting to go to graduate student or make international conference presentation.
I am currently on the Faculty of Advanced Engineering Affairs Committee. Previously I served on the Student Affairs committee (2008-2009). I am also a club advisor for Men's Volleyball and Shorinji Kempo.
(Higher Education industry)
2006 — Present (4 years )
CUE SIG is a special interest group of JALT, a Tokyo Municipal NGO (although really it's a nationwide organization).
I was CUE SIG Treasurer for one year prior to becoming SIG Coordinator in 2006. I switched to Programs Chair in Fall 2009. Essentially my duties involved helping organize SIG activities and events, such as as our annual conference, general meeting, and Forum at the JALT international conference.
I also run the CUE web page at http://jaltcue-sig.org and have guest edited the OnCUE Journal, a refereed international journal.
(Privately Held; Higher Education industry)
April 2005 — March 2010 (5 years )
I taught two sections of English Workshop (Listening) to second year undergraduate students (mixed majors and proficiency levels) at Doshisha's Tanabe Campus (April 2009 to March 2010).
I taught "International Communication I & II" (Academic Research Writing and Academic Presentation) at the Graduate School of Policy Management (April 2008 to March 2009).
From April 2005 to March 2008, I taught an average of 8 classes per week at the Institute of Language and Culture. Classes included Speaking and Reading English Workshops, Introduction to English-speaking Cultures, Comparative Linguistics and Cultures, and English Practicum 2 (Academic Writing/Overseas Study Preparation).
I was a member of the New English Curriculum (2005-2006) and Comparative Cultures and Education Library Committees (2005-2008). Study Groups have included iPod and Education Research Group (Head, 2006-2007), MOODLE and Extensive Reading Research Group (2005-2008), and Psychology and Performance Research Group (Head, 2007-2008).
(Higher Education industry)
April 2003 — March 2005 (2 years )
I taught 10 classes per week, including Advanced Performance (Writing and Reading, Listening and Speaking), Communicative English I through IV, Intermediate English Conversation, and a special intensive English course for seniors.
I helped implement an extensive reading program as part of the Communicative English curriculum, and chaperoned 25 students as part of a six-week overseas study trip in Perth, Australia.
(Government Agency; Public Relations and Communications industry)
July 1999 — July 2002 (3 years 1 month)
I team-taught at my main school (Gojo Prefectural Senior High School) four days a week, which included 8 to 9 sections of Oral Communication A. I was additionally the "unofficial" club adviser for the English Speaking Society (ESS), and was asked to advise exchange overseas students on a biweekly basis. I also assisted in recording and editing the prefectural high school entrance exam English section.
In addition to my main school, I visited three area junior high schools every Monday, team-teaching three classes each time. I visited each junior high school in a rotation of about once per month, and occasionally participated in local festivals as well (Nishiyoshino JHS and Oto-mura JHS, both of which since merged with Gojo-shi, and Nosegawa JHS).
M.Ed. , TESOL , 2001 — 2005
Currently engaged in Doctoral Dissertation in Ed.D. program.
MFA , English , 1995 — 1997
B.A. , Languages and Literatures , 1990 — 1994
motivation, computers in education, English language history, language speaking anxiety, public presentation training, Shorinji Kempo, bass guitar, hiking
JALT, JACET, CALICO, PacCALL