Three graduated Cal State Long Beach students selected as English teachers in Yokkaichi, Japan
From left, Elisa Miyake, David Reinsvold, and Lisa Kinder at Japanese garden at Cal State University, Long Beach on July 17, 2007 (Cultural News Photo)
July 16, 2007
Lisa Kinder, Elisa Miyake and David Reinsvold, all graduates of California State University, Long Beach, were selected as Yokkaichi English Fellows (YEF) by the Yokkaichi City Board of Education and will begin teaching in Japan in August.
The program, in operation for 21 years, provides an opportunity for Long Beach teachers or Cal State Long Beach graduates to serve as assistant language teachers at the elementary and junior high school level in Long Beach’s Sister City of Yokkaichi. A two-year contract is offered with a mutual review after the first year.
Kinder, who earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2006, has been working at an elementary school in Hawthorne while pursuing a teaching credential. As an undergraduate, she volunteered her time to aid in teaching primary school children at Elliott Elementary School in the ABC Unified School District.
“Being able to teach in Japan will allow me to get to know the Japanese people, provide my ESL teaching skills and strategies and to truly experience the country to my fullest ability,” said Kinder, a Chino Hills resident. “I would like to provide the Japanese students with the opportunity to learn the English language efficiencly and share my cultural values, experiences and educational strategies to benefit the students.”
Miyake gained teaching experience while pursuing her bachelor of arts degree in philosophy, which she completed in May. She and a classmate created philosophy lesson plans, presented the material to Milikan High School students and engaged in lesson evaluations with the classroom teacher. The Los Angeles resident was born in Takamatsu, Japan, and moved to the United States at the age of 2.
“Japan’s educational system is highly regarded and experiencing it firsthand will be invaluable,” Miyake shared. “Recognizing all that this program offers to me, I will do my utmost to assist in making the acquisition of conversational English enjoyable and stimulating.”
Reinsvold, a 2007 graduate with a bachelor of arts degree in film, volunteered as a Boeing Summer Science Camp assistant instructor for nine years where he helped teach children of all grade levels. Also, the Long Beach resident coached soccer for a season with two teams. At CSULB he studied Japanese for more than three years.
“My philosophy of teaching is to reach students as a teacher and as a role model,” said Reinsvold, who realized as an 11-year-old he enjoyed helping others while assisting in a kindergarten class during lunch period. “I think this is best achieved through a teaching community where I can work with other teachers that share my enthusiasm.”
Yokkaichi, located about 20 miles from Nagoya in central Japan, is Long Beach’s sister city. Known for its production of fine tea and exquisite pottery, Yokkaichi is a major port and industrial complex.
“Teaching in the schools requires team teaching with Japanese teachers in English,” explained Jeanne Karatsu, a board member of the Long Beach-Yokkaichi Sister City Association that does the initial screening of the applicants. “The two goals of the program are to assist in integrating oral language skills into the classroom and to make the study of English more lively and relevant.”
The YEF experience also includes working as tutors, judges or commentators for speech contests and serving as translators or English speakers as needed. Many take advantage of the opportunity to learn Japanese.
Yokkaichi fellows receive roundtrip airfare between Los Angeles and Japan and are paid monthly.