[Introduction of New Faculty Member] OKAZAKI, Momoko, Research Associate [Joshu/助手]

Self-introduction

Hello, everyone. My name is Momoko Okazaki, and I am delighted to be joining the School of International Liberal Studies as a Research Associate this April. Thanks to the support of many of you here, my academic journey has been quite unique. While some may already know me as a PhD student, previous roles as a teaching assistant and research assistant, my path has also taken me beyond the gates of academia. My experience collaborating with international businesspeople and senior corporate leaders granted me invaluable insights into the inner workings of Japanese society, an experience I truly cherish. However, the reflection brought about by the pandemic allowed me to rethink my future. It ultimately led me back to Waseda University, inspired to knock on the door once again and immerse myself in the deep ocean of academic research.

Research Interests

My research interests focus on multilingual cognition and second language acquisition. I am especially interested in the Foreign Language Effect and the mechanisms that influence decision-making when switching between languages. It is remarkable how changing languages can influence our perception and interpretation of the world, indicating that language is a much more powerful cognitive filter than often recognized. Meanwhile, I am interested in practical aspects, such as improvisation during task planning, among English learners in Japan. While scripts are useful for stability, I am interested in what sparks successful, unplanned communication. By investigating the connection between multilingual decision-making and within-task planning, I aim to understand how learners can move beyond prepared speech toward more authentic and creative second language improvisation.

Profile

Momoko Okazaki was born in Japan and spent her childhood in Italy, Germany, and the United States. She later earned a B.A. in international relations with a minor in applied linguistics from Waseda University’s Faculty of Law. She then worked at Tokyo Marine Nichido Co., Ltd. as a marine underwriter and in the hull and machinery administrative team. Her interest in multilingual communication and linguistics motivated her to pursue an M.A. in TESOL at the Graduate School of International Culture and Communication Studies at Waseda University. Momoko Okazaki is currently a Ph.D. student in foreign language education, supervised by Professor Detey. She has been teaching practical English communication courses at Kanagawa University and working as a certified healthcare interpreter and on-the-spot interpreter.