“Office Hours” with Professor Kate Elwood
Tue, Sep 1, 2015-
Tags
In this volume of “Office Hours,” we visited Professor Kate Elwood from the Faculty of Commerce.
Professor Elwood
──What made you interested in Japan?
“I grew interested in Japan after reading an English translation of the world’s first novel The Tale of Genji.”
The Tale of Genji
One of Professor’s favorite books by Aya Koda
──Can you please tell us about your first time coming to Japan as an international student?
“I studied Japanese in the US so I thought I could handle simple conversations, but the moment I got off the plane, I was bombarded with unrecognizable vocabulary. This made me a little worried.”
Professor Elwood’s office is stacked with literature on Japanese culture
“I conduct classes at a normal conversation speed in order to train my students’ listening abilities. I choose to conduct my classes this way because of my own experiences and so students won’t have trouble at their study abroad destination.”
──Can you please tell us more about your classes?
“This year’s “Effective Speaking” course covers business presentations. Students are required to give presentations from a business perspective on themes such as environmental issues and nutrition.”
──I am aware you have been helping students outside of the classroom as well.
“Yes, I meet with students to discuss things such as studying abroad and scholarships. I also help with Student Guidance sessions and Parents Day.”
“In terms of studying abroad, I consult with students about what universities fit them best, and what areas of study they should brush up on before leaving Japan. I advise students so they can have the most fulfilling study abroad experience possible.”
──Thank you for your time. Before we go, can you please share a few words for students?
“This is your life! Live it to the fullest!”
Kate Elwood, One Mother, Two Mother Tongues: Adventures And Misadventures Of A Bilingual Family
Kate Elwood, Oops and Goofs ― Lessons Learned through Daily Life in Japan
*Original article posted December 2013
