Takako Kobayashi

Education

949.413.0911 kobayashi.kobame.takako@gmail.com

Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Candidate May 2014 Monterey Institute of International Studies, a Graduate School of Middlebury College Monterey Institute of International Studies Merit Scholarship Fall 2012 Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences 2012 Soka University of America Deans list two semesters Spring 2009/Spring 2011 Soka Merit Scholarship 2008 to 2012

Professional Experience
English Teacher September December 2012 Peace Resource Center - Seaside, CA Taught weekly reading and writing content-based classes in English to primarily adult migrant Spanish speakers Inspired students to translate their academic interest into the real world by incorporating interactive activities and tasks applying to authentic materials. Researched and integrated diverse useful learning strategies and creative activities into lessons to meet students needs. Actively planned, implemented, monitored, and assessed a curriculum for mixed levels of proficiency in student population to achieve students goals. English Tutor Summer/Fall 2010, Summer 2011 Hitotsubashi Seminar - Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan Taught English grammar on reading and writing to elementary through high school students. Actively communicated students progress to students, parents or teachers in written progress reports, in person, by phone or email. Developed effective English language teaching using handouts, study materials, and quizzes to address the specific needs of learners. Provided private instruction to individuals or small groups of students to improve academic performance and occupational skills, and prepare them for academic or occupational tests. Teaching Assistant January-May 2011 Andrew Jackson Elementary School Santa Ana, CA
Worked with kindergarteners weekly.

Fostered adjustment and solution of academic problems through extensive one-on-one, paired and small group activities. Improved students reading levels through an implicit focus on pronunciation, idiom, and vocabulary expansion as reading groups and whole group instruction.

Leadership Activities
Treasurer January-May 2011 Student Union (SSU) Spirit Department Soka University of America Collaborated with other class representatives in assisting and coordinating campus-wide events for the undergraduate student union.

Takako Kobayashi_CV 2 Used creative activities and games in class meetings to develop students strengths and personal qualities such as friendliness and tolerances of group differences. Committee-Co-Chair January-May 2011 Graduation Department Fundraising Committee Soka University of America Collaborated with the other co-chair and committee members to organize fundraising events for future graduating class; successfully raised necessary funds. Treasurer August 2009-May 2010 SSU Club Senate Soka University of America Engaged in frequent multi-tasking resulting in concrete solutions to unexpected challenges regarding finances for university official clubs. Collaborated with two other Club Senate officers to facilitate monthly meetings for club officers and organize activities such as workshops. Cooperated with official clubs to organize a university-wide fundraising event; successfully raised necessary funds. Student Orientation Leader August-December 2009 Student Orientation Leader for Class of 2013 Soka University of America Provided encouragement and emotional support to students struggling with the rigors of the immersion environment. Collaborated with other student orientation leaders to organize weekly activities and events for freshmen to interact with classmates and upper classmates.

Research and Projects

Sociolinguistics Fall 2012 Project Focus: Variation Project Project Description: Observed and collected the data when people initially greet each other using two research variables: gender and relationship between participants. Conducted and reported qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis of the data. Capstone Spring 2012 Project Focus: Developmental Patterns of Inter-language Pragmatics in Japanese Learners of English Project Description: Proposed and conducted research investigating developmental patterns of pragmatic transfer in Japanese learners of English in different types of speech acts: correction, refusals, disagreement, and compliment response. Conducted and reported extensive qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis of the data.

Specialized Skills
Languages: Japanese (Native) Software: MS Office Suite (advanced), SPSS (advanced), English (Native Level) R (advanced),Google Applications (advanced), Chinese (Advanced Level) Tumblr (advanced), Prezi (advanced), WordPress (basic), Scribd (basic)

Relevant Graduate Coursework

Principles and Practices of Language Teaching Introduction to Classroom Observation Language Analysis Introduction to Sociolinguistics Educational Research Method Learning Technology for TESOL/TFL