The FLA Writing Center tutors are postgraduates in or graduates of Sophia University programs. They have all gone through training to ensure they can offer the most in their tutorials. As most tutors are in the process of writing and researching themselves, they are in the ideal position to help other student writers with their writing needs.
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Kris
Experience in Japan: I came to Japan in 1996 to teach high school literature and fell in love with the country and culture (and my future Japanese husband). Kamakura's our home for the past twenty years, but I'm currently back in the States to support my daughter while she's in high school. Academic Writing Experience: I've taught English literature and writing for nearly 30 years, from AP or IB examinations to English Composition I at (wonderful!!) Sophia University. As a journalist for The Japan Times and a creative writer myself, I love helping students find their writing groove. |
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David
Experience in Japan: From 1996 to 1998, I was an assistant language teacher in rural Miyagi. I lived behind the local fire department in the former fire department dormitories and rode my bike to school through rice fields that stretched to the vanishing point. That is when I had my introduction into the wonderful worlds of sumo, sushi, snow festivals, and hot springs, and it is when, in a very real sense, my love of Japan began. After some adventures in Taiwan and New York, I returned to Japan in 2005, and have worked as a university instructor here ever since. I have loved every place I have lived in Japan, but sometimes I miss those rice fields. Academic writing experience: Over the course of more than 15 years of working at multiple Japanese universities (Kanda, Keio, Yamanashi Gakuin), I have acquired considerable experience in writing, proofreading, editing, and teaching academic English. I have proofread and edited numerous graduation projects, MA and Doctoral theses, journal articles, presentations, websites, and books. |
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Munia
Experience in Japan: My first experience with Japan was in 2008 when I was invited to participate in the INDEX Youth Exchange Conference. I returned to Japan seven years later as a MEXT scholar. Since then, I have graduated from the MA program of the GPGSP and am currently a PhD Candidate in the same program. It has been a long and challenging journey, but it has also been one of the most enjoyable experiences in my life, and I look forward to what is to come. Academic Writing Experience: Prior to coming to Japan, I was a high school teacher for ten years as well as an IB certified teacher. I have been an IB examiner for the English exam writing component for the past 15 years and have been a teaching assistant at Sophia University. In addition, I have written an MA thesis and am currently writing a PhD Dissertation while preparing articles for publication. |
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Gibran
Experience in Japan: I lived in Tokyo and Hiroshima when I was a child from 1995-1998 and 1998-1999 respectively. I went back to Tokyo in August 2014 for my M.A. degree in Global Studies at GPGS, Sophia University. I graduated in March 2017 after taking two-semester leave of absence from September 2015-2016 for another M.A. program at the University of Birmingham. In February 2020, I was awarded with MEXT Research Student Scholarship for my incoming Ph.D. research and studies at GPGS, Sophia University. Academic Writing Experience: Upon my graduation from the M.A. program in March 2017, I worked as a tutor at the Writing Center from April-August 2017. Thereafter, I joined President University in Cikarang, Indonesia as a lecturer of International Relations study program. Aside from fulfilling my teaching obligations, I have worked extensively on the topic of ASEAN norms and principles as well as conducting joint research with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia. Concurrently, I served as Managing Editor II of AEGIS Journal of International Relations for two years where I was responsible for formulating guidelines, editing, and laying out submitted manuscripts. |
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EnzoExperience in Japan: I first learned about Sophia University when I befriended Sophians during a youth leadership program for East Asian Jesuit schools in Taiwan. Majoring in Diplomacy and International Relations for my undergraduate degree, Japan has interested me since, not only as a global space to meet and learn from people all around the world, but also as a place worthy of critical study in itself because of its unique history within the greater Asian context. Besides this, I am also a fan of Japanese literature, particularly Murasaki Shikibu, Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Haruki Murakami, Shusaku Endo, and Kazufumi Shiraishi.
Academic writing experience: Finishing my undergraduate degree with honors and completing a minor in English Literature as well, I have extensive experience in writing social science and humanities research papers that communicate creatively and effectively. In addition to this, experiences of being a student journalist and working with public policy and government back in my home country have also helped me gain the skills necessary to communicate technical content to a wider, general audience. By working at the Writing Center, I believe I can improve my writing inasmuch as I help others improve theirs too. I enjoy learning with fellow students! |
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TadasuExperience in Japan: I moved to Japan at the age of 15 for family reasons so I can't really say that this was a deliberate choice on my part. That being said, I feel like I've been able to experience a lot of things and meet a lot of different people from different countries, which I think helped me expand my horizons. I'm interested in things like visual culture and literature, so in my free time I like to read novels and books.
Academic writing experience: I graduated from the FLA program at Sophia in 2016, so I've more or less been through the system that many of the current undergraduates are in. Combining my academic writing experience from then and now means that I've been writing academically for a while now, but I think there's always room for improvement. |
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JasmineExperience in Japan: I came to Japan last year in April and spent a semester learning Japanese at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS). I started my master’s at the GPGS here at Sophia in September last year. Living in Japan can be challenging because of my limited Japanese ability, but I get by with a little help from my friends.
Academic writing experience: I wrote my first college paper a little over seven years ago. I worked as a journalist for a while, and I also have some creative writing experience writing. I really enjoy working at the writing center - it is amazing to see students approach the same assignment in so many different ways! |
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JonathanExperience in Japan: I came to Japan in fall of 2014 and graduated with an M.A. in Global Studies here at Sophia University. Originally from Miami Florida in the United States, adapting to Japan has been a greatly enriching experience. Over the course of five years I have come to know and love Sophia’s Yotsuya campus for its people, culture and ethos. Having had some important Jesuit professors during my undergraduate studies, I have seen in Sophia a shining example of what I was taught: excellence, a Christian-Humanist education focused on the whole person (academic, human and spiritual) and a community based in solidarity with and for others in an international setting. I’m currently conducting research and preparing for my PhD.
Academic writing experience: I have been engaged in academic writing, editing and proofreading for about 11 years. While studying for my undergraduate degree in Philosophy in Miami I started working with ESL students with English paper writing, editing and translation. I also had a hand in proofreading and translating graduate level papers while studying in the US. I’ve been working with Sophia University students at the FLA Writing Center since 2015. Besides our writing center I currently teach at Temple University’s Japan campus and Musashino University’s Faculty of Global Studies. |
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CameronExperience in Japan: I moved to Japan in April 2018 to study as a graduate student at Waseda University. I was eager to come back to Japan after studying here for 6 months as an exchange student in 2015 so Tokyo was an easy choice! I also hope to start a phD next year in TESOL, researching teacher development and communicative teaching methods at high schools in Tokyo. Meeting new people in Japan is always new and exciting and I am looking forward to expanding my teaching and communication skills and getting to know my students very well.
Academic writing experience: In 2017, I completed a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) at The University of Queensland and decided I want to teach and research English education. Previously, I have written large research papers as well as academic essays both as a graduate and undergraduate student. I am also currently working on research with colleagues at Waseda University, which we plan to continue to develop and publish in journals. I hope to be inspired by my students’ writing and also share my own experience and expertise with you. |
Do you have what it takes to be a writing center tutor?
FLA Writing Center Tutor Qualifications
Applicants should…
* Applicants must also have a ‘Working Permission’ and ‘Residence Card’.
Job Description
If you are interested in working as a tutor, please email the Writing Center (wrtng-c@sophia.ac.jp).
In your email explain why you want to work for the FLA Writing Center and how many semesters you will be able to work. In addition, attach a CV/resume, a recent writing sample for evaluation, and a prospective writing center tutor bio and photo in your application (see TUTORS section above for examples of tutor profiles) .
FLA Writing Center Tutor Qualifications
Applicants should…
- be Graduate Students or Alumni of Sophia University.
- have advanced proficiency in spoken and written English.
- be comfortable providing feedback on students’ written assignments, essays, reports, and other papers.
- be friendly, supportive, and enthusiastic about providing academic advice to undergraduates (mostly first-year students).
- have a strong sense of responsibility.
- be able to work at least two sessions a week for a minimum of two semesters (hours are flexible).
* Applicants must also have a ‘Working Permission’ and ‘Residence Card’.
Job Description
- Successful applicants will receive training and have the opportunity to observe experienced tutors.
- Writing Center tutors are expected to visit classes and introduce the Writing Center to students at the beginning of each term.
- Writing Center tutors are expected to assist with and facilitate writing center workshops.
If you are interested in working as a tutor, please email the Writing Center (wrtng-c@sophia.ac.jp).
In your email explain why you want to work for the FLA Writing Center and how many semesters you will be able to work. In addition, attach a CV/resume, a recent writing sample for evaluation, and a prospective writing center tutor bio and photo in your application (see TUTORS section above for examples of tutor profiles) .
