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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Akane
Experience in Japan: Born and raised in Yokohama city, I grew up seeing traces of Western technologies in my hometown introduced in the 19th century with the opening of the Port of Yokohama. Until recent years, I had always been fascinated by cultures and languages rather than outside of Japan. Over the years that I spent working and studying in Spain before resuming my undergraduate studies at FLA, I began to appreciate more of Japan's rich cultural heritage. I am looking forward to discovering what I have taken for granted in this beautiful country in the coming years. Academic Writing Experience: Having graduated from a public high school in Japan without any English writing experience, I struggled with academic writing when I started my undergraduate studies in 2016. Since then, the Writing Center has guided me through my journey to become a better writer. I am excited to pass on the knowledge from the tutors and myself to other FLA students for their development of writing skills. |
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Cameron
Experience 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. |
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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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Ikuko
Experience in Japan: Being born in Japan and spending my childhood in Franklin, Tennessee, I was luckily exposed to different languages and cultures from an early age. Since returning to Japan around middle school, I was reminded of my country's rich culture. At the same time, having attended an international school until high school, I maintained my English skills, including academic writing. Given this, my former teachers suggested I further expand my English learning experience at Sophia University. Shortly after entering Sophia, I took a leave of absence to study in Los Angeles and partially work in Japan. As rewarding as this experience was, it also triggered my desire to engage in various fields of study. In 2020, I returned to Sophia university and had been extremely grateful for the opportunity to further strengthen my ground of knowledge. Academic Writing Experience: While I certainly have far yet to learn as a current FLA student, I have absorbed considerable writing resources from the previous compulsory courses. Surely, the classes have presented new challenges; however, they have pushed me further to acquire flexibility. By openly absorbing new materials, my writing process now embodies confidence and objectivity. Therefore, I believe the most motivational aspect of writing is the room to improve constantly. At the same time, the most challenging part may be accepting flaws and incorporating changes, as I, too, have struggled in the previous year. However, I hope to provide support and encouragement to make mistakes as I walk along with other students to discover further rewards in writing. |
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Jeehyun
Experience in Japan: In 2018, I came to Japan for my Ph.D. program. I joined the Graduate Program of Global Studies at Sophia University in the fall semester. In 2019, I taught Korean Politics, a course in the Department of International Affairs, at Temple University Japan. I worked as a research assistant for Professor Fahy for the first year of my Ph.D. Since December 2021, I have been working as a GPGS research assistant. Academic Writing Experience: My current Ph.D. work focuses on the concept of foreign aid and international cooperation. My doctoral dissertation explores the role of policy evaluation in foreign aid, especially in terms of improving aid effectiveness or aid impact. The central research theme is the politics of measuring the aid impact and evaluating the outcome. Before coming to Tokyo, I completed my Master's degree in public policy with a dissertation on a comparative study of foreign policies in the education aid sector. I have spoken at conferences about vaccine aid and global health development, policy making for resilience building, and social innovation policies. |
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Kaho
Experience in Japan: I was born and raised in Japan. I went to a Japanese private school in Tokyo and obtained a Bilingual Diploma of the International Baccalaureate (IB) in 2021. Academic Writing Experience: I have had several academic writing experiences in English before coming to Sophia. I began writing academic English in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program in middle and high school. I wrote on a wide range of subjects in the IB program and used various text types, which helped me transition to academic writing in the FLA. My experiences writing academic papers in English Composition I and II have been valuable because I learned about creating unity and coherence throughout the paragraphs, making persuasive appeals, and utilizing textual borrowing. However, as I acquired my own writing skills, I grasped the joy of written communication as I encountered new ideas and expressed my thoughts in my own words. Writing is now a tool for me, and it is one of my favorite skills to practice. |
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Kanae
Experience in Japan: I was born in Tokyo, Japan. When I was four years old, I moved to Utah with my family. After three years, we returned to Japan. After living in Tokyo for four years, my family moved to the US again, but this time to Virginia. We came back after four years. Since then, I have lived in Tokyo and enrolled in a public school for middle school and high school. I entered Sophia University in the spring of 2021. Academic Writing Experience: I had not taken a formal writing course during my stay in the US, so the first time I received proper education on writing was in high school in a course to prepare for university entrance exams. There, I followed templates and did not focus on any aspects other than finishing writing my essays in the given time. However, my understanding of academic writing changed after entering Sophia University and completing Composition I and II. Through the composition courses, I learned how to create unity and coherency. I also developed my writing skills for organization and clarity through revising my assignments. Since writing is a way to express one's ideas, I think it is crucial to be able to express oneself clearly. Therefore, we should all continue to learn and improve our writing skills. By assisting fellow FLA students, I hope I can learn and strengthen my own writing as well. |
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Miyu
Experience in Japan: I was born in Shiga and lived in Japan throughout my early childhood. After living abroad from 2007 to 2015, I returned to Japan during my final year of middle school. I came to Tokyo in the spring of 2019 for my BA at Sophia University's Faculty of Liberal Arts. I am currently majoring in Literature and hope to continue my academic studies at Sophia University for my MA degree. I am an enthusiast of Japanese Literature, with a few of my favorite authors being Murakami Haruki and Mishima Yukio. Academic Writing Experience: I have been passionate about English writing ever since taking IB English Literature in high school. My undergraduate studies in Literature require intensive academic writing and reading. Outside of class, I have experience working as a research assistant, where I managed research data, proofread drafts, and translated survey forms from English to Japanese. I went through rigorous writing training under FLA's Core Program, and with my memories of the program still fresh in my mind, I believe I can provide effective advice to students. |
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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. |
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 or exceptional undergraduate FLA students that have been encouraged to apply by their Core Program Professor.
- 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.
- have a reliable internet connection and is reachable on email.
- 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) .