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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Ann
Experience in Japan: I first encountered Japanese history and literature in high school and immediately took an interest, particularly in novels and literary culture. I found the historical context, narrative structures, as well as the thematic and symbolic components employed by Japanese authors to be diverse and beautiful, and there began my life-long appreciation and enthusiasm for the field. It was not until my sophomore year of my undergraduate degree, however, that I fully dedicated myself to Japanese studies. After a brief visit to Japan in 2019, I officially switched my history major to Asian Studies, concentrating on Japanese culture and literature with a minor in history. As of spring 2023, I was accepted into Sophia University’s graduate school of Global Studies (Japanese Studies), where I now study Japanese literature and culture. Academic Writing Experience: I have a diverse writing and research background ranging from academic to professional and business communication, which has given me excellent perspective and a wide range of skills for tackling difficult projects, conducting research, and developing organizational practices. Additionally, I have written on a large assortment of subjects, from history to data collection, as well as my current field of literature and cultural studies. During my undergraduate career at the University of Minnesota, I dedicated myself to improving as a writer, not only by seeking out additional research projects and critiques from my professors but also by regularly re-evaluating my work, targeting potential weaknesses, and rewriting—practices that have helped me become a more confident and adept writer. I understand that finding a voice and constructing a concise and clear argument is not always easy and takes dedication, but I am excited to work with students to help them develop their skills and succeed. |
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Erin
Experience in Japan: Having become enamored of the Japanese language as a middle schooler, I self-studied Japanese for four years before I was able to begin taking formal classes as a college student. I spent the fall of 2016 studying abroad at Doshisha University, and that cemented my desire to focus on Japan in my course of study. I lived in Tokyo for another summer before graduating college, and spent three years as a researcher of Japanese foreign policy in Washington DC before being accepted to Sophia’s Global Studies MA program in the spring of 2023. Academic Writing Experience: While I have had a passion for all forms of writing since childhood, my bachelor’s and master’s programs at the University of Pennsylvania have given me the opportunity to develop my academic writing skills at one of America’s top universities. Throughout my academic experience, I wrote a wide array of research papers and helped to revise the work of my fellow students. I also wrote two undergraduate theses, which I greatly enjoyed. I hope to be able to help other students find the same excitement and passion for academic writing that I have found. |
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Michelle
Experience in Japan: I was born in Fukuoka and moved back to the Philippines to pursue my English education. I lived in Tokyo as an exchange student, and I am currently a Ph.D. student at the Graduate School of Global Studies at Sophia University. My background is in political science and public policy. I hope to have interesting conversations about current events, history, politics, Japan, and the Philippines! Academic Writing Experience: I was a research assistant before finishing my Masters in Australia, and then I returned to teach in the Philippines for several years. I have taught research methods to university students, guiding them in designing their research proposals and giving feedback about grammar, literature reviews, methodologies, and the framing of their inquiries. I can still remember how it feels to be learning the ropes of academic writing, so I am always happy to help students express themselves both passionately and academically! |
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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. Since 2023, I have been pursuing my MA in Japanese Studies at Sophia University’s Graduate School of Global Studies. Academic Writing Experience: I have been passionate about English writing ever since taking IB English Literature in high school. In addition to the rigorous writing training in the FLA’s Core Program, my undergraduate studies in Literature required intensive academic writing and reading. This remains true in my graduate studies where I am tackling my graduation thesis--my longest piece of academic writing to date. 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. With my experience tutoring at the Writing Center for several years, I hope I can support students on their writing journey to have a fun and enriching experience. |
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Sara
Experience in Japan: I have spent my entire life in Japan, having been born in the city of Yokohama and attending an international school there from kindergarten through middle school. I transferred to a nontraditional high school based in Tokyo where I continued to study in English via independent, project-based learning and began my undergraduate studies at Sophia University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts in the fall of 2022. Although Japan is the only place I can definitively call “home,” I am a product of the diverse mix of cultures I encountered at international school and those passed down to me from both my Korean and Japanese father’s and my Filipino mother’s sides of the family. Academic Writing Experience: Writing was never my strong suit nor a particular interest of mine until sometime in high school when I began to read more widely and became allured by the power of carefully written prose. My efforts at honing my writing abilities have proven productive, but the task of writing continued to be more a source of frustration than fulfillment. This began to change, however, as I learned about academic writing and received feedback from my professors in English Composition 1 and 2, helping to ease the uncertainties that once pervaded my writing process. I hope to transmit the knowledge and guidance I have received thus far to help others achieve the confidence and fulfillment I have found in writing. |
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Tram
Experience in Japan: My journey to Japan was sparked by the experiences I had working with Japanese people during my gap years in high school. It was during that time that I was captivated by Japanese culture and its unique cuisine. After a few visits to Japan, I made the decision to resume my studies with the goal of graduating from high school and pursuing further education in Japan. In 2020, I enrolled in a Japanese language school to hone my Japanese skills, and by Spring 2023, I was accepted into the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Sophia University. Academic Writing Experience: Born and raised in Vietnam, my education centered on traditional schooling where Vietnamese served as the primary medium of instruction. Until 2019, my exposure to English was limited to rote memorization of vocabulary and grammar for in-class exams. However, in 2020, driven by my ambition to gain admission to the Faculty of Liberal Arts (FLA) at Sophia University, I embarked on a dedicated journey to master English. After three years of unwavering commitment, I succeeded in securing a place in the FLA. Despite this achievement, academic writing remained unfamiliar territory for me. My first essay in the English Composition 1 class was filled with comments and question marks from my professor; I had no idea what unity and coherence meant. However, through rigorous study and perseverance, my writing skills significantly improved after two semesters in the FLA Core Program: I now find myself equipped to communicate effectively as a writer. Having rapidly transformed from someone struggling to construct a coherent sentence to being recommended to work as a tutor at the Writing Center, I am eager to help students to become stronger writers. |
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Zion
Experience in Japan: Born and raised near the harbors of Yokohama, I have studied in an international environment all my life. I attended an international school in Kanagawa and obtained the International Baccalaureate® Bilingual (IB) Full Diploma before studying abroad briefly at NYU. I am a student at the Faculty of Liberal Arts, pursuing filmmaking both on and off campus. Academic Writing Experience: I have extensive writing experience, primarily through the IB Program. I took many essay-based courses, covering a wide range of subjects from social studies to literature. In addition, I have written several research papers on STEM subjects, which allowed me to experience various styles of academic writing. Through the FLA Core Program, I have continued developing my writing skills, and I hope to share some tips and tricks to improve your academic writing and analysis capabilities. |
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 ([email protected]).
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.
- have a strong sense of responsibility.
- be reachable via email.
- be able to work at least two days and 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 ([email protected]).
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) .