Takako Kobayashi

Education

949.413.0911 kobayashi.kobame.takako@gmail.com
Candidate May 2014 Fall 2012 2012 Spring 2009/Spring 2011 2008 to 2012

Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Monterey Institute of International Studies, a Graduate School of Middlebury College Monterey Institute of International Studies Merit Scholarship Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences Soka University of America Deans List two semesters Soka Merit Scholarship

Professional Experience
Activity Guide January 2013 - Present Monterey Institute of International Studies Monterey, CA Planned weekly activities outside of classroom for Japanese exchange students from Kanda University of International Studies. Actively communicated with assigned students to plan and carry out activities reflecting their interests and cultural exposure. Collaborated with a team of colleagues to design and deliver insightful and motivating activities. English Teacher September 2012Present Peace Resource Center Seaside, CA Taught weekly reading and writing content-based classes in English to primarily adult migrant Spanish speakers Researched and integrated diverse useful learning strategies and creative activities into lessons to meet students needs. Actively assessed, planned, implemented, and monitored 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. 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 Andrew Jackson Elementary School Santa Ana, CA
Worked with kindergarteners weekly. January-May 2011

Fostered social adjustment to classroom dynamics to create a safe and fun environment 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.

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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. 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

Educational Research Methods Fall 2012 Project Focus: The Effect of Tutoring and Language Analytic Ability on Adult ESL Leaners Writing Project Description: Proposed research investigating the effectiveness of one on one tutoring sessions on development of adult language learners writing skill in English. Described rationale of conducting research and deployed qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis. Capstone Spring 2012 Project Focus: Developmental Patterns of Interlanguage 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) English (Native Level) Chinese (Advanced Level) Software: MS Office Suite (advanced), SPSS (advanced), R (advanced), Google Applications (advanced), Tumblr (advanced), Prezi (advanced), WordPress (basic), Scribd (basic)