Hi, my name is Kathy Okumura and I teach interpreting at Kobe College.
I'm originally from Sydney, Australia. Did you know that Japanese food is so
popular in Australia now that even some young children eat sushi?
I've lived in Japan for 15 years, in Tochigi, Yokohama, Yamanashi and
Hiroshima, but now Kobe is my home. I love it here!
At Kobe College we offer a huge variety of programs for students who want to focus on improving their English skills even further, and our teachers and staff work together to help our students achieve their goals. One such program for highly motivated students is our Interpreting and Translation Program. All teachers in this program are professional interpreters and translators, who fully understand exactly what is required to become not just a good interpreter or translator, but an excellent communicator. In our three-year interpreting program (starting from the 2nd year of college), students spend the first year on exercises designed to extend their speaking and listening skills, including speeches, presentations, and role-plays. In the first and second year of the course, the students also learn and practice consecutive interpreting skills, including active listening, information analysis, note taking and delivery. The third and final year of the course is spent practicing simultaneous interpreting, and this is where the students will have the opportunity to practice in an actual interpreter’s booth and hear the stories of guest speakers with experience in this field.
In the program, we use the original textbook designed by our teachers, as well as authentic speeches made by well-known politicians, business people, human rights campaigners and others from all over the world. The skills that students acquire in our program – effective listening, analytical and presentation skills – are skills that will help them in communication in the future, in any field they choose to pursue.
Hi, I’m Margaret Kim! I was born and raised in Michigan in the United States. However, my family later moved to Hawaii, which I now consider my home. I’ve had great opportunities to live and teach in different countries like the US, S. Africa, Malaysia, Cambodia and of course Japan. I love to travel and learn about different cultures. Through these travels, I have broadened my views on the differences there are in the world. I also like to play tennis, cycle, hike, and make pottery in my free time.
Have you learned mainly English grammar in junior high and high school and am bored of learning English? At Kobe College, our classes are set in an interactive and enjoyable learning environment. I teach Communication in English classes in the English Education Research Center that focus mainly on conversation, listening and presentation skills. My classes have a small number of students, which makes it very friendly and personable. Students learn basic conversation skills to communicate effectively. They have many chances to speak English about interesting topics that are related to their daily lives. I understand that many students are shy and not confident to speak English. I try my best to make a comfortable class for students so they don’t think it’s wrong to make mistakes. Students will eventually build their confidence to speak English and realize that it is important in their school life at Kobe College and after they graduate. In my classes, students learn not only communication skills but also how to interact in pairs and groups along with making many friends. After some time, students become so engaged in conversation that they forget about their fear of speaking English. Please come enjoy our English classes at Kobe College ☺
