Mackenzie Graham

English Curriculum Committee Member.

Working with the curriculum team at the Center for Language and Education Research since April 2022, I have been contributing to curriculum and department policy. My notable activities include designing a questionnaire for students on elective courses, and co-devising the new Advanced III courses.

SPSF Programme Design.

Since May 2018 I have been taking the lead on designing and planning compulsory academic skills courses for SPSF (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures) students. The SPSF Academic Writing I and II, Presentations, and Critical Thinking and Discussions courses were first taught in September 2020.

Whole-University FD Activity: EMI-Share.

I have been involved in planning and delivering FD programmes on EMI. Since 2019, I have been planning the EMI-Share sessions as a member of the EMI working group with the Faculty Development Committee. We explore aspects of language use in EMI, and offer support in EMI practice. Our mission is to explore effective ways in which to teach subjects through English, and to deliver EMI in a way that accommodates both teacher and learner needs.

Inductions for new Shokutaku and part-time teachers.

Since 2018, I have been co-conducting three-hour induction programmes for newly employed part-time instructors. Since 2023 I have also helped coordinate and deliver induction for new Shokutaku teachers.

Induction and reflection sessions for SPSF teachers.

I have conducted two 1.5-hour sessions online each year from 2020 for Shokutaku professors who are teaching on the SPSF programme. These sessions serve as both induction sessions for teachers who are new to the programme, and as reflection in which those who have taught on the programme share their achievements and challenges with SPSF.

Teacher support through INSETS (AC and SPSF).

From 2015 I have been an active member of the INSET Team, sharing my experience of teaching EAP, CLIL and SPSF courses. My aim is to facilitate interaction in the INSET activities to ensure quality in developing courses offered, using a whole-school approach to teacher development.

Being an advisor for students from East Timor.

Since 2015 I have been assessing and giving study advice to students from East Timor, as well as ensuring that they can integrate well into Sophia University classes.

Training design and implementation for LLC tutors.

From 2015 I have been delivering training which I designed for conversation group and writing tutors at the Language Learning Center (LLC) at Sophia University. I have devised the training in a step-by-step manner so that tutors clearly know what is expected of them, yet at they same time do not feel daunted and feel supported.

Planning and conducting Menkyokoushin courses for the Katei Centre.

I planned and delivered Menkyokoushin courses on application of CLIL methodology for the Katei Center at Sophia University. In 2018 and 2019 I delivered this training to 40 teachers In 2021 it was delivered to 20 teachers participating online from different parts of Japan.

Doctoral research

From  2019 I have been engaged in doctoral research at Stirling University on a part-time basis on English Medium Instruction professional development.

John Nissel Cup judge

Since 2014 I have been a judge for the All Japan High School English Speech Content for the John Nissel Cup, Sophia University.