Rate My Professor Seiko Shimizu

Seiko Shimizu is an Associate Professor in the Japan Understanding Major of the Faculty of Human Culture at Aikoku Gakuen University. She holds a Master's degree in Language and Culture. Her professional expertise is in Japanese Language Education, with research themes encompassing Japanese Language Education and Bilingual Education. Shimizu teaches a range of courses designed to develop students' linguistic and cultural competencies. These include Intercultural Understanding and Multicultural Coexistence, which addresses interactions in diverse cultural settings; Second Language Acquisition Theory, focusing on the processes involved in learning additional languages; Japanese I and II for foundational proficiency; and specialized segments such as Japanese IA (preliminary and advanced semesters) and Japanese IIA (preliminary and advanced semesters).

Shimizu's scholarly work includes two presentations at the World Congress of Japanese Language Education in 2010. Her first paper, 'The Effects of Native Language Use in Peer Reading (1) – Educational Practical Aspects,' explores the practical educational benefits of incorporating the mother tongue during peer reading activities. The second, 'The Effects of Native Language Use in Peer Reading (2) – Cognitive Aspects,' analyzes the cognitive impacts of this approach, contributing insights into effective language learning methodologies. She is a member of the Japanese Language Education Society and the Mother Tongue, Heritage Language, Bilingual (MHB) Research Group. Additionally, Shimizu has delivered public lectures, such as a 2016 presentation at the Hokuso Cultural Research Center on Vietnamese and Nepalese communities, and facilitated open college courses like 'Become a Communication Expert' to enhance communication abilities for lifelong learners. Her message to students emphasizes challenging oneself in youth: 'Please challenge anything when you are young!'