MIATIIIRITURL ▶ https://daigakushinbun.com/ E-mail ▶ info@daigakushinbun.com● Profi leEric was born in Oahu, Hawaii. Inspired by a teacher who was Japanese, his interest in the Japanese language started in middle school. After enrolling in James Campbell High School, he had the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant (TA) for Japanese classes. The sense of fulfillment and accomplishment he experienced during that time sparked his passion for teaching the language. He later went on to pass the JLPT N2 certifi cation. He currently teaches Japanese at Kalāheo High School.［Mr. Yuta Wakana］●❷●❸・●❽●●●❿●●●⓫GO! GO! NIHON Japan Education Fair in Hawaii Introduction INDEXInformation ■Ⅰ▶■ⅡINCORPORATING No.18, 2025 [Summer Special Issue]He joined a short-term study abroad program at Miyagi University of Education and deepened interactions with local students.Mr. Eric Quang (middle), who taught Japanese at Pearl City High School.Mr. Eric Quang (right), enjoying the school festival at a high school in Hawaii.Koi nobori Hanabi Shodo●❹・●❺●❻・●❼●❾Brief Guides to Studying in Japanvol.18 Hawaii EditionAt high school, Mr. Eric Quang wanted to become an investor when he grew up. This led him to study economics at the University of Hawaiʻi. However, along the way, he discovered a new passion for teaching Japanese, and decided to change his career path. Despite facing challenges on his way, his natural optimism helped him turn that dream into reality. We spoke with Mr. Quang, who said, “I enjoy learning with my students,” about his career path and what his work looks like now.―When did you first become interested in the Japanese language?y interest in Japanese began in middle school. I became interested when I was introduced to different aspects of Japanese culture, especially anime and manga. The biggest influence was the incredibly popular Japanese manga, “ONE PIECE.” My middle school teacher was Japanese and also a fan of ONE PIECE, which made me even more drawn to the story and its main character, Monkey D. Luffy. At the time, I was reading the manga in English. However, in high school, I came across the Japanese version at a bookstore and ended up reading volumes one through ten in one sitting.―How did you learn Japanese?took Japanese classes in high school, which helped me understand and build a strong foundation in the language. Before graduating, I improved my Japanese further by writing an essay in Japanese on vertical manuscript paper, where I introduced myself, shared my interests, and wrote about my future dreams. The “dream job” I wrote about back then was to become an investor, which is very different to what I'm doing now (laughs).―How did you become a Japanese teacher?―We've heard that becoming a teacher in Hawaii involves a lot of training and challenging certifi cation exams.fter graduating from high school, I enrolled at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and chose economics as my major, since it was a necessary step toward becoming an investor. However, I soon found out that studying economics was more difficult than I had imagined. That's when I remembered my experience as a teaching assistant in Japanese classes back in high school, and I started to think that becoming a Japanese teacher might be more fitting for me. At the University of Hawaiʻi, students can choose up to three majors, so I chose economics as my first, education as my second, and Japanese as my third. Balancing three majors was quite a challenge, and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which delayed my graduation by one year. During that time, I gave a lot of thought about my future, and that's when I decided to fully commit to becoming a Japanese teacher.o become a teacher in Hawaii, you must first p a s s t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f Education (DOE) examination after graduating from university. Then, you need to complete a two-year teaching practicum as part of a master's program, similar to graduate school in Japan, along with passing exams and completing research assignments. I passed the DOE exam and in my first year, completed one semester of teaching at both Pearl City High School and Waipahu High School. In my second year, I did a full year of teaching practice at Pearl City High School. After successfully passing the required exams and completing my assignments, I earned a M a s t e r o f E d u c a t i o n i n Teaching and offi cially became a teacher. Although it was a challenging journey, standing in front of a classroom and teaching is an incredibly rewarding feeling.―We heard that you have studied in Japan as well.n 2024, as part of my Master of Education in Teaching program, I spent a month as a short-term exchange student at Miyagi University of Education in Sendai, Japan. D u r i n g m y t i m e t h e r e , I observed and even taught English classes to students at elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as classes introducing Hawaii. It was a valuable experience that allowed me to learn firsthand about Japan's education system and structure, spend meaningful time with students, and immerse myself in the Japanese language and culture. Some of my favorite memories include visiting Sendai Castle and trying zunda mochi, a local specialty.―Please tell us about your current work.'m currently teaching Japanese at Kalāheo High School. Since it's only my first year, I'm learning a great deal every day as I take on the responsibilities of being a teacher. The classes are organized by proficiency level, with about 25 students in each.There are two Level 1 classes, one Level 2 class, and a combined advanced class for Levels 3 and 4.― D o y o u f i n d t e a c h i n g Japanese enjoyable ?'m still learning Japanese myself, so I truly enjoy speaking the language with my students. Hawaii receives many Japanese tourists every year, and many students here are either interested in or seriously studying Japanese. Because of this, there are times when my students use Japanese words I haven't even learned yet! Even though I'm the teacher, I approach each day with the mindset of learning alongside my students.ecently, one student asked me, “Do you know the Japanese word saboru?” I wasn't sure of its meaning, so I looked it up and discovered that saboru actually comes from the French word sabotage. It's a great example of how diverse and nuanced the Japanese language is. It made me realize that understanding the origins of words can deepen our overall comprehension of the language.―What are some creative approaches you use in your classes?try to share the study methods that worked for me in high school and college with my students. For example, I offer simple tips on how to write hiragana, katakana, and kanji, along with advice on how to approach grammar in a way that feels manageable rather than overwhelming. I also like to make lessons more engaging by using visual aids such as dolls or stuffed animals to act out conversation scenes. I'm always looking for creative ways to spark students' interest and make learning fun.―Please give a message to people in Hawaii who are learning Japanese.he most important thing is not to be fearful of making mistakes. I remember feeling nervous about speaking incorrect Japanese when I was in high school. But to truly improve, it's essential to actively use the language. I want to encourage everyone in Hawaii who is learning Japanese to speak boldly and enjoy the learning process. Special InterviewWritten in two languagesJapanese CultureTanabata Hina Matsuri KotoALL THE NEWS & TOPICS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTSFun not Fear: Learn Japanese by Embracing your Mistakes!Mr. Eric Quang進 路新 聞The Shinro Shimbun
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