TSUNAGU: To Connect: Whether it is connecting employers to job seekers or bringing different cultures together, we at Activ8 value the bridge-builders who make our world a better place every day. Our new series, TSUNAGU, will feature inspirational people who connect North America and Japan through business, education, art, culture and more.
Shizuka Tatsuzawa: Japanese Instructor, Japanese Program Coordinator at the University of Oklahoma
Shizuka Tatsuzawa is a Japanese language teacher at the University of Oklahoma, one of the premier Japanese programs in the USA, whose dedication to her students shines through in every lesson. From New York City to Oklahoma, Shizuka has taught numerous students, always bringing genuine care and passion to her teaching. Her exemplary record as a teacher stems from her own binational education: After earning her graduate degree in American literature in Japan, she pursued further studies in the United States, specializing in English and Japanese teaching methods. We had the opportunity to interview Shizuka about her work and ideas about education.
Journey to Becoming a Japanese Language Teacher in the U.S.
From a young age, Shizuka was drawn to the American way of life through movies and other media. Her desire to study English gradually intensified, leading her to participate in homestay and study abroad programs. Experiencing the free-spirited culture of the U.S. first-hand only deepened her fascination, and in graduate school in Japan, she majored in American literature. During this time, she also worked at an English conversation school and taught English at a high school. As the days went by, she found herself longing for the American culture, where opportunities are more accessible, especially for women. Driven by this realization, Shizuka decided, “I want to return to America and earn a degree there.” She chose to study TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and enrolled in the master’s program at New York University.
This was a moment when Shizuka’s long-held dream of “learning American culture and English” came to life. She spent many fulfilling days in New York City, studying with friends from all over the world under the city’s vibrant skies. However, living in the U.S. also sparked a new mission for her: to teach Americans more about Japan. Whenever she noticed how little Americans knew about Japan or was asked to explain Japanese language and culture, Shizuka felt a sense of responsibility. She realized that as a representative of Japan, it was through her that many Americans would learn about her country. Driven by the desire to properly convey Japanese culture and language, she took advantage of the summer semester to enroll in Columbia University’s Master of Arts in Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language program, where she honed the expertise and skills necessary to become a Japanese language teacher. Before she graduated, Shizuka received an offer to teach Japanese and decided to remain in the United States. She began her career as a Japanese language teacher at high schools and universities in New York City.
A New World in Oklahoma
While Shizuka was still gaining valuable experience as a teacher in New York City, she reached a significant turning point in 2000 when she received an offer to teach Japanese at the University of Oklahoma, located in the academic city of Norman. The prospect of leaving her beloved and familiar New York City for a completely different environment filled her with both anticipation and unease. However, once she began living in Norman, Shizuka found it to be a surprisingly comfortable place. The people were kind and friendly, and the diverse atmosphere of the college town, with faculty from the East Coast, the West Coast, and around the world with many international students, made it feel welcoming.
The University of Oklahoma is proud of its comprehensive foreign language education program, which offers 11 languages including Portuguese and Mandarin Chinese. Japanese ranks as the second most popular after Spanish, with about 250 students enrolled in the Japanese program this year, including around 30 students majoring and 70 minoring. The Department of Japanese Language and Culture has two Japanese literature specialists and four Japanese language instructors. Shizuka, with her extensive experience, serves as the Japanese Program Coordinator, where she is involved in hiring new Japanese teachers, mentoring her fellow instructors and advising students among other responsibilities. As a certified Oral Proficiency Interview Tester of Japanese with Full Levels (Novice-Superior) by ACTFL, Shizuka has been serving as an official interviewer for the JET program as well.
What Shizuka keeps in mind in her classes
Shizuka has taught thousands of students, but she spoke with a serious look in her eyes when she said, “I meet each student with sincerity and pour all my energy into every class.” Because of this dedication, she has high expectations for her students, guiding them to achieve results tailored to their individual abilities and motivations. Shizuka also strives to make her classes “enjoyable for both students and teachers,” focusing on a student-centered approach rather than relying solely on textbooks. Her classes often involve activities and group work designed to teach practical Japanese necessary for daily life. For example, in her Speaking class, students are required to create a parody based on a Japanese folktale and present it to the class as part of their group project. They collaborate to write scripts, infusing them with humor and creativity, while making full use of the Japanese they’ve learned. Costumes and props are handmade, further enhancing the experience.
Through this process, students in the Japanese language department have become stronger and more united. These accomplishments are a testament to the teamwork among the teachers in the program. “It’s a moment when not only the students but also the teachers can share in a sense of fulfillment,” Shizuka said, this time with a smile.
To provide students with more opportunities to practice and improve their Japanese speaking skills, Shizuka organizes many events such as “Japanese Mingle” at the beginning of the school year, where students interact with Japanese exchange students from the university’s program. Additionally, she runs a “Japanese Club” twice a week after class, where students collaborate on Japanese homework and practice their conversation skills. To further immerse students in Japanese culture, Shizuka hosts fundraising events selling Japanese books, snacks, and handmade crafts. She also recruits members of the Japanese community to create cultural experiences for students, such as tea ceremonies, calligraphy sessions, rice ball-making, and kimono-wearing workshops.
As an academic advisor for the Japanese language department, Shizuka helps students majoring or minoring in Japanese identify the courses they need and explore job opportunities after graduation. She even created an online forum where students from both countries exchange information and practice their language skills. All these projects have been like individual seeds Shizuka planted, and, over time, they have blossomed into many flowers and fruits in both countries.
Reflecting on her relationship with our company, she said, “Since 2014, Activ8 has been invaluable in assisting our students with job placements. They have conducted in-person interviews on campus, and held business etiquette workshops over Zoom during the pandemic. After the pandemic, Activ8 welcomed several students for summer internships at their Dallas and Chicago offices. These services were very well received by our students, and we hope that Activ8 will continue to support us for many years to come.”
Overcoming Challenges
Though Shizuka’s career as a Japanese language teacher was flourishing when she moved to Oklahoma, she faced an unexpected challenge when she was struck by a serious illness. “My perspective on life changed as I confronted the reality of death,” she recalled. “It shifted my priorities and made me realize how fortunate it is to be healthy and able to do the work one loves. Having a loving family made it possible for me to overcome these challenges.”
She emerged from that difficult period with the unwavering support of her spouse, and the care of medical professionals. “Life is unpredictable, and that’s why we must give our best each day and make the most of what we have,” Shizuka said.
Reflecting on her journey, she added, “Thanks to the support of those around me, I’m proud that I was able to continue working through the tough times. I’m also grateful that I could balance my career and child-rearing, cherishing every moment of this irreplaceable time in my life.”
The Joy of Teaching Japanese
Shizuka approaches her students with the hope that a deeper understanding of Japan will foster a stronger relationship between the United States and Japan in the future. She takes great joy in seeing her students enjoy learning Japanese and feels immense happiness when she hears from graduates. The paths her students take vary widely, as do their connections to Japan. One day, a former student reached out to her, and Shizuka was happily surprised to reconnect with him, and hear what he was doing. This former student originally had planned to attend medical school in the U.S., but after participating in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, he changed his path, completed his doctoral studies at a Japanese national university, and got a position as an assistant professor there.
On the other hand, Shizuka also is proud of her graduates who live in the U.S. and are working in jobs unrelated to Japan. Shizuka believes that even if they do not continue studying Japanese or travel to Japan, “It is still highly meaningful to have introduced them to Japan through language study.” She feels that increasing the number of people who have even a small connection with Japan helps foster cross-cultural understanding and strengthens the friendly relationship between Japan and the United States.
Shizuka’s contributions have been recognized in many ways, including several teaching awards honoring outstanding educators. Among these is the Regents’ Award for Superior Teaching, the University of Oklahoma’s most prestigious honor, presented by the university’s president and board of trustees. This award signifies university-wide recognition of her exceptional work in developing the Japanese language program. “I am honored to receive this award. Reaching this point in my career brings me great joy. This award feels like a gift to me,” Shizuka said.
Career Advice
When asked for career advice, Shizuka responded, “A career is particularly important because it’s a significant part of your life. You’re fortunate if you find a job you’re willing to work hard to keep.” Speaking about teaching, she added, “It’s a profession that provides a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment. It’s incredibly rewarding to learn from the younger generation of university students, and many of them stay in touch with me even after they graduate. I feel very fortunate to be in this line of work,” she said with a smile.
Shizuka also stressed the importance of understanding one’s aptitude. “The right job is different for everyone, so the first step is finding something that truly satisfies you,” she said.
To young people, she emphasizes that “continuity is power” and that consistent effort, without giving up, will ultimately lead to acquiring the skills necessary to build a successful career.
Prospects for the Future
Shizuka has dedicated her career to educating the younger generation at high schools and universities. Looking ahead, she hopes to expand her activities and engage more with the local community. Among her aspirations is to use picture story shows to introduce Japanese storytelling to children at public libraries. As a Japanese language teacher, Shizuka plays a pivotal role in fostering friendly relations between Japan and the United States. We are confident that her sincere and passionate teaching will continue to inspire many students, and eagerly anticipate her continued success.
