Prof Chihiro Kinoshita Thomson

Teaching

Chihiro Thomson teaches mainly in three areas. First, she teaches undergraduate Japanese Communication courses. She has taught courses ranging from the large beginners Japanese to the specialised advanced Japanese. Her teaching approaches are widely known to Australian and international colleagues for being learner-centred, inclusive and innovative. Second, she teaches into Japanese Studies and Asian Studies disciplines in such areas as languages of Asia, women in Japan. Third, she teaches at postgraduate level in applied and educational linguistics. She connects research with practice in her postgraduate teaching. She also supervises postgraduate students in such areas as applied and educational linguistics and second language acquisition of Japanese.

Publications

List of major publications follows:

REFEREED PAPERS

Thomson, C.K. (2011) "Japanese language competence that the Intercultural Language Learning aims for the learners to develop." Waseda Studies in Japanese Language Education.Vol. 9: 21-28.

Thomson, C.K. (2010 in press) "Understanding Australian learners of Japanese." The Otemon Journal of Australian Studies. Vol.36.

Thomson, C.K. (2010) “Who is to say ‘Your Japanese is incorrect’? Reflection on ‘correct’ Japanese usages by learners of Japanese.” Japanese Studies. Vol.30, No.3

Thomson, C.K. and E. Otsuji (2009) “Bijinesu nihongo kyoukasho to jendaa no tamenteki kousatsu [Multidimensional examination of gender in a business Japanese textbook]” Japanese Language Education around the Globe. Vol.19: 49-67.

Otsuji, E. and C.K. Thomson (2009) ”Promoting ‘Third Space’ Identities: A Case Study of the Teaching of Business Japanese” PORTAL Journal of Multidisciplinary International Studies. Vol. 6.

Thomson, C.K. (2008) “A classroom without walls: The future of Japanese language education in Australia” Japanese Studies. Vol.28, No.3: 317-327.

Thomson, C.K. (2008) “Kaigai no nihongo kyouiku ni okeru hyouka: jiko hyouka no katuyou to gakushuusha shudougata hyouka noteian [Assessment in overseas Japanese language program: proposing self-assessment and learner-directed assessment.] Nihongo Kyooiku Journal of Japanese Language Teaching, Tokyo Japan, Vol. 136: 27-37.

Thomson, C.K. (2007) “Gakushuu kankyoo o dezain suru: gakushuusha komyunithii to shite no nihongo kyooshi yoosei koosu. [Designing a learning environment: teacher training course as a learner community]” Japanese Language Education around the Globe . Vol.17: 169-186

Thomson, C.K. and S. Iida (2007) “’Mada meshi kutte nai’ o meguru jendaa to nihongo kyooiku no koosatsu [A discussion on gender and Japanese language education: whether we should teach ‘mada meshi kutte nai’ to female learners].” Nihongo Kyooiku Journal of Japanese Language Teaching, Tokyo Japan, Vol. 134

Thomson, C.K. (2007) “Chiiki shakai ni hirogaru gakushuu kyoudoutai:Oosutoraria no daigaku no nihongo kyouiku no baai [Expanding learning communities beyond classrooms: A case of Australian university Japanese language programs]” Nihongo Kyooiku, Journal of Japanese Language Teaching, Tokyo Japan, Vol. 133: 15-21

Thomson, C.K. (2006) “Nihongo kyooiku no genba de jendaa o doo atsukau ka. [Gender differences in Japanese language: How they should be treated in the teaching of Japanese as a foreign language]” Senshu University LL Workshop Proceedings, Vol. 8: 67-72.

Thomson, C.K. (2006) “Gakushuusha ootonomii o sodateru kyooshitsu tasuku. [Classroom tasks that promote learner autonomy” BATJ Journal Vol.7. pp.60-65.?The British Association for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language.

Thomson, C.K. and E. Otsuji (2003). “Evaluation of Business Japanese Textbooks: Issues of Gender.” Japanese Studies . Vol. 23(2):185-203.

Ushida, E. and C.K. Thomson (2003). “The World Wide Web as a teaching and learning resource.” Australian Review of Applied Linguistics . Series S. Number 17. pp. 74-90.

Thomson, C.K. (2003). “For the symbiosis of “language” and “studies” of Japanese Studies in Australia” Language teaching at the crossroads, Alina Skoutarides (Ed.) Japanese Studies Centre Working Papers No.13: 3-7., Monash University.

Thomson, C.K. (2002).”Kaigai no Nihongo kyouiku ni okeru nihon bunka no gakushuu o unagasu koosu to kyoushi no yakuwari [Courses and teacher roles that promote learning of Japanese culture in overseas Japanese language education.]” 21 Seiki no Nihon Jijou, Vol. 4: 4-18.

Thomson, C.K. and S. Iida (2002). “Nihongo kyouiku ni okeru seisa no gakushuu: Oosutoraria no gakushuusha no ishiki chousa yori. [Gendered language in Japanese: Learner perceptions in Australia.]” Japanese Language Education around the Globe. Vol.12: 1-20.

Thomson, C.K., H. Masumi-So and F. Osho. (2001). "Meeting the challenges in languages for specific purposes: Incorporation of sociolinguistics and learner autonomy into course design." Japanese Studies. 21 (1): 85-98.

Thomson, C.K. and H, Masumi-So. (1999)."Kaigai ni okeru nihongo kyouiku katsudou ni sanka suru nihonjin kyouryokusha: sono mondaiten to kyoushi no yakuwari [Japanese volunteers’ participation in overseas Japanese language educational activities: Issues and teacher roles.]" Japanese Language Education around the Globe. Vol.9:15-28.

Thomson, C.K. (1998). "Gakushuu keiyakusho o tsukatta jiritsu gakushuu no kokoromi [A learning contract and learner autonomy in teaching Japanese as a foreign language: A case study]." Acquisition of Japanese as a Second Language . Vol. 2: 27-57.

Thomson, C.K. (1998). "Junior Teacher Internship: Promoting cooperative interaction and learner autonomy in foreign language classrooms." Foreign Language Annals . Vol. 31, No. 4: 569-583.

Thomson, C.K. (1997). "Kyouikuteki kachi no aru pureesumento tesuto to wa: pureesumento bamen de no jiko hyouka [Educational merit of self-assessment as a Japanese language placement instrument: The perspective from learner autonomy.]" Gengo Bunka to Nihongo Kyouiku [Language Culture and Japanese Language Education] . Vol. 14: 1-13.

Thomson, C.K. (1997). "Kaigai no Nihongo Kyouiku ni Okeru Risoosu no Katsuyou [Japanese language learning resources for overseas learners and teachers]" Japanese Language Education Around the Globe. Vol. 7:17-29.

Osho, F. H. Masumi-So, and C.K. Thomson. (1997). "Oosutoraria ni okeru kankougyouyou no nihongo koosu no dezain to jissen [Course design and delivery of "Hospitality Japanese" in Australia." JALT Journal . Vol.19, No.2: 260-270.

Thomson, C.K. (1996). "Employment and Language Ability of Australian Non-Native Speakers of Japanese: A Sydney Case Study." Japanese Studies, pp. 15-34, Vol.16, No.1.

Thomson, C.K. (1995). "A Learner-Centred Foreign Language Curriculum for a Large Diverse Group of Students? Yes, It is Possible." Australian Review of Applied Linguistics, pp.119-130, Series S, No. 12.

Thomson, C.K. (1994). "Shokyuu Nihongo Kyoukasho to Kikikaeshi no Sutoratejii [Communication strategies in elementary Japanese language textbooks: a strategy of asking back]." Japanese Language Education Around the Globe, pp. 31-43, Vol. 4.

Thomson, C.K. (1992). "Learner-Centered Tasks in the Foreign Language Classroom." Foreign Language Annals, pp. 523-531, Vol. 25, No. 6.

REFEREED CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

Northwood, B., & Thomson, C. K. (2010). Why stop studying Japanese? A case in Australia. In A. M. Stoke (Ed.), JALT2009 Conference Proceedings. 820-832, Tokyo: JALT.

Thomson, C.K. (2010) “Nihongo gakushuusha kyoudoutai no sankagata kouchiku [Participatory construction of Japanese language learning community]” Conference Proceedings of the Inaugural International Conference of the Chunghua University Applied Japanese Language Studies Department, pp. 11-18. Chunghua University, Taiwan, March 2010

Thomson, C.K. (2010) “Shuutoku kenkyuu wo ikasita nihongo kyouiku [Utilising language acquisition research in Japanese language education]” Proceedings of the Taiwan Japanese Language Acquisition International Research Conference, pp.11-16. Soochow University, Taiwan, March 2010

Thomson, C.K. (2010) “Coming to Australia to Study Japanese?” Globalization, Localization, and Japanese Studies in the Asia-Pacific Region, International Symposium, Co-hosted by International Research Center for Japanese Studies and University of Sydney, at University of Sydney, November 2003.

Thomson, C.K. (2009) “Gakushuu no tame no hyouka, Gakushuusha no tame no hyouka [Assessmet for Learning, Assessment for Learners]” Proceedings of the Japanese Language Education International Conference, pp. 3-18. Soochow University, Taiwan, November 2009

Thomson, C.K. (2007) “Gendered Language in Teaching Japanese.” Language in the Realm of Social Dynamics, David Brown (Ed.) pp71-81. Thai University of Chamber of Commerce.

Thomson, C.K. (2006) “Gakushuusha komyunitii to shite no kyooshi yoosei koosu [A teacher training course as a learner community].” Proceedings of the Spring Conference of the Society for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language, Tokyo University of Foreign Languages, May 20-21, 2006, pp.241-246.

Thomson, C.K. (2005) “Learner Autonomy in the Language Classroom.” Proceedings of Taiwan Australia TESOL Seminar 2005, Taipei, Taiwan, pp. 7-12.

Thomson, C.K. (2005) “The Australian Success: Continuum of Japanese Language Education.” Global Networking in Japanese Studies and Japanese Language Education. Vol. 2. pp. 41-50.

Thomson, C.K. (2004). “Oosutoraria no nihongo kyouiku no kadai [Issues in Australian Japanese language education].” Proceedings of the 2004 International Conference on Japanese-Language Teaching. Main Volume. p.30. The Society for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language, The Japan Foundation, and The National Institute for Language Research: Tokyo.

EDITED VOLUMES

Thomson, C.K. and S. Makino (Eds.) (2010) Nihongo Kyooiku to Nihon Kenkyuu no Renkei: Naiyoo Juushi Gata Gaikokugo Kyooiku ni Mukete [Bridging the Gap between Japanese Language Education and Japanese Studies: Towards Content-based Foreign Language Teaching and Learning]. Coco Publishing: Tokyo.

Thomson, C.K. (Ed.) (2009) Gakushuusha Shutai no Nihongo Kyooiku: Oosutoraria ni okeru Jissen Kenkyuu [New Pedagogies for Learner Agency: Japanese Language Education Research and Practice in Australia]. Coco Publishing: Tokyo.

BOOK CHAPTERS

Thomson, C.K. (2012 in press) "Who is to say 'Your Japanese is incorrect'? Reflaction on 'correct' Japanese usages by learners of Japanese." in N.Gottlieb (Ed.) Japanese Language in Public Spaces (Tentative title) . London: Routledge.

Thomson, C.K. and S. Makino (2010) “Sekai no nihongo kyooiku [Japanese language education around the world].” Chapter 1 in Thomson, C.K. and S. Makino (Eds.) Nihongo Kyooiku to Nihon Kenkyuu no Renkei: Naiyoo Juushi Gata Gaikokugo Kyooiku ni Mukete [Bridging the Gap between Japanese Language Education and Japanese Studies: Towards Content-based Foreign Language Teaching and Learning]. Coco Publishing: Tokyo.pp.3-24.

Thomson, C.K. (2010) ”Nihongo kyooiku to nihon kenkyuu no renkei no shoorai [Future of collaboration between Japanese language education and Japanese studies]” Chapter 11 in Thomson, C.K. and S. Makino (Eds.) Nihongo Kyooiku to Nihon Kenkyuu no Renkei: Naiyoo Juushi Gata Gaikokugo Kyooiku ni Mukete [Bridging the Gap between Japanese Language Education and Japanese Studies: Towards Content-based Foreign Language Teaching and Learning]. Coco Publishing: Tokyo.pp.173-189.

Thomson, C.K. (2009) “Oosutoraria no nihongo kyooiku: sono shakai teki haikei to rironteki haikei [Japanese language education in Australia: its social and theoretical backgrounds.]” Chapter 1 in Thomson, C.K. (Ed.) Gakushuusha Shutai no Nihongo Kyooiku: Oosutoraria ni okeru Jissen Kenkyuu [New Pedagogies for Learner Agency: Japanese Language Education Research and Practice in Australia]. Coco Publishing: Tokyo. pp. 3-28.

Thomson, C.K. and H. Masumi-So (2009) “’Senpai ga kimasu!’ I-reberu kyoodoo no seika [“Seniors are coming” Results of collaboration between groups of learners of different proficiency levels in Japanese]. Chapter 2 in Thomson, C.K. (Ed.) Gakushuusha Shutai no Nihongo Kyooiku: Oosutoraria ni okeru Jissen Kenkyuu [New Pedagogies for Learner Agency: Japanese Language Education Research and Practice in Australia]. Coco Publishing: Tokyo. pp. 31-46.

Thomson, C.K., K. Shimasaki and N. Fukui (2009) “Shokyuu koosu ni okeru akutibu raaningu no jissen [Application of “Active learning” in introductory Japanese Course].” Chapter 3 in Thomson, C.K. (Ed.) Gakushuusha Shutai no Nihongo Kyooiku: Oosutoraria ni okeru Jissen Kenkyuu [New Pedagogies for Learner Agency: Japanese Language Education Research and Practice in Australia]. Coco Publishing: Tokyo. pp. 47-66.

Thomson, C.K. and K. Okamoto (2009) “Hataraku nihonjin no tsudoi no hihanteki koosatsu [Critical examination of a Japanese language learning event which involves the Sydney Japanese community.] Chapter 5 in Thomson, C.K. (Ed.) Gakushuusha Shutai no Nihongo Kyooiku: Oosutoraria ni okeru Jissen Kenkyuu [New Pedagogies for Learner Agency: Japanese Language Education Research and Practice in Australia]. Coco Publishing: Tokyo. pp. 85-102.

Thomson, C.K. (2009) “Gakushuusha shutai no nihongo kyooiku no tenboo to kyousi no yakuwari [The future of Japanese language education that promotes learner agency and the role of teachers].” Chapter 13 in Thomson, C.K. (Ed.) Gakushuusha Shutai no Nihongo Kyooiku: Oosutoraria ni okeru Jissen Kenkyuu [New Pedagogies for Learner Agency: Japanese Language Education Research and Practice in Australia]. Coco Publishing: Tokyo. pp. 243-248.

Thomson, C.K. (2005). “Meeting with Japanese Professionals: Bridging classrooms and the community.” In B. Bourke (Ed.) Innovative Practice in Japanese Language Education, Queensland University of Technology, pp.65-83.

Thomson, C.K. (2004). "The University of New South Wales." Directory of Japanese Studies in Australia and New Zealand 2004, pp.41-45. The Japan Foundation in association with The Australia-Japan Research Centre, ANU, Canberra.

Thomson, C.K. (2001). “Kyoushi no ichinichi [A day of a teacher]” Section III, Chapter 4, pp. 232-245, in N. Aoki, A. Ozaki, and T. Toki (Eds.,) Nihongo Kyouikugaku o Manabu Hito no Tame ni [For those studying Japanese Language Education and Research]. Sekai Shisousha, Kyoto, Japan. (ISBN4-7907-0891-8)

Thomson, C.K. (1997). "Japanese Studies at the University of New South Wales." Directory of Japanese Studies in Australia and New Zealand. pp. 81-86, The Japan Foundation in association with The Australia-Japan Research Centre, ANU, Canberra.

Thomson, C.K. (1996). "Self-Assessment in Self-Directed Learning: Issues of Learner Diversity" in Taking Control: Autonomy in Language Learning, R. Pemberton, et al. (Eds.), pp. 77-92, Hong Kong University Press .

INVITED ARTICLES

Thomson, C.K. (2005) “Communication Gap,” Chapter 6-61 in Shin Pan Nihongo Kyouiku Jiten [Encyclopedia of Japanese Language Education], Taishuukan Shoten, Tokyo, Japan.

Thomson, C.K. (2005) “Ibunka kachi ron [Intercultural Values],” Chapter 6-62 in Shin Pan Nihongo Kyouiku Jiten [Encyclopedia of Japanese Language Education], Taishuukan Shoten, Tokyo, Japan.

Thomson, C.K. (2005) “Hyouka no shutai to taishousha [Evaluation, Evaluators, and Evaluatees],” Chapter 8-93 in Shin Pan Nihongo Kyouiku Jiten [Encyclopedia of Japanese Language Education], Taishuukan Shoten, Tokyo, Japan.

Thomson, C.K. (2000). “Kaigai no nihongo kyouiku genba ni okeru jouhou konpyuutaa ritarashii [Information and computer literacy in overseas teaching of Japanese as a foreign language]” Developing Information Literacy in Japanese Language Education. (a project commissioned by the Japan Culture Agency of the Japanese government) pp. 68-72. The Society for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language, Tokyo, Japan.

BOOK REVIEWS

Thomson, C. K. (2003) ”Shohyou: Hatasa Yukiko hen, Daini Gengo Shuutoku e no Shoutai [Book Review: Yukiko Hatasa Ed., An Invitation to Second Language Acquisition Research in Japanese: In Honor of Seiichi Makino]” Acquisition of Japanese as a Second Language, 2003.12. Vol. 6, pp102-105.

Affiliations and Memberships

Japanese Studies Association of Australia
Society for Teachers of Japanese as a Foreign Language

Contributions

Japanese Studies Association of Australia, President
Global Network of Japanese Language Education, Australian Representative
Society of Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language (Japan), Member
Asian Studies Association of Australia, Member

Other Information

AWARDS

2010 Dean’s Award for Best SOTL Publication for New Pedagogies for Learner Agency: Japanese Language Education Research and Practice in Australia from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, UNSW.

2009 Sir Niel Currie Australian Studies Award for New Pedagogies for Learner Agency: Japanese Language Education Research and Practice in Australia from the Australia-Japan Foundation.

2007 Consul General’s Award for contribution to promotion of Japanese language research and teaching from the Consul General of Japan, Sydney.