Category: About

ANAHEIM UNIVERSITY TO HOST MBA / DBA INFORMATION SESSION IN TOKYO

Anaheim, CA — Anaheim University will host a special information session in Tokyo for its onlne MBA and Doctor of Business Administration programs at the Wesley Center in the Minami Aoyama area of Minato-Ku, Tokyo. Anaheim University is currently offering a new tuition relief program for a $5,000 accredited online MBA, and a $10,000 accredited online DBA to 100 incoming students, making these online programs the most affordable MBA and DBA on today’s market, and allowing students to graduate debt-free.  Each of the 6-week business courses that comprise the MBA and DBA programs also include live, real-time online seminars led by business and industry experts, offering students an interactive international experience without having to travel beyond their home or work, thus keeping the focus on quality as well as affordability. Anaheim University’s Online MBA / DBA Orientation in Tokyo Date: Saturday, April 15th, 2017 Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am Location: Wesley Center: Mosaic Room 201 6-10-11 Minami Aoyama Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0062 Japan Access information: http://wesley.or.jp/english/access/index.html To RSVP, please contact Anaheim University’s Admissions Office (support@anaheim.edu). The MBA in International Business, MBA in Sustainable Management, and Master of Entrepreneurship each take an average of 18 months to complete and are designed to allow students to work full time while earning their degrees.  The DBA programs, with concentrations in International Business, Sustainable Management, Entrepreneurship, and Management, take an average of 2.5 years to complete and are also designed for professionals who work full-time. This tuition relief program reduces the cost of the entire MBA degree program to $4,975, which includes $4,500 for tuition ($375 per course x 12 courses) plus application, registration, and graduation fees.  The entire DBA degree program is $10,975, which includes $10,500 for tuition ($525 per course x 20 courses) plus application, registration, and graduation fees.  Students can either pay for the entire program up front, pay for each 6-week course as they take it, or pay on a monthly basis, which would be $250 x 18 months for the MBA or $365 x 30 months for the DBA. About Anaheim University Anaheim University is a nationally accredited online institution of higher learning headquartered in Anaheim, California.  The school is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), an accrediting commission based in Washington D.C. and established in 1926.  The DEAC is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For more information about Anaheim University and our programs, please visit our website at www.anaheim.edu. ###

Read More »

Full MBA Scholarships: Apply by March 20, 2019

Anaheim University Ferrotec Akira Yamamura Scholarship 2 students can earn a full scholarship towards an Anaheim University online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program Applicants can apply the scholarship to 1 of these 3 online degree programs: Online International MBA Online MBA in Global Sustainable Management Online Master of Entrepreneurship Applicants must meet Anaheim University’s MBA entrance requirements. Applicants must express an interest in being considered for future employment by Ferrotec. However, being awarded a scholarship does not guarantee that an offer of employment will be made to the scholarship recipient. Applicants with Heat Transfer, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, International Business / bilingual (English + 1 other language) language skills/experience will be given preferential consideration. Scholarships will be awarded on a merit basis based on the applicant’s qualifications. Applicants must maintain standards set forth by the Scholarship Committee and/or the University’s administration in order to remain in good standing and continue to receive the scholarship funding throughout the remainder of their program. Scholarship recipients are expected to maintain a minimum of a B average at all times and complete each course with a minimum of a 3.0 grade. Scholarship recipients must also remain continuously enrolled from the commencement of their program through graduation. Skipped term fees are not included in the scholarship and skipped terms are only allowed with special permission from the University’s Dean. Scholarship Application Requirements Scholarship Applicants must submit: – standard application materials required for an Anaheim University online MBA or Master of Entrepreneurship program. Click here for a list of program entrance requirements. – a 1,000 word essay outlining: How you feel the Anaheim University degree will benefit you Why you would like to be considered for possible employment by Ferrotec upon graduation Your area of academic and professional specialization To Apply: Click here to complete the online application form. E-mail 1,000-word scholarship application essay to ausupport @ anaheim.edu Application Deadline March 20, 2019 Scholarship Recipients Announced April 19, 2019: Applications are being reviewed and will be announced within 10 business days MBA Program Start Date May 20, 2019 About Ferrotec Founded in 1980, Ferrotec is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with locations in Japan, U.S.A., China, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and Russia. Ferrotec is a diversified technology company with a worldwide presence in a broad array of end products, manufacturing systems, and industries. Ferrotec provides its customers with advanced material, component, and assembly solutions that make their products work better, more precisely, and more reliably. Founded on a technology core of Ferrofluid magnetic liquid and Ferrofluidic® sealing products, the company and its product portfolio have grown to meet the evolving needs of its customers. Ferrotec is now a global enterprise characterized by substantial intercompany cooperation in research, manufacturing and marketing of products. The Ferrotec Group contributes to society as a manufacturer, and a company whose progress brings joy to its customers, shareholders, employees, business partners, the community, and all of its stakeholders. Ferrotec has grown to what it is today through the pioneering and innovative spirit of its President and Representative Director Dr. Akira Yamamura About Dr. Akira Yamamura Dr. Akira Yamamura, who is an Executive Advisory Board member of Anaheim University, established Ferrotec with two people in 1980. At the time, he was president of the Japanese subsidiary of Ferrofluidics Corporation, after joining the company as an engineer. In 1987, he led a management buy-out of the company and then in 1999 acquired the former parent company. Dr. Yamamura has grown Ferrotec to become one of the most important companies in the electronics industry, with annual revenue growing to approximately US$680 million, 27 subsidiaries and more than 5,400 employees in Japan, the US, Europe and Asia. The original business of the company was distributing Vacuum Feedthrough, which applies Ferrofluid, magnetic field. Vacuum Feed-through is a key component to shield the vacuum environment, and utilized in semiconductor equipment, single crystal silicon ingot grower, FPD equipment, and thin film equipment for photovoltaic application. In 2012, Dr. Akira Yamamura was ranked #24 in Ernst & Young’s “World Entrepreneur of the Year” awards.

Read More »
Actor George Takei

Re-Imagining Kurosawa Event At Japan House Los Angeles

Lecture & Panel Discussion Re-Imagining Kurosawa Organized by Japan Foundation Los Angeles Supported by Japan House Los Angeles Presented by the Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Film Date & Time: Monday, November 26, 2018 @ 7:00 pm Venue:  JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, Hollywood and Highland, Level 5 (6801 Hollywood Blvd.,Los Angeles, CA 90028) *Please take an elevator to level 5. JAPAN HOUSE is located at the southeast corner of Hollywood and Highland on the 5th floor. Admission: FREE (Registration Required) Click Here to Register Re-Imagining Kurosawa: Academy Award winning Filmmaker, Film Producer and Screenwriter Akira Kurosawa (March 23, 1910 – Sept 6, 1998) was one of the greatest filmmakers of our time, who inspired many of the world’s greatest filmmakers such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. Kurosawa’s ground-breaking masterpieces inspired such classic movies as Star Wars, The Magnificent Seven, and A Fistful of Dollars, to name just a few. In this lecture, Dr. David Desser will help you “Re-Imagine Akira Kurosawa” as he provides you unique insight into Kurosawa and his classic film, High and Low(1963), which was adapted from Ed McBain’s detective novel King’s Ransom. Panel discussion/Q&A session follows the lecture. About the Lecturer: David Desser, Ph.D. (Dean, Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Film) Dr. Desser has taught at the University of Southern California (USC), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, Kansai University in Japan, Hong Kong Baptist University and the University of Illinois where he is Professor Emeritus of Cinema Studies. He received his Ph.D. from USC in the Cinema program with a minor in Japanese. As Dean of the Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Film, he oversees the Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Film online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Digital Filmmaking program. Special Guest Panelists: Moderator: John Rocha (Collider Network Producer, Writer & Host) John Rocha is responsible for producing content, hosting and being a pundit on numerous shows on Collider Network. He also hosts 2 podcasts on Film: The Top 10, drawing a large number of international and domestic downloads weekly and The Cine-Files, consistently ranking in the Top 3 podcasts for Film & TV on Po George Takei (Actor) With an acting career spanning six decades, George Takei is known around the world for his founding role in the acclaimed television series Star Trek. From a childhood spent with his family wrongfully imprisoned in Japanese American internment camps during World War II, to becoming one of the country’s leading figures in the fight for social justice, LGBTQ rights, and marriage equality, Takei remains a powerful voice on issues ranging from politics to pop culture. Mashable.com named Takei the #1 most-influential person on Facebook, currently with 10.4 million likes and 2.8 million followers on Twitter. The openly gay Takei has long been a passionate advocate for social justice, outspoken supporter of human right issues and a community activist. Takei lives in Los Angeles with his husband Brad Take John Powers (Film Critic) John Powers is a long-time contributing editor at Vogue and Vogue.com, for which he writes about film, television and politics, and is Critic at Large for NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross.  His articles have appeared in many publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Departures, Gourmet, Harper’s and The Nation. After getting his Ph.D. from Stanford University in “Modern Thought and Literature,” Powers taught at Georgetown University.  In 1985, he moved to Los Angeles, becoming film critic (until 1993) at L.A. Weekly, for which he would later write a weekly column on politics and the media.  He is the author of the book Sore Winners (and the Rest of Us) in George Bush’s America, a study of American culture during the Bush years and co-author with Wong Kar Wai of WKW: The Cinema of Wong Kar Wai published in April, 2016 David Ehrenstein (Film Critic) David Ehrenstein is a film critic, film researcher and historian, whose career in writing has spanned five decades since his first interview in 1965 with Andy Warhol. He has written for such publications as the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, San Francisco Examiner, Rolling Stone, the Village Voice, Film Comment, Film Quarterly, Cahiers du Cinema, Arts, The Los Angeles Reader, and Daily Variety. He is author of “The Scorsese Picture: The Art and Life of Martin Scorsese,” “Rock on Film” and “Open Secret: Gay Hollywood 1928-1998.” He has lectured nationally and his television appearances on E! include specials on Anthony Perkins, Rock Hudson, Sonny Bono, Bob Guccione, Gay Hollywood, The Hollywood Fashion Machine, and Studio Style Wars. This event is co-presented by Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Film Supported by JAPAN HOUSE LOS ANGELES

Read More »

International MBA Student Interview – Motomi Mizushima

Motomi Mizushima 1) Why did you choose Anaheim University?  There are three main reasons; tuition, quality of the courses, and diversity of the class. After doing some research about business schools, I realized that what needs to be considered in starting an MBA is finding the balance between tuition, quality of the coursework, and diversity among students. Paying very expensive tuition that the typical American business school requires was definitely not affordable to me without full-time work. Also, there are only two application timings after putting enormous effort and money to prepare for admission. Thus I focused on an online MBA that I can afford and start the course once I get the acceptance. Although some people say that online learning is inferior in quality, Anaheim University has a proven track record as an online university in their well-structured curriculum, prominent professors, and excellent student careers. On top of that, I started thinking that doing an MBA while working full-time is an effective way to reflect on what I’ve learned in my courses to bring to my work in practice.  I also thought that the learning in this way brings synergy effect in terms of reproducibility. Moreover, students [in the same courses] working in different countries give us a variety of perspectives that you have never had before. 2) Can you briefly tell us about your career? For about seven and a half years since I graduated from college in Japan, I worked in accounting at Dole Japan, the largest importer and seller of bananas and pineapples in Japanese market. I currently work as a senior analyst of Financial Planning and Analysis at Ralph Lauren Japan in Tokyo. 3) Why did you choose to pursue an MBA? As I got involved in budgeting and forecasting business performance from my fifth year at Dole, I started getting interested in business management. Since the best part of FP&A is that you can influence decision-making processes to make business more profitable, I believed it would be a good idea to have a viewpoint from the management side in order to analyze the company situations and support business operations. For this reason, I thought that it is necessary to have the related knowledge in various fields such as HR and marketing from the financial perspective. 4) What do you like about this program the most? Interactions with classmates is the best part of this program. There was a time when I was struggling to manage the time balancing my new work at Ralph Lauren and my MBA courses and I almost dropped out. However, one of my classmates, who was in the same group for a team project, is a working mother with two little children.  She encouraged me saying, “stay the course you set.”  They were very simple words, but I always remember them whenever I was about to give up. I also had the opportunity to meet with a classmate from Germany in Tokyo, and it was great to meet face to face. 5) What has been your favorite course thus far? International Management. For the internet research and final individual assignment, I chose a topic about current trends in management strategy in the fashion industry. I wanted to take advantage of my experience working in this field and wanted to expand my view from an academic standpoint. I did a lot of research on the difference between strategies in Ralph Lauren and other fast fashion brands, and realized that we are sticking to an old-fashioned way even though we have a long history as a prominent fashion brand. I talked about my thoughts with my coworkers and discussed what kind of management is required and what kind of managers we need to be in order to accelerate globalization and digitization. It was a good opportunity to take a moment to stop and think about our company strategy and organizational structure by comparing competitors with a financial viewpoint. 6) How do you study online? I make use of small pockets of time as much as possible. For example, I downloaded e-textbooks to my iPhone so that I can read it at any time. Also for group work, teams exchange ideas through apps such as WhatsApp and Skype in order to reach out immediately from different time zones. 7) How have you managed to balance your studies with work? I studied during lunch breaks, commuting time to work, and free time on weekends. Reading e-textbooks online during commuting, doing the written assignment during lunch breaks, then making an outline of a research paper at a cafe, and finishing it up at home: this is the most efficient way for me to keep myself focused and motivated.  However, to be honest, I struggle to balance the time when I am busy with my work and especially when feeling tired. I am still working to discipline myself to manage the time more efficiently. The one thing that works for me is to do something fun to get energy and refresh my mind. As the time goes by, I gradually realized that switching my mind so as not to get unproductive is one of the essential skills that anyone could have, especially for people doing an MBA with full-time work. 8) Do you feel that you are part of a learning community? Yes. Students at the Anaheim University have various backgrounds and high ambitions for education and their careers. For example, I had many classmates who are doing DBAs, as well as running a company or executives of global companies. They are very inspiring, and the environment being surrounded by such people makes me realize first-hand through this experience that there is no end to learning for everyone in business. I feel that I am participating in a wonderful community where I can always discover new perspectives. 9) What is the most unusual place you have taken part in a live online class from?  It was the riverbank outside the public library (Ballona Creek Bike

Read More »

MA in TESOL Graduate Interview – Josh McMillen

Why did you choose Anaheim University’s MA in TESOL program? I chose this program because of the quality of the professors and the online setup allowed me to keep a flexible schedule.  Also, Anaheim does not have a practicum, which is great.  Anaheim recognizes that its students are already working in TESOL situations, so we can use the settings that we are currently in to aid us in our studies. Can you tell us about your career to date?  Currently, I am working in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) with the JET Program.  I work at one junior high school and two elementary schools. How do you expect your Masters to further your career?  Having a Masters qualifies you for better teaching positions and helps your employer to have more confidence in your abilities.  I now know a great deal more about my field than I did when I started in the program. Can you share a favorite memory from Anaheim University?  The residential sessions really stick out.  It was great to meet people and the professors face to face. Did you have a favorite class at Anaheim University?  Honestly, it is hard to pick just one.  With many of the classes, I looked forward to the next lesson because the professors were so interesting.  Even though the classes were all online, the professors created an engaging community environment that I enjoyed logging in to every week. How did you enjoy the online experience?  This was my first fully online classroom experience and I truly enjoyed it.  It was so convenient. Who would you recommend Anaheim University’s MA in TESOL program?  Anyone interested in TESOL. What were the challenges in your program?  Starting the program was a challenge for me.  I was worried about how I would do because it had been years since my last classroom experience, I had never had a fully online class, and I just became a father.  The professors and office staff were very helpful, which put me at ease.  The user interface was easy to navigate and the internet connections were great.  Because of the time difference between Anaheim and Japan, I always had classes on Saturday mornings, which was great because my son was either still asleep or just waking up.  The class timing worked out great.  Because everyone was so helpful and supportive, any challenge that came up was very manageable. In your opinion, how does learning TESOL improve careers for ESL teachers?  Learning TESOL gives ESL teachers more tools to use in their “teaching toolbox.”  Learning new methods helps you to become more analytic when tracking your students’ progress. Could you please tell us about your Research Portfolio?   I enjoyed my portfolio experience mainly because of the weekly readings and journaling format.  The readings helped me to understand complex topics and the journals allowed me to wrestle with these ideas and come to my own understanding. Which residential sessions did you attend and what did you like best about them?  I attended both sessions in Tokyo (in August 2016 and August 2018).  Meeting people and making connections was a great part. How did you feel connected to your learning community?  I thought that it would be hard to feel connected because the classes were online, but I felt a real connection with my community.  Professors were quick about emailing back.  The weekly forums helped us all to stay connected throughout the week. What advice can you give to new students entering the MA in TESOL program?   If you have any questions about anything, do not hesitate to ask.  The professors and staff are more than willing to help.  Do not be intimidated by the professors.  I was surprised at how down to earth and easy to talk to they were.  If you are having problems with anything, let people know.  They want you to succeed. Other comments  I am happy to graduate, but a little sad that it is over.

Read More »

Ed.D. in TESOL Graduate Interview – Bradford Lee

Bradford Lee 1. Why did you choose Anaheim University’s Ed.D. in TESOL program? – I chose Anaheim University’s Ed.D. TESOL program to have the opportunity to work with some of the biggest and most influential researchers and practitioners in the field. 2. Can you tell us about your career to date? – I have been living and working in Japan since 1999 and have taught students of all ages and levels from 6 months to 90 years old. I have worked in Eikaiwa, public elementary and junior high schools, and 2-year colleges. I’m currently a Lecturer with tenure at a private university. 3. How do you expect your Ed.D. to further your career? – I believe the obtainment of a Ed.D. allows me to be competitive for promotion to higher levels (Associate or Full Professor) at my institution, and adds gravitas and a sense of trust when I apply for grants and federal funding which are important for my career development. 4. Can you share a favorite memory from Anaheim University? – My favorite memory from Anaheim University was during the Residential Sessions, where we had the chance to meet with our professors and classmates face-to-face. 5. Did you have a favorite class at Anaheim University? – My favorite class was probably Instructed Second Language Acquisition (EDU 700) with Dr. Rod Ellis. This class was a thorough review of theories and methodologies that form the basis of our entire field and being able to discuss them with Dr. Ellis was an amazing opportunity. 6. How did you enjoy the online experience? – I thought the online experience was great, and very convenient. Luckily the time zone difference between CA and Japan was such so that classes were always held Saturday morning for me, so attendance was mostly possible. On the times when I’d be traveling or working, I was able to use the app on my mobile with Bluetooth earbuds! 7. Who would you recommend Anaheim University Ed.D. program? – I think that anyone could benefit greatly from Anaheim’s Ed.D. program. 8. What were the challenges in your program? – For me, the biggest challenge was keeping up with the weekly discussion forum (DF) assignments, which required heavy reading and thought in order to answer in a meaningful manner. However, as difficult and inconvenient as they were, there’s no doubt that they FORCED me to do my reading in a timely manner, which translated into an increased experience at the end of the week at the real-time sessions with the professor. 9. In your opinion, how does learning TESOL improve careers for ESL teachers? – I think that learning theory and current practices helps ESL teachers in the classroom because it addresses many issues that ESL may be having and gives suggestions to the root cause and possible solutions. In the case where the solutions don’t work quite exactly right, it becomes possible for the teacher to engage in action research and become part of the discussion, rather than feeling frustrated or despair on their own. 10. Please tell us about your experience in the Oral Defense.  Were you nervous beforehand? – Of course I was nervous! I was not really sure what to expect, and therefore I think I over-prepared with my PowerPoint slides, etc. Many of the questions I was asked were hard-hitting, make-or-break style questions and even though I had been working on my project for almost a full year, there were many aspects that I realized I had overlooked. Fortunately, I was able to justify most of my decisions in the project.  Those aspects that were lacking, I was able to address in revisions. 11. What was your dissertation topic and why did you select it? – My dissertation was on Pronunciation Instruction, namely, what is the best way to teach it. This had always been an interesting topic for me, as it was my experience that many of my students would speak grammatically correct sentences but would still not be understood by native speakers due to their accents. The students would think that they were using the wrong vocabulary or grammar and try to rephrase or go into a panic, when really the issue was a simple one of intonation, etc. Seeing this scene played out hundreds of times, especially when I would bring groups of students to the U.S. for study abroad, made me interested in developing the most effective system of instruction. 12. Which residential sessions did you attend and what did you like best about them? – I went to both Residentials held in Tokyo (2016, 2018). The best part of the sessions were not only the lectures themselves, but also being able to go out for a meal and a drink with our classmates and professors. 13. How did you feel connected to your learning community? – Attending the Residentials, which have open seminars on the 3rd day, helped me feel a sense of connection with my A.U. classmates and also the field of TESOL on the whole. 14. What are your future plans now that you have completed the Ed.D.? – Now that I’ve completed the Ed.D. I have been finishing up some projects that I had left open while I pushed for the finish line, while also starting new projects that I can focus on now that my workload had considerably lightened. I’m currently working on projects involving: • TESOL teacher motivation • pronunciation • task-based instruction • curriculum design • dyslexia 15. What advice can you give to new students entering the Ed.D. program? – My advice for new students entering the Ed.D. program: just do it! I think the thing that kills a lot of projects, dreams, and sometimes careers, is wasting time. Wasting time debating whether to do a thing or not or procrastinating. I tried to just grab a can of Monster, sit down at my computer, and START. That’s the only one you’re ever going to FINISH! (^-^)

Read More »

Interview with Dr. Masatoshi Sato

Dr. Masatoshi Sato Anaheim University welcomes new faculty member, Dr. Masatoshi Sato.  Dr. Sato earned his Ph.D. in Educational Studies: Language Acquisition and a Master of Arts in Second Language Education from McGill University, as well as a Graduate Certificate in TESOL from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Arts in International and Intercultural Communication from Kobe University. Dr. Sato is currently an Associate Professor in TESOL at Anaheim University. He has also published various international journals and recently co-edited books from John Benjamins. We recently interviewed Dr. Sato to discuss online education and his thoughts on the field of TESOL. Q. What are your specialties? – I’m generally interested in how SLA research could help teachers teach second language, no matter what the second language is. I have done research on peer interactions and professional development in teacher education. My primary area of research is peer instruction and how this facilitate second language learning. This research is relevant to the overall category, which is called instructed second language acquisition. Q. What do you enjoy most about teaching at Anaheim University so far? – I enjoyed the diversity of students, who come from different backgrounds, have different teachings, and professional experiences. The interaction I had with this diverse group of students was incredibly interesting. Q. What do you think are the strengths of the online Ed.D. in TESOL program at Anaheim University? – Anaheim University recruits students from anywhere in the world and this puts the online program ahead.  This is because of the diverse selection of students, in terms of their backgrounds, which does not happen in traditional TESOL programs, where students are often from similar backgrounds. Q. What are the benefits of online education? – The flexibility that online education offers is astounding. The online education program at Anaheim University is able to be divided into two parts, synchronous and asynchronous. For the asynchronous part, students have flexibility in terms of completing assignments, participating in their respective classes and being up-to-date on viewing recorded lectures. With the synchronous aspect, students are able to have access to their resources for the course anywhere. Q. What are the benefits of learning TESOL for English teachers? – One issue a lot of English teachers tend to have is not having theoretical underpinnings or research backup for their pedagogical decisions when they choose certain teaching methods. In order for teachers to make more important pedagogical decisions, it is necessary to know or learn SLA theories and research findings to transfer to second language education. Q. In your opinion, what does the future of online education look like? – Online education has been around for a long time, but it is getting more popular. I do think as online education becomes more common, there will be some backlash that comes with it. Q. Who would you recommend the Ed.D. program at Anaheim University to? – I would recommend the program for students who have some knowledge of second language learning and teaching. It appears to me that students do not have a deep understanding of theoretical or research issues to become a doctorate student, but in general, I would definitely recommend the program for those who have teaching experience with a certain amount of knowledge related to second language learning and teaching. Q. What advice would you give to someone who is aiming to be a scholar in the field? – If someone were to become a scholar, that individual should have the mentality to contribute to society. They should learn how to solve real-world issues instead of answering theoretical questions only. Another important note to keep in mind is that, in the current research world, publication is everything. So, in order for someone to become a successful scholar, they should be able to conduct solid research and write well. Q. What do you think are the challenges that English teachers in Japan are facing? – It really depends on what “English teachers” means in this question. The struggle is that a lot of English teachers in Japan teach English in their native language. Nowadays, the Government is asking English to be taught in English, not in their native language, which perceives to be an issue for some teachers to make fundamental changes. But I do think this is a good change.  I believe that English should be taught in English. I also want to bring attention to the issue of English teachers invited to Japan to teach English but are not qualified. Their academic content knowledge of second language teaching is not asked for. Therefore, a challenge for the future is the training of those teachers so they become more capable teachers in Japan. Q. What advice would you give to new language teachers? – Try to finish the necessary research in a limited amount of time, be creative, keep in mind why you decided to use certain teaching methods or activities, and make adjustments all the time. Always know the student’s individual differences and create a non-threatening collaborative classroom environment. Promote the student’s language production, let the students be aware that making errors in second language is a good thing. Lastly, always let students express their opinions, which are definitely interesting.

Read More »

Anaheim University Graduate Interview – Ryane Willis

1. Why did you choose Anaheim University’s MA in TESOL program? I chose the Anaheim program because it gave me access to pioneering researchers in the field of TESOL.  There was a level of quality in the instruction that I could not find in my home state. 2. Can you tell us about your career to date? I have taught in an Intensive English Program (IEP) for the past 5 years.  3 years into my career, I realized that I would not be promoted without a MA degree in the field.  I decided to go back to school for my second master’s degree. Now I work full-time at the University of Oklahoma as an instructor at the Center for English as a Second Language. 3. How do you expect your master’s to further your career? My master’s degree has already furthered my career.  I’ve developed into a different teacher as a result of the degree.  I approach my classes with a critical mindset, look for trends and data, and reflect on the research so I can implement it in my courses. 4. Can you share a favorite memory from Anaheim University? The residential sessions are always the highlight of the program. 5. Did you have a favorite class at Anaheim University? I had mainly excellent classes.  EDU 570 taught me how to analyze my own tests, EDU 530 Discourse Analysis helped me understand the challenges my students face in understanding authentic discourse, and EDU 520 helped me actually teach pronunciation in a meaningful way.  Each of these courses changed the way I teach. 6. How did you enjoy the online experience? I enjoyed the online experience because I got to collaborate with teachers in different settings. Their teaching situations brought insight into my own setting. 7. Who would you recommend Anaheim University’s MA in TESOL program? I’d recommend someone with a bit of teaching experience under their belt.  I think it would be hard to enter this program without ever stepping foot in a classroom, but getting to study your own students and your own teaching deepens your learning on the subject. 8. What were the challenges in your program? It takes a lot of energy to teach all day and work on a master’s at night.  Even though you are tired, there is so much value in learning as you are teaching.  You learn new ideas in your Anaheim classes and then try them in your English classes.  Essentially, you learn everything twice.  It is a very worthwhile process. 9. In your opinion, how does learning TESOL improve careers for ESL teachers? I think a TESOL degree accelerates the process of becoming a professional educator.  It gives you the confidence and perspective beyond your own experience.  Experience is an excellent teacher, but it is important to be exposed to new ideas. 10. How did you feel connected to your learning community? You end up taking classes with many of the same people.  It is strange to hear someone’s voice in real life after talking to them online for a year. Overall, you end up with a great network of professionals all over the globe. 11. What advice can you give to new students entering the MA in TESOL program? Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Everyone has a different context for teaching, and sometimes you see something in a different way.  This can be really valuable.

Read More »

Anaheim University Graduate Interview – Ryan Fujii

1) Why did you choose Anaheim University? I chose Anaheim University for several reasons.  First, I heard about the program through a colleague who did the program a few years back and recommended the program as she had a positive experience.  Second, the program was setup by the well-recognized linguist, Dr. David Nunan, who has written many books on the subject matter.  Third, the program had monthly opportunities to join and I was able to time it to coincide with what I thought would work smoothly into my school year schedule, which it did.  Fourth, I like the idea of being able to study by distance learning but also having the opportunity to study with someone else who can relate to what I was thinking and writing about.  Finally, the cost was very reasonable and I could afford it. 2) Why did you decide to study the Teaching English to Young Learners Certificate Program? I studied the TEYL Certificate program because over the last 21 years in Japan I have worked with young people teaching English and I had already taken the Cambridge CELTA certificate program geared for teaching adults.  So, it seemed natural to take this course in addition to the fact that it was recommended to me by people at Anaheim University since I was working with elementary students already. 3) What did you like best about the program? What I liked best about the program was the integration of the readings from Dr. Nunan’s book, the video/lectures that supported the readings and vice versa, plus having Professor Marie Webb encouragingly responding to what I wrote and giving me further resources/thoughts to consider in my teaching. 4) How was the experience studying online? The online experience was very convenient and well-paced for my fairly busy schedule between Monday and Friday.  The timing of the Thursday and Sunday deadlines for responses, discussions, and taking the quizzes for each unit was very reasonable.  I felt like I could get into the rhythm of the schedule after a few weeks.  The challenge was keeping up during the winter holiday when I fell behind. I was able to fortunately catch up in January with Professor Webb graciously encouraging me in the schedule to slowly but reasonably double up where and when I could, which I was able to do. Fortunately, I finished the course in time as originally scheduled and avoided any extra charges for an extension.  I liked the video resources that supplemented what was being taught to reiterate or introduced new material for consideration, and were typically one hour or less. 5) Did you feel you were part of a learning community? As far as feeling a part of a learning community, I was the only student in my cohort, though once Professor Webb introduced one student from another cohort to contribute to my discussion section.  With that said, I felt very fortunate to have such dedicated attention from Professor Webb in answering the questions or comments I wrote in response to the questions in the book designed by Dr. David Nunan.  With the videos as well, I felt like I was part of a small community of teachers supporting my learning throughout the 15 weeks. 6) Can you tell us briefly about your career? After graduating from the University of Washington in Social Welfare, I furthered my studies at a technical school to learn drafting.  I worked as an after-school daycare worker and Sunday school teacher during that time. After receiving my certificate in drafting, I worked three years at a civil engineering firm in Bellevue, Washington.  Following that, I then worked at a middle school as a math assistant before coming to Japan on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, known as the JET Program.  I came to Japan in 1996 and have been here ever since, having experience in public schools in a rural town and city teaching both elementary and junior high school students in the subject of English and cross-cultural exchange.  Further, I worked at a private English conversation school, which was a private elementary/junior high/high school affiliated to a large university in Osaka.  Since then I have worked at four more private schools teaching English to elementary, junior high, and high school students.  I am currently working at a private Christian elementary school and at a couple of YMCA locations where I teach English.  From this May and June, I will begin teaching a business class too, with a company called ECC. I never thought I would be here in Japan for so long, but it has become home for me since I got married in Japan and have two children nearly grown up now.  Thank you for reading this rather long response. It was supposed to be brief. 7) Do you feel the TEYL Certificate will help your career?  I feel the TEYL Certificate will help my career as there were many things I studied that relate to my classroom experiences.  Both the theories of linguistics and practical skills studied are important aspects of the program that was complementary and balanced. 8) Who would you recommend these programs to?  I would recommend this program to anyone teaching young learners English or preparing to teach in any part of the world.  The material is rudimentary and a good foundation to build on for new teachers and a good refresher for those who have taught young learners, but would like to formally study or review linguistic theories and practical techniques. 9) Do you have any advice for new incoming students to the program? In terms of advice, I found it helpful to take notes during the video and stopping when necessary and even backing up several times.  Also, highlighting the book helped me.  I needed a paperback book and ordered a book, though it came during my second week of studies.  If you are like me and need a paperback version to highlight and write in, I would suggest ordering a copy well in

Read More »

2018 Anaheim University TESOL Residential Session & MECTokyo

Anaheim University will hold the 2018 TESOL Residential Session from Thursday, August 2nd to Sunday, August 5th, 2018 at the Wesley Center in the Minami Aoyama area of Tokyo, Japan. Anaheim University’s M.A. and Ed.D. in TESOL students from around the world will attend sessions related to “Analyzing Language for Content and Form” led by Anaheim University’s Ed.D. in TESOL Program Designer Dr. Rod Ellis, Ed.D. in TESOL Program Director Dr. Hayo Reinders and TESOL Professor Dr. Jo Mynard. The Master of Arts in TESOL sessions will focus on “Analyzing language for content” while the Doctor of Education in TESOL sessions will focus on “Analyzing learner language” and students from both programs will also gather for group activities. On Saturday, August 4th, 2018, the Multicultural Education Conference in Tokyo (MECTokyo) will be open to the public. Co-organized by Anaheim University, the theme of the presentations will be “English Opening Doors”, covering a range of topics of importance to English language teaching and teaching English to young learners. Plenary presentations will be given by Anaheim University TESOL Professors Dr. Rod Ellis and Dr. David Nunan and experts on Applied Linguistics and TESOL will be featured including Keio University Professor of English Dr. Yuji Nakamura. The keynote presentation will be given by Marin Minamiya, who is a Guinness World Record holder for being the world’s youngest mountain climber to climb the highest peak (including Mt. Everest) on all seven continents as well as reach the North and South Poles. These workshops are part of Anaheim University’s online graduate degree programs in TESOL: Online Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA in TESOL) Online Doctor of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Ed.D. in TESOL)   4-Day Residential Schedule Thursday, August 2: 9:00 am to 5:00 pmFriday, August 3: 9:00 am to 5:00 pmSaturday, August 4: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (MECTokyo)Sunday, August 5: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Sat. May 4 MECTokyo Schedule 9:30 am – 10:00 am Dr. Yuji Nakamura: “Two Sides of the Same Coin: Teaching and Testing”10:00 am – 10:50 am Dr. Rod Ellis: “Teacher-Preparation for Task-based Language Teaching”11:00 am – 11:50 am Dr. David Nunan: “Seven Things I Wish I’d Known…”11:50 am – 1:00 pm “Teacher Education and Professional Training” Panel Discussion with Dr. Rod Ellis, Dr. David Nunan, Dr. Yuji Nakamura & Dr. Masahiko Abe. Moderator: Dr. Hayo Reinders 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm “Making an impact in our institutions / the field: the benefits of getting a graduate degree” Student Panel Discussion3:00 pm – 3:20 pm Announcements3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Marin Minamiya: “Reaching for Greater Heights”   1-Day MECTokyo Conference: 1,500 Japanese Yen The fee to attend MECTokyo on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 is 1,500 yen.   4-Day TESOL Workshop Registration: $1,200 Note: This fee covers the TESOL workshop commencing on August 2nd and concluding on August 5th and includes attendance at MECTokyo. Click here to register for 4-day TESOL Residential Session Master’s Level: Analyzing Language for Content Topics in this master level TESOL workshop include: Introduction to methods for collecting and analysing language for content Introduction to methods for collecting and analysing language learner data Narrative inquiry for teaching and learning histories The TESOL professional – micro-consultations Teacher and learner autonomy Using visual narratives and other visual tools in research Enhancing your career Preparing for presentations with individual feedback Group poster session presentations of content analysis Group poster session presentations of language analysis   Doctoral Level: Analyzing learner language Topics in this doctoral level TESOL workshop include: Advanced methods for collecting analysing language learner data Advanced methods for collecting and analysing language for content Interaction analysis The TESOL professional – micro-consultations Fluency, accuracy, complexity Learner corpus data and learning analytics Task performance as engagement Preparing for presentations with individual feedback Group poster session presentations of content analysis Group poster session presentations of language analysis   Pre-Requisites Master’s Level Workshop: Participants must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. Non-native English speakers must meet the English requirements outlined here. Doctoral Level Workshop: Participants must hold a masters degree in TESOL or Applied Linguistics or a related area of Education from an accredited institution. Non-native English speakers must meet the English requirements outlined here. MecTokyo: No Pre-quesisites Rod Ellis, Ph.D.Anaheim University Doctor of Education in TESOL Program Designer, TESOL Professor Dr. Rod Ellis is a distinguished thought leader in the field of Second Language Acquisition. Prof. Ellis received his Doctorate from the University of London and his Master of Education from the University of Bristol. A former professor at Temple University both in Japan and the US, Prof. Ellis has served as the Director of the Institute of Language Teaching and Learning at the University of Auckland and has taught in numerous positions in England, Japan, the US, Zambia and New Zealand. Dr. Ellis, who is known as an expert in Second Language Acquisition, is author of the Oxford University Press Duke of Edinburgh Award-Winning Classic “The Study of Second Language Acquisition”, as well as numerous student and teacher-training textbooks for Prentice Hall and Oxford University Press, Prof. Ellis’s textbooks on Second Language Acquisition and Grammar are core textbooks in TESOL and Linguistics programs around the world. MECTokyo Sat, Aug. 4 10:00 am – 10:50 am: Teacher-Preparation for Task-based Language TeachingIn this talk I will discuss the various impediments to the implementation of TBLT in state schools in Asia. This provide the basis for arguing the need for well-thought out teacher preparation programmes. Previous evaluation studies of such programmes have pointed to a number of factors that are the key to their success. Drawing on research in teacher education more generally I identify a number of general principles that can guide the design of preparation programmes. Following a discussion of various proposals for the development of teacher preparation programmes for TBLT, I outline an introductory course designed to provide teachers with the concepts and tools needed to implement TBLT in their own classrooms. Finally. I acknowledge some impediments are likely to remain. Policy makers may mandate

Read More »

Anaheim University Graduate Interview – Paul Watson

1) Why did you choose Anaheim University? Basically, because of 5 key reasons: The professional and kind staff Accreditation Researched based and relevant academic programs Competitive cost Practical payment system Its online MBA and DBA Programs are practical, modern and relevant Its Accreditation – nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) Its Professors – all of whom are qualified with terminal degrees and real life practical experiences Its Ongoing Enrollment System – prospective students can start at the beginning of any term Its Accessibility to the Professors – we have access to the Professors’ contact info, who usually have a quick response rate Its Cost – quite reasonable especially compared to other institutions Its many modes of payment – a one-time payment system, per term payment, or pay in installments through a formal promissory agreement. About the Staff- I remember when I was enquiring many years ago about the program and the university. I had many questions, but the administrative personnel were always kind, patient, and informative. I thought that should I choose this university, I would then feel comfortable as there will be professional staff who will be able to assist me anytime. Anaheim’s academic, administrative, and technical staff are all professional. They really serve by the university motto: Student First, Always. 2) Can you tell us briefly about your career? I am a qualified foreign language Instructor. I have a BA in Spanish, a Post Graduate Foreign Language Teachers’ Diploma, an MBA from Anaheim, and presently pursuing my DBA also at Anaheim. I have over 20 years of teaching experience at all age levels, teaching Spanish, French and Maths in Jamaica, and EFL in Japan. My wife and I have been managing a small English Conversation school here in Japan, and I have just been offered a part time EFL lecturing position at a University in Japan. I have been President of many Organizations, including President for Okayama Association of Japanese English Teaching Programme (Okayama AJET) and President of Jamaica Spanish Teachers’ Association. During my tenure in these positions, some of my roles included liaising with different Ministries of Education (Education Officers/Consultants). For example, Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Okayama Board of Education, diplomats, University lecturers, teachers and students, for the promotion of foreign language education in the respective regions. 3) Why did you choose to earn an MBA? I have been a teacher all my life. I thought that a business qualification would give me more opportunities and marketability. 4) Why did you decide to pursue a DBA? I am interested in academia and teaching at the university level. In addition, I am interested in having and running a business. I thought that pursuing a DBA would give me the choices of being a University Lecturer/Professor, heading an educational institution, managing a private corporation or running my own business. I have even known people who have done all or most of the above in their lifetime, so if the DBA can give me that platform, then why not? 5) What did you like best about the program? First, the research aspect and secondly, the stimulating discussions. Almost every week we have to research and investigate a business topic and turn in a formal report. It’s basically learning by researching and seeking ways to apply the knowledge in the real business world. In addition, our daily student-led online discussions and the Real-time online classes with the Professors provide the opportunities for stimulating discussions with a diversified student population. We can share on various business topics in a respectful manner. The interesting thing is that we can hear different viewpoints from peoples with different cultural, educational, and working backgrounds. This helps to make the leaning process quite engaging. 6) What is your favorite memory from the program? The program is so practical and knowledge based that I was able to a research assignment on an NPO where I worked, and use the knowledge which I learned to implement some changes in the organization. 7) How was the experience studying online? In a nutshell – Superb! Challenging! Engaging! Enlightening! Fulfilling! It can be challenging but overall a wonderful and rewarding experience. I remember the proud moment getting my transcript after finishing the MBA. I felt it was worth it! 8) How do you balance the time required to study while working full-time? It’s very difficult. I am not going to lie. When you have a paper or two to write every week, a 40-hour per week full time job, family, and community commitments, it can be daunting. Many times I wanted to give up, but it takes personal commitment, determinations and family support to finish the program successfully. I have to literally make a conscious decision on a regular basis how much time I have to set aside for my studies. After a while, it becomes a routine. 9) Do you feel you were part of a learning community? Yes, the online discussion board and real-time classes help us students to always present and share our different points of view, whether you choose to do so in a relaxed manner or formal academic register. 10) What was the most unusual location you joined an online class or discussion forum from? At a Wedding Center. I remember once I had a real-time online class, but it clashed with my wedding invitation. I did not worry because the good thing about Anaheim’s system is that I could arrive early at the wedding, sit in my car in the parking lot, log into the system, join the class, participate in the discussion, and afterwards was just in time to participate in the wedding without missing a beat. 11) What would you say to someone who is hesitant about studying online? Yeah, I would understand their feelings. I was hesitant too at first but now I have no regrets. Online studies are convenient, where you have the ability to study while working full time. It’s recognized just the same as classroom style learning. There

Read More »

Anaheim Mayor Congratulates Anaheim University for 20 Years of Quality Online Education

Anaheim University was honored to receive this letter of congratulations from the Mayor of the City of Anaheim, Tom Tait, for Anaheim University’s 20 years of “providing top-quality online education worldwide”. With a juris doctorate degree and an MBA, Tom Tait has served for over 10 years on the Anaheim City Council and is in his second four-year term, which began in 2010, as the mayor of Orange County’s most populous city, while also serving as the CEO of an engineering and environmental services firm. He spearheaded Anaheim’s program to help the homeless and introduced “Drug Free Anaheim,” a program that encourages chronic drug users to ask for help at Anaheim police stations in exchange for a free ride to a rehabilitation center. He has also worked toward improving relations between the Anaheim police and residents. His “City of Kindness” initiative was instrumental in His Holiness the Dalai Lama choosing the city of Anaheim to celebrate his 80th birthday in July 2015, as well as in bringing together thought leaders for the Global Compassion Summit in Orange County, California. Celebrating its 160th anniversary in 2017, the City of Anaheim is one of the nation’s premier municipalities and California’s 10th most populous city. Located in Orange County, California, 28 miles southeast of Los Angeles, Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 346,000 residents, and has established sister-city relationships with Mito, Japan and Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. The municipal corporation’s annual budget is $1.6 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Disneyland Resort, CKE Restaurants, Inc., L-3 Communications, and Pacific Sunwear. Successful sport franchises including the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the Anaheim Ducks National Hockey League (NHL) team, the USA Men’s National Volleyball Team call Anaheim home. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, The Grove of Anaheim and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Anaheim is ranked one of the safest cities in the nation and annually welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play.

Read More »