DSU’s Ryan to teach at Tamagawa University

Dakota State University professor of English, International Studies Coordinator and Director of International Programs, Lynn Ryan, will be traveling to Japan to teach English and social studies courses at Tamagawa University in Tokyo, Japan until the end of July.

Ryan starts teaching on Monday, April 23. She will teach four university courses in both two and four year programs as well as teach three hours a week at the junior high level.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” said Ryan. “I’ll be dealing in a culture everyday where I can’t speak the language.”

Ryan says Japan’s educational system is different from America’s. While America’s students are encouraged to discuss a professor’s lecture in class, Japanese students are discouraged from in class discussion.

“I enjoy working with the Japanese. They are all friendly and want to learn English,” said Ryan. “But they are afraid of making mistakes. They might be in shock with discussion. I might be in shock without it.”

Students in Japan are taught English early on from textbooks. “Some students know a little English, others don’t know any,” said Ryan. “They are drilled in textbook English, but not conversational English.”

Because of the collaboration between the two universities, Ryan gives the Japanese university a native speaker, while she has a chance to recruit students to attend Dakota State University. The experience should create strong ties between Dakota State and Tamagawa University.

“It’s kind of been a dream of mine,” said Ryan. “I’ve always wanted to live in another country to get to know it in a different way than just the tourism side.”

Ryan hopes to be able to have her DSU and Tamagawa classes emailing each other. “If the Japanese students are willing, I want to hook up both universities through email,” she said.

For the first few weeks of her stay, Ryan will stay in an on campus apartment, but will be forced to find an apartment of her own afterwards.

“I’m hoping I can find something close enough to walk or ride my bike to campus,” said Ryan.