Teacher

Organisation: Cannon Hill Anglican College

Job Title: Secondary Teacher, LOTE – Japanese

Word Limit: 3 pages maximum

Location: Cannon Hill, Queensland

Qualifications
In addition to my Teacher Registration, I have completed numerous qualifications including a Bachelor
of Education, Master of Education and Graduate Diploma of Teaching (LOTE) within Australia and a
Bachelor of Arts and Literature in Japan. Whilst I do not have a current first aid certificate, I would be
happy to obtain one if required within this role.
Pedagogy
During my considerable teaching experience of Japanese within Queensland State and Christian
schools, I have developed and maintained an excellent knowledge of the Australian curriculum as it
relates to LOTE teaching.
During my tenure with Grace Lutheran School in Clontarf, I had the opportunity to develop the new
whole-school program for Japanese language, ensuring units of work were developed for each year
level, including differentiated learning for different ability groups. In addition, I was intrinsically
involved in the process of having the programme funded through Education Queensland and was
successful in gaining this funding. This programme encouraged the integration of Japanese into
mainstream classrooms as well as teaching as a stand-alone subject and provided an innovative
programme to meet the needs of learners. The culmination of this programme was an end of year
presentation from Years 1 through 6 who cooked Japanese food, sang Japanese songs and presented
other items as a send-off for the Year 7 students at the school.
I am aware of the changes to curriculum through ACARE in 2014 and am able to work within this
curriculum to develop and deliver high quality Japanese language and culture programmes.
Student Focus
My teaching strategy at all levels involves an element of health and wellbeing, assisted by the fact
that a large amount of Japanese food and culture fits within these parameters. Teaching the LOTE
subject relies heavily on students being able to communicate with me and one-another to encourage
and improve their language skills. This requires an understanding of mixed abilities within the grade
and I have a number of strategies to cater for both children with special needs and students who form
the lower ability levels.
During my tenure at Humpybong State School, I developed an entire Japanese programme for their
special education unit which focussed highly on more cultural, awareness and understanding skills, as
well as some language skills. This programme was very successful and became a resource for use with
mixed ability classes in relation to differentiating learning tasks for all students to be engaged.
Within Kallangur State School, I implemented a learning portfolio activity which allowed students in
Years 6 and 7 to write and reflect on what they had learned within the class and their goals for the
year. This document was also used to communicate with parents and demonstrate learning progress
Professionalism
I have an exceptional enthusiasm for engaging and teaching students in the Japanese language and
this subsequently generates an enthusiasm for learning in students. From the very beginning,
students are taught simple Japanese greetings and I have worked hard to set up classes so that
children get an idea of what it would be like to sit in a classroom in Japan. I find this makes students
more creative, imagining what it would be like and interested, as it is something different to their
normal classroom setting. On numerous occasions, I have invited guest speakers into the classroom
for students to have a go at communicating with people in Japanese and have found this fosters an
interest in people and awareness of different cultures.
In all of my roles, I have maintained collaborative working relationships with other classroom teachers
and colleagues. During my tenure with West End State School, I worked together with the French and
Greek language teachers to create a high quality and cohesive school language programme which
catered to the needs of the students. Together, we would moderate assessments and tasks, create
ideas for lessons and share resources to assist one another.
I genuinely enjoy liaising with students and believe that my greatest strength is in supporting and
guiding them to maturity, finding independence and commencing their journey of life-long learning.
Communication Skills
I possess excellent communication skills and am able to adapt those skills depending on whether my
audience is students, parents or colleagues. I am conscious of parents and encouraging them to
engage with what is happening at school. In addition, as a matter of course, I always provide them
with ways in which they can easily contact me should they need to. Also, the student portfolio means
that parents are kept up to date with what is happening in the classroom and how their child is
progressing.
I am a confident and communicative individual who has used my communication skills for
international liaison within the Sarina Russo Institute, ensuring Japanese students feel welcome and
comfortable with their arrangements whilst in Australia. This involved communication with students,
their teachers in Japan and Australia as well as agents and tour operators. These skills culminated in
the significant growth of the exchange programme within the institute, increasing numbers to sit at
around 10% of the total student population. In addition, I have utilised my communication skills in the
operation of social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Blogs in both English and
Japanese.
Personal Characteristics
My teaching style lends itself to promotion of student inquiry and works towards students being
independent lifelong learners. One example is where I have set up a blog for students on WordPress
where they can type in the Japanese language and share their experiences online.

4 Yoshi Johnston
This includes researching topics, translating information into Japanese and creating an often new and
challenging experience for them. I have had excellent feedback from students, enjoying the process of
blogging in another language and some interaction with native Japanese speakers.
I have taken students on extra-curricular sessions and excursions, including Japanese cooking lessons
at a local restaurant and during my tenure at the Sarina Russo Institute, delivered study tours for
students from different countries ensuring safe and age appropriate content. These positive learning
experiences were very much valued and enjoyed by students and I have received excellent feedback
from them.
ICT Skills
I have strong ICT skills which I have demonstrated through the use of laptop and tablet computers,
iPads and electronic smart boards within my teaching roles. I have advanced skills in the use of the MS
Office suite of applications as well as Mac software, and have interacted both professionally and
personally with a broad range of social media platforms. Additionally, I have an advanced knowledge
of Adobe CS4, including Photoshop and other applications. Within my position at Sarina Russo
Institute, I was responsible for creating and editing web content for the creation of online learning
content and am competent in the use of Dreamweaver web software.
Spirituality
As a Christian, I find that I can relate well to the Anglican ethos and values and demonstrate these
both in my professional teaching and personal life. As well as encouraging learners to embrace the
values of diversity, respect, dignity, responsibility and social justice, my own teaching strategy aligns
well with a commitment to learning and a holistic learning environment for all students.
I have in the past and would be pleased to include activities and learning of the Anglican way within
my Japanese classes and feel it will assist to teach faith in every context and will help students engage
in these values as part of their everyday lives.
Commitment to the ongoing development of the college and its reputation in the community,
consistent with its mission, vision, ethos and Anglican identity
Using my skills and past experience in international and domestic relations, I can contribute to the
ongoing development of the college, especially in terms of its sister school relations and development
of awareness and acceptance of other cultures. By developing and delivering a high quality and
engaging Japanese programme, the reputation in the community will be fostered and enhanced.
I have high level marketing and sales experience within an educational context which will assist the
school through effective dissemination of college activities and focus to the community and beyond.