Akiko Sharp

Akiko Sharp

MA
Pronouns: She/Her

Positions

Associate Professor (Teaching), Japanese

Faculty of Arts, School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures

Undergraduate Advisor, Language placement

Faculty of Arts, School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures: Japanese

Contact information

Email

asharp@ucalgary.ca

Phone number

Office: +1 (403) 220-5308

Location

Office: Craigie Hall D 414

Background

Credentials

Graduate Certificate in Education, University of Calgary, 2012

Teaching Certificate - Junior/Senior High School, English Language, Saitama Board of Education (Japan), 1988

Educational Background

M.A. International Relations, University of Nottingham, 1992

B.A. International Relations, Tokyo International University, 1988

Research

Areas of Research

Japanese Language and Culture, Japanese Language Education, Virtual Exchange Program and COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning), Virtual Reality and Language Acquisition

Participation in university strategic initiatives

Human dynamics in a changing world

Courses

Course number Course title Semester
JPNS 205 Beginners' Japanese Fall 2017, 2022, Winter 2025
JPNS 207 Beginners' Japanese Winter 2018, 2023, 2024
JPNS 301 Continuing Japanese I Fall 2018, 2020, 2021, 2024
JPNS 303 Continuing Japanese II Winter 2021, 2022, 2025
JPNS 331 Intermediate Japanese I Winter 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
JPNS 333 Intermediate Japanese II Winter 2019, 2020, 2025
JPNS 373 Intermediate Skills in Japanese Writing Spring 2020, 2024
JPNS 441 Advanced Conversational Japanese Winter 2021
JPNS 451 Japanese Through Texts Winter 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
EALS 501 Advanced Research in East Asian Language Studies Winter 2023
JPNS 309.01 Wisdom, Imagination, and Creation (Group Study Program) Spring 2015, 2018, 2019
JPNS 310.01 Topics in Japanese Language in an Immersion Setting I (Virtual Learning I) Spring 2021, 2022, 2025
JPNS 312 Topics in Japanese Language in an Immersion Setting II (Virtual Learning II) Spring 2021, 2022
JPNS 310 / 311 Japanese Language in an Immersion Setting I (Group Study Program) Spring 2015, 2018, 2019
JPNS 312 / 313 Japanese Language in an Immersion Setting (Group Study Program) Spring 2015, 2018, 2019
JPNS 317 .03 Japanese Culture History in the Present Day (Group Study Program) Spring 2017

Projects

Japanese Program Website development for both Online and Face-to-Face classes (2024 - present)

With funding from the Japan Foundation (JF), we are constructing a dedicated website for our Japanese program. This website will serve as the hub for the　program, providing comprehensive information about the program, materials developed by instructors, and additional resources. It will host quizzes and reading materials created by students learning Japanese. Senior-level teaching assistants take on leadership roles, facilitating study sessions for both online and in-person Japanese class students. They also assist in creating quizzes and writing assignments, which will then be proofread by Japanese language instructors to ensure they are grammatically correct and appropriate for the learning level. 

Virtual Reality and Language Acquisition - VR to Japanese Language Education (2021- present)

We initiated a research project that recruited student volunteers to experiment with these cutting-edge Oculus Quest devices. While the high cost of the devices and the significant preparation time required mean they are not yet ready for widespread classroom use, the potential for immersive and interactive language learning through virtual travel and realistic scenarios has become evident. We eagerly anticipate further developments in this field. 

“Introducing Virtual Reality to Japanese Language Learning”https://sites.google.com/view/uofcvrproject/home?pli=1

Virtual Exchange Program and COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) (2021 - present)

I designed and executed the Virtual Exchange Program in May 2021 and 2022.

These two virtual programs collectively engaged 122 students from Japan and Canada. I was pleased that I was able to introduce various aspect of Japanese culture that closely related to long history of Japan. I was also able to have enough time to introduce famous Japanese folk tales and had time to let students to research the background of some selected well-known stories. I believe that this additional experience was benefit for students to deeply understand Japan. 

Disseminating Japanese Culture: Think Ink: Learn Japanese Calligraphy and Japanese Culture Series (2014-present)

I have been leading the "Think Ink: Learn Japanese Calligraphy" event since its inception in February 2014. This event has become a cornerstone for promoting Japanese culture at the University of Calgary. Originally part of the Japanese Program's Culture Series (formerly the Mitsui Culture Series), "Think Ink" has grown into a significant cultural introduction event. We celebrated the 10th anniversary of “Think Ink #10” on March 12, 2024, with 30 students. This series not only enhances the understanding of Japanese culture among participants but also promotes meaningful cultural exchanges between Canadian and Japanese students. The student club - JCC (Japanese Culture Collective) is a collaborator to implement this event since 2019.

Think Ink past events. https://sites.google.com/view/learningjapanesecalligraphy/home  

Using and Making Voice Recording in Japanese Classes (2018 - present)

To enhance students' fluency in Japanese and support their learning of Kanji (Chinese characters), I introduced a "Voice Recording Project" into my regular language teaching practice. For this project, I collaborated with a professional voice actor to create voice recordings of the story "Doraemon" from the Genki I textbook. We produced two distinct versions: one with straightforward narration accompanied by music, and another with a more dramatic, performance-oriented style. Students listened to both versions and used them as models to practice and improve their reading fluency. As part of the assignment, students created their own voice recordings, selecting music that reflected their personal interests. These recordings were then submitted via D2L. Student feedback indicated that the project boosted their confidence in reading Kanji and improved their overall fluency in reading Japanese texts. The students' recordings were unique and creative, demonstrating their effort to produce fluent and polished work. I observed that this project not only motivated students to practice reading but also encouraged them to engage more deeply with the material, resulting in creative artifacts that showcased their progress. 

Development of Japanese Role-Playing Game for Beginners (2014 - 2016)

Supported by Video Game Company (Pixcel). 

In 2014, I initiated and led a project at the University of Calgary to develop a digital language learning game specifically designed for beginners of Japanese. This project, supported by Pixcel, a video game company, involved collaboration with Dr. X. Yang from the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures, and Cultures (SLLLC), Nat Tan, a seasoned game designer and graduate student in computer science, and Jerremie Clyde from Libraries and Cultural Resources. In this project, I devoted considerable time to selecting the vocabulary and sentences to be integrated into the game. However, the students who participated in the trial expressed concerns about the game’s quality, to the extent that they suggested the words incorporated could be anything, as long as it fit within the context of a game. The project eventually concluded when Nat, the game designer, was headhunted by another company. At that time, I did not anticipate that this research experience would lead to my next project, Introducing VR into Japanese Language Teaching, but looking back, I believe this experience was instrumental in guiding me toward exploring the world of Virtual Reality, a field that remains largely uncharted territory for many language educators. 

Awards

  • Faculty of Arts Award for Leadership in Internationalization, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary. 2022
  • The Consul General's Commendation, Consulate General of Japan in Calgary. 2019
  • Nominated "2020-2021 Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award", UofC Student Union. 2021
  • Nominated "2018-2019 Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award", UofC Student Union. 2019

Publications

  • “Building Multicultural Understanding Through an Online Exchange Program - Piloting a hybrid face-to-face and online project”. • Yabuta, Y., Tominaga, Y, Birch, G., and Sharp, A. . Seisen Jogakuin Academic Journal 2024. (2024)
  • "Creating a Bilingual Book through Cross-Cultural Collaboration". Tominaga, Y. and Sharp, A. . Seisen Jogakuin College Academic Bulletin No. 21. 2024. (2024)
  • Genius English Japanese Dictionary (ジーニアス大英和辞典). Contributor for Taisyukan’s Unabridged Genius English Japanese Dictionary”. Taisyukan Syoten. (2001)
  • Interactive Japanese 3 (Continuing Japanese Textbook). X. Jie Yang and Akiko Sharp. (2006)

More Information

  • Sharp, A., Tominaga Y. (2023, October). Implementing the “Mottainai Project” through CLIL and COIL. Presentation to the 6th J-CLIL Annual Bilingual Conference. Tokyo, Japan. 
  • Sharp, A. (2023, August).  Practical Examples for Virtual Exchange Program and Future Possibilities. Presentation to CAJLE Annual Conference 2023. Montreal, Canada.
  • Sharp, A., Ishikawa, H. (2023, March).  Venturing into the Virtual World: Practical Experiences and Realizations of Online Interactions. Presentation to Sekaino nihongo, Worldwide Japanese Language Teaching online conference.
  • Sharp, A., Tominaga. Y. (2022, October).  From Conception to Bilingual Book: Insights from the Virtual Exchange Program Fostering Collaboration between English and Japanese Language Learners. Presentation to CLIL - Japan (Japan - Content and Language Integrated Learning) The 5th Bilingual Conference. Online 
  • Ishikawa, H., Sharp, A. (2022, August). Japanese VR Project: Introducing Virtual Reality to Japanese Language Learning. Presentation to CAJLE Annual Conference 2022. Online.
  • Sharp, A. Tominaga. Y. (2021, October). Exploring Collaborative Learning Opportunities Between English and Japanese Language Learners: Insights from the Virtual Exchange Program. Presentation to CLIL - Japan (Japan - Content and Language Integrated Learning) Workshop. Online. 
  • Sharp, A. (2021, October). Virtual Group Study Program on Zoom - Challenges of designing and implementing the program. Presentation to JSAC (Japan Studies Association of Canada) 2015 International Conference, online.
  • Sharp, A. (2021, September). Implementation Report of Three-Week Virtual Exchange Program at the University of Calgary in 2021. JALT (The Japan Association for Language Teaching) Study Abroad SIG Conference. Online.
  • Sharp, A. (2021, August). Case Report: Experiments with Integrating Japanese Speaking Volunteers into Synchronous Online Classes. Poster Presentation to CAJLE Annual Conference 2021. Online.
  • Sharp, A. (2020, August). Case Report – Group Study Program at the University of Calgary. JALT (The Japan Association for Language Teaching) Study Abroad SIG Conference. Online.
  • Sharp, A. (2020, August). Important tips to invite Teaching Assistants from Japan in Zoom classes. Presentation to CAJLE Online Gathering to Share. Online.
  • Sharp, A. (2020, August). Designing Online Japanese Language class. Japan Foundation Teachers’ Online Gathering.
  • Wang, N., Sharp, A. (2019, August). Verifying the Effect of Using Narration in Japanese Classes – The Report from Canada and Japan. Presentation to CAJLE Annual Conference 2019. Victoria, BC, Canada.
  • Sharp, A., Kodama, Y., Yang, X. and Whaley, B. (October 2018) Perceptions of Images from Japan: How to Design an Attractive Study-Abroad Program. Roundtable to JSAC (Japan Studies Association of Canada) 2018, Edmonton, Canada.
  • Wang, N., Sharp, A. and Yoshizumi, Y. (2018, August). Proposal of teaching method of using “Voice Samples”. Roundtable to CAJLE Annual Conference 2018. London, Ontario, Canada.
  • Ishikawa, H., Sharp, A. and Kodama. Y. (August 2017). Designing Online Placement Tests for the Japanese Language Program at the University of Calgary. Poster Presentation to CAJLE Annual Conference 2017. Calgary, Canada.
  • Roth, M., Schmitt, S., Sharp, A. & Tan, N., (2016, August). Expanded Motivational Study with Language and Culture Education Game. Presentation to Replaying Japan 2016.          Leipzig, Germany.
  • Sharp, A. and Tan, N. (2015, August). The Development of role-playing video game for Japanese language learners. Presentation to CAJLE Annual Conference 2015. Vancouver, Canada.
  • Tan, N. and Sharp, A. (2015, May).  Motivational Study with Language and Culture Education Game.  Presentation to Replaying Japan 2015 conference. Kyoto, Japan.
  • Sharp, A. (2015, May). Learning and Maintaining a Minority Language in Canada - Focusing on Japanese Heritage Language Education in Calgary, Alberta. Presentation to JSAC (Japan Studies Association of Canada) 2015 International Conference. Tokyo, Japan.
  • Sharp, A. & Yang, X. J. (2014, August). The role of JRPGs (Japanese role-playing games): A comparison of online Japanese Language Learning Tools. Presentation to Replaying Japan 2014 International Japanese Game Research Conference.  Edmonton, AB.
  • Sharp, A. Tan N., Yang, X. J. & Clyde, J. (2014, August). Japanese language and culture video game. Presentation to Replaying Japan 2014 International Japanese Game Research Conference.  Edmonton, AB.

Since November 2020, in collaboration with community leaders, I have established, organized, and sustained monthly online skill improvement workshops for Japanese instructors and Zoom gatherings for Japanese language enthusiasts, fostering ongoing community engagement. To date, these three initiatives have brought together a total of 656 participants online.

  • “Genki Share Kai” – Monthly online skill improvement workshop for Japanese language instructors (November 2020 to July 2021, with a total of 152 participants from multiple provinces)
  • “Hananichi” – Monthly Zoom gathering (May 2021 – ongoing, 384 participants as of May 2023)
  • “Zoom de Koremite”: Online Students Gathering – Educational Contributions and International Collaboration (2021-present, 120 participants)

My language-teaching career began teaching English at high schools in Japan. I was a founding member of Derby Japanese School (http://www.derbyjs.co.uk) for children of employees of the Toyota Derbyshire factory in the UK in 1991. I have been involved in community bilingual and heritage Japanese language education since she arrived on these shores in 1995, and have been an active volunteer in Winnipeg and Calgary promoting Japanese language and culture. I have served as Vice-Principal of the Calgary Japanese Language School and as President of SAJLTA (Southern Alberta Japanese Language Teachers’ Association), I also served a board member of CAJLE (Canadian Association for Japanese Language Education) and an organizing member of the National Japanese Language Speech Contest. Since 2016, I have been serving as a representative of the Calgary Region for the Alberta Japanese Educational Consortium.

I was involved in the Japanese Language Speech Contest since 1997. I am a member of the organizing committee for the Alberta District Japanese Speech Contest and used to be a member of the National Japanese Language Speech Contest.

https://www.cajle.ca/activities/japanese-speech-contest/canadian-national-japanese-speech-contest/