Chapter 4. Transnational Teachers in Japanese Secondary Schools: Three Stories
Melvin Lai, Daisuke Miyahira, and Miyuki Akamat Hosoi
Abstract
This chapter aims to share first-hand experiences from transnational and multilingual language teachers working in Japanese secondary schools. It also offers possibilities for other teachers working in a similar context. The authors hope to give hints in addressing how transnational and multilingual teachers can feel more comfortable working at Japanese schools, beyond the labels of “native teachers” and “Japanese teachers of English.”
About the authors
Melvin Lai ライメルビン 頼文仙 is a full-time English teacher at Toyo Eiwa Junior and Senior High School. Melvin was born in Singapore and raised, at first in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and then later in the state capital of Perth. He has a BA in Japanese Studies and Psychology and a Graduate Diploma in Education for both EAL/D and LOTE (Japanese) from the University of Western Australia. In 2010, he was awarded the Westralian Teachers of English to Speakers of other languages Prize. He is active in English language debate teaching at the high school level as a committee member of the High School Parliamentary Debate Union of Japan.
Daisuke Miyahira 宮平大輔 is a full-time English teacher at International Christian University High School (ICUHS), where he teaches both EFL and literature-focused classes. He spent his formative years in the U.K. and came back to Japan to attend high school. He holds a BA and an MA in language acquisition and educational policy. His current research interests range from returnee education, identity, and the integration of AI into both language education and school administration.
Miyuki Akamatsu 赤松美由紀 is a full-time English teacher at Kasukabe Kyoei Junior and Senior High School. She grew up in the United States during her elementary and middle school years. She has a BA in foreign studies from Sophia University and an MA in TESOL from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her interests include communicative approaches to teaching English and preparing students for academic examinations in Japan, learner identity, and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). She has contributed as a co-author to ENRICH LEARNING English Communication Revised (Tokyo Shoseki), a MEXT-authorized textbook series.
Citation
Lai, M., Miyahira, D., & Miyuki, M. (2026). Transnational teachers in Japanese secondary schools: Three stories. In A. Minematsu, R. Ikeda, & M. Yazaki (Eds.), Beyond kikokushijo: Teaching English in Japan after growing up between languages and cultures (pp. 75–101). Candlin & Mynard. https://doi.org/10.47908/47/4
This chapter aims to share first-hand experiences from transnational and multilingual language teachers working in Japanese secondary schools. It also offers possibilities for other teachers working in a similar context. The authors hope to give hints in addressing how transnational and multilingual teachers can feel more comfortable working at Japanese schools, beyond the labels of “native teachers” and “Japanese teachers of English.”
About the authors
Melvin Lai ライメルビン 頼文仙 is a full-time English teacher at Toyo Eiwa Junior and Senior High School. Melvin was born in Singapore and raised, at first in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and then later in the state capital of Perth. He has a BA in Japanese Studies and Psychology and a Graduate Diploma in Education for both EAL/D and LOTE (Japanese) from the University of Western Australia. In 2010, he was awarded the Westralian Teachers of English to Speakers of other languages Prize. He is active in English language debate teaching at the high school level as a committee member of the High School Parliamentary Debate Union of Japan.
Daisuke Miyahira 宮平大輔 is a full-time English teacher at International Christian University High School (ICUHS), where he teaches both EFL and literature-focused classes. He spent his formative years in the U.K. and came back to Japan to attend high school. He holds a BA and an MA in language acquisition and educational policy. His current research interests range from returnee education, identity, and the integration of AI into both language education and school administration.
Miyuki Akamatsu 赤松美由紀 is a full-time English teacher at Kasukabe Kyoei Junior and Senior High School. She grew up in the United States during her elementary and middle school years. She has a BA in foreign studies from Sophia University and an MA in TESOL from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her interests include communicative approaches to teaching English and preparing students for academic examinations in Japan, learner identity, and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). She has contributed as a co-author to ENRICH LEARNING English Communication Revised (Tokyo Shoseki), a MEXT-authorized textbook series.
Citation
Lai, M., Miyahira, D., & Miyuki, M. (2026). Transnational teachers in Japanese secondary schools: Three stories. In A. Minematsu, R. Ikeda, & M. Yazaki (Eds.), Beyond kikokushijo: Teaching English in Japan after growing up between languages and cultures (pp. 75–101). Candlin & Mynard. https://doi.org/10.47908/47/4
Information About the Book
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Title: Beyond Kikokushijo: Teaching English in Japan After Growing Up Between Languages and Cultures
Editors: Edited by Aiko Minematsu, Risa Ikeda, and Maki Yazaki Publication date: September 20th, 2026 Read more...Read more... |