Curriculum Vitae - Soohwan Trass

Soohwan Trass 

Address:        

20 Triumph Road
Flat Bush
Auckland
New Zealand

Phone Number:

• Home: +6492738807

• Mobile: +642102660249

E-mail Address:

stra037@aucklanduni.ac.nz
choppitychop89@hotmail.com

 

Marital Status:         

Single - no children

Country of Citizenship:  

New Zealand

Native Language:           

English

Qualifications:       

• March 2008 – November 2010 - University of Auckland. Bachelor of Arts degree - Geography and Ancient History.

• January 2003 – November 2007 - Macleans College. Cambridge International Examinations - A level

Visa:
Will be applying for Child of a Japanese National Visa - as I have a Japanese mother.

Experience:

• Soccer coach, Fencibles United AFC – 6 months. Group of 12 to 13 year old boys. Sole charge of the group and educated the team in soccer technique, teamwork, organization and commitment.

• Bartender, Na Na Thai Restaurant – December 2007 to Present. Prepare and serve drinks. Interaction with a range of customers. Training for replacement bartender.

Travel Experience:      

• Japan 

1999 – 3 months – visit relatives, Tokyo, Nagasaki, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka and Kagoshima.

      2002 – 3 months – visit relatives, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Yokohama and Kagoshima.
2004 – 3 months – visit relatives, Osaka, Fukuoka and Kagoshima.

• ·         Thailand

      2009 – 1 month – visit friends, Bangkok.
2010 – 1 month – visit friends, Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin.

Skills:                                       

• Speak basic Japanese
• Can read and write Hiragana and Katakana – with limited vocabulary. Great willingness to improve on Japanese ability.
• Computer Skills – Achieved the grade A- in COMPSCI 111 (Computer Science). Confident with, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Played the drums for 5 years.

Hobbies:                                

• Japanese anime and manga.
• Soccer – played from 1998 to 2006, coached 2010.
• Cricket – played from 1998 to 2005 plus 2007.
• Rugby – played 2007.
• Ancient history.
• Classical writings.

References:                       

Bosco Lee (Restaurant Manager - Na Na Thai Restaurant)  
bosco850325@hotmail.com

·         Thi Nguyen (General Manager – Na Na Thai Restaurant)
ray_1vn@yahoo.com

Teaching Philosophy

Although I am inexperienced in teaching English inside a classroom, I have read theories on teaching philosophies. Firstly, I am very interested in using the Natural Approach method, under second language acquisition theory, when teaching English as a second language. It improves the student's language acquisition and also improves the relationship between student and teacher.

Firstly, classroom practice should involve activities that are interesting and relevant. Tasks that involve telling the class something personal about themselves will create an intimate group feeling. This level of comfort with one another will enable communication practice to flow more freely and thus improve the communication ability of the whole class.

The next goal of the Natural Approach is to reduce the anxiety levels of students individually. Students do not need to communicate in English until they are ready themselves. Error correction is saved for after class or eliminated completely. Topics should remain interesting to the individual, thus lowering any protection a student has unintentionally created, through anxiety, and enabling a better acquisition of the new language.

Students should be expected to identify their errors at home, when they have time, when they are focused on form, and when they know, or are learning, a rule. This enables them to be comfortable during communication-based activities in the classroom.

On the idea of error correction during communication practice, correcting a student’s error constantly has a negative effect on a student’s morale, their ability to acquire the language either stops, or slows down, and also the student becomes more intimidated by the teacher. The best method is to eliminate error correction entirely in communicative-type activities. Later, the student can understand their error and correct themselves for the future, thus gaining knowledge on their error plus acquiring a greater understanding of the language on a whole as they change their mental perception of the theory, or rule, behind their initial error. When it comes to manipulative grammar practice more attention must be given to error correction as there is less room for error in writing than in communicative practice and being comfortable while expressing oneself is more important in language acquisition. But yet, the method of error correction must be constructive and positive.

Why I want to work in Japan

As I am half Japanese, I am very much open to experience everything Japan has to offer and am ready to embrace life in Japan. There is so much I have yet to discover about Japanese culture, I am curious to learn more and be amazed by the many wonders of Japan. I have lived in New Zealand my whole life and would love the opportunity to travel and explore the world. As I am half Japanese, I have a large interest in discovering more about my mother's culture.  I have an interest in Japanese animation as well as comics. I also trained in karate for 4 years. With such a high interest in Japanese culture and the desire to travel, teaching English in Japan looks to be the best step for me in my future. My desire is to discover more about the culture ,learn the language fluently and also meet my relatives. I love meeting new people of all cultures and of all ages. Socially, I interact very well with people through my kind and respective personality. I am friendly, talkative and love to have conversations with people that I meet. While in Japan I can be very flexible. I am single and have no children, so I am able to move around freely. I don't have a lifestyle where I feel the need to spend all my money. I am financially responsible and always have an eye on the future. Moving to Japan and teaching English is more than just a desire, it’s something I absolutely must do.