Practical English Center Instructors
William Kevin Penny
Kingston, Canada
My name is William Kevin Penny, and I am from Kingston in Canada. I have studied in both Canada and Britain and have been teaching English and other subjects in Japan for twenty years. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all new students at YCU!
My name is William Kevin Penny, and I am from Kingston in Canada. I have studied in both Canada and Britain and have been teaching English and other subjects in Japan for twenty years. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all new students at YCU!
Cameron Nitta
Hawaii, USA
Hello! I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and graduated from the University of Hawaii. I then decided to move to Japan to pursue my teaching career. I look forward to seeing you all in class.
Hello! I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and graduated from the University of Hawaii. I then decided to move to Japan to pursue my teaching career. I look forward to seeing you all in class.
Yoko Igarashi
Saitama, Japan
Nice to meet you, everyone. English is a tool for communication that can help expand your world and broaden your perspective. Learning a foreign language means you also learn about its culture, and at the same time, it becomes a mirror to look at your own language and gives you opportunities to think about your own culture. Let’s enjoy this interesting and enjoyable journey with me.
Nice to meet you, everyone. English is a tool for communication that can help expand your world and broaden your perspective. Learning a foreign language means you also learn about its culture, and at the same time, it becomes a mirror to look at your own language and gives you opportunities to think about your own culture. Let’s enjoy this interesting and enjoyable journey with me.
Frederick Bacala, Ed.D.
United States
Hello and Aloha! Originally from California, Hawai'i, and Las Vegas, I am now here in Yokohama, Japan! English can be difficult, but I hope I can help you improve your English and help you understand about culture! Aloha and Mahalo!
Hello and Aloha! Originally from California, Hawai'i, and Las Vegas, I am now here in Yokohama, Japan! English can be difficult, but I hope I can help you improve your English and help you understand about culture! Aloha and Mahalo!
Hiroaki Ohashi
Zushi, Japan
"Hello! I studied in Italy, the United States, and Japan, experiences that sparked my passion for cross-cultural communication, building positive relationships, and practical English education. In my classes, I focus on helping students develop communication skills, self-awareness, and confidence. I enjoy spending time in nature, traveling, and surfing. I look forward to speaking with you!"
"Hello! I studied in Italy, the United States, and Japan, experiences that sparked my passion for cross-cultural communication, building positive relationships, and practical English education. In my classes, I focus on helping students develop communication skills, self-awareness, and confidence. I enjoy spending time in nature, traveling, and surfing. I look forward to speaking with you!"
Thomas Gardner
Australia
Hi I'm Tom. Looking forward to meeting you!
Hi I'm Tom. Looking forward to meeting you!
Jonathan Phillips
USA
“If you don’t find the time, if you don’t do the work, you don’t get the results” -Arnold Schwarzenegger
“If you don’t find the time, if you don’t do the work, you don’t get the results” -Arnold Schwarzenegger
Gareth Barnes
Australia
Hi everyone! I’m Gareth, and I am looking forward to talking with you.
YCU is an exciting place to be and there are many friendly teachers and resources at the PEC to help you with English.
Gaining practical skills in English, or any other language, will change you in ways you cannot foresee; you'll find yourself in new situations and being extended in so many ways. There will always be a new challenge, a new obstacle to overcome, a new idea to share, a new perspective to encounter... Whether it be big or small, there is always something good to learn.
Hi everyone! I’m Gareth, and I am looking forward to talking with you.
YCU is an exciting place to be and there are many friendly teachers and resources at the PEC to help you with English.
Gaining practical skills in English, or any other language, will change you in ways you cannot foresee; you'll find yourself in new situations and being extended in so many ways. There will always be a new challenge, a new obstacle to overcome, a new idea to share, a new perspective to encounter... Whether it be big or small, there is always something good to learn.
Jeff Finnigan
Rochester/Syracuse, New York
Teaching is my passion, and I love bringing fun and motivation into every class. I enjoy helping peoples smile, gain confidence, and discover that learning can be exciting. I'm sure I'll learn new things from you as well~
Teaching is my passion, and I love bringing fun and motivation into every class. I enjoy helping peoples smile, gain confidence, and discover that learning can be exciting. I'm sure I'll learn new things from you as well~
Mikhail Alic C. Go
The Republic of the Philippines
Please just call me Mike Go. I look forward to meeting and talking with you at the Practical English Center (PEC).
Please just call me Mike Go. I look forward to meeting and talking with you at the Practical English Center (PEC).
Dustin K Luthro
Kansas, USA
I believe that passion and self-improvement are important to building an ideal lifestyle. That's why I am a teacher.
I believe that passion and self-improvement are important to building an ideal lifestyle. That's why I am a teacher.
Andrew Brown (Andy)
Seattle, Washington, USA
After four years in Korea, I've been teaching English for academic purposes in Japan for eleven years. I hold MA TESOL and BA English Literature degrees. My research focuses on feedback, interaction, and computer-assisted language learning, particularly through the lens of sociocultural theory.
After four years in Korea, I've been teaching English for academic purposes in Japan for eleven years. I hold MA TESOL and BA English Literature degrees. My research focuses on feedback, interaction, and computer-assisted language learning, particularly through the lens of sociocultural theory.
Wafa A.
Brooklyn, NY
I am a born and raised New Yorker with an M.A. in International Affairs and a CELTA certification. In addition, I have over 16 years of experience teaching East Asian students English, ranging from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Mainland China. When I was a university student, studied abroad in China and did a graduate internship in Hong Kong. I possess great enthusiasm for not only guiding students through their English journey, but also introducing them to the world of Global Studies.
I am a born and raised New Yorker with an M.A. in International Affairs and a CELTA certification. In addition, I have over 16 years of experience teaching East Asian students English, ranging from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Mainland China. When I was a university student, studied abroad in China and did a graduate internship in Hong Kong. I possess great enthusiasm for not only guiding students through their English journey, but also introducing them to the world of Global Studies.
Rebecca Funabashi
United Kingdom
As both an English teacher and researcher, I'm interested in how technology can make language learning more engaging and effective. In my free time, I enjoy spending time in nature, visiting hot springs, and eating delicious food.
As both an English teacher and researcher, I'm interested in how technology can make language learning more engaging and effective. In my free time, I enjoy spending time in nature, visiting hot springs, and eating delicious food.
Caroline Young
Ireland
I’m really looking forward to supporting you this semester and helping you use English in meaningful and enjoyable ways.
I’m really looking forward to supporting you this semester and helping you use English in meaningful and enjoyable ways.
Nicole Ballard
Ohio, USA
Hello! My name is Nicole Ballard and I'm from Ohio in the USA. I've been teaching in Japan since 2010, working in Tottori, Okayama, Chiba and Kanagawa. My interests include travel, reading, crafts and video games.
Hello! My name is Nicole Ballard and I'm from Ohio in the USA. I've been teaching in Japan since 2010, working in Tottori, Okayama, Chiba and Kanagawa. My interests include travel, reading, crafts and video games.