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Kaori Frizelle, Associate Teacher in the Japanese Section (MLAL), has won the 2024/25 Regional Teaching Excellence Award. The award ceremony took place at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) on Wednesday, May 28th. This award is a collaborative initiative between TUS, Mary Immaculate College (MIC), and UL. It showcases and champions outstanding practice in Higher Education teaching.

To celebrate this great achievement, Kaori was interviewed by the Japanese Section Erasmus+ intern, Siham Ouled Ali. -- 

S: How many years have you been teaching Japanese in UL? What do you teach? 

K: I’ve been teaching Japanese at UL since 2012, so that’s 13 years now. I mainly teach first- and second-year Japanese language modules, the Broadening Japanese for Beginners module and third-year literature modules.

S: Can you tell us a bit about your teaching journey? What inspired you to become a teacher? 

K: It was a somewhat spontaneous path, but I was fortunate to end up in my current role in UL. Once I started, I realised how much I enjoyed teaching – it truly feels like a perfect fit for me. It’s vocational. 

S: How did you feel when you first found out about the nomination? 

K:I was really surprised and honoured to be selected as a finalist, but even more surprised to actually receive the award. I'm truly moved and deeply grateful. 

S: Can you share a memorable moment from your teaching career that you’re especially proud of?

K: There isn’t one particular moment that stands out, to be honest. But I always feel really happy when I hear how former students are doing – whether they’re using Japanese or not. Just knowing that they’re doing well on their paths makes me feel proud to have been part of their journey. 

S: What teaching strategies or approaches do you think helped you stand out as a Japanese language teacher?

 K: I wouldn’t say I have a particular teaching strategy or approach that stands out, but I’ve always had a wide range of interests and experiences, and I feel that these have helped me in various ways as a Japanese language teacher. 

S: How do you engage students and help them stay motivated when learning Japanese, especially when it gets challenging? 

K: Since every student is unique, I strive to understand each one so I can provide support tailored to their individual needs. It can be challenging, but I want to provide as much personal support as possible. 

S: Do you have any advice for aspiring teachers? 

K: I believe that everything you experience will find a way to be useful in this job. Enjoy what you love, follow your curiosity, and let’s keep exploring our own path as teachers.  

This award is testament to the hard work and commitment to language teaching in the Japanese Section in MLAL