Cathrine-Mette (Trine) Mork

I am a Canadian EFL professional with 30+ years of teaching experience, mostly in Japan (since 1995), and mostly at the university level. My experience teaching spans many levels, ages, and institution types. Before and during my graduate studies, I taught English in Costa Rica and Montreal, and after relocating to Japan I obtained a post-graduate diploma in TEFL.

I am currently seeking to relocate back to Canada. Although I am content to continue work in a teaching capacity, I am also very open to move away from the TEFL profession into a role that is closer aligned with instructional design, educational technology, curriculum design, or librarianship (my master's degree). I have taken a few EdX MOOC courses (part of University of Maryland's Instructional design master's program) and hope to do more. The course design and technology side of education is even more exciting to me that being in the classroom and I feel that increasingly technology-enhanced education is the future. I am also very keen to acquire coding skills for web development. I know a little HTML, but want to learn much more. I am very comfortable with learning new online systems or platforms, and good at learning on my own.

In my teaching career I have taught academic writing, speech communication, current events, pronunciation, small seminar classes, intercultural communication, comparative culture, CLIL courses, and study abroad preparation courses in addition to basic reading, writing, and oral communication classes to mostly Japanese students, but also exchange students from North America, Europe, and other parts of Asia. In 2020, I won the Award for Excellence in Teaching. Although pedagogy always comes first, I have always been a huge supported of EdTech, which proved useful during the pandemic. 

My experience in leadership roles is long as well. I have supervised Japanese students in their stays abroad, have been involved in pre-departure and intercultural seminars for business people going on overseas assignments or seminars, and have designed and taught ESP training for researchers and sales people when I conducted business training in Tokyo. My full-time university responsibilities have been managerial in addition to pedagogical; I have supervised part-time teaching staff in addition to designing programs and materials and being involved in committee work. I was the language program coordinator at my present place of employment for several years, and was the leader of the language program's curriculum reform committee in 2021. 

I am a member of several professional teaching associations, and my professional interests include educational technology, CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning), learning strategies, self-directed learning, intercultural communication, video use for language learning (I have a YouTube channel and blog that I publish irregularly at MORKSENSEI). I see computer technology as a boon to language acquisition and try to keep abreast of new developments that can help both myself and my students become more effective in our pursuits.

My interests have taken me to Munich to earn certification in administering and debriefing the Intercultural Development Inventory. I have also had the great pleasure of leading teacher presentations for THT (Teachers Helping Teachers, a JALT (Japan language Teaching Association) special interest group) over several summers in several towns and cities across Kyrgyzstan (as well as online).

I am proficient in spoken Japanese and have taken a Japanese to English translation survey course and can participate adequately in meetings conducted solely in Japanese. Having grown up in Quebec, I also speak French, though it has been a while since using that language. I understand a little Spanish, too, which I quickly learned while living in Costa Rica.

In my "down time," I work on my websites and YouTube channels, and enjoy cycling and travel.

Teacher Training: LDT100x: Learning Theories (2017) and LDT200x: Instructional Design Models (2018) - edX MOOCs on Instructional Design and Technology offered by University of Maryland); Graduate Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), The English Language Centre (now defunct), London, UK (1998). 

Conference Participation & Presentations: SUTLF 2018, JALTCALL 2015,  2016, 2017; JALT 2016, 2017 (and conferences off and on in previous 20 years), THT Kyrgyzstan 2016, 2019, IAFOR’s ACTC Annual Conference 2014, 2013, 2018; Paperless: Innovation & technology in education 2014; Hawaii International Conference in Arts and the Humanities 2014; TESOL Arabia 2013; ETJ Tokyo Expo 2011;  various JALT conferences and workshops throughout Japan 1999-2015; ACTJ Annual Mini Conference 2009; PLS Method Beginners' Teaching Seminar 1998.

MISC Presentations & Seminars: Miyazaki International College FD sessions 2017, 2018, 2019; Miyazaki Bank Language Training Seminar 2019; Miyazaki International Foundation culture presentation 2019 "Canada - a multicultural society";  IDI qualification certification 2018; Keynote presentation for JET Programme Skills Development Conference 2018 "Making an Impact Outside the Classroom", Ebino Summer HS Camps 2016, 2017, 2018; SIIC Workshop 2002.

Language Training: Japanese Language Proficiency Test level 2 (2000); Japanese Correspondence Course for JET Participants (1996-1997); University of Oslo International Summer School Language Program (1991).

Sports Training: CPR and YMCA Fitness Instruction (1996); National Coaching Certification (Canadian Figure Skating Association, 1995).

Misc.: Thai Traditional Massage (2003; 2002); Master School of Bar-tending Certificate (1995).

Mork, C. (2023). Writing assessment in the new landscape of AI writing software – How do we respond? Comparative Culture: The Journal of Miyazaki International College 27, 102-114.

Mork, C. (2022). Book review of Bridging the Humor Barrier: Humor Competency Training in English Language Education. JALT Journal 45(1), 170-173.

Mork, C. & Simpson, A. (2021). The Development of a Banking English Seminar. Comparative Culture: The Journal of Miyazaki International College 26, 15-36.

Mork, C. (2020). Assigning Roles in Small Group Discussions for Maximum EFL Learner Participation. The Language Teacher 44(5), 9-17.

Mork, C. (2019). Confirming or denying truths and lies with tag endings. In Julie Vorholt (Ed.), New Ways of Teaching Speaking (2nd ed.). (pp. 83-84). Maryland: TESOL Press.

Mork, C. (2018). Book review of Dynamic Lectures. Comparative Culture: The Journal of Miyazaki International College 23.2.

Mork, C. (2018). Individualized reading development outside of class: A review of readtheory.org. Comparative Culture Special Edition: The Journal of Miyazaki International College 22.2.

Mork, C. (2017, March). An experiment using Penzu for extensive writing. The FLTMAG. Retrieved from http://fltmag.com/an-experiment-using-penzu-for-extensive-writing/

Howard, A., and Mork, C. (2015). An Investigation into active learning at MIC: A beginning and the way forward. Comparative Culture: The Journal of Miyazaki International College 20.

Mork, C. (2014). Benefits of Using Online Student Response Systems in Japanese EFL Classrooms. The JALT CALL Journal 10(2), 127-137.

Mork, C. Using Audio-Visual Input in the Core Component of Aoyama University's Integrated English Program. Thought Currents, The English Literary Society of Aoyama Gakuin University (unpublished).

Mork, C. (2014). Voxopop for out-of-class speaking practice in the Japanese university EFL context - uses and student perceptions. The Asian Conference on Technology in the Classroom (ACTC) 2014 Official Conference Proceedings, 204-214.

Mork, C. (2014). Fragrance to Help Learning? Makes Scents. Hikaku Bunka Institute for Comparative Studies of Culture, Tokyo Woman's Christian University 60, 17-20.

Mork, C. (2013). Student Directed Twitter Usage in University EFL Courses. The Asian Conference on Technology in the Classroom (ACTC) 2013 Official Conference Proceedings, 139-146.

Mork, C. (2009). Using Twitter in EFL Education. The JALT CALL Journal 5(3), 29-44.

Mork, C. Co-translation of the film "La Vie Mumurée" (a documentary film about Osamu Dazai) by Des Films Nuit et Jour, produced by Gilles Sionnet and Marie Francine LeJalou, released Nov. 2009.

Mork, C. (2009). Using Multiply as a class management and communication system for EFL classes. The JALT CALL Journal 5(1), 77-90. 

Mork, C. (2002). Social Identity as an Obstacle to Foreign Language Acquisition in Japan. Journal of Minami Kyushu Junior College 8, 73-94.

Mork, C. (1998). Teaching Classroom English: Activities for the 1st Few Classes. The Language Teacher 22(7), 37.

Mork, C. NET (Nishimorokata English Teacher), editor, July 1996 - May 1997.

"Guns, Germs, and Steel - A CLIL course that promotes self-directed learning." JALT CCLT (Creating Community Learning Together) Learner's SIG Conference No. 6. Online, December 20, 2020. (visuals here)

"Ice breakers suitable for virtual synchronous classes." THT Kyrgyzstan 2020 Conference, Seminar & Workshop Series (for Eleventh Annual THT Kyrgyzstan) and Association of Japanese Language Teachers Forum (Online), Sept. 10, 2020. 

"Online reading resources for self-directed English language learners." THT Kyrgyzstan 2020 Conference, Seminar & Workshop Series (for Eleventh Annual THT Kyrgyzstan) and Association of Japanese Language Teachers Forum (Online), Sept. 10, 2020. 

"About active learning through active learning." English Language Teaching Seminar (英語教育セミナー) A one-time event hosted by MEI for JHS and SHS instructors for active learning at the Kiten building conference center (near Miyazaki Station), Nov. 29, 2019.

"What a CLIL course looks like." THT Kyrgyzstan 2019 Conference, Seminar & Workshop Series (for Tenth Annual THT in Kyrgyzstan) and Association of Japanese Language Teachers Forum (city of Bishkek), Sept. 7~11, 2019.

"The SQ4R method for active reading."  THT Kyrgyzstan 2019 Conference, Seminar & Workshop Series (for Tenth Annual THT in Kyrgyzstan) and Association of Japanese Language Teachers Forum (city of Bishkek), Sept. 7~11, 2019.

「多文化の国カナダ」 [Canada - A Multicultural Country.] presented for the Miyazaki International Foundation, Hotel Merieges, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki. March 9, 2019. 

"Timed Writing for improved EFL fluency and better CBI."  IAFOR International Conference on Language Learning, Dubai, UAE, February 16-18, 2018.   

"Making an impact outside the classroom." Keynote presented at the 2018 JET Programme Skills Development Conference, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki. Feb., 2018. (http://jetprogramme.org/en/conferences/)

"ReadTheory for university EFL reading practice - perceptions on progress." JALTCALL 2017 Conference, Matsuyama University, Shikoku, June 16~18, 2017.

"A heuristic for categorizing active learning teaching strategies." SUTLF conference 2016, Sojo University, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Feb. 4, 2017.

"Developing creative thinking & L2 communication skills through lateral thinking puzzles & mysteries." THT Kyrgyzstan 2016 Conference, Seminar & Workshop Series, Osh Pedagogical Institute of Humanities (city of Osh), Sept 8~9, 2016; Jalal-Abad State University (city of Jala-Abad), Sept. 10; Bishkek Humanities University (for Seventh Annual THT in Kyrgyzstan) and Association of Japanese Language Teachers Forum (at a local HS) (city of Bishkek), Sept. 14~15, 2016 .

"Defining and assigning roles in peer-facilitated discussions to ensure full class participation." THT Kyrgyzstan 2016 Conference, Seminar & Workshop Series, Osh Pedagogical Institute of Humanities (city of Osh), Sept 8~9, 2016; Jalal-Abad State University (city of Jala-Abad), Sept. 10; Bishkek Humanities University (for Seventh Annual THT in Kyrgyzstan) and Association of Japanese Language Teachers Forum (at a local HS) (city of Bishkek), Sept. 14~15, 2016.

"Timed writing - The why's and how's." THT Kyrgyzstan 2016 Conference, Seminar & Workshop Series, Osh Pedagogical Institute of Humanities (city of Osh), Sept 8~9, 2016; Jalal-Abad State University (city of Jala-Abad), Sept. 10; Bishkek Humanities University (for Seventh Annual THT in Kyrgyzstan) and Association of Japanese Language Teachers Forum (at a local HS) (city of Bishkek), Sept. 14~15, 2016 .

"Journaling offline or online for extensive writing – Which do students prefer?" JALTCALL 2016 Conference, Tamagawa University, Tokyo, June 5, 2016. (visuals here)

"Lingtlanguage for Oral Assignments." JALTCALL Conference 2015, Kyushu Sangyo University, Fukuoka. June 6, 2015. (conference outline here)

"Online Tools to Streamline Administration and Optimize Language Learning Opportunities." ETJ Association Conference 2014, Kanda Institute of Foreign Language Studies, Tokyo. Nov. 2, 2014.

"Voxopop for out-of-class speaking practice in the Japanese university EFL context - uses and student perceptions." IAFOR Asian Conference on Technology in the Classroom (ACTC) 2014, Ramada Hotel, Osaka. April 19, 2014. 

"The Socrative method: Enhancing student engagement through an online student response system (OSRS). Paperless: Innovation and Technology in Education, Kanda University of International Studies, Chiba, Tokyo. February 1, 2014.

 "Benefits of Using Online Student Response Systems in EFL Classrooms." 12th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii. January 10-13, 2014. 

"Student Directed Twitter Usage in University EFL Courses." IAFOR Asian Conference on Technology in the Classroom (ACTC) 2013, Ramada Hotel, Osaka. April 2013. 

"Web tools for speaking outside the classroom." ETJ Tokyo Expo 2011 Tokyo Keisai University, Tokyo. October 2011. 

"Twitter in the EFL Classroom." ACTJ Annual Mini Conference. Canadian Embassy, Tokyo. Nov. 3, 2009. (visuals here)

"Expressions to Empower Japanese Learners of English" 15th JACET Kyushu-Okinawa Chapter Conference, Civil Aviation College, Miyazaki. Nov. 27, 1999.

Moderator for The 7th Panel Discussion & Speeches for Exchange Students, AZM Hall, Miyazaki. Feb. 6, 1999.

Narrator for "Forestry in Miyazaki Prefecture" & "Let's Enjoy Sunshine Miyazaki City" (promotional videos for Miyazaki Prefecture and Miyazaki City, respectively 1998-99).

"An Introduction to Canada" in Japanese for Kobayashi International Club, Kobayashi Shakai Kyoikukan, Kobayashi, Miyazaki. Oct., 1997.

"Effective Use of the Text" 1996 Mid-Year Block Conference for the JET Program. Tokyo. Oct., 1997.

• Japan Association of Language Teachers (JALT)
• Moodle Association of Japan (MAJ)
• International Academic Forum (IAFOR)

Not current:

• Japan Association of College English Teachers (JACET)
• TESOL (USA)
• TESOL Arabia
• International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL)
• TESL Canada
• TESOL (USA)
• Foreign Executive Women (FEW)
• Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research in Japan (SIETAR)

• Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Miyazaki International College School of International Liberal Arts, August 5th, 2020.
• Honorable mention and publication in Cottage Life "Dax on Otter Lake." August 2002, p. 21 photo contest
• Honorable mention in "Dobutsu Fureai" [Communication with Animals] Kitamura Camera Co. 2001 photo contest
• 4th place winner of (Japan's) Environmental Agency's "8th Annual Essay Contest: Essays or Activity Reports on the Earth Environment" in The Daily Yomiuri Shinbun [newspaper] (announced Nov. 30, 1998. Title: "Vegetarianism and the Environment")
• 1995 student book award from SLA (Special Libraries Association) for highest course grade

• Middle Eastern dance, hoop dance,  Shorinji Renshinkan Karatedo (black belt)
• Blogger in perfumery, vegan recipes, dance, business
• Over twenty 5 km, 10 km, and half-marathon running races
• Participation in cycling, swimming, and short triathlon races
• Sr. Bronze to Sr. Silver levels in dance, free-style, and figures of the standard Canadian figure skating tests
• Dance test choreographer and partner for several Montréal South Shore figure skating clubs
• Actor in bilingual take-offs of "The Wizard of Oz" (2001) and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (2000) with the Miyazaki Theatre Company
• Founder and manager of the McGill Scandinavian Club; member of the McGill Travel Club

I have come to feel teaching is both a big responsibility and a privilege, as teachers can have a strong impact on the futures of their students. Teachers have to be attentive to the messages they pass on in their classes, and treat the profession as a never-ending learning process. My views on teaching English have evolved over the years and will continue to do so. My guiding principles can be encompassed in the following points:

Learner Empowerment

Teachers should seek to empower or capacitate students with the necessary skills to take control of their own learning (the "tricks" of successful learning). Especially in Japan, I feel learners need help in learning how to learn.  From the first class in any oral communication course I teach, I start by introducing students to control language, so that they can politely interrupt, state their level of understanding, solicit repetition, clarification, and rephrasing, confirm though restating and rephrasing, check that others understand, and use circumlocution strategies.  With a good foundation in such skills, students can take control of their own learning.

Role of the Teacher

In accordance with the above, I believe the teacher's role to be one of facilitator, guide, model, and mentor, enabling learners to reach their individual potentials.

Improvements in language proficiency are greater when language is not so much studied, but practiced. Students thus need to produce as much language as possible. The teacher should therefore act as a cheerleader, encouraging students to seek out as many opportunities as possible for practice outside the classroom, in addition to in it.

Motivation

It is extremely challenging to teach students something they have no interest in. Especially in university classes where some students many take a foreign language simply for credit, extra effort is needed on the part of the teacher to gain and keep their interest. Teachers need to foster a positive experiences and individual involvement. I attempt to motivate my students by: (a) adjusting the pace of the class to suit my students, (b) making the material interesting and relevant to their lives, (c) creating task-based activities which require active participation, (d) creating a warm learning environment and encouraging a sense of humor, (e) using authentic examples of language used by native speakers to help show that English is not a subject but a living means of communication, (f) employing non-print (audio/visual, internet) materials and technologies, and (g) expressing a contagious enthusiasm for language, learning, and teaching.

Support

Student should be equally valued and respected, regardless of ability or performance in the classroom, and should be expected to participate equally. Students should be encouraged not to be fearful of mistakes, as they a part of the learning process. Corrections should be made in a non-threatening manner, and in some situations the degree of correction can be negotiated with learners. Teachers should outline their rules and expectations early and abide by them. They should also show their commitment to students by making themselves accessible and open to feedback, suggestions, and requests both inside and outside of class. Praise should be awarded as much as possible and encouragement given to students experiencing difficulty. Students can also receive a great deal of assistance from each other, and teachers should promote such peer support. In an interactive classroom, students have the opportunity to get to know each other, and this results in a powerful sense of community.

Methodology

As individuals learn in different ways, teachers should be comprehensive and creative with their methodologies so that various learning styles are accommodated. Repeating the same material through different approaches not only ensures that all styles are provided for, but at the very least allows for the reinforcement of previously learned material.

Culture

Especially where communication style differs substantially from the cultures of native English speakers, English teachers need to focus on socio-pragmatics and help students gain awareness of the cultural aspects that affect the way we interact in different languages. This is why I tend to include intercultural communication topics in my classes, such as non-verbal communication (eye-contact, feedback-channeling, and the use of silence in particular for Japanese learners), different values and beliefs, and the dangers of stereotyping. As learners may in future be using English to interact with other non-native speakers of various origins, it useful to help students appreciate the variety of world Englishes.

Teacher Development

Teachers should take charge of their own individual development. Being engaged in learning a second/third language, presenting new ideas at professional conferences, conducting research, participating in professional organizations, initiating collaborative projects with colleagues, etc. all have a significant impact on our work. Teachers can formulate their own teaching models based on our experiences as both a language teacher and learner. In this way teachers can grow from more than just the understanding of the principals and theories that we have learned.

• 1996-1997; 1988-1989 Aerobics Instructor - International Culture Center, Ebino City, Japan; Champlain College, Montreal, Canada

• Feb. 1994 - April 1995 Library Clerk Ogilvy - Renault, Montreal, Canada

• Sept. 1990 - April 1991 Reserves Assistant - McGill Redpath Library, Montreal, Canada

• 1990 - 1992 Professional Figure Skating Coach - Various clubs of South Shore, Montreal, Canada