Nobi Nakamura, born in Toronto, is a shin-nisei as both his parents immigrated to Canada in the 1970s. He spoke Japanese at home but in Japan he had to learn a more formal form of Japanese. Nobi spent from 1998 to 2001on the JET program as an Assistant Language Teacher working with junior and senior high school students in the Kagoshima area. In addition, he taught an adult English class once a week. Because of interest in Canada, Nobi started a Canada Club at the Friendship Centre where the local citizens met monthly to learn about Canadian culture. In celebrating Earth Day, a poster contest for junior and senior high school students was organized with a thrust on the environment. Even though Nobi had knowledge of Japanese language, he may say words slightly different and some people thought he must be an immigrant or someone who is not Japanese. However, he was able to enjoy Japan from the multiple experiences and being able to communicate more frankly and a bit more in depth because of his Japanese background. This allowed Nobi to get involved and share a lot more with the Japanese than many of his colleagues. Nobi practiced with the high school kendo team.
Nobi with students
Forum for the English teachers
from different countries on
international women’s perspectives.
(all photos: Nobi Nakamura)
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