Takako Amano
After successfully multiplied the number of students at UEA Norwich UK, Takako moved to University of Central Lancashire in 1997, where she started the new Joint Degree in Japanese with seven students. Ever since, Japanese at UCLan has grown into one of the largest in the UK. Japanese at University of Central Lancashire is also known to have one of the largest Period Abroad programme in Japan and Takako has established and maintained partnerships, and has been recognised as one of the most experienced in this field in UK and Japan. Takako says "Siblings and friends of ex-students are joining Japanese at UCLan thanks to the word of mouth enthusiasm of existing and graduated students. I have enjoyed finding hidden gems who have not even realised of their potential and polishing them up to see them shining. I am blessed to share important years of the lives of our students who love Japan."
As a Senior Lecturer, Takako takes Module Leaderships and teaches any modules that are in need of close monitoring. Within her capacity of the Director of East Asia Exchange, Takako communicates and negotiates matters beyond administrative levels with all partner institutions in Japan and student issues on period abroad. As an active researcher, Takako speaks at various conferences and her most recent publication is "Communicating issues of students in relation to mental health and identifying blind spots of support networks on year abroad" (Leeds University Press, 2020).
Takako worked as an official teacher in Osaka, Japan, immediately after obtaining her BA (Hons) in 1990 then was offered posts at University of East Anglia, UEA Norwich, UK and taught 'English-Japanese Translation' for the Centre of English and British Studies and 'Japanese as a foreign language' for the School of Modern Languages and European History between 1992 and 1997. Since September 1997 to date, Takako has been teaching at University of Central Lancashire. Takako has acted as the Subject Leader for Japanese for many years and also took various roles such as Equality & Diversity Lead, Disability review panel or Sustainability lead. Takako is known in the field of student mobilities for establishing links for International institutional Cooperation with over 30 Japanese and Korean institutions and has been presenting her views at various conferences.
- Takako obtained the BA (Hons) in Area Studies in Vietnam & Thailand and Linguistics plus PGCE equivalent at Osaka University of Foreign Studies (currently School of Foreign Studies at Osaka University) in Japan in 1991. Whilst teaching at University of East Anglia, Norwich, she completed her MA in Applied Linguistics in 1995.
- Internationalisation of higher education
- photography
- mid-century art and architecture development of Japanese textiles
- Takako has acted as the External Examiner for various Higher Education institutions such as Universities of Birmingham, Hertfordshire, Keel, Kent, Nottingham, Reading and Salford, and is currently an External Examiner for University of Hull
- Takako has the Fellowship of Higher Education Academy, FHEA since 2007
- As an active public speaker, Takako has represented UCLan's Japanese outside the institution such as being asked to speak on the radio and TV
Takako has been actively presenting her research at various conferences on Student Mobility or Year Abroad, and has been asked to talk about her experience in the field. For example in 2019, she talked about “Communicating issues of students in relation to mental health and identifying blind spots of support networks on year abroad” for Year Abroad Conference Leeds. In 2018 Takako was invited to give a talk on “Equal opportunity, Consumer rights, Contract in relation to period abroad” for JF/BAJS/BATJ Spring Symposium (Re)Defining and Promoting Japanese Studies in UK. Regent College, London. In 2016, she presented "Problem areas when managing Period Abroad programme in Japan for UK Higher Education” as an invited presentation for Japan Foundation Period Abroad Coordinator Conference and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), London and in 2013 on “Adapting study abroad programmes to accommodate work experience on a global scale” for Residence Abroad, Social Networks and Second Language Learning Conference at University of Southampton. Or in the field of English as a foreign language, Takako gave a talk on “Expectation and delivery-problem attracting Japanese students to the UK”. (2008). BALEAP PIM. University of Manchester. As Takako's interests are not limited in one area, she also has made contributions in different fields: In art history: “A personal view on Shiba Kōkan” in Wiessala, G. (2011). Enhancing Asia-Europe Co-operation through Educational Exchange, Rutledge. Or in the field of learning difficulties in the context of learning Japanese as a foreign language: “Reconsideration of the Provision of Japanese as a Foreign Language in Higher Education in the United Kingdom in the 21st Century: -Towards Inclusive Education for Learners with Specific Learning Disabilities-” (Plenary). (2010). BATJ (The British Association for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language) at University of Reading. And “Developmental Dyslexia: Its definitions, theories, symptoms, laws in the UK and suggestions for learning and teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language” in BATJ Journal Vol. 9. (2008) and invited to give a workshop. “Dyslexia in Alphabetic and Non-alphabetic Scripts”. (2001). BDA (The British Dyslexia Association 5th International Conference, York. Takako is currently preparing for some exhibitions on Japanese textiles involving multiple organisations and joint projects with various scholars across different fields.
- Takako has also been leading the annual ‘Bunkasai’ or the ‘Japan Day@UCLan’, the Japanese Cultural Day that has been open to members of public with the student-led Japanese Society and her immediate colleagues. Each Bunkasai has welcomed a distinguished guest from Japan related organisations and the 6th Bunkasai in 2020 was opened by Mr Takeshi Ito, Minister of Public Diplomacy from the Japanese Embassy and this whole day event not only appeared in various presses but also made appearance on BBC news
- UCLan to hold first Japanese catwalk show for Japan Day
- UCLan to host its first Japanese catwalk show to celebrate Japan day
- Far East Focus
- Japan Day Goes live
- Japanese Embassy official visit to Preston for cultural celebration of Japan
- UCLan welcomes Japanese Minister to Preston
- Japanese Minister visits UCLan for cultural celebration
- To get in touch with Takako, you can contact her via UCLan email
- Life after a Languages
Telephone:+44 (0) 1772 893129
Email: Email:Takako Amano