![Emi Sakamoto BA (Hons), MA, MSc, PhD](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/7892?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Emi Sakamoto
(she/her)
BA (Hons), MA, MSc, PhD
Teams and roles for Emi Sakamoto
Lecturer in Japanese Studies
Overview
As a Lecturer in Japanese Studies, my current and recent roles include teaching Elementary and Intermediate Japanese language, and module coordination.
In addition to this, since 2021-22, I have been the Year Abroad Coordinator of all our placements in Japan, working across 18 Japanese universities. This role entails supporting students prior and during their stay in Japan, liaising with the Embassy and partners, overseeing senior Japanese visits to our School, and coordinating assessment related to placements. I have initiated and completed two new partnerships with Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Kokugakuin University where our students will study from 2025-26.
Since 2022-23, I have been Deputy Chair of the School’s Examination Board, supporting the Chair in the validation of student progression, award and degree classifications.
As a member of the Journal Committee of the British Association for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language (BATJ), I regularly peer-review articles and papers. I also support the Association’s workshops in writing reports for members. Recently, my contribution to the BATJ has focused on peer feedback activities for the preparation of oral assessment, and on reflection and peer feedback.
My most recent participation to the Japan Foundation, in February 2025, focussed on “Education for the Emerging Present and New Roles for Teachers: Creative Society, Generators, Pattern Languages, and Creative Use of Generative AI'”.
My research centers on L2 speech acquisition, with a particular focus on Japanese phonetics and phonology. I also explore topics such as foreign accent, peer feedback, and language education. My work integrates insights from L2 acquisition, psycholinguistics, applied linguistics, bilingualism, Japanese language pedagogy, and cultural studies.
Research
My research centers on L2 speech acquisition, with a particular focus on Japanese phonetics and phonology. I also explore topics such as foreign accent, peer feedback, and language education. My work integrates insights from L2 acquisition, psycholinguistics, applied linguistics, bilingualism, Japanese language pedagogy, and cultural studies.
A selection of publications and presentations
Publications
Books
1. 『コミュニカティブな英語教育を考える：日本の教育現場に役立つ理論と実践』 上智大学CLTプロジェクト編 (坂本惠美他 共著) アルク出版 東京 2014年3月 199頁（100-103頁担当）（Providing Some Insights on Communicative Language Teaching of English: Useful Theories and Practice of Language Education in Japan, Sophia University CLT Project (ed.), (Sakamoto, E. et.al.), ALC Press, Tokyo, 2014.3, 199 pages, p.100-103）
2. 『「帰国子女」のアイデンティティ形成に見られる要因』上智大学応用言語学研究会 吉田研作、坂本惠美 他共著 上智大学 東京2000年3月 33頁（Factors behind the Identity Formation of ‘Returnee Children from Abroad’, Sophia Applied Linguistic Research Group (ed.), Yoshida, K., Sakamoto, E. et.al. Sophia University Press, Tokyo, 2000.3, 33pages）
PhD Thesis
An investigation of factors behind foreign accent in the L2 acquisition of Japanese lexical pitch accent by adult English speakers, The University of Edinburgh, 2011
MSc Dissertation
The Relationship between L2 Speech Perception and Production, The University of Edinburgh, 2003
MA Thesis
JSL Students’ Comprehension of Metaphorical Expressions, Sophia University, 2001
Articles
1. A report article on BATJ Workshop, “Japanese Language Education and PEACE, CLIL for nurturing the next generation through languages.” lead by Professor Yukiko Okumura, BATJ Newsletter, 54, 2025.5
2. “Peer feedback activities during the preparation stages for Oral presentation.” BATJ Journal, The British Association for Teaching Japanese as a foreign language, vol. 25, pp.37-38, 2024.10
3. A report article on BATJ Workshop, “Implication of teaching intercultural citizenship for teachers.” lead by Emeritus Professor Michael Byram, BATJ Newsletter,48, 2021.11
4. ”Toward the native-like production of Japanese: Implications from the production data of the lexical pitch accent.”, Proceedings of the International Conference on Japanese Language Education, The Society for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language, pp.416, 2012.8
5. “Adult L2 acquisition of Japanese pitch accent by native speakers of English: perceptual factors.”, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Bilingualism 7, vol. 7, pp.410, 2009.7
6. “Second language acquisition of Japanese pitch accent by native speakers of English: An experimental perception study.” Sophia Linguistica, vol. 56, Sophia University Linguistic Society, pp139-150, 2009.1
7. “On markedness of second language syllable structures.” (Yoshida, M. and Sakamoto, E.), Proceedings of the 13th World Conference of Applied Linguistics, International Association of Applied Linguistics, vol.13, 2002.12
8. “Culture in Language Textbooks”, ASTE Newsletter, vol.46, Sophia Applied Linguistic Research Group, Sakamoto, E. et.al., pp.6-9, 2002.3
9. ”On JSL students’ comprehension of metaphorical expressions.”, Proceedings of Sophia University Linguistic Society, Sophia University Linguistic Society, pp.3-17, 2002.1
10. ”On JSL students’ comprehension of metaphorical expressions. ”, Proceedings of the 4th Conference of Pacific Second Language Research Forum, vol. 4, pp.39, 2001.10
Presentations
1. “Peer feedback activities during the preparation stages for Oral presentation.” The 25th British Association for Teaching Japanese as a foreign language, Annual Conference, Oxford, 2023.9
2. ”Toward the native-like production of Japanese: Implications from the production data of the lexical pitch accent.”, International Conference on Japanese Language Education, The Society for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language, Nagoya University, Nagoya 2012.8
3. “Acquisition of Japanese pitch accent as L2 by English speakers: a study on the relationship between L2 perception and production.”, Sophia University Linguistic Society, Sophia University, Tokyo, 2010.7
4. “Adult L2 acquisition of Japanese pitch accent by native speakers of English: perceptual factors.”, International Symposium on Bilingualism, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, 2009.7
5. “L2 acquisition of Japanese pitch contrasts: an investigation on cross-linguistic difference in the function of pitch.”, Postgraduate Conference, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Linguistic Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, 2009.5
6. “L2 acquisition of Japanese duration & pitch accent contrasts.”, Developmental Linguistic Research Group, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, 2007.5
7. “L2 perception & production in Japanese phonological contrast.”, Postgraduate Conference, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Linguistic Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, 2005.5
8. “L2 speech perception & speech production in Japanese phonological contrasts.”, Postgraduate Conference, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Linguistic Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, 2004.5
9. “On markedness of second language syllable structures.” (Yoshida, M. and Sakamoto, E.), International Association of Applied Linguistics, Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Singapore, 2002.12
10. “The modification of syllable nuclei in a markedness relationship.” (Yoshida, M. and Sakamoto, E.), The Linguistic Society of Japan, Meikai University, Chiba, 2002.9
11. “On JSL students’ comprehension of metaphorical expressions.”, Pacific Second Language Research Forum, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii, 2001.10
12. “On JSL students’ comprehension of metaphorical expressions.” Sophia University Linguistic Society, Sophia University, 2001.7
13. “A Study in the Formation of Identity of Returnees”, Sophia Applied Linguistic Research Group (Yoshida, K., Sakamoto, E. Tsukada, Y. and Horio,A.), Japan Association of Language Teaching, Shizuoka, 2000.11
Teaching
Current and recent modules:
Undergraduate modules
- ML1549 Elementary Japanese Language
- ML5280 Intermediate Japanese Language (Module co-ordinator)
- ML4008 Study Programme in Japan: Semester - Autumn (Module co-ordinator)
- ML4009 Study Programme in Japan: Semester - Spring (Module co-ordinator)
- Year Abroad in Toyo University: I have negotiated that our students be able to enrol on their intensive programme on Business Japanese Language
Postgraduate module
- MLT406 Specialised Translation: Scientific and Technical (from English into Japanese)
Biography
I have studied and graduated from Sophia University in Tokyo (BA and MA) and University of Edinburgh (MSc and PhD). My academic career has spanned over 20 years as a teacher of Japanese language and Japanese linguistics. I have taught Japanese at Durham University, Oxford Brookes University and University of Edinburgh for over ten years, and taught Japanese and Linguistics at Sophia University in Tokyo between 2010 and 2017. I joined Cardiff University in 2021 as a Lecturer in Japanese Studies.
Professional memberships:
The British Association for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language
The Society for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language
Sophia University Linguistic Society
Japanese Association of Second Language Acquisition
Grants and Awards:
MLANG School Funding, Cardiff University, 2024.8, Fund awarded for BATJ conference and business meeting
MLANG School Funding, Cardiff University, 2023.9, Fund awarded for BATJ conference and presentation
Early Career Fellow Fund, Oxford Brooks University, 2018.6-2018.9
Research Fee Award, University of Edinburgh, fund awarded for the experiments for PhD research 2004-2007
Small Grant Award, University of Edinburgh, fees for the 16th International Congress of Phonetic Sciences 2007
Small Grant Award, University of Edinburgh, fees for the Postgraduate Research Workshop at the University of Newcastle, 2003
Research Fee Award, University of Edinburgh, fund awarded for the experiments for MSc research 2002
JALT Student Scholarship, 2000.11
Graduate Freshman Scholarship, Sophia University, 1998.4