Degen, Ralph - Appointed in AY2018

When I entered university, my major was philosophy, but my minor was Japanese studies, so I started learning Japanese. I found it so interesting that I eventually changed my major to Japanese studies. At the time, Japanese seemed to me like a language only aliens would use, and I was so determined to become fluent as quickly as possible that I devised various tricks for studying. This experience has been extremely helpful for my German classes today and for my understanding of my specialty, foreign language pedagogy. Back then, there was also an interesting translation seminar at the university. Half of the class time was spent on translation theory, and the other half was spent comparing and critiquing German translations of short stories by authors like Yasunari Kawabata with the original text, and then doing our own partial translations of the same works and critiquing each other's work. It was incredibly fun. After coming to Japan in 1999, I specialized in foreign language education studies, but a translation competition also led me to start translating literature.

Creating an environment where learners can study efficiently is a very complex and interesting endeavor. It requires devising strategies and adapting to various conditions. The study of foreign language pedagogy provides a systematic and empirical basis for this. Its appeal lies in its vast scope, its diverse and interdisciplinary fields, and the fact that there is always something new to learn. Another interesting aspect is the close connection between research and teaching. For example, since there are no university rankings or entrance exams in Germany, I was often perplexed by student behavior when I first started teaching German at a Japanese university. However, by researching the impact of studying English for entrance exams on Japanese learners, I came to better understand the behavior of the students taking my classes. This is one example of how I was able to devise practical measures in my classes based on my research.

Since you have to earn credits in a second foreign language anyway, I think it's definitely more interesting if you put in a little extra effort and study until you can use the language to a certain degree. Once you reach a certain level in language learning, you can explore the mists of an unknown language and culture and encounter all sorts of interesting people and things. It would be a shame to go through the trouble of studying without ever experiencing this enjoyment. The key is to be proactive and to learn effective study techniques. Learn efficiently and quickly. I also recommend studying abroad.

(Interview conducted in December 2018)

*Profile and position are as of the time of the interview.