{"id":79897,"date":"2021-11-19T11:44:31","date_gmt":"2021-11-19T19:44:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/?p=79897"},"modified":"2023-12-01T15:46:20","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T23:46:20","slug":"where-in-the-world-featuring-laura-payne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/where-in-the-world-featuring-laura-payne\/","title":{"rendered":"Laura Payne&#8217;s Passion for Teaching in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-8sqctmh-7c0f62e811888a3fa09345a0aec2be48\">\n.avia-section.av-8sqctmh-7c0f62e811888a3fa09345a0aec2be48{\nbackground-color:#f3f3f3;\nbackground-image:unset;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_1' aria-label='SOU English Stories - Where in the World? Featuring Laura Payne \u201917 - Intro Section' class='avia-section av-8sqctmh-7c0f62e811888a3fa09345a0aec2be48 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_submenu  avia-builder-el-first  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-79897'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-8gnjyjd-c46d7872dd868260858086d1d277503b\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-8gnjyjd-c46d7872dd868260858086d1d277503b{\npadding-bottom:0;\nfont-size:36px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-8gnjyjd-c46d7872dd868260858086d1d277503b .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-8gnjyjd-c46d7872dd868260858086d1d277503b 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Featuring Laura Payne \u201917 - Blog Section' class='avia-section av-6o9rgih-ec2f2391b3a9e3c345e66c1af2433891 main_color avia-section-default avia-shadow  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_submenu  avia-builder-el-last  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-79897'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-69980e1-632d5b6945e2ed046f3a661e7b207883\">\n.flex_column.av-69980e1-632d5b6945e2ed046f3a661e7b207883{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-69980e1-632d5b6945e2ed046f3a661e7b207883 av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-4  el_before_av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" 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itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.webp 1200w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-300x129.webp 300w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1030x441.webp 1030w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-768x329.webp 768w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-705x302.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.jpg\" height=\"514\" width=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-300x129.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1030x441.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-768x329.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-705x302.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" class=\"wp-image-79898 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-79898 avia_image  sp-no-webp\" alt=\"Mt Daisen Laura Payne English Program Stories Southern Oregon University\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  > <\/picture><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kw6rja9i-4ba357e0139cd1e616f602b7a00213ac\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-kw6rja9i-4ba357e0139cd1e616f602b7a00213ac{\npadding-bottom:0;\nfont-size:28px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-kw6rja9i-4ba357e0139cd1e616f602b7a00213ac .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-kw6rja9i-4ba357e0139cd1e616f602b7a00213ac .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:28px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-kw6rja9i-4ba357e0139cd1e616f602b7a00213ac .av-subheading{\nfont-size:18px;\ncolor:#404040;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-kw6rja9i-4ba357e0139cd1e616f602b7a00213ac .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-kw6rja9i-4ba357e0139cd1e616f602b7a00213ac .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-kw6rja9i-4ba357e0139cd1e616f602b7a00213ac av-special-heading-h1 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_textblock  top-30 av-inherit-size av-linked-heading'><div class='av-subheading av-subheading_above'><p>Where in the World?<\/p>\n<\/div><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Laura Payne\u2019s Passion for Teaching in Japan<\/h1><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-5esyk7t-8ba3a1c6bf164cc19bf16215886b2e7d '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>November 19, 2021<br \/>\nBy Sophia Lorusso (she\/her), Junior English Major.<br \/>\nPictured above: Laura Payne at Mt. Daisen. Tottori Prefecture<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In 2017, Laura graduated from Southern Oregon university with a <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BA in English<\/a> and many <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/world-languages\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Japanese language<\/a> courses under her belt. While obtaining her <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/undergraduate-studies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">undergraduate degree at SOU<\/a>, Laura got to <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.sou.edu\/international\/study-abroad.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">study abroad<\/a> in Nagano, Japan for six months during her junior year. She had landed a private tutoring job with a middle school student and from then on, she knew she wanted to teach in Japan. Laura loved seeing the student grow and the connections that she made while there. She explains:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As soon as I got back to Oregon, I sent an application to the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program. ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) who are hired by JET usually leave for Japan the summer after they turn in their applications, so seniors in college who provide proof of graduation later, are allowed to apply. I think the things that helped me the most in this application process were my English degree, experience living abroad, previous tutoring job (JET wants you to have teaching experience of some kind), and my Japanese language skills. Japanese proficiency isn&#8217;t required for the JET Program, but it&#8217;s a huge plus.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Upon returning home from her study abroad experience in Nagano, Laura began the process to return to Japan as soon as she could. A month after graduating in 2017, Laura packed her bags and set off to Izumo City in Shimane, Japan to work as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) with the <a href=\"https:\/\/jetprogramusa.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Japan Exchange and Teaching Program<\/a> (JET). Laura was able to secure two TESOL certificates through a grant from the JET Program. She also appreciates all of the help that the program provided \u2013 they gave her resources and training that helped her navigate the education system in Japan.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-16v2u61-841a919fd54c044328434a123be76274\">\n.avia-image-container.av-16v2u61-841a919fd54c044328434a123be76274 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-16v2u61-841a919fd54c044328434a123be76274 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-16v2u61-841a919fd54c044328434a123be76274 av-styling-no-styling avia-align-  avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  pop-20'   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Taiko-Drum-Festival-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.webp 1200w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Taiko-Drum-Festival-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-300x169.webp 300w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Taiko-Drum-Festival-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1030x579.webp 1030w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Taiko-Drum-Festival-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-768x432.webp 768w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Taiko-Drum-Festival-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-705x397.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Taiko-Drum-Festival-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.jpg\" height=\"675\" width=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Taiko-Drum-Festival-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Taiko-Drum-Festival-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Taiko-Drum-Festival-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1030x579.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Taiko-Drum-Festival-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Taiko-Drum-Festival-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-705x397.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" class=\"wp-image-79904 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-79904 avia_image  sp-no-webp\" alt=\"Taiko Drum Festival Laura Payne English Program Stories Southern Oregon University\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  > <\/picture><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-og2iwp-c7142e66116f0dfcaf5ac005b1160de8\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-og2iwp-c7142e66116f0dfcaf5ac005b1160de8 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:12px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-og2iwp-c7142e66116f0dfcaf5ac005b1160de8 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>Pictured Above: Laura participating in a taiko drum performance with locals and foreigners at a festival.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-2wu6mih-413b175c9a9ee37a069468bc53f3e1fd '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>As an ALT, Laura&#8217;s days always looked different. She had to divide her time between two junior high schools, an alternative school, and the local City Hall. She was helping different English classrooms everyday day and would co-teach with the main teachers. Depending on the grade of the students, and teacher that she was helping, her workload would differ. In the classrooms she would create language activities, model pronunciations for students, and give presentations on her life abroad. Outside of the classroom she graded papers, prepped for future classes, and promoted study-abroad scholarships. Laura also organized a lunchtime English Club for the students and updated the English bulletin board every month.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-3s1lfvd-a2a03583d15a535031ee023528f58eae\">\n.avia-image-container.av-3s1lfvd-a2a03583d15a535031ee023528f58eae img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-3s1lfvd-a2a03583d15a535031ee023528f58eae .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-3s1lfvd-a2a03583d15a535031ee023528f58eae av-styling-no-styling avia-align-  avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  pop-20'   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Unnan-City-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.webp 1200w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Unnan-City-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-300x169.webp 300w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Unnan-City-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1030x579.webp 1030w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Unnan-City-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-768x432.webp 768w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Unnan-City-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-705x397.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Unnan-City-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.jpg\" height=\"675\" width=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Unnan-City-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Unnan-City-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Unnan-City-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1030x579.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Unnan-City-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Unnan-City-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-705x397.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" class=\"wp-image-79905 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-79905 avia_image  sp-no-webp\" alt=\"Unnan City Laura Payne English Program Stories Southern Oregon University\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  > <\/picture><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-3clmv6h-a9349626e2943632fc286ebd015695ff\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-3clmv6h-a9349626e2943632fc286ebd015695ff .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:12px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-3clmv6h-a9349626e2943632fc286ebd015695ff '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>Pictured Above: Laura at Ryuzugataki Falls in Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-kw6s8t4r-d74f710104c9c16685a59f0f432380f8 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>After three years of working for the JET Program as an ALT, Laura moved back to Oregon in 2020 to obtain her <a href=\"https:\/\/education.up.edu\/graduate-programs\/mat.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Portland<\/a>. Laura describes how she was able to move back to Japan after graduate school:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The connections I made during the JET Program definitely helped me. While I was in graduate school, I contacted an acquaintance who worked at Shimane University. I was considering teaching abroad again and I wanted to ask her about what it was like to teach at universities and international schools. She gave me a lot of good information about the application processes to these institutions, and then later mentioned that a job was open in<br \/>\nShimane. I put my name in and I was accepted.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> The JET Program allowed her to gain teaching experiences and connections that helped her get to where she is today.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-2q3t255-361fd0d63c28e0b21935ea680f4b3fa1\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-2q3t255-361fd0d63c28e0b21935ea680f4b3fa1 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:26px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-2q3t255-361fd0d63c28e0b21935ea680f4b3fa1 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock rising-quote av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"text\" ><blockquote>\n<p class=\"dig-4\" style=\"text-align: left\"><em>&#8220;Honestly, so much of who I am today is because of my <span class=\"amaze-ultra madrone\">experiences in Japan.&#8221;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"pop-8\" style=\"font-size: 0.6em;text-align: right\">\u2014 Laura Payne<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-26h3j2x-80c55bf0a3ca5034494fb327cf573274 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>In September of 2021, Laura journeyed back to the Shimane Prefecture, and is now working as a Special Commissioned Instructor (and part-time TESOL teacher) at Shimane University in Matsue City. Matsue City is the capital of this prefecture and is also a castle town! Laura teaches online classes four days out of the week and has two lunch clubs. As a part-time TESOL teacher, she also schedules side jobs that might entail judging speech\/recitation contests, coaching students who are preparing for language contests, or private tutoring. Studying and working abroad has shown Laura the kind of teacher that she aspires to be. She says, &#8220;Honestly, so much of who I am today is because of my experiences in Japan. Since I&#8217;ve worked with so many different teachers and in so many different school environments, I was able to think hard about the kind of educator I wanted to be and what practical things I could do in a classroom to become that educator.&#8221; Her time in Japan has added to her life in so many ways: traveling, appreciating other cultures, teaching, forming new connections, and developing relationships with her students.<\/p>\n<p>Being in Japan has allowed her to not only find her dream career, but it has also showed her the beauty of the Japanese culture and indulge in simple things that she hadn&#8217;t before:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I learned to appreciate cooking while in Japan. I had a lot of time in the evenings at one point, so I started experimenting with recipes, and eventually I realized that cooking was relaxing. I&#8217;m also more conscious of keeping things clean now, because one of my students taught me that cleaning a space can clear your mind. The way that Japan takes time to cherish the changing of seasons by admiring seasonal food, flowers and holidays taught me to slow down and appreciate time passing. I could go on and on about how my time here has shaped me because working here was my first real job. This was where I got my first apartment that I could afford to pay for myself. This is where I actually felt like I was an independent, stable adult for the first time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Going from the fast-paced style of the US to the slower, more appreciative lifestyle of Japan has greatly impacted Laura and will stay with her. She uses her <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/\" target=\"_blank\">BA in English<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/education.up.edu\/graduate-programs\/mat.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MAT<\/a> everyday while teaching. Laura gives a lot of credit to her English Education Capstone project and linguistic courses here at SOU. Her capstone taught her how to do lesson plans and her linguistic courses gave her the grammar foundations needed to teach English.<\/p>\n<p>SOU offers many Direct Exchanges and Affiliated Programs if you&#8217;re looking to <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.sou.edu\/international\/study-abroad.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">study away<\/a>. If you&#8217;re interested in teaching overseas after graduation check out SOU&#8217;s TESOL Certificate <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/teaching-english-to-speakers-of-other-languages\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re interested in sharing your story with the English Program blog, contact <a href=\"mailto:lorussos@sou.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lorussos@sou.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Like and Follow the English Program page on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SOUEnglishProgram\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a> for more stories.<\/p>\n<p><em>Interested in the English program at SOU? Learn more about the programs offered below:<\/em><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/\">English Home Page<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/english-ba\/\">English BA\/BS<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/english-minor\/\">English Minor<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/teaching-english-to-speakers-of-other-languages\/\">TESOL Certificate Program<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-1xm3h5l-64e214804031c7205554fc35d466edc2\">\n#top .hr.av-1xm3h5l-64e214804031c7205554fc35d466edc2{\nmargin-top:0;\nmargin-bottom:20px;\n}\n.hr.av-1xm3h5l-64e214804031c7205554fc35d466edc2 .hr-inner{\nwidth:50;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-1xm3h5l-64e214804031c7205554fc35d466edc2 hr-custom  avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_heading  hr-center hr-icon-no'><span class='hr-inner 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.av-special-heading.av-1gs2chl-c274356b9e0709c146093a57d3f925e7 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-1gs2chl-c274356b9e0709c146093a57d3f925e7 av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote modern-centered  avia-builder-el-18  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_button  av-inherit-size'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Get notified when new English stories are published!<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-button-wrap av-1brwku1-0c125d83c48326935d5e1bcd36eb9410-wrap avia-button-center  avia-builder-el-19  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_hr '><a href='https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdB-YJRDHj3QYJJkUw4TuSh2eYZGSXo7GW60qGcOGUj2wLAWw\/viewform?vc=0&amp;c=0&amp;w=1&amp;flr=0'  class='avia-button av-1brwku1-0c125d83c48326935d5e1bcd36eb9410 av-link-btn avia-icon_select-no avia-size-large 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Mail'><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share by Mail<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-psw2ih-0ad9d7701906cf585fd6762bcfdc96c9\">\n.flex_column.av-psw2ih-0ad9d7701906cf585fd6762bcfdc96c9{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-psw2ih-0ad9d7701906cf585fd6762bcfdc96c9 av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-22  el_after_av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-size:13px\" class=\"pop-4 heavy-man\">Where in the world?<\/p>\n<p class=\"pop-0\">English Alum Laura Payne is currently working as a Special Commissioned Instructor at Shimane University in Japan. Before the pandemic, she had been in the Shimane Prefecture for three years as an Assistant Language Teacher through the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. Read more to learn about her teaching-abroad journey.<\/p>\n<div class=\"avia-button-wrap avia-button-left\"><a class=\"avia-button avia-color-dark avia-size-large avia-position-left \" href=\"\/academics\/where-in-the-world-featuring-laura-payne\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Laura Payne here\">READ MORE<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":79901,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[296,284],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-79897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-aside","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english","category-featured","post_format-post-format-aside"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v26.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Laura Payne&#039;s Passion for Teaching - SOU English Program Stories<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"English Alum Laura Payne is currently working as a Special Commissioned Instructor at Shimane University in Japan.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/where-in-the-world-featuring-laura-payne\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Laura Payne&#039;s Passion for Teaching in Japan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"English Alum Laura Payne is currently working as a Special Commissioned Instructor at Shimane University in Japan.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/where-in-the-world-featuring-laura-payne\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SOU Academic Programs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SOUAshland\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-11-19T19:44:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-12-01T23:46:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-on-Facebook.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sean Glassford\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"English Alum Laura Payne is currently working as a Special Commissioned Instructor at Shimane University in Japan.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-on-Twitter.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@souashland\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@souashland\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sean Glassford\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/where-in-the-world-featuring-laura-payne\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/where-in-the-world-featuring-laura-payne\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Sean Glassford\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#\/schema\/person\/d63857b3b310cf49180208a32b86d2bc\"},\"headline\":\"Laura Payne&#8217;s Passion for Teaching in Japan\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-11-19T19:44:31+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-12-01T23:46:20+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/where-in-the-world-featuring-laura-payne\/\"},\"wordCount\":2648,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/where-in-the-world-featuring-laura-payne\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/11\/Mt-Daisen-Laura-Payne-English-Program-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-cover.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"English\",\"Featured\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/where-in-the-world-featuring-laura-payne\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/where-in-the-world-featuring-laura-payne\/\",\"name\":\"Laura Payne's Passion for Teaching - 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