Please feel free to peruse my qualifications and experience in academia and the professional world. You can also find descriptions of my various skills, certifications, and extracurricular activities. If you'd like to view concise, down- loadable forms of my resume and CV, click the images below to open PDF versions in a new tab. Thank you!
Description:
Recent graduate with dual degrees in Korean for Professionals and Second Language Studies; currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Second Language Studies. Active student with a passion for second language acquisition, Project-based Language Learning, and Korean & Central Asian language and culture. Flexible and detail-oriented worker with strengths in teamwork, creativity, and quality control.
Education
M.A., Second Language Studies,University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI.Expected May 2027
Focus on Project-Based Language Learning (PBLL), English pronunciation and acoustic phonology, and sociocultural language acquisition theory.
Second language pedagogy – SLS 301 (Basic Language Concepts for Second Language Learning, Teaching, and Use); SLS 303 (Second Language Teaching); SLS 311 (Second Language Testing); SLS 480p (Task-Based Language Teaching).
Language acquisition and sociolinguistics – SLS 302 (Second Language Learning); SLS 304 (Sociolinguistics of Multilingualism); SLS 430 (Pidgin and Creole English in Hawai‘i).
Korean for Professionals (Korean Flagship):
Intensive major designed to produce fluent speakers of Korean capable of working in professional settings using both Korean and English.
1-year intensive study abroad program at Korea University (Seoul, South Korea, 2023-2024).
Relevant courses:
Korean language instruction - KOR 401-404 (Advanced/High-Advanced Korean); KOR 411 (Advanced Oral Communication in Korean); KOR 420 (Korean Composition).
Korean content courses - KOR 421/422 (Media Analysis in Korean); KOR 425 (Selected Readings in Korean); KOR 451/452 (Structure of Korean: Phonology/Morphology/Syntax); KOR 480 (Korean Proficiency Through Film); KOR 485/486 (Korean for Academic Purposes).
Capstone year courses - KOR 399/499 (Directed Reading in Korean); KOR 495 (Korean Abroad); KOR 495 (Internship Program).
Korea University 고려대학교, Seoul, South Korea.July 2023 - June 2024
Attended the Korean Language Center’s Korean Flagship Overseas Program (KFOP) , along with additional general Korea University courses.
Relevant coursework:
Korean language - KORE 156 (Understanding and Application of Korean Language Standards).
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EF Education First, Honolulu, HI campus.Jan 2025 - Present Teaching Assistant (Intern)
Support administration and teachers in syllabus design, lesson planning, and materials development.
Provide classroom support by overseeing activities, facilitating discussions, and assisting with lectures.
Deliver individualized support in Korean and English to Korean-speaking students needing additional guidance.
Create a suite of lesson plans and teaching materials for beginner and intermediate Korean classrooms.
Translate and organize student materials and internal documents.
Advise undergraduate Korean Flagship majors in navigating program requirements and scholarship application.
Provide logistical support for center events to promote cultural and academic engagement at the Center for Korean Studies.
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Student Housing Services, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI.Aug. 2022 - Present Resident Assistant
Foster the development of relationships and sense of community among 30+ residents.
Plan and implement monthly programs related to SHS's learning outcomes and academic excellence.
Conduct administrative duties such as desk duty, maintenance requests, incident reports, and room transfers.
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Barogo 바로고, Seoul, South Korea.Jan. 2024 - June 2024 Market Researcher (Intern)
Conducted market research and analysis, identifying key trends and insights in American food delivery markets.
Compiled and presented comprehensive bilingual market reports in English and Korean, facilitating informed decision-making for the strategic expansion of Barogo.
wrtn., Seoul, South Korea.Sept. 2023 - Dec. 2024 Prompt Engineer(Intern)
Designed prompts for natural language processing models for use in Korean language textbooks and classrooms.
Managed multiple AI-driven projects, ensuring timely completion and quality delivery under strict deadlines and high-pressure environments.
Maintained daily health and happiness of 200+ animals, while interacting with and directing customers and volunteers.
Worked closely with vet staff to identify and treat a variety of common diseases and conditions.
Conducted administrative work such as answering phone calls, processing and releasing animals, and collaborating with donors.
Languages: English (First language) | Korean (Superior/Fluent) | Kazakh (Beginner) | Russian (Beginner)
L3 (Superior) Korean Proficiency, Defense Language and National Security Education Office.Fall 2024
L3 Korean oral proficiency score awarded by ACTFL following Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in June 2024.
2+/3 Korean listening and reading scores awarded by DLNSEO following Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) in September 2024.
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Abilities:
Extensive experience and knowledge in the design and facilitation of Project-Based Language Learning.
Knowledge of best practices in language, English pronunciation, and curriculum development.
Demonstrates professionalism and rapport in advising of BA students and residents.
Comfortably navigates MS 365 suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Forms; skilled in Photoshop and Praat.
Experienced prompt engineer able to ethically utilize AI prompting techniques in language teaching and learning; up to date on most recent advancements in LLM development and application in ELT.
Heartsaver® First Aid CPR AED certified (active).
Successfully completed Information Security Awareness Training course
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Second Language Studies Student Association, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI.Spring 2025 Undergraduate Representative
Design and organize department-wide events to foster connections among SLS students, faculty, and the community.
Create budget plans and present proposals, securing over $800 in funding for club initiatives in 2025.
Lead outreach efforts in undergraduate classes to grow membership and engagement.
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Hale Lokelani Academic Initiative Committee, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI.2022 - 2025 Committee Member
Attend weekly meetings to develop an academically supportive environment on campus through development of educational programs and Universal Study Zone.
Conduct duties such as taking meeting minutes, designing trivia questions and newsletters, drafting purchase orders, and renting equipment.
International Student Association, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI.2022 - 2024 General Member
Active participant in weekly meetings, language exchanges, and group outings.
Helped create a welcome space for international students and facilitated elections for future officers.
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Boren Award for International Study, National Security Education Program (NSEP).2023 - 2024
One of six undergraduate students nationwide selected for yearlong study in Seoul, South Korea.
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Dean’s List (six-time recipient), University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI.2021 - 2024
Recognized for demonstrating academic excellence by maintaining 4.0 GPA throughout pursuit of B.A.
KU-KFOP Academic Excellence Award, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.Spring 2024
Recognized for outstanding academic performance and dedication in the Korean Flagship Overseas Program, administered by Korea University’s Korean Language Center and the Korean Language Flagship.
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22nd Hangul Great Banquet, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI.Fall 2022
Ignite Green Ideas 2022, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI.Fall 2022
Received 1st place in Korean memorized speech contest related to electric buses and environmental sustainability in South Korea (click for more information).
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Class A Champion in Graphic Design, South Dakota Visual Art Competition, Rapid City, SD.2019
Annual conference compiling research and best practices in teaching English; annual theme of Technology and AI in language teaching.
Presentations attended:
How to make better use of ChatGPT when grading essays – Kim, Y.
Investigating Duolingo English Test washback through test preparation activities – Isbell et al.
Humanistic pedagogies and cutting-edge technologies – Court, T. & Agullana, P.
Teacher identity construction in a neoliberal space: A narrative analysis – Cunningham, R.
International Conference on Language Documentation & Conservation, Honolulu, HI.Mar. 6-9, 2025
International conference covering research, methods, and community efforts in documenting, maintaining, and revitalizing endangered languages worldwide.
Presentations attended:
Place-based curriculum for indigenous education: A case study on Saisiyat – Yeh, M. & Kaybaybaw, Y.
Dakota Wowicohan: Nurturing the Dakota language through Dakota culture – Griffin, E.
39th Annual HALT Spring Conference, Honolulu, HI.Apr. 12, 2025
Hawai‘i Association of Language Teachers hosts their annual spring conference to present keynote addresses given by language experts and award-winning teachers, selected presentations by K-16 world language educators in Hawai‘i and abroad, and various community publishers’ exhibits.
Presentations attended:
Blending language acquisition and engagement tools for online learning – Kobuke, L., Lono, K., & Hernandez, R.M.
Becoming a polyglot: Shifting K-12 language mindset – Isidro, G.
Professional:
Project-based Language Learning (PBLL) and Place-based Learning.
I attended a 4-year Project-based Learning high school, known at the time as SF New Technology High School. Here, I learned a myriad of highly useful skills that strongly prepared me for life in university, and also instilled the curiosity and confidence within me to pursue studying abroad in Korea at the age of 16. I hope to use my experiences as a student of PBL and apply it to my work as a teacher, in a PBLL model that combines all of the benefits of PBL with the power of language learning and cultural education. Examples of my works as a student of PBL, along with my reflections on them, can be found here.
Socioculturalism and Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST).
As I describe in my Teaching Philosophy, I view language learning, like all systems in life, as immensely complex and inextricably connected to the Pirsigian ideas of the material, biological, social, and intellectual patterns (see McWatt, p. 9) that we spend every waking moment immersed in as human beings. I also believe that at the heart of learning are dynamic changes in the brain and soul that touch all of these patterns in tiny but profound ways. Of all the language acquisition theories I have learned about, Vygotsky's Socioculturalism theory and CDST best encapsulate these intuitions in inspiring ways. A research paper I wrote about Emergentism and CDST (representing a very novice attempt to understand the topics!) can be read here.
Motivation & agency in language learning.
Personal:
Language learning (Korean, Kazakh, Russian, Lakota).
I have studied Korean to fluency and lived in South Korea multiple times. Currently, my focus is on Kazakh, as I am considering visiting or moving to Kazakhstan in the future! Of course, that would mean I would need to pick up some Russian as well, (which I have tried and failed multiple times to learn... I would consider it quite a bit more difficult than Korean or Kazakh! But I won't give up!). Finally, although I have spent my childhood in both the east and west ends of South Dakota, I have only recently been able to touch on learning some basic Lakota through self study. If I end up moving back home, I have a strong interest in learning more about the fields of Lakota reclamation and vitalization, along with grassroots education efforts and youth development.
Website design (HTML, CSS, Javascript). I hand coded this entire website! Here's a sneak peek as to what that this page looks like in the source editor:
