Kazuki Morimoto

Kazuki Morimoto is an Associate Professor of Japanese in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the University of Leeds, where he has been a key member of the East Asian Studies team since 2005. He previously taught Japanese at the University of Durham from 2000 to 2005 and in the United States prior to that. He currently serves as Co-Director of Studies for East Asian Studies and as the Japan Year Abroad Tutor, overseeing pre-departure guidance, assessment, and pastoral care for students studying in Japan.

His research focuses on Japanese language pedagogy, particularly in the areas of writing and speaking instruction, translation, learner motivation, and study abroad experiences. He has published extensively on politeness strategies in email communication, error analysis in vocabulary and collocation use, and intercultural understanding in language education. His recent work investigates fluctuations in motivation during the pandemic and the development of the 'L2 Self' through study abroad.

The trends in his publications reflect a consistent focus on applied linguistics and language pedagogy, with strong emphasis on practical teaching strategies, learner-centered assessment, and cross-cultural communication. His work bridges theoretical insights with classroom application, particularly in the context of Japanese as a foreign language in the UK higher education environment.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Academic Leadership and Grants: While specific grants are not listed, Morimoto has held significant leadership roles, including co-editing The Language Scholar, a journal for language pedagogy, and directing the Japan Year Abroad program. He has also led curriculum development in translation and writing modules and conducted surveys on intercultural understanding, indicating active engagement in educational research and innovation.

Labs and Research Groups: He is affiliated with the East Asian Studies research group and contributes to the Japanese research community within the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies. He is a member of professional organizations including the British Association for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language (BATJ) and the Association of Japanese Teachers in Europe (AJE), which support collaborative research and pedagogical exchange.