Chikako Matsuura serves as Professor in the Department of Fundamental Engineering at Nagoya Institute of Technology, specializing in language education for engineering students. Her interdisciplinary work connects linguistics, music, and engineering to develop innovative approaches to English communication training for Japanese technical students. Her academic background includes: Master of Arts from Newcastle University (UK) Master of Arts from Nagoya University PhD coursework completion in Linguistics at Nagoya University Graduate School of Letters Graduation from Nagoya University Faculty of Letters, Department of Literature and Linguistics (1985) Professor Matsuura's research centers on the physical foundations of language learning, particularly how breathing, posture, and cultural background affect English communication for engineering students. She has pioneered teaching methodologies incorporating musical techniques like diction training to improve students' presentation skills, examining how Japanese language habits interfere with English expression. Her work reveals that Japanese students' kanji-based learning style creates challenges for oral English production, leading to physical habits that impede clear speech. She proposes solutions focused on body awareness and posture correction, bridging Bel Canto vocal techniques with language education. Analysis of her publications shows consistent development of a unique framework connecting physiological linguistics with engineering communication. Recent works demonstrate growing integration of music performance with language education through her Music Project, revealing how cultural differences in body usage affect vocal production across languages. Her research trajectory shows evolution from analyzing speech physiology to developing practical educational applications that help engineering students overcome cultural barriers in global communication. Professor Matsuura has secured significant research funding including Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research for projects such as 'Development of English presentation teaching methods for engineering students' (2009-2011) and 'Building a communicative English education system for engineers' (2003-2005). She has also contributed to academic literature through translations including Nathaniel Kreitman's 'Sleep and wakefulness'. She directs the Nagoya Institute of Technology Music Project, which has produced nine annual concerts exploring connections between music, language, and cultural expression. These events feature professional musicians alongside student performers and investigate how different cultural settings of the body lead to distinct musical and linguistic expressions, creating innovative educational programming that extends beyond traditional classroom settings.
