Academic Staff
Dr Tomoko AKASHI
Lecturer
- HHB724, Hung Hom Bay Campus
- +852 2766 7753
- tomoko.f.akashi@polyu.edu.hk
Biography
Dr. Akashi is a Lecturer in the Department of Language Science and Technology (LST) and serves as the Coordinator of the Minor in Japanese Programme. She obtained her Ph.D. from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where she was supported by the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme.
Dr. Akashi teaches a broad range of Japanese language courses, from introductory to advanced levels, helping students develop both linguistic competence and a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and society.
Her current research focuses on Japanese language education in foreign, second, and heritage language contexts. Drawing on perspectives from Systemic Functional Linguistics, Socio-semiotics, and Sociolinguistics, she explores language use, meaning-making, and communication in multilingual and multicultural settings.
Through her teaching and research, Dr. Akashi is committed to creating an inclusive and intellectually stimulating learning environment that encourages students to engage critically and meaningfully with the Japanese language and culture.
Education and Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor of Education, Okayama University
- Master of Arts, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Doctor of Philosophy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Teaching Areas
- Japanese as a Foreign Language
- Japanese as a Heritage Language
Research Interests
Selected Publications
- Akashi, T. (2021). Developing teaching materials to connect Kokugo textbooks and young learners of Japanese as heritage language by applying genre-based approach and systemic functional linguistics. In Proceedings of the 27th Princeton Japanese Pedagogy Forum, 23-32. Princeton University.
- Akashi, T. (2020). Applying genre-based approach to the teaching of Japanese as heritage language: A case study at the Hong Kong Japanese supplementary school. In R. Aoyama, T. Akashi, & D. C. S. Li (Eds.), Japanese as lingua franca, 63-86. Akashi Shoten.
- Aoyama, R., Akashi, T., & Li, D. C. S. (Eds.). (2020). Japanese as lingua franca. Akashi Shoten
- A Board Member of The Japanese Society for Mother Tongue, Heritage Language and Bilingual Education
- 2024
CBS Excellent Teaching Award, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2022/23)
