Accent on Career: Tomoko Tanigawa

NAME: Tomoko Tanigawa

What is your first language?
My first language is Japanese.

How many years have you been in Canada?
I have been in Canada for about a year.

What was your job in your home country?
I worked as a teacher.

Where do you see yourself working in five years?
I see myself working as a teacher for the school board.

How has taking Accent Reduction lessons changed your life?
Accent Reduction lessons has helped me to be more confident in the way I speak and I know that if I can’t pronounce something I have the techniques to work through it so that the listener can understand.

Tell us about a time your accent caused difficulty.
Sometimes I have difficulties on the phone.

What is the greatest strength that you offer to your employer?
I work very hard at whatever I do.

What advice do you have for other ITP’s?
There will be some cultural and personality differences when you work with other people, however, it is important to understand where your boundaries are. If you have any problems at work there are a lot of resources that can help you. Too many times ITP’s feel they don’t have a voice, because they need the job, but you need to set your boundaries at work and in your personal life.

What can be done to assist the transition of employers?
Treat every individual as being different. Don’t assume that because an individual is from one ethnic background that he/she will have a certain characteristic or personality type. Treat each individual as a unique being.

L2 Accent Reduction Centre
6093 West Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6M 3X2
Call Jennifer at 604-267-7781
www.L2accent.com l [email protected]