Sessions /
Teaching Younger Learners Forum #172

Dr. Osterman has been teaching in Japan since 1993. Originally from a small Midwestern town in the United States, he earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education from the University of Maryland. After a short hiatus, he completed his doctorate degree from Northcentral University in educational leadership. Over his career, he has taught at elementary schools, junior high schools, universities, and is an administrator at a private school in Okinawa. He joined JALT in 1995 and has served in many roles for the Okinawa chapter. Currently, he is the Okinawa Chapter membership chair and the Teaching Younger Learners Special Interest Group coordinator for JALT. He is active in JALT functions and enjoys monthly professional development trips to Tokyo.

I am currently teaching at Shumei University and Chuo University in Japan. I have taught Japanese and EFL at primary and secondary schools in Australia and Japan, and have also taught German to a variety of age levels. My research interests include teacher development, study abroad and intercultural understanding.

In 1988 started teaching EFL in France. In 2002 I started my own English language school for children from ages 0-12 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. I moved into researching teaching phonics in elementary school after moving into a full-time teaching post in University. I have an Msc in Educational Leadership from Leicester University (UK). Currently I am the co-publications officer for "The Schoolhouse" (The TYLSig journal).