TEMI Methods

Lively English activities

The methods for TEMI were developed by veteran English teacher Helene Jarmol Uchida as a result of working with over 20,000 Japanese EFL students of all levels by addressing their needs and observing their skills, strengths, weaknesses and learning patterns in studying English. All the components of TEMI are based on the teacher respecting the students. When the teacher respects the student, the student, in turn, will reflect that respect back to the teacher. Then and only then can any real learning take place.
TEMI Methods approach language in a fascinating, fast-paced and progressive way to trigger confidence and interaction from Japanese learners who tend to be shy and reticent about speaking any language other than Japanese. Activities include manageable challenges, such as warm-ups, self-introductions, role-playing, pair work, phonics, TPR (total physical response), guessing games, reading, writing, group interaction in English, listening comprehension, monthly aural testing, free study workbooks, diary completion, creative homework, blackboard coordination and curriculum basics while taking into consideration individual differences and needs.
TEMI’s dynamic and innovative methods have been studied and successfully adopted by both Japanese and non-Japanese teachers, as well as novice and veteran instructors nationwide. They have been created exclusively for teaching Japanese EFL learners of all ages from preschool to university. They work equally well in small conversation school classes as well as big public and private school classes.

TEMI Founder: Helene Jarmol Uchida

Helene Jarmol Uchida, B.A. and M.A. in English, with junior high / high school teaching and curriculum development experience in America, Greece and Japan, is the founder of TEMI and Director of Little America English Schools. She taught at Seinan Gakuin University, Fukuoka Women’s University, Fukuoka University of Education, Chikushi Jogakuen University and Temple University (Fukuoka) and has been a guest speaker on English education in major cities throughout Japan. Uchida wrote the “Primary Advice” Column for The Japan News for 17 years and is the author of the “Challenge Book” Series, a new approach to English language learning in Japan and RIC’s “My High School Writing Journal” and “My University Writing Journal”. Her most recent book, “English Garden”(2020), on how to plant the seeds of English in preschool children, is available in Japanese. Uchida believes that English education in Japan should be more “experiential.”

Helene Jarmol Uchida’s Accomplishments

  • B.A. English, University of Tampa, Fla.
  • M.A., C. W. Post College, Brookville, N.Y.
  • Hofstra University and Stonybrook University, graduate courses in English
  • Cortland State University, NDEA Federal Grant in Linguistics
  • English teacher for Time-Life, Tokyo
  • Lions Club Guest Speaker on America/Japan Youth Exchange, Tokyo
  • Iki-Iki Reporter for Fukuoka former mayor Kuwahara
  • RKB TV consultant, Fukuoka
  • New Hope Guest Speaker on English Education, Fukuoka
  • Rotary Club Panelist on Internationalism, Fukuoka
  • Lions Club Guest Speaker on International Marriage, Fukuoka
  • Fukuoka Prefecture Guest Speaker on Bullying
  • Kyushu Okinawa Summit Symposium Guest Presenter on Elementary School English Education
  • Fukuoka Prefecture English Elementary School Symposium
  • Director of a three-year English pilot program for a Fukuoka elementary school
  • TEMI Teacher Training Association Founder
  • American Center presenter: “English Games for Children”
  • Sunshine Club Hospital Volunteer Founder

Featured in Newspapers/Magazines/Books/TV

  • Bicultural Families
  • NHK English Magazine
  • Loop Magazine
  • FUKUOKA Magazine
  • The Mainichi Daily News
  • The Japan Times
  • Asahi Evening News
  • Japan for Kids
  • Tokyo Journal
  • Oxford University Press Newsletter
  • Eltnews interview
  • The Japan News
  • Nishi Nippon Shimbum
  • Yomiuri Shimbun
  • RKB
  • TNC
  • NHK

TEMI Executive Director: Sohei Uchida

 

In 2008, Sohei Uchida officially joined TEMI as Executive Director, following a 12–year stellar career as an assemblyman for Fukuoka prefecture. This is great news for TEMI because Sohei has seen English education from the government side, knows about budget planning and was a former chairman of education for Fukuoka prefecture; in addition, he has lived abroad and knows first-hand how important English is for Japanese people.
The good news for Japanese TEMI members is that he will be TEMI’s main presenter for our Japanese membership in their native language. Helene Jarmol Uchida will continue to do teacher-training presentations in English. Now members will have the choice of attending presentations in the language of their choice.

Sohei Uchida's back ground

  • Shuyukan High School, Fukuoka
  • Kokushikan University, Tokyo
  • Waseda University, Tokyo
  • Teaching Judo (in English and Greek) in Athens, Greece
  • Guest Judo presenter in Copenhagen, Denmark and New York
  • Judo 7th dan
  • Fukuoka Assembly man for 12 years
  • Chairman of the Education Committee (Fukuoka Prefecture)
  • President of and teacher at Little America English Schools
  • Executive Director of TEMI (NPO) Teaching English Methods Institute
  • Sunshine Club Hospital Volunteer Director