User:Thomas Simmons

My name is Thom Simmons I lived in Japan for 16 years and now live in New Zealand on the Kapiti Coast. I have a degrees in education (B.A. Elementary Education, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1978), applied lingustics (M.Sc. ESP, Aston University, Birmingham England, 1994) and clinical science (D.C. Cleveland Chiropractic College, Kansas City, Missouri, 1987). I have taught overseas at the secondary and tertiary level in the social sciences and to some extent, in the physical sciences for more than 30 years. My interests are in history, theology, biology and languages.

I was formerly executive director of a number of small unions in Japan for foreign workers (Kanto Teachers’ Union Federation and a National Union of General Workers-Tokyo South branch union) and the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT, a TESOL Inc. affiliate)

My professional publications are in administration and management of not-for-profit organizations, language (applied linguistics, language policy and planning), teaching and education (evaluation and assessment, curriculum, methodology and administration), labour law and labour rights.

I have spent the last decade or so studying the history of the Christian Church with a focus on the Eastern Orthodox Church. I am a member of the Serbian Orthodox Church (New Gracanica Diocese) and work with members of the Georgian Orthodox Church on various projects, primarily language and education.