Staff Spotlight: Motoko Tabuse, Director, School of Japanese
Motoko Tabuse has been the Director of the School of Japanese since 2019. The School of Japanese includes our 8 week (12 credit) immersion program as well as two graduate programs: MAT with Teaching Licensure and Master of Arts in Japanese Language and Culture.
Position: Director of the School of Japanese and professor of Japanese graduate programs
Hometown: Ypsilanti, Michigan
# of Summers worked at the Language Schools: 7
What first brought you to the Language Schools?
I had been serving as a program reviewer for colleges and universities in the United States. I came to the Middlebury Language Schools as an external reviewer and reviewed the Japanese summer program in 2017. I was impressed with the program. What was particularly impressive was the support that the Language Schools received from the administration. In 2018, I applied for the Director position and have been working at the School of Japanese ever since.
What do you love most about the School of Japanese?
I love the people of the Language Schools. I love the staff and faculty in both the immersion program and the graduate programs across all languages.
Language Schools faculty members are well trained and diligent professionals.
Particularly in the School of Japanese, faculty members are very well-known in the field. Some of them are known worldwide as the leaders in our field serving both national and international organizations. Faculty members here are very friendly, approachable, and funny, which creates a wonderful work environment.
What is one of your all-time favorite moments/events at the School of Japanese?
The closing ceremony is my favorite event, because this is when I can clearly see how the students have dramatically improved their Japanese language proficiency. Some of them really struggled, but they trusted us and stuck with us. Behind every student’s success, there are wonderful teachers (sensei). I also love to watch our students struggle when they return to speaking in their native language (mostly English) instead of Japanese after the closing ceremony when the Language Pledge® is lifted. This is the moment that Japanese school instructors and I feel the sense of accomplishment which is shared with the students.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
Mahaney Arts Center (MAC) is one of my favorite places. I go there to work on current and future program-related matters. The uniquely designed space and art objects give me the opportunity to think creatively. I also spend some time in the periodical section of the basement of Davis library. It’s the place where I can read recent developments in various genre.
Why should students come to Middlebury’s School of Japanese to learn Japanese?
Japan is still the world’s 4th largest economy and is one of America’s top trading partners. Japan is also the 4th most in-demand world language among U.S. employees—25% of international employers and 8% of domestic employers are looking for people with Japanese language skills. Many folks enjoy firsthand Japanese pop culture such as anime, manga, fashion, etc., as well as Japanese food. Students can learn how to use different communication styles, raising culture awareness and different perspectives of the world. Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the fields of machinery, automobiles, robotics, and electronics.
What is your favorite part of your job?
When I see the students’ Japanese proficiency improve. Seeing the students happy and expressing how wonderful the Japanese faculty members are gives me great joy.
What have you learned from the students, staff, and faculty at the School of Japanese?
“Everybody is different and everybody is wonderful.” There are different ways to achieve the same goal—improving students’ Japanese language proficiency and expressing their own feelings in Japanese.
The School of Japanese welcomes applications to our immersion, MA in Japanese Language and Culture, and MAT with Teaching Licensure programs.
Applications for summer 2026 open on November 3, 2025.
Gather your materials to apply here.