Mayumi Oka
Department of Asian Languages & Cultures

“Oka has been called a champion for the Japanese language.” Not only is she a highly accomplished teacher (an excellent classroom teacher of first-year Japanese, as well as the long-time director of the Japanese Language Program and author of industry-standard Japanese-language textbooks), but a caring mentor to students. One former student spoke of her “kind and motivational instruction” and the joy she inspires through her teaching. First-year Japanese I was even named by the Michigan Daily as the introductory course at UM most able to produce student interest in its corresponding field.