Avril Haye Matsui

Educator with strong foundation in academic teaching and research. Adept at fostering engaging learning environment while collaborating effectively with colleagues. Skilled in curriculum development, student mentorship, and scholarly publication. Known for adaptability and delivering measurable results in line with institutional goals.

Dr. Avril Haye-Matsui is a language educator and applied linguist with over 25 years of experience teaching English and intercultural communication in Japan. Her research examines the intersections of race, gender, and identity in higher education, focusing on the experiences of Black female English language teachers. She has published widely and presented internationally on applied linguistics, diversity, and inclusive pedagogy, combining scholarly research with practical expertise to advance socially aware and equitable language education.

• Japan Association of Language Teaching (JALT)
• SIETAR Japan (Society for Intercultural Education Training and Research)
• KOTESOL (Korea Tesol)
• Creating Connections; multicultural Japan advisor

• An Examination of Japanese Perceptions of and the Role of the Black Other and Blackness Masters Dissertation, 2005, University of Sheffield School of East Asian Studies
• Prostitution in Japan Social Management or Regulation? single-authored, 2002, Chubu International Review (Chubu Daigaku Kokusai Kankei Gakubu Ronshu), 2, pp.170-176, (7 p.)
• The Appropriation of Blackness: Hip Hop and the Kokujin Ni Naritai Wakamono, single-authored, 2009, Academia Journal of the Nanzan Academic Society Humanities and Social Sciences, 88, Nanzan University, pp. 371-380, (10p.)
• Metaprograms for Literacy Development and Critical Thinking, 2012, co-authored, JALT Pan-sig proceedings, pp 61-67, (7p)
• The narrative of a female Jamaican ALT in Japan: Status and identity The Journal of the Faculty of Foreign Studies, Aichi prefectural University, 50, 2018 , 237-255
• They were women, and I had a cool image about them: Female role models and female English language majors. The Language Teacher 42, (2), 2018
• Black, British and female in the Japanese university classroom Book chapter in Foreign female English teachers in Japanese higher education, Candlin & Mynard, August 2020
• Exploring Issues of Race and Gender Among Black Female English Language Teachers in Japan PhD dissertation, 2022, Ochanomizu University, Graduate school of Humanities and Sciences
• Demonstrating Diversity: Reaching Beyond Stereotypes in the ESL Classroom. The Language Teacher 48, (5), 2024
• Being a Black woman in Japan, the intersection of race, gender & nationality Book chapter in Migration, transnational flows & the contested meanings of race in Asia, Springer Nature, (March 2025)
• Cultural Communication, High School Teacher’s Workshop, Nanzan University, Nagoya, 2nd July 2008.
• Female English Majors in Japan: Their Motivations and Ambitions, Women Educators and Language Learners (WELL) Conference, Saitama, 9th February 2012.
• Metaprograms for Literacy Development and Critical Thinking, Japan Association of Language Teachers (JALT) PanSIG Conference, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 16th June 2012.
• Future English Identities of Japanese Female English Language Majores, Japan Association of Language Teachers (JALT) PanSIG Conference, Nanzan University, Nagoya, 18th May 2013.
• Black Women in Japan, Women Educators and Language Learners (WELL) Conference, Saitama, 6th February 2015.
• Black Female Experiences in Japan, Center for Japanese Studies (CJS), Nanzan University, Nagoya, 22nd April 2015.
• Black Women and Japan, (Guest Lecturer) Kita-Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 3rd December 2015.
• Black Women in Japan: Experiences and Perceptions, (Guest Lecturer) Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, 1st July 2016.
• Activism in our Communities Panelist. Japan Black Studies Association Conference, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, 24th June 2017.
• Black Women Japan and Community, Constructive Communication Across Gender and Culture, Japan Association of Language Teachers, Mini Conference, Shizuoka, 30th September 2017.
• Young People, Diversity and Japan Panel Chair. Creating Connections Conference; Social and Emotional Support for Multicultural and International Families in Japan, Nagoya International School, 15th April 2017.
• Diversity in Our Communities Panel Chair, Creating Connections Conference; Social and Emotional Support for Multicultural and International Families in Japan, Nagoya International School, 22nd April 2018.
• Real Culture, Real Diversity in British Society, Japan Association of Language Teachers, PanSIG conference, Konan University, Nishinomiya, 18th May 2019.
• Using our Differences to Create Change, Living on the Edge Conference, Sangyo University, Kyoto, October 2019.
• Cultural Diversity in the ELT Classroom in Japan, Nagoya Chapter of Japan Association of Language Teachers, Online, 19th September 2020.
• Black Female ELT Professionals in Japan, Aichi Prefectural University English Lectures, Online, 9th November 2020.
• Blending Cultural Awareness and Social Activism, Japan Association of Language Teachers, National Online Conference, 21st November 2020.
• The Changing Face of ELT: Black Women in ELT, (Featured speaker) Japan Association of Language Teachers National Online Conference, 22nd November 2020.
• Stereotypes and Microaggressions: Shifting Perspectives (Guest Lecturer) Aichi Prefectural University English Lectures, Online, 17th January 2022.
• Pedagogy & Presence: Black Female ELT Teachers in Japan (Guest Lecturer) Tokyo Kasei University. Global Education Center online lectures, 4th February 2022
• Exploring Issues of Race and Gender Among Black Female English Language Teachers in Japan Ochanomizu University final lecture, Tokyo Japan, 31st August 2022
• Identity & Pedagogy: Black Female English Language Professionals, Japan Association of language teachers Pansig conference, Kyoto Sangyo University, 13th May, 2023
• Microaggressions Nagoya JICA volunteers, online, Nagoya Japan, 18th September 2023
• Black female ELT professionals in Japan: The intersection of race, gender and nationality SIETAR Japan, Chubu chapter, Nanzan University, 21st October 2023
• Gender in ELT in Japan: Black Women, intersectionality & ELT in Japan, Kobe Chapter of Japan Association of Language Teachers, Kobe Gakuin University, 20th January 2024
• The Intersectional Identities of Black Female English Language Teaching professionals in Japan, Diversity & Inclusivity in English Language Education International Conference, Soka University, 12th May 2024
• Intersectional language teacher identities: Black Women in Japan, New Zealand Association of Language Teachers Biennial Conference, Auckland University, 8th July 2024
• We are all diverse: Celebrating Diversity in English Language Teaching, Japan Association of Language Teachers International Conference, plenary speaker, Shizuoka Granship, Shizuoka, 16th November 2024
• Intersectionality in Our Communities, SIETAR Conference, keynote speaker, Doshisha University, Kyoto, 7th December 2024
• All Women our Stories Matter, WELL: Women Educating, Learning, Leading annual conference, keynote speaker, national Women’s education center, Saitama, 8th February 2025
• Intersectional Professional Identities: Black female English Language Teachers in Japan, KOTESOL, Sookmung Women’s University, Seoul, Korea, 10th May, 2025
• Intersectionality in Japan: Black women, identity and English language teaching. Invited speaker, Tokyo University, 19th June 2025
• Gendered and Racialized Identities in Japan, Rikko University, Invited speaker, Tokyo, 20th June, 2025

• Co-creator, Black Women in Japan group
• Creator, Women’s Empowerment Circle
• Black Lives Matter Tokai board member.
• Co-organizer of Black Lives Matter peaceful protest in Nagoya
• PTA activities in the local community