Getting to Know You: Dr. Yoichi Mukai

Dr. Yoichi Mukai joined VIU in 2019 and has been inspiring students ever since with his passion for language and culture. From teaching Japanese and linguistics, to conducting experiments in his lab, Yoichi brings energy and curiosity to everything he does.

What brought you to VIU?

I came to VIU after receiving a job offer to teach Japanese and linguistics in 2019. At the time, I was still a PhD candidate, so my first year here was spent both teaching and completing my dissertation.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

As a professor of Japanese and linguistics, I spend much of my time teaching these subjects, but when I’m not teaching, I’m usually in my lab conducting experiments and collecting data using an eye-tracker. I am using this technology to study the cognitive (mental) effort of native and second language learners to understand and produce speech. Read more about this research.

What’s your favourite part about your job?

My favourite part of teaching Japanese is working with students who are genuinely interested in my language and culture. I really appreciate their interest. My favourite part of teaching linguistics is sharing my passion for how fascinating the study of language can be. Language is an often-overlooked part of our daily lives, and I love helping students uncover the hidden language rules that we all implicitly follow.

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

Anything is possible. My journey has been full of surprises. No one, including myself, would have expected that I would one day be living in Canada and working as a university professor.

What is something your coworkers would be surprised to learn about you?

I used to work as an assistant car mechanic when I was in Japan.

What’s a piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their journey at VIU?

Studying at university can be challenging at first, but it gets better over time. Persistence is the key to success!