Patrick Moore, 25, will be moving to Japan in August to teach English to students through the JET - Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. Photo by Kaylee Osowski/Peninsula Clarion

Patrick Moore, 25, will be moving to Japan in August to teach English to students through the JET - Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. Photo by Kaylee Osowski/Peninsula Clarion

Local man heading to Japan to teach English

  • By KAYLEE OSOWSKI
  • Saturday, May 31, 2014 10:55pm
  • News

He’s lucky number seven, Yasuko Lehtinen said.

Patrick Moore, is Kenai Peninsula College instructor Lehtinen’s seventh student to move to Japan to teach English through the JET— Japan Exchange and Teaching Program.

Moore, 25, took Japanese classes from Lehtinen three years ago after graduating from Gonzaga University Spokane Washington before moving to Pennsylvania to Villanova for his master’s degree.

The 25 year old, who grew up in Soldotna, first became interested in Japanese language and culture during his first year of college. He was required to take a language course and chose Japanese.

“I just wanted to do something completely different, and I did and I liked it,” Moore said. “And I decided to keep doing it, and I decided to do study abroad I liked that too. It kind of all snowballed from there.”

Moore studied abroad in Tokyo, Japan, during the 2010-2011 school year. He stayed with a host family and another exchange student from Germany. As a JET teacher Moore will be staying in his own apartment or house on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. Moore said he will be teaching elementary and middle school students for two to three years through the program.

Between receiving an undergrad degree and going to Pennsylvania for his masters, Moore also substitute taught at Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools.

“I’m pretty comfortable in American schools, but I think it might a little more strict and there might be different expectations (in Japan),” Moore said. … “I’m going to have to try to learn pretty quickly.”

Moore began the application process for the JET program last September and found out he was accepted in April.

“It’s a pretty rigorous process,” he said.

Lehtinen said after submitting the application, applicants are interviewed by embassy officials and judged on their background, education and personality.

Because Moore has taught kids before and lived in Tokyo where he was immersed in the Japanese culture, Lehtinen said he is almost the perfect person for the job.

“He’s already half-way Japanese probably,” Lehtinen said, laughing.

Moore said while he has experience living in Japan, there are things he probably doesn’t know and there are always new things to learn.

Moore was notified last week where he would be teaching. He leaves Aug. 1 for Japan and will have orientation in Tokyo before moving to the island.

“I’m really excited to go,” Moore said.

Kaylee Osowski can be reached at kaylee.osowski@peninsulaclarion.com

More in News

Erin Thompson (courtesy)
Erin Thompson to serve as regional editor for Alaska community publications

Erin Thompson is expanding her leadership as she takes on editorial oversight… Continue reading

A woman stands with her sign held up during a rally in support of Medicaid and South Peninsula Hospital on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer residents rally in support of South Peninsula Hospital and Medicaid

The community gathered on Wednesday in opposition to health care cuts that threaten rural hospitals.

Hunter Kirby holds up the hatchery king salmon he bagged during the one-day youth fishery on the Ninilchik River on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo by Mike Booz
Ninilchik River closed to sport fishing

The closure is in effect from June 23 through July 15.

Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna restaurant owner remains in ICE custody; federal charges dropped

Francisco Rodriguez-Rincon was accused of being in the country illegally and falsely claiming citizenship on a driver’s license application.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough to provide maximum funding for school district

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will receive less money from the state this year than it did last year.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday.
Pools, theaters, libraries in jeopardy as cuts loom

The district issued “notices of non-retention” to all its pool managers, library aides and theater technicians.

A sockeye salmon is pictured in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Fishing slow on Russian River, improving on Kenai

Northern Kenai fishing report for Tuesday, June 17.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchor Point man accepts plea deal for November shootings

Buildings operated by a local health clinic and an addiction recovery nonprofit were targeted.

Most Read