Extended Resume
Philip Harding
St. Louis, MO 63146
+1 (401) 249-0309
https://planetproofreading.com
philipharding@planetproofreading.com
publish@planetproofreading.com
Objective
My goal is to collaborate with an educational institution or environmental organization whose mission is to promote sustainable climate goals such as carbon emissions reductions, sustainable energy, and public awareness. Academically, my goal is to attain a Master of Science in a field related to energy and ecology. Currently, I am pursuing my second bachelor’s degree, a B.S. in Environmental Science, attending undergraduate courses as a prerequisite to attaining a master’s degree in environmental science. I currently have a B.A. in Political Science (1987), which complements well with my current studies. My coursework, consisting of sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology, and scripting, is intensive, but my continued discipline as a proofreader reinforces my studies. I am resolved to find work within research as well as proofreading and particularly want to contribute to publishing research on environmental solutions to the global climate crisis. Owing to my political science and linguistics background, I am a good advocate and possess good correspondence and advocacy skills. At 59, I have learned a lot in life and can offer experience, and perhaps a bit of wisdom and leadership skills as well.
Abilities Summary
I have acquired many skills over the past forty years. I am a study maniac and have many accomplishments to be proud of. While it is hard to streamline everything I have learned and completed, my skills reflect my ability in linguistics and communication, coupled with a decades-long interest in science and technology. Highlights of my career so far are in proofreading and education, but I would like to expand my activities into research. Here is a brief summary of my proofreading: I proofread medical research papers for doctors in Japan, and those papers went on to be published in prestigious journals. Some of my clients went on to give international presentations of their work in cancer treatments and respiratory illnesses. I have proofread at least a hundred research papers by graduate students and professors exploring the effects of climate change and offering solutions. I have proofread civil court judgments settled in the court system of Macau, China. Over the years I have proofread a wide variety of literature from a variety of settings. Next, I will present a brief summary of my work in language Education: I tutored high school students for the TOEFL and Tokyo University entrance exams (English section). I taught English for Specific Purposes to lawyers and justices of the Supreme Court of Kyushu, Japan. I wrote English teaching curricula for my own English center, for the Japanese Ministry of Education, and for universities in China, where I was put in charge of the development and implementation of their English programs. I developed online homework and test-taking for my students in Chinese universities, which was a first at those schools. I have basic IT skills. I am familiar with and comfortable with computers and digital technology. Although I cannot claim to be proficient with any program languages, including markup languages such as HTML, I can design and launch websites, run programs, and maintain databases. I am comfortable with the main word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet applications available as well as graphic applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator, but I am probably not familiar with lesser-known, specialized programs. Finally, I am fluent in Japanese, listening, speaking, and writing, and have basic skills in Chinese and possess a passive knowledge of Spanish and other Romance languages.
Employment History
Proofreader
Planet Proofreading– Providence, Rhode Island 2021 – present| Creston, IA 2019 – 2021
Freelance proofreader and editor of environmental and scientific research papers. Clients included graduate students, Ph.D. researchers, and industry R&D leaders. Nearly all of my clients are non-native writers of English.
Implemented a system that rewards environmental research papers with discounts and free follow-up services.
Worked openly with clients, explaining edits and guaranteeing satisfaction. Maintained flexible and reasonable fee policies with clients.
October 2019 – present
TESOL Instructor
Guangzhou City Polytechnic – Guangzhou, China
September 2017 to July 2019
China, Guangzhou City Polytechnic. My professional activity at Xuchang University (below) is exactly parallel to my current work at Guangzhou City Polytechnic.
Curriculum Developer and Instructor of English
Oral Communications
Henan Province – China
August 2015 to June 2017
Analysis and modeling of reduced speech and intonation; training in replacing Chinese language artifacts in speech with native-speaker correspondence; preparing students for verbal discourse and response in standard English. Devised transliteration of reduced speech patterns into IPA. Utilized WordPress to deliver quizzes and exams, creating an interactive and motivating learning experience.
Freelance
Fukuoka, Japan, Planet Communications – JP
September 2014 to August 2015
Japanese to English translator for RECRUIT, Japan; online translation of university term papers and professional research papers (social sciences)
Kyushu Prefectural High Court English Training Coordinator
NOVA and Holdings
October 2014 to July 2015
Temporary English teaching position. Coached high court officers to handle foreigners who apply in court but have little or no Japanese skills. Coached same officers to raise their listening scores in TOEIC. Earned successful approval ratings on both counts.
Planet English. Tutored students for the TOEIC exam; gave presentations on test-taking strategies.
Linguistics Researcher
Vientiane City College
August 2014 to September 2014
Vientiane, Laos
Vientiane City College
Brief sabbatical: Studied Thai and Lao script and phonology in comparison to Mandarin, Cantonese, and Japanese.
Oral Communications Instructor and Collaborator
Guangzhou City Polytechnic – Guangzhou, CN
March 2012 to July 2014
Curriculum developer. In charge of developing and teaching curriculum for large classes of first-year college students. Assessed and implemented techniques to encourage students’ active participation in verbal English communication. Worked with and advised colleagues on modern communicative methodology. Counseled and encouraged students. Administered and planned English corner. Judged and advised speech contests.
Team Language Teacher
Japanese Ministry of Education
April 2011 to February 2012
Researched, modeled, and taught phonics and reduced speaking patterns to classes of thirty students from grades 1-6. Counseled and supported Japanese instructors of English. Presented realistic learning experiences through drama via picture books, educational media, and role-play.
Curriculum Designer, Advertiser, Translator,
English language Instructor
Aces Language School – Tokyo, Japan
December 2010 to March 2011
Designed English instructional materials for a local training school. Tutored both children and adults in English. Designed and translated advertisements and pamphlets. Translated pamphlets from English to Japanese.
Freelance Japanese to English translator, proofreader, and editor
Chiba-ken, Japan – St. Louis, MO
February 2009 to November 2010
Japan, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.
Planet Communications. Freelance Japanese to English translator, proofreader, and editor. Freelance Japanese Language Instructor. Freelance importer of educational robotic materials.
Homeroom teacher
PALS English Immersion Kindergarten, Fukuoka, Japan
July 2008 to January 2009
Taught a variety of subjects in English to kindergarten age toddlers. Promoted English fluency with success in children ranging in ages from 2-6.
Private School Owner
Planet English, Fukuoka, Japan
July 1998 to June 2008 – Fukuoka, Japan
Planet English. Established a professional and friendly English Conversation school of approximately 175 students. Developer, chief administrator, and promoter. Acted as supervisor of and main contributor to curriculum development, resulting in a demonstrable increase in student motivation, fluency, and language retention. Developed methods that resulted in an increase in student body of 300% over our first five years. Held retention rates of over 90% per year on average.
Devised lessons in communicative English, primarily through activity and task-based approaches. Developed an age-scaled phonics program and experimented with simplified approaches to grammar drills based on modern linguistic theory. Tutored students for tests such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), The Test of English For International Communications (TOEIC), and the Japanese STEP Test for English Proficiency for both adults and children.
Curriculum Translation and Editing
Fukuoka, Japan, Planet Communications September 1998 to May 2008 editor of promotional activities; copywriter for advertising and marketing; freelance proofreader of medical articles and presentations; curriculum translator; translator of documents for overseas study; web page creator, translator in public schools for English teaching training; freelance translator and consultant for local language schools
Director of English Studies
Japanese Ministry of Education – Fukuoka, Japan
April 2003 to March 2007
Japan concurrent with self-employment at Planet Communications)
Nishi-Magazine Elementary School. Director of English Studies (independent contract). First native English speaker to be hired by this school as an English instructor. Created a modern English program and syllabus for grades one to six focused on activity-based instruction. Worked closely with the principal, vice-principal, and teachers.
Researcher
Leave of Absence, Fukuoka City – JP
March 1998 to June 1998
Planned and coordinated founding Planet Communications, a language learning and communications institute,
Will English. Head Instructor
February 1996 to February 1998
Taught English Conversation to a wide range of classes, from preschoolers to adults. Planned curriculum. Trained new instructors. Tutored professionals for overseas business trips.
Organic Co-Op Shareholder
Sabbatical – Honolulu, HI
January 1994 to January 1996
Sabbatical: studied TESOL and Asian Studies while working as a general clerk in an organic food Co-Op.
Guide, Interpreter
Aloha Tours – Honolulu, HI
November 1992 to December 1993
Reception; Served as a tour desk guide in a bilingual capacity to serve and orientate clients.
Will English. Head Instructor
October 1989 to October 1992
Taught English Conversation to a wide range of classes both in terms of age and level, from preschoolers to adults. Planned curriculum. Was in charge of training for new instructors. Tutored businesspeople for overseas business trips.
EC English Academy Instructor
EC English Academy – New York, NY
March 1989 to September 1989
Taught practical English conversation and business English to young professionals. Received my first authentic training and experience in TESOL.
Editor
Philosophical Library – New York, NY February 1989 to August 1989
Proofread manuscripts accepted for publication. Discussed style and content with editorial staff and writers. Received positive feedback on editorial skills.
Staff writer
Writer
Jet Lag Magazine – St. Louis, MO January 1981 to December 1982 magazine. Wrote reviews and articles for recorded music and live performances.
Education
B.S. Candidate (Environmental Science)
Southern New Hampshire University
Minor in Japanese
Japanese Language Institute (Sophia University) 1988 to 1989
B.A. in Political Science (Exchange Student)
Sophia University – Tokyo, JP 1987 to 1989
B.A. in Political Science
B.A. University of Missouri at Columbia 1988
TESOL and TOEFL
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages University of Missouri 1988
Skills
- Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Social Media Marketing
- Microsoft Office
- Marketing Communications
- retail sales
- Japanese
- WordPress
- Teaching
- Translation
- Proofreading Writing Skills
- Certifications and Licenses
- iTTT TEFL and TESOL Training Certificate (12 hours course) 2017
- Japanese Language Proficiency Exam, 1st Level December 1996
- First Aid and CPR Certification
- MANDT Certification Med Manager Certification