Billy Priest

Background

About Billy Priest

I teach English at a university in Japan, but my real mission is helping students ditch the “memorize, test, forget” cycle and actually enjoy using the language. I’ve worn a lot of professional hats over the years — hairstylist, tech worker, apartment building manager, and now EFL lecturer — and every one of those roles taught me something about communication, people, and persistence. These days, I bring that mix into the classroom (and sometimes into research papers). Lately, I’ve been: Designing AI-powered tools to help students practice vocabulary and writing — without doing the work for them. Publishing and presenting research on syllabus design, student engagement, and how visual design can improve comprehension. Rethinking the “boring bits” of teaching (like the syllabus) so they actually connect with students from day one. At heart, I believe education should be clear, inclusive, and adaptable — meeting students where they are now, while giving them the skills to get where they want to go. If you’re curious about innovative teaching, AI in language learning, or how to make a syllabus students will actually read, let’s talk.