An interview with Marika Gunji-Yoneoka, a Silicon Valley hardware developer, on her lifelong approach to learning English and her mindset for confident presentations and negotiations.
郡司 まり香 Marika Gunji-Yoneoka
A hardware engineer based in Silicon Valley. She moved to the United States in 2006 and earned a PhD in Materials Engineering before working as a process engineer in semiconductor memory. Aside from spending two years in Boston during early childhood, she was born and raised in Japan. This year, she experienced her first career change and is set to work as a process engineer in display technology at her new company. Recalling her graduate advisor’s words, “Connection is everything!”, she says the phrase resonates strongly with her during this career transition. Her motto for using English—especially at work—is: “Speak clearly, loudly, and with simple words.”
Marika was born in Kumamoto, Japan, and lived in various parts of Japan until age five. Her first exposure to English came when her father’s work took the family to Boston, where she attended kindergarten. Although her stay lasted only two years, it was an immersive experience that forced her to learn English through ESL classes for non-native speakers. She recalls the initial culture shock of being in a city with very few Asians and no Japanese speakers, which was initially overwhelming, but after a few months, she adapted and began to enjoy communicating in English.
Upon returning to Japan, Marika attended Japanese public schools, which offered no formal English instruction at her level. To maintain her skills, she listened daily to NHK’s educational radio program “Basic English” and practiced writing what she heard, using dictation as a method of self-directed learning. She continued this routine for over a decade, from elementary school through university, developing remarkable self-discipline and independence in her language study. Though she had little opportunity to speak English during these years, her method allowed her to maintain her listening and comprehension skills.
In junior high, Marika encountered traditional grammar-focused English lessons, which initially clashed with her independent vocabulary and sentence knowledge. A pivotal moment came when she attended a private tutoring class where the teacher emphasized learning English in full sentences rather than isolated words. This approach aligned with her earlier learning style from radio and song lyrics, making English both more structured and enjoyable. Through interactive lessons, she began practicing speaking as well as reading and writing, laying the foundation for later academic English use.
Marika’s interest in studying abroad grew during her university years in Japan. She joined a research lab led by a professor with international experience, which allowed her to participate in international conferences and exchange events. Although she relied heavily on listening to “Basic English” radio programs throughout this period, she supplemented her studies with GRE vocabulary preparation in her junior year. While this did not fully prepare her for high-level academic English, it preserved her pronunciation and comprehension skills, helping her navigate early international experiences.
At graduate school in the U.S., Marika faced a stark contrast to her prior English learning. Lectures were fast-paced, textbooks were extensive, and the expectation for academic writing was rigorous. To cope, she audio-recorded classes and reviewed them repeatedly. While she struggled with essay writing and formal academic conventions, interacting with mostly Asian peers in her field allowed her to communicate effectively using English as a lingua franca. ESL support helped her develop skills in academic writing, while peer interactions honed her spoken English for practical communication.
Marika adapted to the professional and cultural expectations of Silicon Valley, where presentations and negotiations emphasize confidence, sometimes regardless of one’s actual knowledge. She learned that effective communication often relies more on attitude and clarity than on flawless language. Early exposure to high-pressure presentations and guidance from a strict graduate advisor taught her how to present ideas convincingly and handle Q&A with authority. She emphasizes that confidence and clear communication—“being the most knowledgeable about your product and showing it assertively”—are essential skills in both academic and professional contexts.
Marika currently works as a hardware engineer in Silicon Valley, recently transitioning to a role focusing on display technology, including iPads. Her work involves complex semiconductor processes, which, though often invisible to the public, have a significant impact on everyday life. Her English is used daily in a diverse, multicultural environment, predominantly with Asian peers, as a shared language. Through her experiences, Marika highlights that mastering English for professional use involves combining language skills with cultural and situational awareness, confidence, and strategic communication.
