The Global Issues in Language Education (GILE) SIG Forum will feature presentations and discussions from experienced GILE educators highlighting a variety of unique approaches to promoting agency in the teaching of global issues to language learners. Global issues are increasingly gaining prominence in language education, as educators recognize the importance of equipping learners with the...
"Pragmatics plays a crucial role in effective communication, yet it remains an underexplored area in English Language Teaching (ELT) in Japan. To address this gap, this forum will bring together the expertise of the Material Writers and Pragmatics Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to showcase innovative approaches to designing and implementing materials that foster pragmatic competence.
The...
This forum explores innovative strategies for enhancing intercultural awareness and understanding in language education. The first presenter discusses the integration of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) into undergraduate courses in Japan, fostering cross-cultural exchanges with students from the United States, Germany, Brazil, Belgium, Portugal, Mexico, and Turkiye. By...
This TEVAL SIG forum at PanSIG2025 addresses two key areas of L2 language assessment: L2 essay evaluation and L2 listening assessment conditions. Edward Schaefer will present an L2 writing assessment study exploring whether many-facet Rasch measurement (MFRM) and cluster analysis can identify distinct rater types among 40 native English speakers evaluating Japanese university students' essays....
"When attempting to set up an Extensive Reading Program at institutions, teachers often encounter resistance. However, starting on a small scale often reveals that other educators are already engaging in similar practices. By connecting with these like-minded colleagues, collaboration becomes possible, leading to more effective and impactful teaching methods.
This presentation explores the...
For JALT Chapters and SIGs, face-to-face event hosting is just one option of many, due to the advent of powerful video conferencing software systems such as Google Meet, Zoom, and YouTube Live. Organizations who host hybrid events make their offerings accessible to a wider audience, including the geographically distant, people with disabilities, those with family or work obligations, or others...
This Pragmatics SIG forum brings together four young and early career teachers and researchers with a passion for pragmatics: understanding it, researching it, and bringing it to the language classroom. Each will bring a unique and novel perspective to this important field. Saki Araki investigated multilingual English users, gaining insights regarding their beliefs and reported actions as they...
"Expanding Realities: MAVR Innovations for Global Learning and Collaboration
Exploring the State of MAVR, Metaverse for COIL, and AR-Enhanced Education
This MAVR SIG forum explores the evolving landscape of Mixed, Augmented, and Virtual Realities in education, highlighting innovative approaches that empower learners and educators in an increasingly digital and connected world. The session...
" This interactive forum explores innovative approaches to developing teacher autonomy and agency within language education contexts. Through presentation-workshop style sessions, participants will engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical applications that enhance professional development and classroom practice.
The forum features two complementary perspectives on autonomy...
The Student Peer Interaction Network Committee (SPIN) works to support students in JALT by being a place for them to help each other by sharing resources, getting advice, and networking. In this forum, SPIN invites student presenters to share their research and experience with other students. The attendees will be offered an opportunity to discuss their experiences with student peers. Although...
This forum explores the dynamic interplay between language and culture pedagogy through the academic journeys of two educators. The presenters will examine diverse perspectives and methodologies used to introduce new ideas, cultures, and languages to students.
The first presenter, a native Hungarian speaker, began her career as an English language instructor at Kanda University of...
In this forum, we are discussing the idea of developing students as whole people as a way to prepare them for the future. In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, higher education is evolving beyond traditional academic development to nurture autonomous individuals who think critically, act ethically, and engage meaningfully with their communities. Presentations will explore how...
"Given the widespread and growing implementation of EMI programs around the world, there is a strong need to uncover factors that can enhance or hinder learning outcomes. Current research indicates that self-efficacy, L2 technical vocabulary knowledge, and motivation are key predictors of linguistic and academic success.
Reported research typically uses group-based data elicitation and...
University education can be part of lifelong learning, but it can also instill lifelong learning habits. A panel of speakers who have studied at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Japan and abroad will compare their university trajectories and explain how their prior and subsequent learning and life experiences affected, and were affected by, their tertiary studies. The speakers will...
Drama-based activities offer an engaging and dynamic approach to language learning, fostering authentic communication in the EFL classroom. This forum explores how drama games can enhance students’ conversational fluency, confidence, and interactional competence. By incorporating improvisation, role-play, and storytelling, drama encourages spontaneity, risk-taking, and meaningful language use...
In this session, participants battle against the clock to create their own ideas for a new study abroad program. After setting out the rules and parameters of the activity, groups will be formed, and each will then discuss, gather information, and put together a short-term study abroad program proposal. Groups will have to consider important elements such as logistics, costs, extracurricular...
"This interactive round table session will explore the dual dimensions of autonomy and agency in language education, addressing both student and teacher perspectives. Featuring a diverse panel of educators—including an elementary school teacher, junior high school teacher, high school teacher, university instructor, and Eikaiwa teacher—this session will highlight practical strategies for...
