This presentation examines the linguistic variations in a corpus of argumentative essays written by Korean EFL learners. By conducting an additional MDA using the five dimensions established in Biber (1988), learner essays were compared with their native counterparts and across four proficiency levels using dimension scores. Native essays were more narrative and persuasive compared to Korean...
This research project, supported by a Japanese federal grant, investigates how access to an integrated dictionary during ER affects learners’ ability to accurately guess meaning. First-year English majors use the ER application Xreading which offers optional access to glossary definitions while reading. Pre- and post-treatment surveys of reading strategy usage as well as tests of ability to...
This systematic literature review explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) supports English language teachers’ professional development. Analyzing 28 studies from 2018–2025, it highlights AI’s role in enhancing pedagogy through personalized learning, data-informed decision-making, and workload reduction. ChatGPT emerges as the most frequently used tool, aiding material design and feedback....
This study explores EFL communicative adequacy from learner perspectives. Evaluating speaking is complex and time-consuming, making it crucial to understand how learners perceive proficiency. Communicative adequacy, proposed in task-based language teaching, measures task success. Fifty Japanese university students assessed recorded dialogues, rating successful speakers on a five-point Likert...
Explore innovative ways to transform your English speaking and listening course through engaging, project-based learning. From solving a murder mystery to reimagining characters with a focus on diversity, students enhance critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. This workshop delves into the real-world challenges and successes of these dynamic projects, providing practical...
How do Japanese haafu adults (aged 30s–50s) construct their identities through interviews about their experiences of growing up and living in Japan?
This workshop invites participants to examine how haafu narrators position themselves and others across the life span through their storied accounts of everyday events. Special attention will be given to discourse analysis of “small stories,”...
This presentation will show significant differences in students' satisfaction between faculty-led study abroad programs and non-faculty-led programs. Principal component analysis (PCA) results for student satisfaction in program contents indicated slightly different characteristics between the two groups. Although this presentation focuses on one aspect of a whole faculty-led program, the...
Taiwan’s bilingual education policy, launched in 2018, required elementary and junior high school teachers to deliver some specific subjects in English, but soon faced issues of teacher shortages, inconsistent qualifications, scarce textbooks, and limited budgets. Universities also questioned their academic rigour and lack of evaluation schemes. In 2025, the government scaled back, allowing...
This presentation shares outcomes from a COIL program between University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Hokkaido Musashi Women's University. Students engaged in bilingual discussions to develop language skills and intercultural understanding. While participants reported high satisfaction and confidence gains, challenges such as time zone coordination and uneven participation emerged....
This study explores integrating SDGs into EFL lessons to enhance young learners’ language and critical thinking through a 12-week dialogical approach in a Turkish public school. Using an embedded mixed-methods design, improvements were observed in environmental knowledge, functional language use, and critical thinking. Learners shifted from basic descriptions to proposing solutions,...
This workshop introduces a custom-built Writing Tutor for Japanese high school students. Developed by the presenter using Google Workspace and the ChatGPT API, this tool provides real-time, personalized feedback on paragraph structure, fluency, and grammar. Pilot study results indicate significant improvements in the targeted skills, along with high student satisfaction. This study underscores...
The workshop will begin with a short presentation on the background of critical thinking in education, reviewing various definitions of critical thinking and different directions for instruction. Then, participants will be given copies of a critical thinking test, along with a worksheet that asks them to reflect on how to teach dialectical thinking skills through the test.
This presentation discusses the action research rationales and processes I used to make changes to an existing ELP course syllabus as a means of improvement, while at the same time increasing knowledge about ESP pedagogy, and concomitant teaching and learning practices. The ELP syllabus was scaffolded so that students began learning the lexico-grammatical properties of a contract before...
The presenter aims to offer an experiential journey to ‘language endangerment in Japan’, and discuss together the future of revitalizing such languages. As a starting point, we will watch the documentary film “The Future of Miyaakufutsu (Miyakoan Language): Vanishing Voices, Emerging Voices” (47 minutes, 2019), filmed by the presenter and featuring one of the Ryukyuan languages and the people...
This is a classroom-based experiment with Japanese L2 learners of English on the mnemonic effect of alliteration with novel collocations. It is motivated by prior research, with samples drawn mostly from a Dutch L1 population, using familiar collocations as test stimuli. The treatment phase incorporates a dictation activity and study period. The testing instruments include immediate...
How readers use machine translation (MT) has been shown to affect reading outcomes, but the effect of reading anxiety and text difficulty have not been examined. This study utilized screen recording to track how 52 learners used MT. The results found that participants with high cognitive reading anxiety used MT much more often. Participants who more often used MT did not recall more content...
Workplace harassment is an unfortunate reality for many people, and while the obvious response is to "report it," situations are oftentimes much more complex. While workplace harassment has been researched, particularly bullying, some find it difficult to apply strategies to their situation, especially those working in foreign countries and/or with culturally diverse colleagues. This workshop...
This study investigates vocabulary usage in EFL test-takers' writings in Taiwan using five quality standards. 410 essays of General Scholastic Ability Test were analyzed, with 50,026 words categorized into five sub-groups. Lexical Frequency Profiles (LFP) were created via online lexical profiler Lextutor. ANOVA assessed the relationship between lexical sophistication and essay scores across...
Providing feedback on students’ speaking is more challenging than written feedback, as spoken language is ephemeral and difficult to analyze. This workshop explores research-based strategies to enhance oral feedback, including using video recordings, self- and peer-assessment, and technology tools. Grounded in Assessment for Learning principles, it helps teachers deliver clearer, more...
This study compares ChatGPT’s performance to human instructors in grading Japanese university students' EFL essays. Results highlight strong alignment on objective elements like formatting, but significant discrepancies in areas such as body paragraph development and language use. Findings support the cautious integration of AI as a grading aid, with human oversight remaining essential for...
This workshop demonstrates activities, strategies and methods that can be incorporated into an effective 15-week communicative course, without the use of a set text. It shows the potential of elective courses to combine language learning with engaging content to deliver a successful and creative English syllabus. The contents and the outcome highlight the importance and benefits of...
Critical language pedagogy (CLP) is a transformative approach to language teaching that encourages students to explore sociopolitical issues in the language classroom. This presentation tracks the experience of a teacher who was initially reluctant to accept his employer’s request to teach a critically-oriented course using assigned materials that he judged as problematic. We show how the...
L2 output is essential for student foreign language development, so how can Japanese teachers of English (JTEs) help make more happen? Building upon prior research on the contribution of embodied modes with teacher talk to collaboratively create classroom knowledge in teacher-fronted contexts, in this presentation I will examine how teachers tried and failed to commence student discussions and...
The aim of this presentation is to explore and discuss how Japanese EFL students express their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic through second language poetry writing.
This presentation shares specific stories of language educators in Japan that explored how the pandemic influenced teacher identity, beliefs, practices, emotions, well-being, and professional development. Narrative inquiry, a methodology which reveals lived experiences within rich, story-filled data, was used to analyze responses from survey and interview participants nationwide. Whether...
The Japanese government authorized English textbooks are composed of conversation style text or explanatory text with the primary focus on vocabulary and grammar. The use of literature in the classroom introduces some essence of English literature using Graded Readers. With the support of the school library students deepen the understanding of culture, social background of the works as well as...
This study compared the operationalization and feasibility of three methods of measuring plurilingual language practices by a teacher and learners in an Arabic language classroom: word counts, time analysis, and impressionistic judgments from live observations. Application of the methods to the same dataset revealed comparable frequencies of L2 use, different frequencies of L1 use, and large...
This study investigated predictors of TOEIC Reading performance among management majors (N = 174) at a Japanese public university. Regression analyses examined the influence of initial CASEC scores, Year 1 NGSL/NAWL vocabulary levels (initial and final), and TOEIC Reading scores (Times 1–3) on Time 4 outcomes. Results showed that Year 1 final vocabulary levels strongly predicted Year 2 reading...
This study compares pronunciation difficulties among Japanese, Chinese, and Indonesian EFL learners and their impact on intelligibility. Using standardized reading tasks evaluated by native speakers, the research highlights key challenges such as vowel insertion, final consonant omission, stress misplacement, and vowel/consonant contrasts. Preliminary findings reveal distinct patterns across...
Reflective practice has gained recognition as a key component in improving teaching effectiveness and fostering continuous professional growth among educators. This study aimed to explore the reflective practice strategies used by English teachers and examine the role of reflection in uncovering the reality of their teaching experiences. The study found that reflective practice strategies,...
Using netnographic methods, this project investigated social construction of psychic income – benefits outside of contractual ones – among members of online communities for migrant English teachers in Japan. Results confirmed the role of psychic income, such as an interest in Japanese society or a love of teaching, in attracting migrant English teachers despite perceived financial and other...
This multisite qualitative study examined the use of Contextual Knowledge (XK), or the knowledge of teaching environments among English teachers, across six secondary schools in three provinces in Indonesia. The findings from in-depth interviews, informed by lesson plans and digital artefacts, suggest that XK is a prominent construct that informs teachers’ pedagogical decisions. Constrained by...
This autoethnography examines student teacher engagement in a 120-hour TESOL training program in Vietnam. Student teachers range from novices entering the field to experienced educators refining their skills. Drawing on my experiences as a TESOL trainer and anonymous feedback from 30 student teachers over eight months, the study highlights key engagement factors: theoretical-practical...
This workshop introduces a Buddhist-inspired, mindful approach to inclusivity in language education. Rather than focusing on external content, it emphasises inner transformation to combat discrimination, which it suggests arises from rejecting differences. Drawing on psychology and Buddhist teachings, the session guides participants through mindful breathing and self-reflection activities....
This presentation examines collaborative ASR-facilitated dubbing tasks to enhance English pronunciation and motivation. Twenty-seven freshmen students participated in dubbing tasks, including replacing original soundtracks with their voices, scripting, planning, modeling, evaluating, revising, and reflecting. Data were collected from ASR assessments, motivation surveys, and reflective essays....
Telecollaboration brings together language learners in geographically separate locations to build on their intercultural competence and foreign language skills through collaborative projects. The aim of this presentation is to explore how university students in Taiwan and Japan worked via telecollaboration on a project researching and presenting on controversial topics within an online...
Learner autonomy is crucial in EFL learning, and self-directed learning is a key. This workshop will present the course design for a first-year university seminar course aimed at fostering self-directed learning through language learning advising tools, self-reflection, and the development of fundamental university skills such as presentations and report writing. Then it will show some issues...
The presentation examines dimensions of Internationalization of the Curriculum at Home (IoCaH) in a Bachelor’s Program in English Language Studies at a public Vietnamese university. From curriculum documents and in-depth interviews with academic staff, IoCaH is considered as a curriculum reform incorporating graduate employability, multi-pathway, global, international, intercultural,...
This study examines the relationship between tertiary-level students’ performances on L2 proficiency test and L1 reading skills test (hereafter, RST). The participants (n = 30) were A2-level EFL university students studying at a private university in Tokyo. The findings showed that learners with higher L1 reading skills a) did not necessarily perform successfully on L2 proficiency test, but b)...
Due to the lack of English proficiency of both instructors and students, Japan's EMI programs are often accompanied by Japanese use. Focusing on Chinese students, who make up the largest group of multilingual international students in Japan, this research employs a phenomenological approach, aiming to identify Chinese students’ attitudes toward L3 learning and how it shapes their identity in...
Games from improv theatre are often used as warmers or fun breaks, but this presentation argues that the principles of improv match those of communicative language teaching, and that techniques from improv can be used to open up students’ awareness of topics and stimulate deeper discussion of social issues. Participants will experience a sequence of activities and suggestions of how it can be...
This presentation explores Japanese high school students’ level of confidence in their English skills and their interest in university English-Taught Programs and English-Medium Instruction. Considering the expansion of such programs, this study examines whether student interest in EMI/ETPs as well as confidence in language skills vis-a-vis EMI/ETPs have increased significantly in the last...
We explore study abroad (SA) through the lens of guroubaru-jinzai, a concept central to Japan’s internationalization policies. Focusing on students’ developmental gains—especially socio-emotional skills—we consider how these outcomes align with SA objectives. Current evaluation models emphasize language proficiency but overlook other key competencies. We critique these models and propose...
This study examines the readability progression of Japanese high school English textbooks over three years and its correlation with vocabulary complexity using the New JACET8000 wordlist. Analyzing 70 volumes from 24 textbook series, the study identifies four readability patterns and finds that 14 of 22 textbooks align with curricular expectations. Higher readability scores correspond to...
Recently, institutional ethics approval has become a standard requirement for language education research. However, the review process is sometimes opaque, leaving researchers unclear about the whys and hows of research ethics review. With four years of experience on a university research ethics review panel, the presenter will help participants develop a firm understanding of ethics reviews. ...
The study explores how English language teachers view and implement the Internal Assessment (IA) system that replaces the Continuous Assessment System (CAS) and integrates rubrics system under various criteria. Unlike CAS, teachers have favorable perceptions on IA however, they encounter challenges due to lack of knowledge about assessment criteria, large class sizes, excessive workloads, and...
Teachers may hesitate to cover swearing in language classes, believing it to be unsuitable, unnecessary, or too sensitive. In this workshop I will present arguments in favour of teaching swearing. I will share materials I have used to teach swearing to university students. Participants will have a chance to discuss how they have taught swearing, ways in which they might consider teaching...
This study investigates how linguistic difficulties shape cultural learning and personal growth in a farm stay. Focusing on two Japanese students with contrasting English proficiency, it traces their interactions, role negotiation, and evolving participation. Findings show communication struggles function as obstacles and catalysts, prompting reflection, help-seeking, and engagement with hosts...
English-medium instruction (EMI) poses challenges for students with diverse language proficiency. This workshop explores how ChatGPT can facilitate differentiated learning by providing scaffolding, personalized feedback, and adaptive learning materials. Participants will have discussions, receive practical tips, and engage in hands-on activities while using ChatGPT. Overall, the session offers...
This study investigates students’ perception regarding the use of ChatGPT in their English learning process. The findings emphasize that ChatGPT is favored among students who believe it has a beneficial effect on their English language acquisition. However, this reliance also causes adverse impacts on their social and emotional issues. Therefore, this study suggests further exploration of the...
This workshop will be an opportunity to reflect upon teaching approaches and techniques that deepen learning, develop belonging and acknowledge learners’ cultural and linguistic diversity. I’ll present information about the role of education in current Welsh language revitalisation efforts in Wales and share examples of new developments in Welsh language teaching for children, young people and...
This study examines the integration of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in a Career Development course at a public university in Vietnam. Using the CASEL framework and the SEL Coaching Toolkit (Yoder & Gurke, 2017), it explores students’ and instructors’ perceptions of SEL’s presence and necessity. Findings reveal gaps in instruction and assessment, informing syllabus improvements. The...
A fundamental conflict exists within extensive reading (ER) courses, wherein the principles of ER are at odds with the institutional and pedagogical need for academically rigorous coursework. This presentation addresses that conflict by introducing and evaluating a range of in-class materials to see how well they complement ER principles and provide content suitable for assessment. The...
This presentation examines and compares how two distinct groups of learners in Japan utilize technology for language learning purposes. A total of 42 first-year students at a private university (ages 18 - 19) will be compared and contrasted to 32 adult learners (ages ranging from mid 30s - early 80s) in order to learn how tech-habits impact learners of different ages. The study will discuss...
This presentation will discuss the use of a descriptive learning analytics dashboard (LAD) and its impact on low-achieving learners’ effort regulation in an integrated formal and informal learning context. Data retrieved from questionnaires, log files, and four semi-structured interviews revealed the potential of the LAD to sustain low-achieving learners’ effort regulation. However, our...
This presentation discusses university EFL learners' knowledge of 1,650 high-frequency words in written and spoken forms, measured through translation items, and compared using many-facet Rasch measurement. Learners displayed substantial variation, both among their abilities to identify words between modalities and to identify higher- and lower-frequency words. The presented findings can guide...
Crafting writing assessments is a process that requires teachers to ask questions and consider different choices. Teachers should understand what is being tested before developing the method of testing. This workshop will offer guidance to instructors interested in the design and administration of department-wide writing assessments. I will also describe how a university English department...
This study aimed to explore the use of MS Sway as an educational technology for asynchronous learning in Intercultural Communication and English language classes. It also sought to examine the relationship between the use of collaborative digital storytelling on MS Sway and the enhancement of IC competence among EFL students in an Intercultural Communication course.
Taiwan’s updated English curriculum emphasizes discourse-oriented language learning (DOLL). This study analyzed senior high school teachers’ classroom talk to examine whether their discourse aligned with their conceptions of DOLL. Findings showed that, despite cultural constraints, teachers’ beliefs were reflected in their questioning strategies, particularly through expansive language that...
This study examines how embodied actions function as interactional resources for negotiating meaning in multiparty L2 discussions. Video recordings of first-year undergraduates discussing summer vacation plans in an EFL classroom are analyzed to show how learners employ gestures, spatial movements, and partial speech to resolve interactional difficulties. The findings demonstrate how embodied...
This study investigates how student-generated podcasts can enhance English-speaking skills in a Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) context. Thirty university students engaged in podcast-making over 18 weeks, producing both monologue and dialogue podcasts while using reflection journals and SMART goals for self-regulation. Data from TOEIC mock tests, self-efficacy scales, and interviews...
This presentation explores how translanguaging is used in Vietnamese CLIL classrooms, highlighting the factors that shape its implementation. While teachers recognize its benefits for student comprehension, engagement, and inclusivity, its use remains inconsistent due to institutional constraints and pedagogical beliefs. The findings reveal tensions between monolingual policies and...
Reflection fosters learner autonomy, but what happens when students reflect together? This session explores group reflective practice in an English Workshop course, where students collaboratively analyze their learning, give peer-feedback, and explore new perspectives. Using Mezirow’s transformative learning theory, we present interview findings on students’ linguistic self-confidence,...
This presentation will explore how globally competent graduates can be fostered through FL classrooms in Japan. It will discuss results from interviews with 11 high-profile Japanese professionals with vast intercultural experience in a broad range of fields, including STEM, sports, business, hospitality, journalism, diplomacy, and art regarding the challenges they have faced in intercultural...
This presentation examines how Japanese study abroad students in New Zealand navigate identity (re)positioning by reallocating effort across settings, principally between coursework and community. Using narrative inquiry, the study traces when and why investment shifts, focusing on structural and personal triggers. These event aligned reallocations recalibrate access to capital and ideological...
The discontinuation of the Macmillan Collocations Dictionary created a gap for learners and educators. This study employed ChatGPT to replicate its functions by generating collocations, semantic groupings, and Traditional Chinese translations. Teachers and EFL students evaluated the tool’s accuracy and usability, reporting highly positive feedback. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of this...
Quick and Random: Gamified Speed Learning for EFL Classrooms introduces fast-paced, interactive activities that blend movement, chance, and competition to energize learners. Participants will experience adaptable techniques such as 5-minute research, gallery walk speed quizzes, and speed interviewing to boost engagement, recall, and language use.
This study explores the practices of integrating Social Emotional Learning (SEL) components, as outlined by the CASEL framework, in the "English for Tourism" course at a university in Vietnam. Through triangulating data collected from classroom observations, and student feedback in the course, the research examines how SEL competencies, namely self-awareness, self-management, relationship...
This workshop introduces strategies for designing effective speaking tasks that foster meaningful communication among L2 learners. Participants will step into the role of learners, experiencing interactive speaking activities firsthand before analyzing their design and impact. By drawing insights from this perspective, attendees will explore how grammar and communicative goals can be...
This study examines SA adoption in nursing journals (1950–2024) compared to medical research trends. A bibliometric analysis of 6,604 articles from nine journals showed a gradual increase from 1990 to 2009 before stabilizing. Nursing journals adopted SA more slowly than medical journals, with notable disciplinary variations. The findings underscore the role of editorial policies and the need...
Tokyo Chapter Forum
The Tokyo Chapter Forum will feature four thought-provoking presentations by distinguished speakers, each addressing timely issues in language teaching and learning.
Miki Buechner Fujikawa will present “A Deep Insight into the Complex Motivation of Japanese University Students in the Classroom,” exploring the multifaceted factors that shape student motivation and...
This workshop offers practical ideas for an alternative approach to continuing professional development, centred around the concept of ‘critical friends’. ‘Critical friends’ work together in a mutually-beneficial relationship to reach common goals by sharing advice, resources, and constructive criticism. Drawing upon an intervention carried out on a language teacher training programme, this...
Much research has focused on using AI in language teaching, but little has explored non-native speaking teachers’ experiences implementing this technology. Using autoethnography, the author addresses this gap by examining their experiences as a non-native French-speaking teacher creating materials for an introductory French course at a university in Japan. Findings will highlight the...
This research investigates a hybrid AI-human assessment model using Scribo and Progos to evaluate English proficiency at the tertiary level in Japan. Findings from a mixed-methods study (N = 41) reveal significant improvements in speaking and writing proficiency, with students advancing to the B2 level of the CEFR. While AI enhances learner autonomy and provides immediate feedback, the results...
Differences in use of aspectual markers across languages may pose challenges for L2 learners. Moreover, the interaction between viewpoint and situation aspects may complicate aspectual acquisition. Using an acceptability judgement task, this cross-sectional study examines Thai/Chinese learners’ understanding and acquisition of the resulting meanings of (a)telic predicates with -ed, focusing...
This workshop presents an open-source mobile app that aims to improve study abroad experiences and post-study reflection by allowing students to document their local environments using contemplated notes, videos, and photographs. Inspired by approaches such as Freinet's la classe-promenade and Guattari's ecosophy, we explore how such an app can encourage language acquisition and cross-cultural...
This study examined how phonetic errors, task types, and language proficiency affect Chinese L2 comprehensibility. Fifty-nine Japanese university learners performed sentence-reading and question-answering tasks, rated on a 9-point scale by native Chinese speakers. A general linear model showed that tonal errors, segmental errors, and rhythm did not impact comprehensibility, while intonation...
This presentation discusses students’ development of autonomy through a content-based English class studying Japanese culture. Seven participants at a private women’s university completed pre- post-reflections about cultural concepts and autonomy. Two were interviewed. Data were examined for factors related to language learning, awareness of the concepts, and learner autonomy. The results...
This presentation explores how filmmaking activities in classrooms may contribute to 21st Century Skill development in language learners. 33 participants at two Japanese universities enrolled in language courses with filmmaking and community showcasing. Through surveys, observations, and self-evaluations, the teacher-researchers examined how teamwork, project tasks, technical challenges and...
This workshop explores answers to ten tricky questions related to narrative inquiry and qualitative research methods in the field of language teaching and learning. The questions deal with issues to do specifically with narrative inquiry methods, and also more broadly related to qualitative research approaches. Graduate students, early-career researchers, and experienced researchers will find...
This presentation examines a second-year university writing course where students receive peer-assessment feedback and teacher review on their drafts, focusing on style, formatting, grammar, and suggestions for improvement. While many students have used this feedback to strengthen their writing, an increasing number have not submitted drafts in recent years. A student survey explored reasons...
Experience Englis teachers can understand our students’ English with an exceptionally rare degree of ease. Therefore, depending solely on our own ears to evaluate our students’ English may be disadvantageous to the students hoping to use English in the real world. An easy objective way to evaluate learner English output is with computer-generated transcripts of their recorded speeches and the...
In this workshop, I will introduce Task-Based Learning for All, a free website featuring the three-level Collins COBUILD English Course by award-winning EFL authors Jane and Dave Willis. Published in 1988, this course introduced two groundbreaking innovations: a task-based learning methodology and a lexical syllabus. This workshop will examine these innovations using detailed examples from the...
Low-frequency vocabulary is difficult to learn, especially when high-frequency headwords function as parts of these words, as this can be semantically misleading. The research objective is to examine learners’ strategies for inferring their meanings. Two vocabulary tests were administered to 68 Thai students majoring in English. The findings indicate that knowledge of headwords alone may not...
This study examines how perceptual learning styles shape L2 motivation among Taiwanese first-year technological university students. Path analysis results indicate that Ideal L2 Self (β=.343, p<.001) and Ought-to L2 Self (β=.211, p<.001) significantly predict motivated behavior. Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles also contribute to imagery capacity and motivation. Findings...
Communication strategies (CS) are fundamental to L2 pragmatics and Business English as a Lingua Franca (BELF). Since BELF emphasizes the pragmatic use of English, the basic CS in pragmatics extend into more advanced BELF CS. This workshop reviews core CS in L2 pragmatics and highlights advanced BELF strategies through case studies that mimic real-life scenarios, providing teachers with...
This presentation will elaborate on the role of teacher empathy and its contributing factors, from the perspectives of the pre-service teachers of English as a foreign language. A qualitative research was conducted with a group of students at a university in Vietnam after their course on Emotional Intelligence and Social Communication. The presentation will provide insights for educators of...
This practice-oriented workshop explores implementing real-time peer feedback in EFL speaking classes through Google Forms and Sheets. Participants will learn to design scoring rubrics, facilitate immediate feedback during presentations, and automatically compile responses for instant access. The session emphasizes strategies to align peer and teacher feedback, boost student engagement, and...
This presentation reports on a qualitative study that explored current language assessment literacy in terms of theoretical, procedural, and practical knowledge; current practices regarding test design, validation, and utilization; and needs of professional development in language assessment of 15 EFL instructors at a public university in Bangkok, Thailand. Based on the study findings, a...
This workshop introduces a pedagogical approach for teaching intercultural understanding in language classrooms using a podcast series. Typical intercultural content is often abstract and divorced from learner experiences. Presenters show how focusing on podcast stories and relating them to learner’s experiences can lead to meaningful content-based learning even for lower-level learners....
This presentation will offer its audience the opportunity to reflect on the pertinence of teaching additional languages in English in Higher Education in Japan. The presenter will focus on French. Drawing from their experience, they will argue that teaching French in the EMI framework can offer an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of English syntax, expand their vocabulary...
Many Filipinos have found employment in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) online tutoring industry. The EFL online tutoring extends beyond the traditional academic mainstream, becoming a dynamic and personalized avenue for language learning. This paper aimed to fill the research gaps surfaced by the dearth of research in online learning, where there are limited known teaching and...
This study investigates the use of AI-assisted tools in presentation preparation among non-native English-speaking students. Fifty EFL learners created three-minute presentations using both AI and traditional image search methods. Data from the QAIUM questionnaire and open-ended responses revealed that AI improved efficiency, reduced repetitive tasks, and supported idea generation. However,...
This study examines whether L1 use via translation tasks enhances or constrains L2 conceptualization. Comparing bilinguals’ L2 motion event expressions in video narration (without L1) and translation (with L1), results reveal that translation tasks foster greater target-likeness. Findings provide empirical support for L1 scaffolding effects, advocating translation as a pedagogical tool in L2...
As language teachers, we are responsible for elevating the linguistic, cultural, and social awareness of our students. This workshop will review the discussion, presentation activities, and survey results of a classroom event involving first-year Japanese English language learners and international students. We will highlight the benefits and challenges resulting from the event for both groups.
This practical workshop helps teachers and program managers recognize how and if commercially-available materials fit into their syllabus planning. One premise is that textbooks are not for everyone; another is that there's no "magic bullet" that always works. Instead, an informed and objective approach can find what is best for each context. The speakers, are experts in ELT publishing,...
Sponsored by a JALT research grant.
This study compares the effectiveness of AI-generated books and ER Central in an extensive reading (ER) program for university EFL learners. Students were divided into two groups based on text type. Outcomes were measured through surveys and reading assessments. Results suggest that AI-generated texts can match traditional materials in engagement and...
This study examines the effectiveness of two instructional approaches—‘focus on form’ and ‘focus on forms’—in teaching formulaic sequences to EFL learners in Japan. Participants underwent a four-week intervention, with learning assessed through pre-, post-, and delayed tests. The research explores how these approaches influence both immediate and long-term knowledge retention. The findings...
Challenges facing the revival of indigenous languages such as Welsh in the UK and Ainu in Japan are outlined and discussed. The past, present and future challenges of these languages are compared and contrasted. The potential for sharing strategies and approaches between indigenous languages is considered as well as how learning an indigenous language might influence the subsequent learning of...
This study examines the impact of psychological factors—such as anxiety, enjoyment, motivation, confidence, autonomy, and growth mindset—on English learning outcomes among 45 first-year college students. Using linear multiple regression and Pearson correlation analyses, the results revealed that anxiety significantly hindered performance, while enjoyment and autonomy as well as enjoyment and...
This study examines the academic productivity of female ELT professionals in Japan, identifying enablers and barriers. Interviews with nine participants reveal that caregiving, limited mentorship, and lack of networking hinder productivity, while collaboration and intrinsic motivation support it. The Matthew Effect worsens disparities. The study underscores structural challenges and advocates...
Students often have difficulty with the speech writing process. Students have difficulty getting started writing, generating enough material, and organizing their speeches.
This presentation will show participants how to provide students with the scaffolding they need to generate ideas, write and organize their speeches using Google Forms.
By harnessing the power of Google Forms, we can...
This study analyzes Japanese undergraduates’ self-reflections on their English oral proficiency in relation to vocabulary knowledge measured by the MRVAT. Twenty-one students were divided into higher- and lower-proficiency groups. Higher-proficiency students emphasized teamwork, time management, structured delivery, and polite, clear speech, while lower-proficiency students noted challenges...
This study investigates the use of cohesive devices in argumentative essays written by Indonesian undergraduate students of English Language Teaching (ELT). Drawing on Halliday and Hasan’s (1976) taxonomy, thirty essays across three topics written by ten Indonesian ELT students were analysed to examine the frequency, distribution, and appropriateness of reference, substitution, ellipsis,...
How can foreign languages, especially English, and multilingualism shape Japan’s future? This panel features two experts offering distinct perspectives on Japan’s internationalization. Drawing on their fields of expertise, they will present visions, needs analyses, challenges, and real-life examples. Plenary speakers and audience members are warmly invited to join the discussion and explore...
Plenary Session
Naoko Taguchi
This plenary talk discusses challenges and perspectives of promoting intercultural learning in higher education. I will first present a review of the current literature on definitions and theoretical frameworks of intercultural competence. Then, I will present my on-going research tracing students’ development of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) in...
This workshop explores the practical use of Generative AI (GAI) to develop CEFR-aligned English for Academic Purposes (EAP) audio materials. Participants will learn to generate, refine, and verify CEFR-aligned AI-assisted lecture scripts, convert them into high-quality audio lectures, and design engaging comprehension activities. The session equips educators with practical skills in AI prompt...
This study examines learners’ perceptions of integrating BBC News videos into TOEIC instruction. Building on previous classroom research, it analyzes learner feedback and evaluates the pedagogical effectiveness of using authentic news content for CEFR A2-B1 learners. Post-course surveys and qualitative data assess motivation, linguistic development, and practical application. Findings suggest...
This study examines how individual aptitude and motivation interact in Chinese international high school CLIL contexts. While CLIL research has largely focused on Europe, studies in China remain limited. Using a mixed-methods design, the project will combine aptitude and motivation tests with classroom observations, interviews, and critical incident reports. By analysing how aptitude shapes...
Come along and learn about English and Japanese braille! For language teachers, a basic knowledge of braille will not only allow you to assist current or future students with visual impairments, but provides an opportunity to introduce braille in lessons on diversity and inclusion.
This presentation provides actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers interested in enhancing Extensive Reading (ER) in Arabic language education. The discussion will include best practices for ER integration in the Arabic language curriculum, practical solutions to overcome the challenges faced by Arabic teachers and Higher education institutions. A breakdown of the key...
This presentation explores the effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) training on EFL teachers’ material development in Indonesia. The program significantly improved participants’ knowledge and classroom practices. Teachers reported greater confidence in using AI for creating vocabulary resources, reading texts, and interactive tasks. However, shifts in attitudes toward AI, while positive,...
This study investigates Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) teachers’ (CLILTs) and English as a foreign language teachers’ (EFLTs) preparedness for dual-focused instruction and collaboration in CLIL classrooms. Although CLILTs should take on the dual responsibility of content and language teachers, CLILTs and EFLTs are educated to teach either nonlinguistic subjects or English,...
Sponsored by Atama-ii Books
This practical session introduces two fun, hands-on tasks designed to develop learners' pragmatic competence as they prepare to go abroad. The tasks are research-based and classroom-tested to foster authentic language use and target cross-cultural awareness of politeness strategies. Participants will leave with ready-to-use lesson ideas and a deeper understanding...
.Il y aura deux présentations: 1) Comment les étudiants japonais peuvent apprendre plus rapidement les langues romanes tout en renforçant leur maîtrise de l’anglais en s’appuyant sur leurs connaissances en anglais.
2) Comment la connaissance de langue française peuvent ouvrir les portes des autres langues romanes.
Glasgow compares English and French as global languages, examining how legitimacy, prestige, and authority are constructed and contested.
Kimura, Tanaka and Tsai explore how competing ideologies of English—linguistic pluralism and native-speakerism—are negotiated within a popular eigo-kei YouTube channel.
McMahon presents insights gained from using a GELT-informed coursebook with several...
This year’s Global Issues in Language Education Forum focuses upon providing practical strategies, activities, and approaches for effectively exploring global issues in the classroom. Subjects such as how to implement global issues into curricula, the use of TED Talks and SDGs, analytical tools for analyzing global issues, as well as unique projects involving foreign factory/farm workers and...
The presenters will detail a framework for developing or modifying traditional language teaching tasks to include a humor-based component. They will also demonstrate how humor can be incorporated while staying true to the core features of task-based instruction, including allowing for student-initiated humor, considering respective proficiency levels, maintaining a connection with the...
Sponsored by Kinsedo Publishing Co., Ltd.
This practice-oriented session introduces Intercultural Perspectives – an EAP Course for Global Competence, a new textbook designed to develop students’ academic English and research skills while fostering intercultural and global competence. Participants will explore sample units and activities that integrate communication strategies, critical...
![JALTCALL Logo][1] Join the JALTCALL forum to discover more about [our SIG][2] and what we do. JALTCALL will host an open, moderated discussion on the relevance and application of AI in the classroom, as well as AI ethics and policy, and individual perspectives on the use of various technologies in the classroom. Panel member projects will be presented for discussion, and audience...
Sponsored by Pearson Japan
This presentation introduces research about psychological resistance in language learning. Results show that many learners experience high levels of resistance and mixed motivation. Presenters would like to demonstrate how exchanging points of view can significantly boost engagement and reduce resistance in a language classroom. Focus is on applying psychological...
Meet officers and members of the various Special Interest Groups in JALT. This is your chance to connect, ask questions, and, hopefully, consider becoming more active in the JALT community.
During Meet the SIGs 1, the following SIGs will have officers and members at their tables:
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
College and University Educators (CUE)
Extensive Reading (ER)
Intercultural...
This study investigates how embodied actions function as interactional resources in other-initiated repair sequences during peer interactions. Drawing on video recordings from L2 classrooms at a public university, the analysis shows how learners use gestures, spatial referencing, and facial expressions to clarify, confirm, or request elaboration when their access to linguistic resources is...
This presentation will showcase a study about adolescent students’ pre-departure concerns and anticipated challenges in a short-term study abroad program against actual experiences. Through analyzing data segments for trends and comparisons, findings reveal that while language and classwork were key anticipated concerns, peer interactions and daily tasks emerged as unexpected challenges. After...
As a Pragmatics SIG activity, we have been working on TEFL pragmatics and have developed pragmatic notions in English that our students essentially need to learn. However, we might also need to understand pragmatics in the students’ language, Japanese. In this forum, we will contrastively analyse Japanese pragmatics for us to evaluate students’ pragmatic practices in Japanese. Four panellists...
This session explores how an intercultural business simulation connects students from Germany, Jordan, and Kosovo in a virtual collaboration. Through startup planning, social entrepreneurship, and English communication, students develop language skills, intercultural competence, and sustainable thinking. Challenges such as cultural misunderstandings and time zones become learning moments. The...
This session explores trends, challenges, and future directions in study abroad research. Five presenters will share insights on key topics, including research funding and opportunities for collaboration. The session will conclude with an interactive “stand-up Q&A,” allowing participants to engage directly with the presenters and exchange ideas. Join us for a dynamic, discussion-focused...
Undeveloped listening skills seriously hamper one’s ability to learn a foreign language. Research tells us that explicitly teaching the skills of listening helps students to improve their comprehension abilities, and yet listening is often left on its own to develop as some sort of felicitous by-product of input.This presentation will focus on ways to teach listening that help students develop...
This presentation explores the critical distinction between teachers and researchers, highlighting why the two roles are not interchangable. It examines the growing pressure on educators to engage in academic research, often at the expense of their primary role. It also delves into the surprising lack of research on the benefits of research and alternative approaches.
In this session, I will share my personal journey with Vipassana meditation and its impact on teacher wellbeing. Through an autoethnographic approach, I will explore how mindfulness practices help navigate stress, emotional challenges, and burnout within the education system. By reflecting on my experiences, I will highlight the transformative power of Vipassana in fostering resilience, mental...
Theme: Navigating the Now: Teaching English in Japan's Secondary Schools Amid Shifting Currents
Purpose:
This session will offer a forward-facing exploration of issues shaping secondary school English education in Japan today—from AI integration to teacher collaboration and national policy shifts. It serves as a thought-provoking preview to the full Secondary School English Education...
This study examines transformative learning in collaborative online international learning (COIL) by applying transformative learning theory to a five-week COIL initiative at a Japanese university. Data was collected through student surveys, learning diaries, and teacher observations. Thematic and narrative analysis identified three patterns of self-awareness and transformation, influenced by...
Discover how Tītītorea, a traditional Māori stick game, can enrich educational settings by promoting physical literacy, cultural understanding, and teamwork. In this 40-minute workshop, educators will gain a brief overview of the game’s cultural origins, followed by hands-on experience in crafting sticks, learning rhythmic patterns, and applying adaptable gameplay suited for diverse age groups...
This study utilizes Q methodology in order to explore the motivations of L1-English speaking residents of Japan to learn Japanese. The results of a survey used to form the concourse will be discussed, as well as initial findings from Q sorts and interviews.
The presenters will report a partial replication (N = 312) of Hu and Nation’s (2000) influential coverage-comprehension study. The materials included Hu and Nation’s reading measure and a meaning-recall test of most content lemmas in the reading. OLS regression was used, with vocabulary coverage and reading comprehension scores as the main independent and dependent variables, respectively....
This study examines student engagement and satisfaction with English Learning Support at a Japanese university, focusing on lower-proficiency students. Users reported high satisfaction, but many non-users relied on informal or alternative resources, citing barriers such as unfamiliarity, unclear benefits, and busy schedules. They prioritised speaking practice over TOEIC improvement. Clearer...
112 foreign language learners and 24 native speakers completed a test measuring their ability to understand irony in English. Whereas the NSs could access ironic meaning directly and rapidly, even those learners with advanced language proficiency had difficulty in recognizing irony and needed to rely on explicit processing strategies. The study indicates that the ability to understand irony is...
This presentation builds on previous research into inclusive, learner-led English presentation courses. Drawing on student evaluations, it highlights how multimodal, group-based design empowers students—especially those with learning differences/difficulties—by allowing them to integrate their unique talents into collaborative presentations. The findings reveal improved language confidence,...
Sponsored by Oxford University Press
This presentation will share a systematic method of breaking down units of a textbook to find new opportunities for critical thinking skills development in your classroom. Independent of the textbook you may be using, developing a new lens, through which to view the deeper structure behind a book’s organization, educators can identify and choose new paths...
In today’s world of “fake news” and unreliable sources, critical thinking is essential—especially when learning new languages. This talk explores how to build critical thinking in the language classroom by defining it, introducing a practical teaching cycle, demonstrating classroom activities, and offering curriculum integration tips. The session also shares insights from a critical thinking...
This workshop will focus on the value and practice of using Bibliobattles as a part of an extensive reading curriculum. This workshop will provide participants with an overview of research on bibliobattles as well as various styles of bibliobattles. Participants will also try a short practice bibliobattle. By participating in a bibliobattle, workshop participants will gain a better...
This study investigates how a four-week Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) exchange enhanced Japanese university students’ English proficiency and intercultural communicative competence. Through asynchronous video presentations and peer feedback with Norwegian peers, results indicated increased confidence, motivation, and cultural awareness. Participants developed greater...
Modeling spoken language exposes learners to natural language patterns, helping them establish self-correction norms. However, prepared scripts and transcribed dialogues can be unrealistic and unengaging. This workshop offers student videos as authentic and engaging models of spoken language. The presenters will outline the steps they follow, collecting, analyzing, and sharing these videos in...
This study explores Japanese university students' perceptions of extensive reading (ER) through four new ER activities. After participating, students completed a survey to assess their motivation, engagement, and reading habits. Findings show that most students had positive responses, with improvements in their reading habits and greater engagement. The study highlights the importance of...
Recent listening approaches have emphasized providing learners with more engagement opportunities when listening. This workshop demonstrates how to integrate Goh’s (2018) five listening tasks (i.e., communicative, one-way, two-way, metacognitive and perception) into a three-stage listening lesson framework for second language learners. The workshop concludes by suggesting how educators can...
An English-language mentoring program for first-year international students (TOEFL 70-80) has significantly improved persistence, retention, and academic success. Initially opt-in, it became mandatory in 2024-2025 due to its sustained impact. Research data from both COVID-19 and post-pandemic cohorts highlight its effectiveness. Educators will explore the program’s development, implementation,...
This presentation will detail the results of a qualitative interview-based study on the translanguaging practices of foreign teachers in secondary school EMI and EFL programs in Thailand. These practices will be analyzed within the translanguaging stance, design, and shift framework and compared across the programs, highlighting how foreign teachers with low to no proficiency in students' L1...
The study aims to develop a gamified metaverse to enhance English oral communication among Thai university students. Four real-life themed lessons with five task-based missions were implemented. The study employed a mixed-method design with 67 sample students in the experimental phase. The 4 key components from EFA analyzed from 294 students are digital gamification design, English oral...
This presentation introduces social cognitive career theory (SCCT) as a framework for exploring the career trajectories of English language teachers. Through a detailed single case study of an expatriate English teacher in Korea, the study examines how SCCT can be applied to understand the decision-making processes and career paths of ELT professionals.
In this presentation the discussion approaches and refers to tour guiding management in the aspect of human resources in a lifelong learning context. The foreign language usage and diverse communications by tour guides are focused on finding solutions and the ideal roles of tour guides regarding the current tourism-related issues or risk mitigation. This research develops an inquiry from an...
After a short explanation of Taiji chuan/太極拳, and an introduction of our local group, you are invited to join the warmup exercises and then the basic 24 Form.
Words can mean many different things depending on the sentence that they appear in, and this can be a problem for Japanese learners of English who often have trouble telling the different meanings apart, especially when the words are intensifiers. This study examines the use and variety of intensifiers that have been acquired by Japanese English language learners and finds out what...
This research will look into the state of adult literacy in Asia, whether in the formal or informal contexts, considering the first language (L1) or the second language(L2). Using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) as the protocol in doing the review, the paper will look into the studies on adult literacy, identifying the problems and the possible...
From its roots in the blues and folk songs to more recent genres such as hip-hop and electronic dance, American popular music reflects a rich, diverse culture and history. This presentation focuses on the development of American popular music’s various genres, the social and cultural background and people that shaped it, and how it serves as engaging text to develop communication and critical...
Employing a reading anxiety questionnaire that was newly created and validated, the presenter measured the reading anxiety of 50 Japanese EFL college students with low English proficiency. First, the students were asked to answer how they would feel when reading their L1 Japanese, and four weeks later, they were asked to answer their feelings when reading their L2 English. The presenter will...
Due to the complex nature of Project-based Learning (PBL), assessment tends to create challenges for teachers and students alike. This presentation will share findings from a research inquiry into the efficacy of Assessment as Learning (AaL) in a mandatory PBL English course for first-year students at a private university in Japan. Benefits and challenges, as well as some tips for future...
This poster presents an ongoing government-funded research project adapting Auto-Peer, an automated writing evaluation tool, for Japanese EFL classrooms. It highlights current progress, showing how student writing data is guiding Auto-Peer’s development as a pedagogical tool for building feedback and AI literacy. Attendees will explore how Auto-Peer can enhance writing instruction,...
This workshop first demonstrates how to apply the cognitive mediation descriptors from the CEFR to design tasks and scaffolding strategies for a project-based English course. The aim is to foster collaborative sense-making and enhance learners’ cognitive competences by encouraging them to articulate their own ideas clearly and engage constructively with others’ perspectives. Then, participants...
This poster presentation explores the development of a Teacher Wellbeing Committee at a Japanese university, highlighting its role in fostering a supportive work environment. The committee offers stress-relief and reflection-based activities, such as yoga, mindfulness, kickboxing, workshops, and a reading club. Presenters will share insights from the committee’s first year, discussing...
Sponsored by Language Teaching Professionals
The presenter will introduce his new course, ‘ Discussion Skills’, and show how it is effective in building up students’ ability to speak out and discuss a wide range of topics. The two-level course is designed for high school, university and adults and has extensive free digital support. The course is a new edition of ‘Communication Strategies’,...
This study illustrates the characteristics of travel comments including the use of two metadiscourse markers, hedges and boosters, in English and Japanese. 180 comments on two top Japanese sightseeing places were taken from the TripAdvisor website and analysed among three groups of tourists from the U.S., the U.K., and Japan. The results showed particular characteristics, which can help...
As vocabulary acquisition is essential for all language learners, incorporating activities that assist students’ development in this area is a priority for all teachers. Thus, this poster presentation will discuss how the New Academic Word List (NAWL) was used to assist students in a first year, academic reading class at a Japanese University. Use of the GoldList Notebook, featuring spaced...
This research examines how integrating ChatGPT affects ESL students’ writing quality, self efficacy, and academic integrity awareness over two semesters. Significant improvements were found in content development and writing mechanics among ChatGPT users, along with increased ethical awareness. This presentation provides practical suggestions and insights on integrating AI tools and ethically...
This study investigates the integration of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into a critical literacy course for tertiary students, promoting holistic development through the interplay of critical analysis and interpersonal growth. Guided by CASEL’s (2023) framework, the action research utilized a mixed-method approach to evaluate outcomes. Findings revealed strengths in critical literacy,...
This study explores how visual storytelling materials used in Japanese high school help contextualize language use. The findings highlight their potential values for teaching appropriate language use in context, particularly politeness, formality, and indirectness. By creating visual stories, students can engage with pragmatic aspects of language use more effectively. The study concludes by...
Exit ticket surveys can be an effective tool for teachers to assess what students have learned in a lesson, collect feedback on their own methods and materials, and to give students a chance to reflect on their experience in the classroom. This poster will present the benefits of exit ticket surveys used in a 1st year university medical English course, with examples of survey questions,...
This practice oriented workshop explores how genre-based pedagogy and task-based learning can be combined to support English learners’ writing development. Participants will engage in a short task cycle, emphasizing purpose, audience, and language features. The session introduces a flexible framework designed for low- to mid-proficiency learners and offers practical guidelines for creating...
This study investigated the impact of an interdisciplinary research project that integrated English lessons and infant massage for children and parents hosted by a university. Using a positivist case study approach, data from reflection notes and questionnaires revealed that university students gained deeper insights into English and early childhood education, while parents responded...
Writing graduation theses can be challenging for Japanese students as they have little experience with longer forms of writing. In this presentation, key questions for helping students understand the purpose of each section of an academic paper along with questions that focus students on writing for an audience will be discussed. The presenter will also show how these questions are used in a...
This study explores instructional methods to enhance learner-to-learner interaction among Japanese university students (CEFR A1–A2 level). Participants were divided into three groups: (1) received model audio and CA-informed handout, (2) received only model audio, and (3) engaged in paired reflection without materials. The effects of each intervention are examined through pre- and post-tests....
LAMP is a freeware profiling tool that analyses the lexical and morphological content of a text. For researchers, LAMP provides estimates of the vocabulary and affix knowledge required for text comprehension and data on the morphological content of texts. For pedagogy, LAMP identifies teachable affixes and affixed forms based on user defined criteria. Analyses are provided at the lemma,...
Die BeiträgerInnen in diesem Deutsch-Workshop stellen praktische Untersuchungen mit Anfängerstudenten zu folgenden Themen vor, die auch zu neuen Kurskonzepten führen werden.
1. Motivierende Unterrichtsinhalte durch interkulturelle Austauschprojekte unter Verwendung von KI-Tools.
2. Der Einsatz von Übersetzungstools beim kreativen Schreiben von Filmskripts.
3. Die Verwendung von...
Do you want to diversify your professional contributions through the volunteer opportunities that JALT Publications offer? Join our team! Editors from The Language Teacher and the JALT Postconference Publication will discuss the valuable professional development opportunities we provide our diverse volunteers, where they gain insights into the publication process, broaden their skill...
This poster presentation collates practical guidance for language teachers seeking to boost their productivity. Drawing from the deep well of productivity literature combined with the presenter's own struggles with productivity, this presentation introduces seven simple but powerful productivity tools. Come and explore these freely-available, low-tech solutions to help you mitigate...
Sponsored by Nellie’s English Books
Discover how Reading Oceans Plus helps students build all four English skills through a structured 3-step, 9-activity process. This digital library offers more than just reading—it enables input and output integration, with AI-powered speaking and writing feedback, and an easy-to-use LMS. The session will explain how and why the program is designed this...
English proficiency and study abroad are promoted as drivers of "global jinzai" development in Japan. This study examines whether English proficiency predicts intercultural effectiveness gains during study abroad. Japanese university students who studied in Australia and Vietnam were compared to a control group. Results from correlations and regression analyses were mixed, showing that...
This study set out to investigate TBLT influences the motivation of non-English major Japanese university students within the framework of SDT. RQ1 showed results that TBLT lessons satisfied autonomy, competence, and relatedness, resulting in higher participation. RQ2 showed decreased amotivation but limited intrinsic/identified motivation. RQ3 highlighted importance of learner-centered...
This poster presentation will report on a multi-site experiment that tested the effect of WMC on foreign language vocabulary learning. The target items were embedded within a highly supportive learning context which included input and output activities. Immediate and delayed post-test showed that even under such conditions, WMC was positively associated with vocabulary learning outcomes.
This presentation summarizes the experiences of university students in a one-semester course aimed at preparing them as future Japanese teachers of English (JTEs) to work with Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs). This course, "Teaching English with ALTs," was created by the author in response to reports from students that ALT-related issues were not being addressed in their teacher-prep...
This study investigates the effects of task repetition on Japanese EFL learners’ oral fluency through a direct replication with contextual adaptation of Thai and Boers (2016). University learners perform repeated monologues under two conditions: 3/2/1 shrinking time and 2/2/2 constant time. Fluency, complexity, and accuracy measures will be compared to examine which technique better supports...
This presentation examines the effectiveness of multimodal flashcard practice in vocabulary acquisition. Analysis of data from 114 university students revealed interesting patterns in how different practice modes impact short-term versus long-term collocation retention. While writing-based practice showed initial advantages, our statistical analysis uncovered unexpected results about the role...
This presentation examines the TOEFL iBT Speaking section, highlighting key features for successful performance. Forty questions and 72 sample responses were extracted from official materials. Question analysis reveals distinct patterns in question types and topics. Response analysis identifies typical delivery features, such as pauses and speech rates, along with common organizational...
This presentation will introduce school-tested activities and programs that successfully create language-rich environments by extending English learning beyond the classroom. These initiatives make language acquisition engaging and practical, helping students develop essential real-life communication skills.
This workshop presents a model for developing teaching and assessment materials aimed at improving key language skills – writing, oral interaction, reading, and public speaking – within the framework of the CEFR. Drawing on design research and action research, we will demonstrate how iterative cycles can guide high school EFL/ESOL learners from surface-level proficiency to more advanced...
Listening practice is an important component in many English classrooms. While many teachers may use a textbook, some may wish to design and implement their own teaching materials for listening, but they may not know exactly what is involved in preparing such resources. In this joint forum between the Listening and Materials Writers SIGs, attendees will learn the different aspects of...
Projects are a sequence of connected tasks, done over an extended period of time such as a semester, and leading to a higher-order outcome than any of its component tasks. For example, "Make a podcast" can be a project, which might comprise tasks such as "Brainstorm topic ideas," "Research a topic," "Write a script," and "Record an episode." This workshop presents practical ideas on how to set...
Learner autonomy is a highly sought-after 21st-century classroom approach. It encourages participants' participation in an activity to create ownership in learning. The students' engagement in any activity ensures effective learning. The proposed workshop will involve the participants in creating multiple literary texts out of a single one. The takeaway will be the development of grammar,...
This presentation summarises a research project on learners’ ability to notice new language during tasks with different cognitive demands. Task conditions were modified by altering glossary use, adding or removing side tasks, and providing either individual or paired planning time. The results showed that task design influenced noticing: higher complexity sometimes boosted the learners’...
The ICLE SIG Forum focuses on complexity related to translation and cultural sensitivity. The first presentation explores the action-oriented approach (AoA) in EFL classrooms, finding that sustained AoA exposure positively influences students' global competence. A mixed-methods design confirmed this link across qualitative and quantitative data. The second presentation highlights the...
This session will explore the latest innovations of IELTS, from "One Skill Retake" to faster result delivery. It offers teachers a comprehensive overview of how these changes enhance the testing experience. Discover how the world's leading English test continues to evolve by prioritizing our customers' needs which is driving its growing popularity both globally and in Japan. Teachers will also...
This session introduces a new AI-based speaking assessment platform designed to evaluate open-ended responses without requiring live interviewers. The system delivers consistent scoring, instant feedback, and full remote access.
In the second half, we will highlight EdulinX’s upcoming Virtual Live Training (VLT) and e-Learning programs for 2026. These offerings, already being adopted by univ...
This study describes the use of AI, specifically ChatGPT, as a final feedback tool in the academic writing classroom, focusing on its role in essay revision, and student critical thinking and writing skills. Conducted within an EAP curriculum, findings suggest that this final AI feedback positively contributed to students’ perceptions of development in areas such as linguistic proficiency,...
This DEI Committee-sponsored panel explores the significance of intersectional language teacher identities in language education. Panelists will discuss how factors such as “accent,” ability, class, gender, nationality, race, and sexuality have shaped their professional experiences. Building on Motha et al.’s (2012) ‘identity-as-pedagogy,’ panelists will offer critical insights into how they...
The LiLT forum will address the role of literature in language learning, teaching, and assessment. The presenters will discuss new and innovative practices related to haiku, creative nonfiction, picture books, and born-digital literature. Audience members will be invited to discuss these ideas and ask questions. Please join us for a lively exchange of ideas.
This study investigated how metacognitive instruction affects students' metacognitive awareness. The instruction was implemented over four months through Japanese-English translation activities and conducted four questionnaire surveys. The results demonstrated an improvement in students' metacognitive awareness, showing the effectiveness of the instruction. Although metacognitive instruction...
Although L2 learners report having great difficulty responding to humor, research on this area is lacking. Therefore, a recent pretest-posttest control group study examined the effect of instruction on online humor responses for English learners. Preliminary results suggested that the intervention led to experimental group gains in response effectiveness for some types of humor. The research...
This presentation examines university students’ reflections on their pre-university English education, investigating satisfaction levels, perceived strengths and weaknesses, and alignment with national educational goals. A survey of 109 second-year students revealed that 66.97% reported satisfaction, yet concerns emerged regarding speaking opportunities, phonics instruction, and immersion...
This workshop provides language educators with insights into the "intermediate plateau", a stage in which learners often encounter stagnation in progress and decreased motivation. Participants will explore the underlying causes of this phenomenon and discover effective group-based strategies to tackle both affective and linguistic challenges. Additionally, the workshop will address logistical...
Sponsored by Pearson Japan
This presentation explores the effectiveness of Versant by Pearson English Placement Test in the context of a research project supported by a JALT grant, examining technology-mediated task-based language teaching's impact on Japanese university students' English speaking proficiency. It covers the research overview, highlights promising results and student...
The 'information shape' of discourse has a major impact on its comprehensibility. And, the difficulty of the content—its semantic load—strongly influences how easily the syntax can be understood. This talk will look at the details about how texts can be simplified, beyond simple lexical analysis. CLIL and EAP content CAN be introduced and used very effectively with low level learners. This...
This study examines how culture is visually represented in Wider World S Starter, a Pearson ELT textbook used in Mongolian classrooms. Using qualitative visual content analysis, it investigates the balance between source (Mongolian), target (English-speaking), and international cultures. Findings reveal a strong dominance of target culture visuals (74.2%) and very limited source culture...
This presentation will report findings from a corpus of 500 Japanese first-year EFL learners across discussions, presentations, and essays. We compare TOEFL-indexed proficiency with lexical diversity (MTLD, Guiraud) and lexical sophistication (frequency profiles and cross-corpus measures) and show stronger links in speech than in writing. Mixed effects models highlight indices that best...
AI-generated politeness follows Western norms (Ogawa, Trent, Yibifu), but this study reveals variations between English and Japanese. While Brown and Levinson emphasize universal indirectness, Kamio’s territory of information highlights cultural differences. AI reflects this concept more in Japanese than English, aligning with human interactions (Kamio, Trent). To enhance its role in language...
The review, through PRISMA 2020, analyses 20 studies (2010–2025) on how educational technologies enhance and assess spoken fluency in elementary and secondary schools. Findings show improvements in speech rate, fewer pauses, and reduced self-corrections, supported by task repetition and pre-task planning. Web 2.0, CALL/MALL, social media, and generative AI are widely adopted, with assessment...
While previous studies have rarely examined the combined effects of dictogloss and retelling, this study explores the potential benefits of integrating these two tasks to enhance students’ listening and speaking skills. To ensure that all learners in the classroom can effectively engage with and benefit from both activities, the proposed lesson plan emphasizes thoughtful instructional design,...
Intelligible English pronunciation can still be a significant challenge for Japanese college and university students who are at the beginner level. Vowel production training could significantly benefit said students intelligibility as well as their motivation to continue studying English. Two separate classes of 4 students attended a 17 hours English conversation course that included vowel...
This dynamic workshop explores experience-based learning that transcends the textbook to foster interaction and participation in EFL classrooms. Drawing on data from a Korean winter camp, it showcases how British advertisements inspire task-based activities, such as storytelling and role-play, that spark student motivation, boost peer interaction, and naturally present real-world language in...
Discover how the world’s leading English teaching qualification, the Cambridge CELTA, equips educators with a practical, communicative approach that aligns with Japan’s English education reforms and enhances teaching excellence across all contexts. By Cambridge University Press
This study examined how teaching the Toulmin Argument Pattern (TAP) impacts argumentative writing among third-year Japanese English majors. Through a four-class intervention focusing on epistemic relationships, researchers collected pre- and post-intervention essays and participant reflections. Despite a small sample size, nearly all participants showed improved essay quality, suggesting that...
Empathy is considered vital for intercultural communication, and research suggests that reading poetry may increase students’ empathy. The presenter will describe a study that examined the effect of reflecting upon English-language haiku on student empathy. Though students tend to believe that reading English-language haiku will increase their empathy, pre-/post-course empathy surveys failed...
The number of English-medium instruction (EMI) and content and language integrated learning (CLIL) courses in Japanese universities continues to grow. Yet, many teachers are still not sure of the goals they would like to achieve in these classes or how best they might achieve them. This presentation explores differences and similarities in EMI and CLIL teaching approaches and offers insights...
This presentation explores the transformative impact of the Academic Support Program (ASP) at the National University of Laos, which has supported students with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. By integrating academic support, life skills development, counseling, and teacher training, the program has empowered students to overcome barriers and thrive in higher education....
This presentation explores Small Hospitality Establishments in Japan as sites of natural language use and their impact on Japanese as a Foreign Language (JFL) instruction. Limited pragmatic instruction and authentic materials in JFL classrooms hinder real-world communication skills. Using a sociopragmatic framework, the study analyses interactions from Shinya Shokudō and recorded...
In this presentation, we examine the variability of medical vocabulary in EFL/ESL medical textbooks and its impact on oral English classes. To address this issue, we have developed a specialized corpus of medical English for Specific Purposes (ESP). We will outline our methodology for extracting medical terms, integrating them into the NGSL database, and applying research on word frequency and...
Storybooks, music & movement, and Edtech are excellent tools to boost children’s English development. This workshop introduces a unique 4P’s (Plan, Prepare, Practice, Perform) approach that incorporates storybooks, dramatic play, music & movement, and Edtech videos to elevate English teaching & learning. Participants can explore how the 4P’s help children expand imagination, dramatize story...
Sponsored by Nellie’s English Books
Introducing differing cultural viewpoints, or multicultural perspectives, of topics that interest students is a great way to stimulate students to study English. The presenter will share teaching materials and techniques that have worked well with thousands of students across Japan. Attendees will leave with ideas on integrating video, photographs, and...
Being an ALT is often called a dead-end job with no future growth possible beyond what one is first given. However, there is a way to ascend by becoming a licensed teacher. Two former ALTs will share the different paths they took to obtaining licensure in Nagano where they currently work in a public and private school. They will cover the types of licenses and what life is like when you are a...
Meet officers and members of the various Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in JALT. This is your chance to connect, ask questions, and, hopefully, consider becoming more active in the JALT community.
During Meet the SIGs 2, the following SIGs will have officers and members at their tables:
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL)
Mixed, Augmented, and Virtual...
This presentation examines the use of metadiscourse markers (MMs) in IELTS academic writing at band scores 4, 6, and 8. Through qualitative analysis, it identifies patterns in how candidates use interactive and interactional MMs to structure and engage with their writing. The session provides practical teaching strategies, focusing on effective MM integration rather than memorization....
This presentation describes an analysis of a university language center’s English language program and individual teachers, undertaken to determine if there were shared principles guiding course design and delivery. Data was derived from lesson plans, in-class observations, and semi-structured interviews. Significant overlap and synergy was observed in teacher principles and classroom...
Educadores de Español como Lengua Extranjera conducen un taller sobre el aprendizaje de español con una contextualización lingüística, intercultural y comunicativa. Roque de Hishiyama: lineamientos y materiales para enseñar SDGs en ELE; Silva: actividades basadas en el concepto de mediación; Budding: grupos focales para potenciar el currículum de la clase. Educadores y estudiantes de otros...
Creating materials to be as accessible for students as possible is increasingly important in our modern, online societies. The addition of subtitles to digital video helps to stabilize the information, facilitates noticing, and increase cognitive impact. Enhanced subtitles (i.e., dual-language and ‘karaoke’ style subtitles) also provide input-benefits to learners. This presentation will...
This study investigates the communicative needs of Japanese university students on semester study abroad (SA) programs in the US and Canada through task-based needs analysis (TBNA). Employing triangulated methods including semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, it identifies several critical needs and challenges. Findings also highlight discrepancies in perceptions between students and...
This workshop explores how instructors can use AI assistants to create level-appropriate audio materials to train speaking skills. Participants will evaluate synthetic speech for phonetic accuracy, comprehensibility, and naturalness, then learn prompt-engineering strategies to enhance output quality. Attendees will leave with practical guidelines and up-to-date information about incorporating...
This workshop outlines practical approaches instructors can employ to help learners become more autonomous and better to manage their own language learning. Attendees will introduced to tasks that can be used to promote self-assessment, reflective practice, and effective goal-setting, as the connection between reflective activities and language learning is be emphasized. Opportunities will...
外国籍等児童を受け入れる上で欠かせないのが職員間、支援者間の連携である。子どもの得意不得意を理解し、友達関係や家族関係の悩みを把握し、安心して学校生活を送れる環境づくりをする。そのためには担任と国際教室担当の連携をベースに、支援者との情報共有を大切にしている。心のケアではスクールカウンセラー、家庭生活の悩みやトラブルは、SSWを介して区役所、児童相談所など関係機関と連携して解決に向けて動く。本人の意志と関係なく来日しているケースがあることから、心のケアをしていくことは大切なことである。(JALT Junior Plenary Workshop)
Previous studies have shown that adding bilingual subtitles to videos promotes vocabulary learning. However, no research has targeted Japanese EFL learners. This pilot study examines the effectiveness of bilingual subtitles for Japanese learners. Specifically, participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups (bilingual subtitles or no subtitles), and pretests, posttests, and delayed...
This presentation describes research into the potential of viewing the higher education course as a type of narrative and what such a view might mean for course design. The study first identified specific narrative elements that could be aligned with the university course. Observations and interviews were then conducted to find real-world examples of such narrative elements, and subsequent...
日本語母語話者と日本語学習者の拒否ストラテジー使用を比較した結果、母語話者は間接的な拒否を多用し、学習者は直接的な拒否に依存する傾向が示された。
This workshop presents a flexible framework that combines communicative activities with traditional TOEIC® preparation. Presenters will share adaptable strategies such as role plays, group discussions, and collaborative test analysis that enhance both test performance and real-world English proficiency. This approach increases learner motivation and teacher engagement by shifting the focus...
This study explored the impact on English reading and writing efficacy when mainstream 1st-year students at several Japanese universities were offered choices of coloured worksheets in addition to typical white paper. While customised coloured reading backgrounds are now software industry standards, less is known about the impact on writing tasks. Students also learned how to customise their...
TL;DR: If you’ve heard enough about how cool AI is and want to hear what actually happened after a year of using it in real classrooms, this one’s for you.
This session moves beyond AI hype to examine how AI chatbots can be meaningfully integrated into language classrooms to foster engagement, fluency, and student agency. Grounded in sociocultural learning theory, this...
Many faculty feel uncertain about how AI is changing education. This workshop provides a supportive space to explore AI’s integration in course design and teaching through introduction of practical use cases. Participants will gain hands-on experience with strategies for AI integration, boosting their confidence and preparedness to engage with this evolving technology. The session fosters...
Reading supports language mastery but remedial pupils often struggle due to limited vocabulary and weak sound awareness. This study examined the effectiveness of the Look-Say-Cover-Write-Check (LSCWC) strategy in improving reading among Year 4 remedial pupils. Using pre- and post-tests, interviews, and observations, findings showed significant improvement in word recognition, spelling, and...
The use of generative AI in academic writing raises concerns about authorship authenticity, especially regarding AI-edited content (Liu et al., 2024; Walters, 2023). This study analyzed 450 essays using a cross-sectional quantitative approach to evaluate detection accuracy. Enhancing training datasets and refining algorithms could improve detection tools for complex academic writing. Results...
Two Singaporean Secondary school English teachers’ life histories (Cole & Knowles, 2001) will be presented, focusing on their engagement with language planning and policy (LPP) as students and teachers. The teachers’ engagement with their teacher training program will be examined through the frameworks of third generation activity theory (AT) and teacher cognition (TC) (Borg, 2003). The...
Sponsored by Cambridge University Press & Assessment
This session shares key trends in Japanese university admissions, including the rise of four-skills English testing and shifting student preferences. Kawaijuku, a leading exam prep provider and Cambridge English Exam Centre, presents data-driven insights from the frontlines. A Cambridge representative will offer international comparison...
This research explores the value of integrating phrase-level top-down instruction for L2 beginner learners.
Listening involves both bottom-up and top-down processing. Beginners primarily depend on bottom-up decoding, whereas advanced learners often combine both approaches. Prioritizing sound features is essential for beginners; however, coupling this with brief phrase-level prediction tasks...
This year, the College and University Educators (CUE) SIG Forum focuses on the researcher’s journey from initial ideas to publication. Julia Kimura, Mehrasa Alizadeh, and Melodie Cook invite the audience to discuss strategies for streamlining the research process, navigating challenges in publishing, and identifying the qualities of productive scholars. The session seeks to assist both...
This study examines the challenges faced by non-Japanese Global English teachers in Japan. Despite the global trend towards multilingualism, Japanese education still prioritises "native-like" English as a model. Interviews with three participants revealed issues relating to student learning attitudes, cultural differences between Japan and other countries and classroom environments. This study...
Amy Cuddy’s Power Poses are simple exercises that show how holding your body can make a difference in how you feel and positively affect your mood and confidence.
These exercises act as Brain Breaks to recirculate the oxygenated blood to your brain, reset the mind, and improve learner focus.
In addition, with a slight tweak, these Power Poses can be used for simple and effective...
This presentation examines the results of a replication study examining the effect of a video creation task on students' speaking abilities. The results showed a strong effect on speaking, even though the increase in students actual scores was less than anticipated. They also indicated a possible, unexpected effect on students' reading. Based on these results, and number of possible teaching...
This study explores two approaches for matching 304 Vietnamese tertiary learners with lexically appropriate reading materials: Vocabulary mastery level (mastery level) and text-range vocabulary size (text-range size) approaches. Learners' vocabulary tests and reading comprehension assessments were used to group learners. Findings showed that the text-range vocabulary size approach more...
This presentation examines Japanese EFL classrooms as heterotopic spaces through Foucault’s six principles of heterotopias (Foucault & Miskowiec, 1986). Using Q methodology, it explores how these classrooms negotiate global linguistic standards and Japanese language education policy (LEP), shaping learner identity and agency. The analysis highlights how historical, present, and future layers...
This study examines students' experiences with Learning Management Systems (LMS) in a paperless classroom over two years. Using surveys and classroom observations, it explores how students adapt to digital learning, identifying both benefits and challenges. Findings reveal gaps in digital literacy, issues with organization, and varying levels of engagement. The study offers insights into...
This session introduces TestCentral, an AI-powered platform for scalable, accurate assessment of student speaking skills. It features Versant, PROGOS, and custom AI tasks, evaluating fluency, pronunciation, and task achievement aligned to CEFR and local standards. Originally developed for corporate training, it’s now used in schools and universities across Asia. We’ll share validation data,...
In this workshop, we will explore how drama activities can boost English learners’ confidence and fluency. I will present a framework for selecting and implementing drama activities based on principles of conflict and reflective communication from sociocultural theory. Participants will practice four drama activities focusing on different language skills from voice control to creative language...
Although some Japanese learners of French and English have achieved fluency in these languages, they often struggle with argumentation. The presenters suggest that this difficulty stems from excessive reliance on examples. Corpus data indicate that argumentation in French and English requires clear explanations, whereas in Japanese, examples alone are sufficient. Consequently, these learners...
This research aimed to discover the benefits of a two-week study abroad and teaching practicum program for Japanese pre-service teachers in Australian childcare centres. Details of the program as well as data from student reflections will be shared. The results show that the students gained knowledge of Australian pedagogy as well as intercultural understanding. This presentation will share...
For programs taught through English (e.g., EMI), TOEFL and IELTS scores or previous history of EMI study may not be sufficient for language instructors to identify which students may need writing support to meet program requirements for complex source-based writing tasks such as term papers or literature reviews. This study of 224 graduate students from over 50 countries explores what...
This poster describes issues related to building a culture of self-evaluation (Shephard, 2019) in a speaking class for pre-service trainee teachers at a university in Japan. Students' reflective writing revealed their negative experiences of testing and lack of awareness of assessment for learning (William, 2011). Student-led discussions and portfolio assessment were implemented in an attempt...
In this interactive practice workshop, we invite teachers of all languages and backgrounds to help us build a new framework for intersectionality in the field of language teacher identity. Participants will have the opportunity to think deeply about different aspects of teacher identity and discuss their ideas, opinions and personal experiences. By instilling an intersectional critical...
This study explores how a short-term internship in the Philippines (N=11) supports Japanese students’ cultural intelligence (CQ). Using surveys, observations, and written reflections, we explore how guided reflection and intentional host engagement, scaffolded through the LENS³ framework, might foster deeper intercultural competence.
JALTCALL added podcast production to its official program in December 2024. The Podcast team has developed a workflow for studio discussions of CALL developments and interviews with researchers and educators. This workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to explore both the creative and the technical elements of podcasting. Attendees will draft podcast plans and take away...
This collaborative inquiry examines how TEFL can be decolonized in multilingual Qazaqstan by elevating the Qazaq language and culture while addressing the post/neocolonial and imperial influences of Russian and English. As a dialogic community, researchers critically reflect on and glocally transform their teaching practices by integrating decolonial perspectives, translanguaging, and...
This poster presentation focuses on the development of a free, digital ESL textbook in which the primary considerations are accessibility, flexibility, and interactivity. Aligned with CEFR and integrating SDG topics, it aims to enhance language skills while promoting global awareness. We will guide attendees step-by-step from origin to implementation. Key challenges to be discussed include the...
This poster presents a DIY toolchain that integrates local AI for automating feedback on the 4/3/2 spoken fluency exercise. The system rapidly transcribes student speeches, providing metrics such as word count, speech rate, and improvement tips. Results indicate an increase in speech rate after using the improvement tips and a positive reception to frequent AI use, suggesting these tools can...
JALT Partner, EdYouFest, is a global grassroots initiative fostering the exchange of ideas through inclusive, accessible professional development. With free and low-cost face-to-face and online events and resources, it empowers new and early-career educators to connect, collaborate, and grow. This session introduces EdYouFest Tokyo 2025, the upcoming online EdYouMarathon, and a one-day Tokyo...
In response to the growing use of SDG-related materials in EFL and CLIL classrooms, this poster presentation introduces open-access lesson materials for Japanese university students. Unlike existing resources that typically focus on countries in the Global South, these materials present the SDGs as both global and local issues, incorporating human rights concerns. Drawing on research that...
Explore the process behind the large-scale implementation of the Talk textbooks for Tutorial English, an accredited course at Waseda University, designed with the aim of improving students' communicative competence. The session offers practical insights on the development of a notional, Can-do-based syllabus (A1 – C2 levels), presenting the challenges associated with adapting the framework to...
This interactive workshop explores how student-centered simulation projects can build intercultural competence and language skills. Based on a decade-long global collaboration, participants will experience authentic tasks, reflect on cultural dynamics, and leave with low-threshold templates for designing their own accessible, meaningful projects. Emphasis is placed on student agency,...
This poster presentation describes an exploratory study in which the presenters guided EFL students in a Japanese university to use ChatGPT-5 (free tier). The presenters developed classroom interventions in which students used ChatGPT-5 to enhance their study skills when writing and researching in English. Attention was also paid to students’ development of time management skills. The...
This 60-min workshop provides a dynamic story-drama English teaching experience for teachers & children. Using age-appropriate and drama-based activities, the program encourages joyful learning, character-building, curiosity, and holistic English development. Participants can recreate Harold’s storybook pages using Story Acting Cards, Story Mats, purple cords, cloths, and digital music &...
Discover a 5-step process to make junior and senior high school EFL classrooms more inclusive and accessible. Through the inclusive classroom approach, teachers learn to reframe mindsets in viewing different barriers to learning and use this to inform lesson design with the students’ perspective in mind. Attendees to this poster presentation will gain adaptable approaches that support...
This presentation reports on a study about the integration of generative AI in self-regulated learning (SRL) in an EFL Japanese high education context. We examined students’ use of generative AI in their SRL, their perceptions of generative AI, and the benefits they gained from its use. Key findings showed the effectiveness of generative AI in the forethought phase including setting goals and...
This poster presentation showcases the results of a study in which Japanese university students utilized Microsoft’s Copilot AI image generator to assist them in creating an original picture book story. It examines the task guidelines, scaffolding strategies, and student training for navigating AI limitations. Additionally, it analyzes student feedback, exploring their perceptions of AI as a...
Sponsored by Macquarie University
This will allow current Macquarie research students and alumni to share topics of interest in an informal, relaxed setting. This roundtable is a great way to catch up with familiar faces and make new friends each year. In previous roundtables, we have discussed various topics, such as getting Kakenhi research grants, applying for tenure, and our evolving...
This presentation examines university EFL students’ perceptions of mobile apps as tools for communicative competence. Using a phenomenological approach, data from semi-structured interviews and focus groups were thematically analyzed. Findings highlight benefits such as improved listening skills, vocabulary acquisition, and TOEFL preparation, alongside challenges like limited feedback and...
At this PanSIG 2026 Planning Meeting we invite all SIG representatives to join the committee, as well as all JALT members (or members to become) interested in engaging in the next PanSIG conference in Nagoya at Chukyo University from May 23 to 24, 2026. The PanSIG committee is a peer community of practice and a good start to become more involved in professional development in JALT. You will...
Balancing a focus on language knowledge and fluency development has long been a challenge for teachers. Finding this balance whilst maintaining and promoting learner motivation makes this even harder. In this presentation, I will present the results of a study that examined whether post-task transcription could be used to enhance learning opportunities without negatively impacting the...
The rapid advancement of AI in educational settings has raised fundamental questions about authorship, assessment, and pedagogical design (Stone & Scharff, 2024).
This poster explores self-publishing as a practical alternative to commercial textbooks in the Japanese EFL context. It highlights the benefits of flexibility, cost control, and teacher autonomy, while also addressing common challenges such as design, time investment, and publishing logistics. Drawing on my experience creating a project-based textbook for freshman English Communication...
SPIN Forum
Sponsored by Pearson Japan
As a tribute to author Marc Helgesen, English Firsthand series editor Michael Rost will outline the history of this successful series, highlighting key educational principles that have guided its development through five editions. These principles are represented as 5 “e’s”: entertainment, engagement, expression, elaboration, and embodiment. For each of these...
This study explores how student feedback influences an EFL lecturer’s emotions and self-efficacy in an ESP context. Using analytic autoethnography, the researcher-teacher, with limited subject knowledge of the ESP course reflects on self-narratives, student feedback and key classroom experiences. Findings reveal positive responses to student feedback and improved self-efficacy. The study also...
Sponsored by Language Teaching Professionals
This presentation will look at key issues that any course for Japanese elementary school children needs to address and will introduce ‘Finding Out Interactive’, the new edition of ‘Finding Out’, and show how it addresses these issues. The focus of ‘Finding Out’ is on children constructing their understanding of English through anticipation and...
This interactive workshop introduces creative ways to teach English to young learners through dance and movement. Participants will experience techniques such as Total Physical Response (TPR), choreographed storytelling, and gesture-based vocabulary learning that reduce reliance on the first language and foster natural acquisition. By integrating movement with language instruction, teachers...
The development of TED Talks textbooks offer educators and learners a suitable framework for practicing all four of the language skills. However, vocabulary challenges remain for learners. This study investigated the vocabulary of 12 TED Talks included in Keynote 2 to understand the lexical profile, vocabulary load, and the academic and multiword unit coverage for the listening texts. The...
School attendance problems (SAPs) are on the rise both in Japan and globally. Based on qualitative doctoral research this presentation explores the lived experience of multicultural families in Japan and how they navigate the school refusal experience. The role of teachers, including language teachers, and other educational staff are shown to impact the attendance of their students....
This study examines American gun culture's linguistic and pragmatic dimensions through a corpus-based analysis of the Run, Hide, Fight protocol. (FBI, 2025). By identifying key vocabulary and expressions commonly associated with firearms, this research highlights the language used to navigate and discuss gun-related issues in the United States. Applying pragmatic approaches, the analysis...
This presentation will demonstrate the development of a specialized English vocabulary list for offshore wind safety operations using a corpus-based approach. Industry-specific terminology was extracted from safety training materials and validated by professionals. A total of 231 key terms were identified to support precise communication in high-risk environments. Although this study focuses...
Creative writing can play an important role in fostering EFL student writers’ compositions, literary awareness, and overall linguistic development. As such, this presentation will introduce four creative writing tasks that can be used to develop EFL learners’ linguistic and literary skills: “Connect the Dots,” “Picture Perfect,” “MadLibs Adventures,” and “CROW Biographies.” Ideas on...
Write a 5-minute love letter to someone you love as if this is the last love letter.
What happens to learner beliefs during a year of university English study? This presentation explores shifts in the beliefs of 1,238 Japanese EFL students, revealing two core factors: Communicative Beliefs and Structured Learning Beliefs. Both declined over time, with proficiency shaping Communicative Beliefs and notable changes in views on traditional learning methods. Discover how learner...
A literature review is essential in ELT research, yet it can be overwhelming due to the volume of reading, synthesis, and organisation involved. This hands-on workshop demonstrates how AI can support key stages of the review process, refining questions, finding and summarising sources, identifying themes, and aiding critical analysis. Participants will engage in practical tasks and leave with...
Sponsored by Duolingo
Many classes treat test prep as drills and memorization. This session shares a simple way to turn items from the DET, PTE, and IELTS into pair and group tasks that build language and exam skills at the same time. You will see quick adaptations for speaking, writing, reading, and listening that fit different levels and time limits. The goal is to keep students engaged...
This research explores how metalinguistic awareness (MLA) and psychotypological distance (PTD) interact to shape transfer patterns among Amdolese-Mandarin bilinguals differing in L1 dominance while learning the Spanish voicing contrast. Results highlight MLA as the primary factor in L3 transfer source selection, with PTD acting as a secondary influence. Moreover, MLA training effectively...
The Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching (AJET) is a volunteer organization of JET Programme participants. AJET serves the JET community by building support networks, organizing useful information, and offering resources to enhance the lives of the Programme participants in Japan and abroad. https://ajet.net
This presentation focuses on one maritime English teacher’s experience with an Erasmus+ mobility project and a two-week visit to a maritime studies faculty at a university in Croatia. The presenter will introduce the objectives of Erasmus+ mobility projects for teachers in higher education and describe his specific experience with the project in Croatia. Audience members will be invited to...
This textbook is designed to enhance academic learning through world clips from BBC’s “The Travel Show.” Listening and reading activities, comprehension checks, and summary tasks will help cultivate fundamental English abilities. In addition, English and Japanese readings, along with authentic travel clips from around the world, will expand student knowledge of global issues. Lastly, wrap-up...
This presentation examines how ALTs perceive their team-teaching experiences with JTEs. Although team teaching has become increasingly common across Japanese schools, challenges in collaboration persist. Through surveys of 77 ALTs across four prefectures, this study explores pre-, during-, and post-teaching collaboration in English instruction. Findings indicate that while interaction is more...
The study investigates the impact of AI-driven language tools on Willingness to Communicate (WTC) in English among Japanese business professionals. The data reveal that AI enhances WTC by reducing anxiety, increasing confidence, and providing real-time linguistic support. While findings indicate that AI facilitates fluency and engagement, they also highlight the risk of over-reliance, which...
This presentation explores practitioner-led research on how taking an IELTS test impacted four university teachers in Japan. It examines their experiences, effects on teaching practices, and the test's value as teacher training. Teachers with prior IELTS experience gained confidence and filled knowledge gaps, while an inexperienced teacher found the process overwhelming. However, all developed...
This presentation explores the use of generative language models by students in tertiary education contexts and how the use of text classification might be applied to detect LLM-generated writing. Using essays from L1 Japanese learners of English and Llama 2, three classifiers (naive Bayes, fastText, and a Llama 2-based model) are compared for accuracy. Findings provide insights into...
Sponsored by M's Publishing
The ability to use English in order to express opinions and ideas is an incredibly important skill for all English learners. During this seminar, Allyssa Fuller and Nick Miyazaki will discuss how you can use PBL concepts in your classroom to encourage students to develop their expressive abilities in classrooms of all sizes, ages, and ability levels.
Plenary Session
Shoko Sasayama
The ability to communicate effectively in a new language is an essential goal for many second language (L2) learners. A key foundation for achieving this goal is the idea that learners acquire a language best experientially, by using it to engage in and accomplish relevant communication tasks (Dewey, 1938; Long, 2014). But, how should the tasks be selected,...
This SIG Forum invites to a collaborative research group for JALT members and those interested in Action Research to engage in discussions about their current practices and explore potential interventions for improvement using the CEFR as a conceptual tool. It aims to establish a community of practice, to meet diverse needs of practitioners, who attempt to conduct (exploratory) action research...
Kevin Cleary Invited Speaker Presentation
Kinsella Valies
This presentation offers practical advice for educators in TEFL seeking to build or enhance research collaborations. Addressing critical decisions—such as choosing similar or complementary colleagues, forming partnerships or teams, and navigating intercultural challenges—the talk emphasizes communication and strategic planning....
This presentation will explore the efficacy of an automated scoring method for the Paused Transcription (PT) listening task. Transcription accuracy was analyzed using both partial-credit and ‘all-or-nothing’ binary scoring approaches across various assessment criteria. The binary method yielded results comparable to the partial-credit method in terms of PT score reliability and correlation...
As the number of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients in Japan continues to grow, there is an increasing need for healthcare professionals to develop both foreign language proficiency and cross-cultural communication skills. Among these professionals, nurses play a particularly vital role, as they spend the most time in direct interaction with patients and are central to...
This study confirms that Hong Kong Chinese pupils studying Latin in a local Chinese medium of instruction secondary school perceive similar benefits to studying Latin through English medium of instruction as reported in over a century of studies in the United States, and elsewhere. It demonstrates that even a weekly lunchtime Latin lesson, supplemented by online chat support, and homework...
This study investigates whether school belonging and L2 motivation can be integrated into a single model using Growth Curve Modeling. Data from over 500 Japanese university students showed that the two constructs are closely related and influenced by the school attended. The findings suggest a meaningful connection between school belonging and motivation to learn English.
This longitudinal study investigates Japanese pre-service EFL teachers’ grammar instruction cognitions and practices both before and after exposure to communicative grammar teaching pedagogy, who received a semester-long undergraduate course based on focus-on-form (FonF) instruction, as well as seeks whether and/or how their cognitions and teaching practices evolve over time.
This study aimed to explore whether a structured classroom language policy with clear linguistic boundaries alongside specific, isolated opportunities for code-switching, could enhance students’ comfort and support their acquisition of English and Japanese at a multilingual high school. Survey data of students’ perceptions about this policy and autoethnographic analysis of reflective journals...
Step into a welcoming space where research meets real life! Our posters offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of multilingual and monolingual brains—what the science says, and what people experience day to day. You’re invited to explore, reflect, and connect. Join us for an informal, people-centred exchange of stories and ideas. Your own experiences and insights will help shape the...
All those interested in a wider representation of teaching and learning languages and cultures beyond English will gather at this year’s meeting aimed at extending this affiliate SIG, reporting on past events, planning new ones, exchanging necessary information, and providing an update on recent developments in our field. We will also discuss needs and goals in the FL2 classroom and beyond,...
The Pragmatics SIG holds its business meeting to elect its committee members, review the past year, and make plans for the next. All are welcome to join us, Pragmatics SIG members or not (yet!). Committee members will report on what we've been doing, in terms of events and publications, together with our plans and hopes for the coming year.
Python and R are programming languages that can be used in research for statistical analysis, data visualisation, processing text-based data, automation, and increasing replicability. I will give a basic overview of possible uses for Python and R with reference to my own research and other studies. The talk will be non-technical and hopefully you will come away with ideas about improving your...
Language teachers should adopt pedagogy that aligns with how learners acquire second languages. This presentation analyzes SLA research findings and their teaching implications proposed in recent publications authored or co-authored by Bill VanPatten. Lichtman and VanPatten (2021), for example, argue that much of Krashen’s view of SLA is basically correct and call for input-rich classrooms and...
This presentation shares research findings comparing digital versus paper speed reading, which revealed faster reading speed and more positive student perceptions with digital texts. Presenters will outline a practical framework for implementing digital speed reading and discuss the pedagogical implications of medium choice. Attendees will learn implementation strategies and receive...
Employing semi-structured interviews, this presentation explores Japanese university freshmen’s attitudes towards generative AI (GenAI) use in post-English-class reflections. Contrary to the initial assumptions, none of the four student interviewees turned to GenAI. Mainly three factors shaped the students’ attitudes: previous experiences learning English, views on the roles GenAI plays in...
Teacher Development SiG's annual general meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss SiG related matters in the past year in terms of funds, events, members and plans for the coming year.
How does studying “languages other than English” (LOTEs) affect English motivation? This year-long mixed-methods study explores this question in the Japanese university context, where students must often study L2 English and an L3 LOTE simultaneously. It shares insights from student surveys, weekly journals, and interviews in which students record their L2 English motivation, engagement,...
A Japan-OECD joint research project was conducted over one year for grade 1 students at an elementary school in Japan. Students participated in six online and two in-person exchanges with a Canadian teacher to study students’ wellbeing through seikatsu-ka, living environmental studies. Through post-surveys and reflections, it was found that international exchanges contribute positively to...
Sponsored by Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Introducing the 3rd and latest edition of the highly popular English for Academic Purposes series, Unlock. The new 3rd edition will continue the Unlock tradition of helping learners acquire the critical thinking skills they need to succeed both academically and beyond, through engaging topics and well-structured, easy-to-teach lessons.
This presentation replicated Fujii's 2023 study, which examines how English learning objectives and specific strategies for achieving them differ depending on the levels of Willingness to Communicate in a Japanese EFL context. Using the original study methods, we assessed whether her 2023 findings applied to our first-year science-related majors. Our study also explored that recognizing and...
This study investigates the validity of a self-efficacy questionnaire administered to Japanese university students learning English. Using Rasch analysis, I examined how well the items measured a unidimensional construct and identified misfitting items for potential revision or removal. The model also assessed the difficulty distribution of the items and their ability to capture a wide range...
Despite their vital roles, academic managers’ experiences in interim online teaching remain underexplored. This study examined eight managers from Philippine higher education institutions through semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed their responsibilities and challenges across six leadership functions intensified during the transition. These were shaped by institutional factors...
Findings from a multi-country research study, ReMaLIC (Reaching out to marginalized populations in under-resourced countries), funded by the British Council are presented. Technology use and access among teenagers, their parents, and teachers in low-resource contexts in Asia (Bangladesh and Nepal) and Africa (Senegal and Sudan) were examined. A qualitative approach was adopted and data were...
Modal adverbs such as definitely and absolutely promote dialogue by conveying affirmation. This study analyzed 2023 English textbooks, focusing on affirmative modal adverbs and comparing them with past editions and data from the Corpus of Contemporary American English. The study found that while hedging modal adverbs like maybe appear in junior high school textbooks, affirmative ones...
This presentation demonstrates how test analysis supports the continuous improvement of tests and provides feedback on course materials. A statistical analysis of a new end-of-semester homework e-learning test in a speaking course showed the test had high reliability and effective items. Students’ scores showed significant gains with a large effect size. While the focus of this presentation is...
This study explored how a primary school CLIL teacher developed teacher language awareness through a teacher training program. Based on Seah et al.'s (2022) content-related knowledge for content teaching, this study revealed how teachers developed various knowledge domains and how these domains interplayed.
This study explores how experienced ESL teachers with over ten years of practice engage with ICT in both school and adult-learning settings. Using semi-structured interviews with sixteen educators, it highlights challenges such as resistance to change, limited training, and poor infrastructure. Findings show that younger learners respond better to structured tools, while adults benefit from...
Sponsored by Atama-ii Books
This practical session introduces a corpus-informed approach to teaching and assessing pragmatic competence in Japanese EFL classrooms. Participants will explore classroom-friendly explanations of pragmatic strategies, authentic student data, and useful rubrics for assessment. The emphasis is on functional language use and politeness strategies, and on...
Although the proportion of female Japanese elementary and junior high school teachers is comparable to that of male teachers, the number of female principals and vice-principals is significantly smaller. This presentation will show the results of a student survey and interviews with female teachers on career progression and sexual harassment, intending to illuminate some of the reasons for...
Past studies showed that students teach each other their preferred ways of prosocial engagement through an intervention called Ideal Classmates Priming. The priming helps them collaboratively learn better teamwork while interacting in English, which can improve students’ personal EFL-learning motivations across one semester. Applying this intervention to whole classes over multiple years, the...
Machine translation (MT) and AI tools (e.g., DeepL, ChatGPT) are now finding application in a wide variety of language education contexts, including oral communication classes. I will present four classroom activities designed to help students grasp issues surrounding use of MT and AI tools and discover ways to use them constructively to support their own learning and prepare for communication...
This study explores the implementation of plurilingual pedagogy in Japanese language classrooms through a survey of 78 teachers and interviews with 10 teachers. The findings reveal that plurilingual practices are already present, though often unrecognized. In particular, interviews show that even teachers who follow a Japanese-only approach actively draw on students' linguistic and cultural...
This study explores the effectiveness of 'small talk' as a teaching strategy in Japanese university EFL classrooms, based on feedback from 28 freshmen. Small talk was found to enhance speaking and listening skills, build confidence, and foster communication. While challenges like response formulation and occasional awkwardness were noted, students reported increased motivation and enjoyment....
Over the past two years we created a program to bring international Master’s program students to visit elementary and junior high schools. The purpose has been to promote inter-cultural communication and learning for both the Japanese students, and international students who are studying Japanese education. The panel will discuss the results from the perspectives of both groups. We will also...
Taking into account the crucial role of input in the early stages of second language learning, this action research–based pedagogical intervention examined how a Japanese elementary school EFL teacher could be supported in meaningfully integrating input-based tasks into her lessons through a process of interviews and classroom observations. Preliminary findings suggest that, despite initial...
Environmental hardships have been taking the world by storm of late, yet most EFL situations give very little time to teaching communicative aspects useful to solving such problems. The Environment Project is designed to allow students to creatively design and present solutions to common problems that may just change the world.
Plenary Workshop
Naoko Taguchi
In this workshop we will discuss what pragmatic competence means and how we can teach it. Specifically, we will address Japanese speech style as an area of instruction. Using interview excerpts and sample instructional materials, participants will create an activity for teaching Japanese speech style.
This Q methodology study examines the English language learning motivation of 44 first-year university students. Analysis of a 41-card Q sort completed by the participants revealed three learner profiles: invested, intrigued, and detached. Invested learners agreed with statements related to the ideal self, intrigued learners to the language learning experience, and detached learners to the...
This year’s JASAL Forum explores two topics relevant for any self-access space: How to revitalise an underutilised SALC based on insights gained through needs analysis of student and faculty perspectives, and how an International Week event, in collaboration with faculty and other university departments, can enhance the visibility of global activities both within and beyond the university....
This forum presents strategies to motivate students in foreign language courses. Presenter A (German) examines external factors such as environment, influencing language enrollment. Presenter B (Spanish) discusses initiatives to spark interest in study abroad. Presenter C (Thai) highlights hands-on cultural experiences through food. Presenters D (French), E and F (Russian) report on findings...
The Teacher Development (TD) SIG will be hosting their annual forum designed to promote the sharing of professional stories. This year’s forum theme is 'Learning, Teaching and Assessing'. The format for this year’s Teacher Development forum will be a workshop that will last 90 minutes. The forum will be interactive, so audience participation is encouraged.
In this study I explored whether past L2 learning experiences help explain current motivation among Japanese university EFL students. Based on the L2 Motivational Self System and Positive Psychology, a new Prior L2 Learning Experience Scale (PL2LES) was used along with motivation measures at the start of the semester. A second motivation survey was administered at the end of the course to...
This Design-Based Research examines how two racialized multilingual researcher-practitioners co-enacted a translanguaging praxis of discomfort to teach sociolinguistics to Japanese exchange students in Canada. Findings highlight the transformative power of critically leveraging a translanguaging lens, genAI and translation tools, and dialogically collaborating to address linguistic and...
This presentation is about a study of the characteristics of English pronunciation by Japanese learners of English, and what makes it sound non-native. Recordings of three Japanese students were compared with two native speakers and one near native speaker of English using spectrograms with phonetic and orthographic transcriptions. The results suggest that, after segmental features, teachers...
The classroom can be an exciting place to work with students on developing foreign language skills. Sending students out into the real world to do communication tasks in the local community can reinforce classroom learning, build social awareness, foster student engagement and promote personal growth. This workshop will demonstrate creative ways to design out-of-class homework assignments that...
This presentation focuses on the advantages of English picture books as a learning material aiming at developing the skills, attitudes, and competencies associated with intercultural communicative competence. Especially, picture books can enhance the creative imagination of learners, which is thought to be a critical essence for intercultural citizenship in a way to understand the emotions and...
This session provides a workshop template for supporting university students to use GenAI ethically and effectively in their academic writing. Using free large language model chatbots, participants will explore how GenAI can support various stages of the writing process while fostering critical engagement. The session equips instructors to run their own workshops to enhance students’ AI...
This 60-min workshop embarks all participants on an active and curiosity-driven adventure to story-tell and dramatise. Participants can practice ‘monkey storytelling’ in English from start to finish - using digital music, dance & movement, hands-on materials, Singapore-made Curious George puppet and Yellow Hat Man puppet, story mats, acting cards, and props! Using active learning and...
This study explored the interaction of metalinguistic awareness (MLA) and psychotypological distance (PTD) in L3 transfer source selection by examining Uyghur-Mandarin bilinguals, stratified by L1 dominance, in learning the Spanish past-tense aspectual contrast. Results showed that low Uyghur MLA fostered Mandarin dominance in transfer, while MLA training improved Uyghur MLA, shifting transfer...
Global Englishes Language Teaching (GELT) was proposed by Rose and Galloway (2019) to prepare learners to use English for global communication. In this study, GELT content, including listening, pronunciation, speaking and reading, was implemented in an English course at a university in Tokyo. The learners were surveyed at the start of the course and then at the end in order to understand their...
JALT invites the representatives of all of our International Partners to join a meeting aimed at exploring collaborative opportunities, ranging from research initiatives and professional development to other forms of collaboration, ensuring that our collective expertise drives meaningful educational development. Especially, with our Pan-Asian Consortium (PAC) partner representatives, we will...
Lymphatic massage can reduce swelling and improve circulation throughout the lymphatic system. Lymphatic massage usually forms part of a treatment program called decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT).
Grading, or assessment, makes up a large percentage of teachers’ work, but are we making the most effective use of our time? By considering the efficacy of grading and error correction on student outcomes and the purpose behind homework assignments, we can potentially reduce the amount of grading we do as teachers without negatively affecting student outcomes. This workshop will review the...
Many teachers continue to face challenges in motivating students in language classrooms. This presentation explores why Japanese learners of English become motivated or demotivated, identifying both common patterns and personal factors. It also considers individual differences that affect learning. These insights aim to help improve English teaching practices in Japan by addressing students’...
Sponsored by the Japan Center for Michigan Universities
The Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU) offers study away programs (kokunai ryugaku) in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture for students at Japanese universities. Program participants take part in content-integrated intensive English classes and live together with American university students in JCMU’s on-campus dormitory. Come to this...
Understanding cultural differences in communication is crucial in Japanese work environments where non-Japanese faculty can face challenges adapting. Using cultural frameworks such as Hofstede’s uncertainty avoidance and Meyer’s high/low-context communication, the presentation provides insights into the interaction of these attributes and how to navigate differences in the workplace. While the...
This study examines grammatical accuracy development in Korean engineering graduate students’ academic writing over a university term. Students received peer, instructor, and large language model (LLM) feedback. Error analysis revealed significant weekly declines in overall errors and specific types (e.g., tense, determiners, punctuation). Correlations linked feedback comments to accuracy...
The School Causality Orientations Scale (SCOS), adapted from the General Causality Orientations Scale (Deci & Ryan, 1985), measures students' motivational orientations (i.e., autonomy, controlled, impersonal) in Japanese university contexts. Despite many studies on Self-Determination Theory and language education, Causality Orientations Theory, one of SDT’s mini-theories, has been largely...
This study explores AI-enhanced learning in Japanese EFL classrooms, integrating chatbots, VR speech environments, and creative AI tools. Grounded in sociocultural theory and self-regulated learning, findings show AI supports self-regulation, creativity, and cross-cultural communication. Personalized chatbots fostered autonomy, while VR rehearsals increased public speaking confidence. AI...
Despite the CEFR’s global recognition as a framework for language education, its foundational principles—such as viewing the learner as a social agent and adopting an action-oriented approach—are often underutilized in classroom practice. This talk offers a reinterpretation of the CEFR through an ecological lens, drawing on van Lier’s (2004) perspective of language learning as a situated,...
This presentation explores how collaborative online international learning (COIL) can help bridge the gap between Japan’s student mobility goals and reluctance to study abroad. The presenter will report on a study involving 13 Japanese university students who completed COIL with partners in Southeast Asia, revealing group experiential themes of comfort, authenticity, intercultural...
Research collaboration can be an engaging part of professional development, but the effectiveness of the relationship hinges on several factors. This presentation reports the findings of a duoethnographic study in which the nature of a research collaboration is explored. Themes that will be discussed include relationship dynamics, power and privilege, authorship, and the integration of the...
This presentation explores integrating CLIL (Coyle, 2007) and Translanguaging (Garcia et al., 2017) in a Japanese university “Introduction to Sociolinguistics” course. Mixed-methods findings from 18 students show that L1 use in L2 classrooms enhanced content comprehension, language skills, and intercultural competence. By blending content-focused lessons with language development, students...
Sponsored by Atama-ii Books
This workshop examines how different models of listening input can shape communication outcomes in Japanese university EFL classrooms. We will explore the strengths and limitations of Authentic, AI-generated, and Scripted / Human-Acted listening models in this context, considering how these choices affect learners’ ability to participate in meaningful...
This study reports the results of a student experience survey regarding a learning platform for improving English phonemic awareness skills in Japanese elementary school third and sixth graders (n=465).The results were analysed through serially coding using three separate genAI (Chatgpt4.o, Claude2.5, Gemini2.0) Based on these results, we will present directions for the development/refinement...
- List item
This presentation explores the speaking activities in textbooks used by Japanese elementary school teachers of English and examines how they connect to communicative aims. It first focuses on textbook structure, particularly on the PPP-type lessons, and examines how teaching progresses from mechanical drills to communicative drills. Survey and interview findings indicate that...
Linguistic Landscapes (LL) is an emerging interdisciplinary field at the intersections of sociolinguistics, ethnography,
and semiotics. This qualitative study applies an ethnographic, inclusive, and reflective interview technique,
the ‘walking tour’, as a way to invite the perceptions and analysis of those studying, living and working
at an Asian EMI. A geosemiotic LL model was applied to...
Join the Materials Writers SIG for comprehensive insights into textbook publishing, writing graded readers, online content, and more. We offer support to members in all aspects of publishing, be it for personal classrooms, established publishers, or independent publishing. Opting for the right SIG will enhance your JALT experience, and becoming an officer opens numerous doors for professional...
This presentation makes a strong case for revitalizing the casebook method in teacher education. I report on findings of an exploratory action research study that aimed to investigate the experiences of students’ engaging with the case method in two graduate courses. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis reveal a high level of engagement with the cases and meaningful learning about...
This study explores the causes and solutions to three levels of anxiety among beginner-intermediate Japanese L2 English learners. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews reveal that required first-year courses are related to anxiety, primarily due to the fear of negative evaluation, which is worsened by the lack of peer relationships in group speaking activities. The study emphasizes the...
Japan’s 2020 elementary school Course of Study reforms have introduced goals for English education requiring teachers to focus on authentic communication, an endeavor requiring additional training support for current primary instructors; HRT and Senka teachers. Achieving this goal requires differentiation as teachers vary in their language proficiency and experience. This presentation focuses...
This study investigated the validity of TOEIC Bridge® for placement decisions in a National Institute of Technology. Data from 185 students was Rasch analyzed. Reliability of .90 was adequate to separate high, mid, and low groups of students, and data-model fit, local item independence, and unidimensionality were also adequate. The range of item difficulty was acceptable for this sample of...
All Christian members of JALT, or not members yet, or not Christians yet, are warmly invited to attend our Sunday morning gathering. We’ll pray, sing, have a short devotional message, and encourage one another in our work as English educators.
In this forum organized by the Bilingualism SIG, a panel of parents/guardians from a variety of language backgrounds will share their experiences with heritage language maintenance in the Japanese context. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions to the panelists.
Accessible language learning faces evolving challenges, requiring new perspectives. Diverse learner needs and changing contexts necessitate innovative approaches. This forum explores adapting materials, fostering inclusivity, and pursuing new ideas for equitable access. Cultural sensitivity, personalized learning, and universal design principles are crucial for successful outcomes. Further...
This workshop will focus on cultural understanding by learning about the cultural rules, intentions and meaning surrounding Māori haka. We will begin with a short lecture on the what, when and why for performing a haka and also the history of one particular haka. Participants will learn the meaning of the words and actions, and finally perform a haka together. Come prepared to move, stamp your...
This study investigated the effects of the soft-CLIL approach on students' creative performance as well as how cooperative learning, with L1 assistance enhances students’creative production. Twenty five Japanese high school students with an intermediate English level participated in three 40-minute lessons on the SDGs theme "Responsible Consumptionand Production." The lesson was designed...
The JALT Critical Thinking SIG Forum will feature presentations that promote the use and development of critical thinking in language courses. Among the topics to be presented by the speakers are an approach to teaching critical thinking that utilizes both students’ L1 and L2 languages, an approach that utilizes viral marketing videos to develop students’ critical thinking skills, and a study...
As agentic AI and immersive XR technologies converge, professional learning communities face a critical choice: become platforms that direct technology, or platforms directed by it. This session examines how communities of practice can navigate the "automation abyss", which is the widening gap between human agency and technological dependency. I discuss ways to leverage AI and XR to enhance...
Sponsored by Macquarie University
This 60-minute forum brings together six Macquarie University alumni to share how they have engaged with the global community in their teaching, research, professional lives, and institutional roles. The panel explores international collaborations, intercultural programs, publishing, COIL projects, student exchanges, and SDG-related activities that connect...
Meet officers and members of the various Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in JALT. This is your chance to connect, ask questions, and, hopefully, consider becoming more active in the JALT community.
During Meet the SIGs 3, the following SIGs will have officers and members at their tables:
9:05 AM - 10:05 AM
College and University Educators (CUE)
Materials Writers (MW)
Other Language...
This is the annual in-person meeting for all JALT Membership Chairs and Co-chairs. JALT members or prospective members who are interested in Volunteering in a Chapter &/or Special Interest Group (SIG) are also welcome to attend this meeting to learn more about the Membership Chair role.
Please feel free to add to our running agenda that I have started in our Basecamp group.
ART + LANGUAGE = MULTIMODALITY
The Art, Research, and Teaching (ART) Forum will present multimodal strategies and techniques for engaging students who were born digital. These digital natives expect written and spoken text to be accompanied by visual art (photos, videos, pictures, illustrations), so a multimodal learning environment is essential. Discussions and presentations will explore...
This study will report on how communication strategies (CSs) support four junior high school students in developing their L2 production. Drawing upon questionnaires, interviews, speaking/writing test results, recorded and transcribed conversations, and student feedback and reflections, the study highlights the importance of early-stage CS instruction and peer-supporting assessment. Findings...
Metacognitive strategy use has been regarded as helpful for learners’ listening comprehension; however, it is rarely instructed to students in class in Japan. This research observes learners’ metacognitive strategy awareness during a three-day teaching practicum, where the high school students are exposed to metacognitive strategies for listening tasks. The presentation will show implications...
The main purpose of this study is to examine changes in how grammar is dealt with in English textbooks after the revision of the Course of Study (CS). Grammar exercises or activities, target grammatical items, and example sentences in senior-high-school English textbooks for the former and the current CS were collected and analyzed. Results showed that the tendencies to cram grammatical items...
This study will report on how skills integration and communication strategies (CSs) develop Japanese senior high school students’ communicative competence (CC). Results from surveys, speaking test results, written output, recorded and transcribed conversations, and student comments in interviews indicate students improve their CC. Appropriate materials and teacher collaboration are the keys...
This study explores the implementation of translanguaging pedagogies to enhance students’ critical awareness in content and language integrated learning (CLIL) lessons. Translanguaging pedagogies were adopted to facilitate students’ understanding, provide language support, create a safe space for dialogue, and promote language use without fear of mistakes. This presentation demonstrates how...
The presenters have developed scales to assess the English proficiency of school teachers in classroom settings, initially focusing on upper elementary grades. In this workshop, a new scale for middle elementary grades is introduced for participants to understand the differences in English proficiency required between various elementary grades. By assessing short videos of English activities,...
This study examines how to incorporate peer feedback during activities, focusing on pair and group work. The teacher conducted a three-hour practicum at junior and high schools, aiming to guide students on how to provide feedback to one another. The findings on how to provide effective instruction and how to make appropriate learning materials will be discussed.
The presenters will outline a project that sought to better understand the homestay component of a year-long study abroad (SA) program for second-year university students. While data from interviews with eight participants revealed a divergence of experiences, three common narratives emerged: how expectations differed from reality, how they used coping strategies to negotiate difficulties, and...
This session explores how audio journals support CEFR B2- learners in developing personal and rhetorical voices in academic debate (Matsuda, 2015). Through a structured sequence of mock trials, debates, and reflective audio journals, students can deepen connections between spoken and written argumentation. We will discuss task design, sequencing, and assessment challenges while demonstrating...
Sponsored by Oxford University Press
Along with developing English language skills, fostering a wide range of global skills prepares students for an increasingly complex world. To bring together these skills, an inquiry-based approach provides a powerful framework for teaching and learning. This presentation examines this framework, with attention to how essential questions prime students for...
This presentation explores the effectiveness of a vowel training program designed to help native Japanese EFL learners improve their pronunciation of American English (AE) mid-vowels. The experimental group trained using a vowel space interface that provided both auditory and visual input through color-coded vowel representations, while the control group received only auditory training. This...
This study explores effective pedagogical strategies for engaging mixed-ability English learners in Japanese universities. Collaborative tasks and peer learning proved most effective, while differentiated instruction, tiered assignments, and culturally relevant materials enhanced engagement. Structured group work supported weaker students, and multimodal approaches improved comprehension and...
This presentation explores how repetition and self-recording improve EFL learners’ listening skills. Using TOEIC materials, students repeatedly practiced passages, recorded and reviewed their performance, and received peer feedback, fostering automatization and metacognitive awareness. Post-test results showed improved comprehension, suggesting this interactive, self-regulated approach...
This study examines how the AI translation tool DeepL Write affects learners’ self-recognition, particularly their self-reflection on changes in their learning processes. Thirty first-year literature students participated in a six-month Academic Writing course, completing in-class writing tasks with DeepL Write for revisions. Self-assessment data collected before and after the course showed...
Sponsored by Nellie’s English Books
This practical presentation introduces the newly-revised scrapbook-based book In My Life where the students are the knowers who create scrapbook pages (either paper or digital) based on their lives used to promote conversations and presentations. This presentation will describe the book and activities in each unit, the special features of the book such as...
Retelling is a powerful EFL strategy for developing speaking, listening, and comprehension skills. This hands-on workshop introduces a multimodal, disciplinary approach, helping adolescent learners think and communicate like professionals. Participants explore step-by-step scaffolds including visuals, disciplinary personas, structured stem sentences, and oral/presentation options, all aligned...
Research shows music in EFL classrooms enhances vocabulary, pronunciation, and motivation, while art fosters curiosity and engagement. Few activities combine both, missing opportunities to boost language retention and creativity. This workshop presents a practical activity that integrates music, art, and language learning, strengthening English skills, engagement, and creative expression....
Getting Japanese students to speak in class can be difficult, as cultural factors often inhibit communication. Based on 25 years of experience, I’ll share nine practical, classroom-tested strategies that work with those realities. I’ll demonstrate simple, adaptable techniques to build momentum and create a positive classroom dynamic—regardless of student level or motivation. This workshop...
Sponsored by TAIP
Join us for an engaging and practical workshop on “Routines, Transitions, and Setting Children Up for Success in the Early Years.” This session will explore how thoughtful daily routines and smooth transitions can create a sense of security, independence, and confidence in young children. Through real-life examples, reflection, and shared strategies, participants will...
This presentation illustrates the current state of naming conventions used in Japan and internationally for Japanese names written in English. Politics and culture are clashing with language norms affecting content to be taught and to be learned in the classroom. The presentation will quantify the number of major government agencies, companies, universities, and research journals in Japan...
Sponsored by Oxford University Press
LoiLoNote and LAURA can improve your students’ learning and speaking when matched with Let’s Go. LoiLoNote is currently adopted by more than 50% of Japanese schools and is an easy-to-use digital platform that will connect your students in an interactive way with the Let’s Go content. LAURA is an AI chatbot that is designed to complement each unit of Let’s...
This presentation examines Japan’s textbook regulation system and its influence on the development of classroom materials. It highlights how state policy decisions intersect with curriculum design, pedagogy, and broader sociopolitical discourses surrounding English education. By situating textbook regulation within current debates on language policy, the presentation underscores how...
This forum brings together five language program coordinators currently working at universities in Japan. They will discuss various challenges and triumphs related to their experience with: hiring and faculty development, curriculum development and implementation, testing and placement, dealing with faculty changeover, pushback from administration and other stakeholders, and more. This will be...
ALTs in Japan often face unclear roles and limited training. This reflective presentation follows an ALT’s growth into a more independent, pedagogically aware teacher through their graduate studies and experience. Drawing from various teacher identity and pedagogical theories, it will highlight how reflection and targeted training aided in team teaching development and professional growth....
This study investigates the effectiveness of creative drama on anxiety and creativity in foreign language learning among Japanese junior high school students. Creative drama, which emphasizes the aspects of creative imagination and expression, collaboration and confidence, is considered a powerful tool for foreign language learning. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of...
This research uses conversation analysis to examine the interactions between a novice teacher during a practicum and students in an EAP class at an English-medium university in Japan. The study not only focuses on the communicative strategies and management practices the teacher used to direct the classroom discourse, but also analyzes their effectiveness.
Adopting conversation analysis, this presentation examines potentially ambiguous methods of signaling breakdowns in communication. These include practices such as "What?" and "Sorry?", along with embodied conduct like leaning toward a speaker. Analysis of video-recorded L2 interactions will demonstrate how participants collaboratively identify the cause of interactional trouble and work to...
This session presents the design of a university-level Cross-Cultural Course in Japan that integrates a GenAI-based chatbot to scaffold self-reflective, introspective, pragmatically informed conversations for developing Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) in university-level students. Grounded in leading theoretical models of ICC, the course helps students explore cultural...
This presentation provides a practical guide to the business aspects of independent textbook publishing. It covers ISBN registration, printing options, storage, distribution, and marketing strategies. Attendees will learn how to manage costs, gain customers, and work with printers and distributors. The session also explores budgeting, common pitfalls, and the risks and rewards of...
Japanese EFL learners often struggle to express disagreement due to cultural constraints. As part of an ongoing research series, this collaborative study builds on previous findings related to discussion topics and linguistic features, to examine how a presenter-developed pragmatic guidebook, integrated with video-based practice can support learners in developing friendly disagreement...
When considering global human resource education, "negotiation skills" are crucial. However, practical negotiation training in English is rare in universities. Understanding international cooperation is also vital for those active in the global community. This paper uses the "Trade Game" based on TBLT to teach negotiation expressions. Students practiced negotiation strategies and gained...
Traditional presentations in ESL and EAP classrooms often heighten anxiety and restrict authentic communication. This session explores alternative formats—such as PechaKucha, video-recorded speeches, impromptu speeches, and poster presentations —that encourage student confidence, creativity, and collaboration. Drawing on classroom observations, surveys, and student reflections, the...
Much of the research discussion on best practice regarding inclusivity places the onus on the teacher to provide accessible lesson content and foster a welcoming atmosphere. This is at odds with language pedagogy’s emphasis on ‘student-centered’ approaches to learning. This presentation offers a solution that uses knowledge of L1-related social and cultural forms to produce a classroom...
This study examines the experiential, social, and informational influences on students’ attitudes to English and English-speaking countries. A survey of 122 Japanese students investigated their overseas experiences, their impressions of English-speaking countries, sources of information about these countries, willingness to study English overseas, and their attitudes to learning English....
This three-year longitudinal study aimed to investigate student experiences in their EMI undergraduate courses and consider the implications for the teaching of EAP. Using narrative analysis and analysis of narratives to make sense of the data, this presentation focuses on one of the main themes which emerged: the impact that the participants’ perceptions of their classmates had on their...
Study abroad can be an effective way for students in Japan to cultivate skills, knowledge and attitudes associated with global jinzai, but few studies have explored students’ experiences post study abroad. This presentation reports on the results of seven mini focus groups (N=14) convened at various universities in Japan, to explore the challenges experienced by students after returning to...
This study explores a four-skills integrated course for second-year university students, using Generative AI for scaffolding and automated feedback. The course aims to enhance speaking and writing skills through cyclical learning tasks and foster personal growth via reflections and surveys. Preliminary findings suggest that incorporating Generative AI effectively boosts language proficiency...
横浜市立南吉田小学校は、2025年4月現在、全校児童577人の半数以上（58.5%）が外国籍または外国につながる児童（以下外国籍等児童）で、つながる国や地域は20におよぶグローバル化のすすんだ学校である。学校では、増え続ける外国籍等児童の日本語教育と多文化共生教育に力を入れ、学校教育目標の一つに「多様性を尊重できる子ども」を掲げ「誰一人取り残さない」をモットーに様々な取組を行っている。(JALT Junior Plenary Session)
This study examines how first-year Japanese university students write the Methods section of IMRaD-style research papers in an EAP course. Using a Swalesian genre-based approach, we analyzed a sample of student papers to identify rhetorical moves and steps. Findings highlight challenges in structuring procedural descriptions and integrating visual elements, which existing genre models do not...
Secondary school EFL teachers seeking to create inclusive, accessible classrooms often wonder where to start. This practical session introduces a framework to help educators identify and address barriers, boosting student engagement and learning progress. Hear real-life examples from the presenter’s experience, and explore ways to adapt these strategies to your own classroom. **Join this...
Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) has been the foundation for teaching English in primary and secondary education. In this presentation, we will discuss how CLT is implemented in English lessons at the primary level, and we will showcase various activities that teachers can use in their elementary, junior high, and high school English classrooms. Whether you are an Assistant Language...
This study examines English learning motivation among 366 Japanese elementary students (grades 3–6). Exploratory factor analysis identified four dimensions: confidence, school-specific motivation, intrinsic motivation, and future-use motivation. ANOVA revealed significant declines in confidence, school-specific, and future-use motivation after grade 3, while intrinsic motivation remained...
Kevin Cleary Invited Speaker Workshop
Kinsella Valies
This hands-on collaborative research workshop expands on key strategies for intercultural and collaborative research in English language education. Through interactive activities and reflection, participants learn how to identify suitable collaborators, manage cultural dynamics, and establish equitable authorship and planning processes....
Quantification of L2 proficiency is important yet challenging, especially when considering the ecological validity of the assessment. In this study we use an online transcription experiment to explore perception of English sentences in noise by Japanese listeners. Results show that listeners with higher TOEIC scores perform better than listeners with lower scores, but only for low-noise...
AI is here to assist and enhance human-centric language teaching and learning, not replace or negate it. Established theories remain relevant in guiding practice: learners need comprehensible input, meaningful output and interaction, fluency practice, and feedback. Eigo.AI helps students reach the recommended 2,500+ hours of intentional study with a comprehensive library of AI-generated,...
This workshop introduces a research project exploring the dynamic nature of foreign language motivation, focusing on engagement (approach motivation), resistance (avoidance motivation), and mixed states—an interplay between engagement and resistance. Participants will learn about the Linguaculture Motivation Profiler, a psychometric tool developed by the team, and gain insights from findings...
This study investigates the impact of a buddy system in a Japan–Philippines study abroad program. Seventeen Japanese students studied in the Philippines for one month and were paired with Filipino buddies. Surveys and interviews examined effects on English proficiency, cultural understanding, and social integration, as well as Filipino buddies’ perspectives. Findings show the buddy system...
Phrasal verbs (PVs) – "take off" or "put on" – are tricky for Japanese students. This study tested two teaching methods: guessing and correcting errors vs. direct teaching. Results showed students who remembered their errors learned better. While both methods worked, direct teaching helped students master more PVs. Teachers can help by encouraging students to track their errors and focusing on...
This curriculum design project aims to enhance ESP/ESAP courses for
undergraduate design major international students preparing to study abroad. The course addresses current limitations in ESP courses, including the lack of integration with design-specific content, reliance on traditional teaching methods, and insufficient use of
authentic materials. The course will be based on a tailored...
This study examines the longitudinal development of Japanese university students’ English academic writing through a four-year comparison. The experimental group received a 15-week SFL-GBA course, while the control group followed skill-based instruction. The SFL-GBA group showed notable improvements in organization, vocabulary, and genre conventions, influenced by study abroad and...
The workshop will introduce a module in which students created original short films within a communicative English class. Activities were carefully structured to highlight essential processes and linguistic features required to make an effective short movie. Consequently, it was unnecessary to teach filmmaking skills specifically. Success in this context focused on students demonstrating...
‘Focus-on-form’ involves the treatment of linguistic form in the context of performing communicative tasks. I consider the rationale for this approach to teaching form and then describe some of the main methodological options for attending to form in communication under two main headings: ‘reactive focus-on-form’ and ‘pre-emptive focus-on-form’. The advantages and disadvantages of the...
Academic speaking requires structured strategies that help students make deeper connections and articulate ideas more effectively. This poster introduces hexagonal thinking as an interactive scaffolding strategy that fosters concept synthesis, vocabulary retention, and metacognitive awareness. Findings from a study at a Japanese university (n=20) show that this student-led approach promotes...
This presentation examines the longitudinal development of Interactional Competence (IC) in a Japanese learner of English during her year-long study abroad in the US. Using Conversation Analysis, naturally occurring conversations were analyzed for changes in her turn-taking, participation, and recipiency patterns. Findings reveal an expanded interactional repertoire, with greater initiative...
With the continuing challenges that Japan faces concerning its decreasing population, many universities have been searching for new, innovative programs to attract students. This poster presentation will introduce a collaboration between a Japanese and an American university by explaining the motivations for creating the program, describing the structure and implementation of the curriculum,...
This study examines how the CEFR is referenced and applied in English syllabi across 369 Japanese universities to gauge tertiary-level adoption. The analysis shows limited uptake and uneven usage, revealing a persistent gap between secondary and university practices. Findings indicate implementation remains in an early diffusion stage. Coordinated policy measures and institutional initiatives...
This study explores whether listening while reading is more effective than listening only in developing listening automaticity. Participants listened to texts whose speech rates increased by 10 words per minute (wpm) over the training sessions from 100 wpm to 180 wpm with and without the script, respectively. Degree of automaticity was measured through dual tasks consisting of listening to a...
From 2022 to 2024, two high school classes part of a partial-English immersion course in Kyoto participated in a world-wide project supported through UNESCO and the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) called “The Litter Less Campaign”. During this 3-year initiative, the two classes of the same cohort starting in year 1 participated in a number of scaffolded tasks to raise awareness to...
Microaggressions, or common exchanges that send subtle but denigrating messages, abound in everyday interactions today, communicating slights to minoritized individuals/communities. Often unintentional, repeated microaggressions from familiar and respected individuals can accumulate to cause distress and thus can be highly destructive. This presentation draws on Rapport Management Theory...
Sponsored by English Central
This session introduces MiMi Chat, a GenAI-powered tutor used at over 50 universities worldwide. Integrated with classroom-based English curricula, MiMi offers structured speaking practice and real-time feedback aligned with CEFR “CAN-DO” goals. Drawing on data from 15,000+ students, we present measurable gains in speaking output and confidence. Case studies span...
This study examines how classroom design affects active and inclusive language learning in a Japanese university. Observations of Australian classrooms identified four key factors required for active and inclusive lessons: dead space, cross-monitoring, comfort, and connection. A Japanese university study compared a flexible language lab and a traditional classroom, implementing strategies like...
In this Performance in Education (PIE) SIG Forum officers of the SIG will define PIE, give an overview of PIE activities, and each officer will describe one PIE area (speech, drama, debate, etc.), give examples of the PIE area activities, give one example of an activity, and provide references. The forum will end with a general discussion, including comments and Q&A with the audience.
Are you interested in the opportunities that JALT Publications offer to share your research findings and teaching ideas with a wider audience but are not sure how to do that? Editors from The Language Teacher, JALT Journal, and the JALT Postconference Publication will provide an overview of publication processes, including submissions and reviews, offer advice on preparing successful...
This presentation introduces Reason & Respond, a critical thinking coursebook for A2–B1 learners. Based on Hadley & Boon’s (2023) cyclical approach, the book helps students develop a critical mindset by distinguishing facts from opinions, spotting biases, listening actively, and evaluating arguments. The author will share an overview of Unit 1, where students learn to identify and support...
Choose-your-own-adventure stories (CYOAS) or branching narrative stories (BN) have been shown to increase motivation for both reading and writing. However, some online interactive stories and software can be too complicated for EFL students, especially for creating them. This presentation will show a simple method to teach students how to create these stories themselves using Google Slides....
This study explores first-year university students' concerns about using machine translation (MT) in English learning. It investigates how students perceive MT’s advantages and disadvantages, its impact on language acquisition and proficiency, and its role in autonomous learning. The study also examines differences in MT usage based on learning goals and addresses issues such as plagiarism.
This presentation explores Japanese university EFL teachers' perspectives on assessing critical thinking (CT) skills. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study analyzes survey data to uncover insights into assessment design, teacher confidence, and challenges. Findings highlight the need for clearer guidelines, professional training, and collaboration to enhance CT assessment. Practical...
This study investigates the effectiveness of AI-assisted shadowing in improving English pronunciation over one year. The participants were from two intact EFL classes. Class A recorded 40 audio clips and received teacher feedback, while Class B used an online application to complete the same exercises. The application provided feedback and a score for their recordings. Pre-test and post-test...
Teachers Helping Teachers (Helping Teachers) originally started by Bill Balsamo has for more than 20 years been introducing presenters for events organized by teachers in Laos, Krygzstan, Bangladesh and beyond. The first half of our forum will be the AGM and officer election for our SIG. The second half will focus on presentations on our current programs. The 2025 JALT Balsamo Scholar,...
Student engagement in English Communication classes is essential for improving English proficiency. The presenter will report on Cooperative learning principles and structures, showing how they can promote engagement in English Communication classes.
This workshop introduces a Global Englishes Language Teaching (GELT) approach that draws on students’ multilingual repertoires to build intercultural communication skills and awareness of diverse Englishes. Based on classroom practices at a Japanese university, the presenter demonstrates activities such as visual linguistic biographies, cross-language comparisons, and role-plays. Participants...
Experience a holistic yoga journey that blends mindful movement with deep rest. This all-levels Hatha Vinyasa class begins with grounding breathwork (pranayama) to centre the mind and awaken the body. Flow through a balanced sequence of dynamic and meditative poses, guided by conscious breath and gentle alignment. Aromatherapy enhances the sensory experience, inviting deeper relaxation and...
Developing communicative ability in a second language (L2) is a central goal for second language acquisition. Prior research highlights Willingness to Communicate (WTC) as key to L2 use, but the role of self-perceived communicative competence (SPCC) remains unclear. This study employs a mixed-methods design, combining SPCC and L2 use surveys with interviews to identify influential factors. The...
While English songs are beneficial materials for vocabulary development, it can be hard for teachers to select appropriate songs for their students. This presentation explores concrete and objective criteria to consider when selecting songs in the secondary school classroom.
This workshop will offer teachers of all levels ten simple ways to engage their neurodiverse students. After highlighting the most common types of neurodiversity teachers are likely to be faced with in their classrooms, the presenters will introduce practical hints for teachers, such as how to organize their classes, which fonts they should use for materials, how students should be grouped,...
This research investigates how people with disabilities are visually represented in EFL textbooks in Morocco and Japan through content analysis, critical discourse analysis, and semantic analysis. It examines both visual and linguistic elements, drawing particular attention to the connotations attached to disability in the sampled textbooks. This study seeks to uncover hidden cultural...
Sponsored by Duolingo
Conversational AI offers new ways to practice speaking, yet reliable assessment of learner progress in real-time dialogue remains a challenge. To address this, we developed an automated grader for Video Call with Lily, Duolingo’s conversation partner. Four expert raters scored over 800 learner responses using a CEFR-aligned rubric, achieving high agreement (r=.95)....
Collaborative learning is described as two or more students working together and sharing the workload equally to achieve a learning goal (Barkley, Major, & Cross, 2014). Group debate is an excellent way to introduce collaboration. This presentation will explain the implementation of group debates in university English classes during a unit about immigration. A focus on dividing debate work...
This workshop explores how the Harkness Method can enhance study abroad preparation and English language acquisition. By fostering critical thinking, student-led discussions, and active engagement, this approach equips learners with essential communicative and analytical skills. Participants will gain practical strategies for implementing Harkness style learning in diverse classroom settings,...
Emotion regulation is a crucial language teaching skill, mediating a range of classroom, health, and relational outcomes. Here, I report on a large-scale qualitative study that explored the emotion regulation performed by 15 non-Japanese teachers working at a Japanese university. I present examples of how the participants’ personal histories, relationships, institutions, and subjective...
Speaking reticence is widely observed in Japanese English classrooms (King, 2013). A different picture may emerge among learners of languages other than English (LOTEs) experiencing study abroad (SA). This presentation focuses on two students who improved significantly at speaking English during SA in France and Germany. Both showed introspective and introverted tendencies that aided their...
This presentation introduces practical activities and ideas for developing critical thinking skills, based on the In Focus series. Participants will discover useful techniques for developing critical thinking skills across a wide range of levels. Emphasis will be placed on engaging exercises that encourage questioning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Attendees will leave with a range of...
This study explores autonomous learning in a first-year English language course at a Japanese university. Students participated in project-based learning, managing four major projects: presentations, bulletin boards, a university magazine, and promotional videos. Findings show that these projects enhanced collaboration, motivation, organizational skills, and digital literacy. The study also...
Multiword Sequences (MWSs)—combinations of words that frequently appear together in speech or writing—are an important part of language proficiency. Having a creative, collaborative, and communicative means to support the teaching and learning of MWSs is essential. One such tool is Artificial Intelligence (AI). In this workshop, I will demonstrate how I have used Google Gemini and ChatGPT at...
Although MEXT requires us to conduct a lesson in English, challenges persist when teaching beginning-level learners. This presentation explores how teachers’ strategic code-switching influences their comprehension and classroom engagement, showing its pedagogical value within the constraints of English instruction in the Japanese high school context.
This curriculum development project aims to explore the growing demand for English in the global sports environment. By analyzing the current teaching situation, theoretical foundations, curriculum issues, and instructional strategies, the project proposes a modular course design based on English for Specific Purposes (ESP). The goal of the course is to enhance students' practical language...
Despite investing many hours and energy in learning Business English, many adult learners find themselves helpless when engaging in professional discussions. This presentation will explore ways to teach language learning strategies in lessons to build up learners’ discussion skills.
Language teaching is emotionally demanding, influenced by various institutional and sociocultural factors. Traditional professional development often adopts a deficit perspective, focusing on teacher shortcomings. Appreciative Inquiry offers a strengths-based alternative that fosters reflective practice. A study of Iranian in-service teachers found it supports wellbeing, self-efficacy, and...
Adolescence can be a stressful time for learners who lack the confidence to talk concretely about their talents, skills and goals for the future, and few high schools offer courses to help learners freely explore their identities, interests and career goals. The presenter would like to share how we can cultivate our students’ learner agency with English digital portfolios and how learners can...
In this presentation we evaluate our university’s study abroad programs, focusing on participants’ language proficiency gains and changes in intercultural awareness, sociocultural openness, and career awareness using a mixed-methods approach including pre-/post-tests of the TOEIC and the BEVI (Beliefs, Events, and Values Inventory). We draw on interview data to better understand students’...
According to Kintsch’s text comprehension theory, it is important that readers not only understand words, phrases, and structures of a text but also integrate the text information with their prior knowledge (i.e., build a situation model), making inferences about what the text says. This study examines whether/how tasks and activities developed for a lesson using a song helped learners build...
This presentation introduces a study abroad initiative program (SAIP) launched by the English Working Group at Yamagata University. Developed to encourage and assist first-year students interested in degree-based international exchange programs in English, the SAIP consists of three main initiatives: a series of CLIL classes, English Speaking Practice sessions, and mock IELTS tests. Following...
By creating a connection between academic curiosity and interpersonal compassion, students can develop an inquisitive mindset that seeks reasons for why things are the way they are. The presenter will describe how discussion-based learning in the classroom allows students and teachers to describe their views of topics both academically and personally. The presenter will also share how applying...
Oral presentation skills are essential to successful contemporary education in Japan. This workshop will review theories of motivation and engagement in language learning, along with our research model of learners’ attitudes toward presentations. We will then demonstrate how to enhance Japanese learners’ motivation and engagement through presentation practice. Additionally, we will present...
This study explores pre-service teachers’ views on AI in high school English education. A survey of university students examines AI’s role, benefits, challenges, and teaching implications. Findings highlight AI’s potential for personalized learning and efficiency, alongside concerns about over-reliance and ethics. The research emphasizes the need for training to balance AI integration with the...
This presentation explores the impact of writing method—handwritten versus smartphone-based—on the timed writing performance of Japanese university EFL students. The findings show that while total productivity remains consistent, writing methodologies significantly influence variability, consistency, and grammatical complexity. The session will offer ideas for integrating different writing...
This study explores essential workplace soft skills needed by English graduates from the Faculty of Letters, NUOL and how they can be integrated into English language teaching. Survey data from alumni reveals key skill gaps between current instruction and job market expectations. The study offers practical recommendations for curriculum improvement, teacher training, and student support,...
Edward Schaefer will report on an L2 writing assessment study that investigates whether a combination of many-facet Rasch measurement (MFRM) and cluster analysis can statistically identify differing rater types among 40 native English-speaker raters of English essays written by Japanese university students. MFRM revealed significant severe or lenient bias among a subgroup of the raters, while...
Teachers instinctively care about their students’ well-being as they understand that happy students learn better (Oishi et. al., 2009). Yet do we really understand what makes our students happy? In this presentation, I will share what I have learnt from three years of teaching a Positive Education elective in which students were assigned positive interventions based on Seligman’s (2009) PERMA+ model.
This workshop is tailored for English teachers new to IELTS. Attendees will learn about the fundamentals of the IELTS test format, scoring, and how it measures English proficiency. The session will provide practical strategies to help teachers guide their students effectively through each test component. Participants will explore a range of official and free resources to enhance their teaching...
This presentation will show the process of validating a pre-/post-test for an intensive listening study. The test is a modified TOEIC Listening Test, which was created from two valid sources and shortened in length. The participants are 37 first-year students at a women's university. The data was analyzed via Rasch analysis, and correlations with the standard scores from the listening section...
This presentation explores how primary school students in Vietnam use AI-powered language learning apps to study English, Japanese, and French. It examines their motivations, engagement with gamified features, and the impact on language skills and daily activities. Findings highlight the potential of AI to enhance self-directed learning, offering personalized, flexible, and engaging language...
Inclusive education exists to provide equal learning opportunities for all students, including those with dyslexia. Recognized as a learning difficulty specifically related to language learning, students with dyslexia are often unsupported during their language learning. Presented with these challenges, English language teachers are expected to have the practical knowledge and understanding of...
Each year, JALT awards up to three research grants to members with no outside funding sources. The goal of this presentation is to explain the details, requirements, and scheduling of the JALT Research Grants. Examples of previous research will be shared along with tips for strong applications. Participants will be able to ask questions and receive guidance on potential research projects...
Much research on autonomy support in Japan has focused on an
autonomy-supportive style. Relatively few empirical studies involve the scrutiny of the controlling style. This study will investigate the relationship between teachers’ beliefs and their motivating styles: autonomy-supportive behaviors and controlling behaviors in the Japanese university EFL context. A case study approach will...
This presentation critically examines language policy and planning (LPP) studies in Japan, focusing on the enactment of Teaching English in English (TEE) policy at JHS/SHS. Past research has emphasized individual factors and teacher agency, while not always examining contextual elements (e.g., budget or the Course of Study’s legal status) thoroughly. Using Critical Realism and empirical...
Sponsored by Macquarie University
This talk presents the multilingual mindset concept drawing from lived experiences of second language learners in Australia as presented in our recent book Life in a New Language.
Sponsored by Oxford University Press
In the age of AI, English education matters more than ever. This talk explores the conditions needed for AI to be meaningfully integrated into ELT, emphasizing that pedagogy—not technology—must come first. Neuroscience highlights why reading remains crucial in AI-driven environments. The session showcases Oxford Reading Club as a model case of AI-enhanced...
This presentation looks at introducing traditional Japanese arts as a formal part of the international student curriculum. The presenter draws on his experience of coordinating such a program for inbound students at a university in Osaka. Cultural exchange in authentic environments is the core component of the program, and the benefits and challenges of facilitating such courses are discussed.
This presentation is aimed at supporting current or future school owners and teachers teaching privately. It is sponsored by Language Teaching Professionals, but it it not commercial at all.
David Paul started teaching privately in an apartment in Hiroshima and within twelve years was employing 50 full-time staff in Hiroshima and had franchise schools in Korea and Thailand. His school also...
This 60-minute workshop is an activity-packed adventure where participants story-tell, dramatise, and build skills like in a classroom. They will read story cards, join drama-play with music and movement, and use props, story mats, puppets, cords, and acting cards. The session also includes practical tips on teaching storybooks, choosing suitable music, and integrating it into story-drama,...
Reported speech is a key language skill and this presentation reports on a survey of 220 ELT textbooks’ treatment of reported speech. Findings are that reported speech is often ignored or dealt with in a superficial manner. This presentation will review the relevant literature and explain the rationale and findings of the study. Participants should come away with a better understanding of the...
The Gender Awareness in Language Education Special Interest Group works towards building a supportive community of educators and researchers interested in raising awareness and researching the ways in which gender plays a role in language education and professional interaction. This forum features presentations on both the impact and instruction of gender in university settings, relevant to...
This session introduces a 4-level, 4-skills EFL course that develops students’ critical thinking skills while systematically improving their knowledge of essential high-frequency words with both in-text and online learning tools. Utilizing two key word lists from the New General Service List Project, Levels 1, 2, and 3 help students master essential general English vocabulary in the NGSL,...
This presentation explores teachers’ use of podcasting for professional development, focusing on dialogic co-construction of knowledge. A thematic analysis of 24 episodes spanning seven years identified prevalent interactive features, including knowledge activation, problematising, and strategising. Findings reveal how teachers balance performative and reflective speech and engage listeners...
This study examined the cross-modality correlations of listening and reading comprehension skills (TOEIC), aural and orthographic single and phrasal vocabulary. 76 Japanese university learners took five different tests: aural single/phrasal vocabulary tests, orthographic single/phrasal vocabulary tests, and TOEIC. Correlational analyses were employed and the findings suggest that listening...
Plenary Workshop
Shoko Sasayama
This workshop focuses on the design of effective vocabulary instruction as a way of fostering learners’ ability to communicate in the second language (L2). Working with examples from the Official TOEFL Vocabulary Guide, we will explore learner-centered techniques for designing tasks, lessons, individual practice, and assessments that will support L2 vocabulary...
This workshop demonstrates how to create Excel-based rubrics using drop-down menus for efficient and consistent assessment. Participants will learn to set up drop-downs for selecting scores and pre-written feedback comments, streamlining grading while improving feedback clarity. This method reduces workload and enhances standardisation. The session includes hands-on practice, so attendees...
Smartphones and social media have transformed digital communication, with short-form videos on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube shaping identity and language use. This study explores an English language learning project at a Japanese university, where students analyzed and created social media videos to examine linguistic and stylistic features. Through peer discussion and content analysis,...
Against the backdrop of declining student numbers and a desire to boost international competitiveness, Japanese higher education has increasingly focused on educating ‘global human resources’, namely workers with foreign language proficiency who can work flexibly with others across cultures (Yonezawa & Shimmi, 2017). This concept tends to stress identity as Japanese, reflecting the demands of...
Stories can be valuable tools for second language development and cultural exploration, especially when shared with language learners from different cultural backgrounds. This presentation introduces a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) exchange between Japanese and Romanian EFL learners, wherein students examined traditional folktales from the two cultures. At the end of the...
This is the JALT2025 TLT annual staff meeting. All current editors, copyeditors, proofreaders, and reviewers are encouraged to join, but anyone is welcome, especially those interested in volunteering to become a part of our team!
This pedagogical approach encourages students to guess intervening words in multi-word verbs (MWVs) and compare their guesses with data from the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA). This helps learners identify patterns in native speaker usage. The presentation explores how trigrams and 4-grams in the top 150 most frequent phrasal verbs (PVs) reveal the impact of intervening words...
With the increasing accuracy of translation software and advent of generative AI, traditional approaches to using project-based learning in language education have been thrown into chaos. This workshop will demonstrate how a backwards design approach can be used to identify potential threats to learning from AI, and how to structure projects that encourage creativity and active engagement in...
This presentation introduces a scalable model for supporting language learners beyond classroom boundaries. By integrating online resources, peer groups, and workshops into a self-access learning centre hosted on MS Teams, institutions can offer flexible, autonomous learning without physical space constraints. Attendees will gain insights into the development and management of this...
The promise of AI-assist writing tools like ChatGPT is enticing, but do they truly enhance writing skills? This study critically examines the impact of ChatGPT-assisted editing on university students’ writing. Measuring length, relevance, linguistic diversity, and accuracy, the research contrasts AI-assisted editing with traditional self-editing. Findings challenge optimistic claims about AI’s...
This presentation proposes applying Geert Hofstede's six-dimensional model of national cultures, a popular theory in social psychology, to intercultural pragmatic research as a supplement to politeness theories. The presenter reports on a study analyzing Vietnamese and Japanese students' compliment and compliment response emails, as well as their feedback from a post-project questionnaire. The...
This longitudinal qualitative study explores how Japanese international students secure English-mediated socializing opportunities and grow as TL users and individuals during study abroad (SA). Thematic coding was conducted within the frameworks of situated learning (Lave & Wenger, 1994) and affinity space (Gee, 2004). Findings will be presented as enriched narratives, revealing dynamic social...
This workshop will present how graphic organizers can become language barriers-free and child-friendly tools for teachers of younger learners to make their learners more metacognitively aware of their speech performances. The presenter will show how graphic organizers such as the Y chart, the pyramid chart, the KWLT chart and other graphic organizers were employed to make self- and peer...
This presentation investigates how foreign English teachers learn Japanese in Japan. Combining 3 data sets, two qualitative and one quantitative, this study examines what influences foreign English teachers' Japanese learning and whether Dörnyei's L2 Motivational Self System can account for their motivations. This study found that language ideologies significantly influence how foreign English...
This presentation aims to explore 150 Japanese English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) teachers’ confidence in teaching second language (L2) writing classes in secondary educational contexts. Data were collected from through a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Findings indicated that teachers with low confidence had limited L2 writing pedagogy expertise and experience and relied on...
The current study examines how Japanese university students' motivation to learn English changes over four years. The participants are 45 English majors. All of them complete questionnaires and some participate in follow-up interviews at the end of each semester. The data collected so far shows various changes in motivation and development of English abilities. Many internal, social, and...
A content-focused approach is essential to teaching legal concepts in English, yet in practice, this is rarely the case. (Coleman&Albertson, 2021) This workshop will introduce principles for designing a content-focused course on Legal English and showcase how they are applied in practice. Reflecting on the process of syllabus design, we will demonstrate how to fill knowledge gaps in legal...
Sponsored by National Geographic Learning
The presenter will introduce the follow-up textbook to the highly successful Working in Japan. The new textbook features video interviews with 14 people from around the world who have built successful careers in Japan. Students can become more familiar with World Englishes, learn about cultural differences in the workplace, and consider their own...
Students taking compulsory course may have limited motivation to complete tasks in the language classroom. This presentation focuses on the non-linguistic outcome of tasks, and its importance in providing an authentic reason for students to engage with and complete a task. Practical examples are provided, where students will be focused on task outcome and therefore actively take part in the task.
Sponsored by Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Despite the amount of assessment of students’ English, we often hear the following frustrations: 1) Proper implementation of placement tests is difficult. 2) Placement tests focus on just reading and listening. 3) Assessment rarely translates into useful feedback for students. 4) Formative assessment is often (too) level-specific. The...
Keeping track of students’ self-selected vocabulary can inform syllabus design and adaption. This presentation compares prescribed vocabulary from several commonly used English language textbooks, with that of the most frequent self-selected vocabulary from 10 semester-long English communication classes (367 students). Documenting the most sought-after vocabulary from students can guide...
Many universities in Japan that have not traditionally been destinations for inbound international students are now actively trying to host them. They need to consider what is necessary for a department to become a destination for international students: what marketing is necessary?; what curriculum is necessary?; and what processing infrastructure is necessary? The presenters will talk about...
Co-sponsored by the Hokkaido Chapter and Bilingualism SIG
This panel emphasizes languages classified as heritage, minority or ethnic endangered languages. The panelists will outline the emergence and emerging efforts on revitalization, related to Welsh as a success story, then on Southern Ryukyuan's especially on Miyakoan, Yaeyaman and Dunan languages as a live multilingually challenge and as...
