October Forum
DW 406
Meijo University Nagoya Dome Mae Campus
Join JALT Nagoya-Gifu, JALT Toyohashi, and TBLT SIG for the Grand Forum. The event will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, with doors opening at 12:30 pm. This event is held at Meijo University Nagoya Dome Mae campus near Ozone Station (JR, Subway, and Meitetsu) and Nagoya Dome Mae Yada Station (Subway). It is free for undergraduate students, members, and first-time guests. It is 1,000 yen for non-JALT members. Please enjoy the materials displayed by ABAX Publishing and the coffee from Warm Heart Coffee while listening to presentations from Dr. Natsuko Shintani, Dr. Justin Harris, local presenters, and student posters. Hope to see you there!
Schedule
1:05-1:55pm: Dr. Natsuko Shintani
Title: Bridging Theory and Practice: Using Tasks in the EFL Classroom
Abstract: In this talk, I will examine task-based language teaching (TBLT) as an approach to developing learners’ communicative competence. The talk will address several key questions for applied linguistics and pedagogy. What constitutes a task? How can tasks support the development of communicative competence? And how can they be effectively integrated into classrooms? I will begin by explaining the importance of learning through communication, drawing on insights from second language acquisition theory. Next, I will discuss the principles of task design and show how tasks can be adapted to different contexts and proficiency levels. Practical classroom examples will be used to illustrate these points. I will also distinguish between task-based and task-supported instruction, highlighting their different rationales and areas of application. Finally, I will consider how tasks can serve not only as teaching tools but also as instruments for assessing communicative competence.
Bio: Natsuko Shintani is a Professor in the Faculty of Foreign Language Studies at Kansai
University. Her research focuses on the intersection of second language instruction and
acquisition, with a particular emphasis on task-based language teaching, second language
writing, and L2 pragmatic development. She has extensive experience teaching applied
linguistics at the master’s and doctoral levels internationally, having taught at Nanyang
Technological University in Singapore and the University of Auckland in New Zealand. She co-authored Exploring Language Pedagogy through Second Language Acquisition
Research (Routledge), and Task-Based Language Teaching: Theory and Practice (Cambridge University Press).
SESSION 2: LOCAL SHORT PRESENTATION
SESSION 3: STUDENTS' POSTER PRESENTATION
4:40-5:25 pm: Justin Harris
Title: Utilising the non-linguistic outcome to create engaging language learning tasks
Abstract: In task-based language teaching (TBLT), one of the key principles is that tasks should lead to a non-linguistic outcome, but this is often misunderstood. When used effectively, such outcomes can boost motivation and engagement. This talk will use classroom examples to show how outcomes can enhance learners’ enjoyment and support successful language learning.
Bio: Justin Harris is a professor at Kindai University in Osaka, Japan. He has been teaching for over 20 years in many contexts in Japan, including elementary schools, secondary schools, and universities, as well as conducting in-service teacher training. His research interests focus on language learner motivation, particularly in relation to task-based language teaching (TBLT). His research papers have appeared in journals such as Language Learning, Language Awareness, and Language Teaching Research. Justin is the founder and president of the JALT TBLT special interest group, and he is the conference chair of the biennial TBLT in Asia