JALT Events Calendar

The JALT Calendar is where you'll find information about events hosted by JALT chapters and SIGs (Special Interest Groups). This calendar contains 57 upcoming events (and 2033 past events in our archive). Our JALT conferences page provides a concise overview of our various conferences. Below you'll find upcoming events over the next few weeks; for additional options, see the links under the "find events" menu on the right.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 10th, 2008

JALT Pan-SIG Conference 2008

Sponsor: Annual Pan-SIG Conference
Speaker: TBA
Time: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM (Sat., May 10)
Fee (JALT members): TBA
Fee (One-Day members): TBA
Prefecture: Kyoto
City: Kyoto
Venue: Doshisha University, Shinmachi Campus, Kyoto
Description: Presentation Proposal Request: Description: The organizing committee of the JALT Pan-SIG Conference 2008 invites all interested applied linguistic researchers to submit presentation proposals. Please note that research in any area of applied linguistics will be ... read more

7th Annual Pan-Sig Conference in Kyoto

Sponsor: Kyoto Chapter
Speaker: Plenary Speakers: Dr. Tim Murphey, Junko Yamanaka
Time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Sat., May 10)
Fee (JALT members): 1 day on site 5,500 yen/ 2 day on site 8,500 yen
Fee (One-Day members): 1 day on site 6,000 yen/ 2 day on site 10,000 yen
Prefecture: Kyoto
City: Kyoto
Venue: Doshisha University - Shinmachi Campus
Description: Seven of JALT's Special Interest Groups and the Kyoto Chapter invite you to the Seventh Annual Pan-SIG Conference. The conference theme of "Diversity and Convergence, education with integrity" will be explored by seven disciplines within ... read more

Exploring the ESP Paradigm: From Theory to Practice

Sponsor: CUE SIG
(the College and University Educators Special Interest Group)
Speaker:
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sat., May 10)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Hyogo
City: Himeji
Venue: Himeji Dokkyo University, Himeji, Japan
Description: (This event is co-sponsored by JALT CUE SIG.) 日時：　2008年5月10日(土曜日)　10 May, 2008 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.　受付は9:30 a.m.より　Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. 対象：　英語教育に興味のある方々　 Those interested in English education 場所：　姫路獨協大学　講義棟4階セミナールーム Himeji Dokkyo University, Classroom Bldg. ... read more

Wisconsin and Japan Cultural Differences

Sponsor: Yamagata Chapter
Speaker: Heather Dow
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (Sat., May 10)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 800 yen
Prefecture: Yamagata
City: Yamagata
Venue: Yamagata Kajo Kominkan Sogo Gakushu Center, Shironishi-machi 2-chome, 2-15, Tel. 0236-45-6163
Description: The speaker has been an ALT for one and a half years in three Yamagata high schools. She will share the cultural differences she has encountered and what affect it has had in her teaching ... read more

Gender Equality: Teaching Beyond Grammar

Sponsor: Kitakyushu Chapter
Speaker: Stefanie Tacata
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Sat., May 10)
Fee (JALT members): 0
Fee (One-Day members): 1000 yen
Prefecture: Fukuoka
City: Kitakyushu
Venue: Kitakyushu International Conference Center, room 31 (a 5-minute walk from the Kokura train station for shinkansen, JR train)
Description: The inextricable link between language and culture is indisputable. ESL educators must understand that their responsibilities to their students are multi-faceted. They are not only teaching a language, but redefining their students' cultural paradigm. Their ... read more

Sunday, May 11th, 2008

"Almost Zero Prep Activities" & “Error Analysis of High School Student Essays”

Sponsor: Omiya Chapter
Speaker: Conrad Matsumoto & Asako Kato
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., May 11)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1000 yen
Prefecture: Saitama
City: Omiya
Venue: Sakuragi Kominkan. 5F (near Omiya Station, west exit, see map).
Description: "Almost Zero Prep Activities" Fun and easy warm-ups, games and activities that require very little preparation or materials. Most of these are adaptable to use from elementary age students to adults. At the end, participants ... read more

A Health Topic for Healthy Students: Teaching about HIV/AIDS in the EFL classroom

Sponsor: Matsuyama Chapter
Speaker: Louise Haynes, Director, Japan AIDS Prevention Awareness Network; English Lecturer, Nagoya City University
Time: 2:15 PM - 4:20 PM (Sun., May 11)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Ehime
City: Matsuyama
Venue: Shinonome High School Kinenkan 4F
Description: This demonstration will present practical ideas on how to raise the issue of HIV/AIDS in the Japanese EFL classroom. The presenter will show how to keep students' affective filter low and interest high when dealing ... read more

Saturday, May 17th, 2008

Can we teach humour in EFL classes?

Sponsor: Nagasaki Chapter
Speaker: Richard Hodson, University of Nagasaki, Siebold.
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Sat., May 17)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1000 yen
Prefecture: Nagasaki
City: Nagasaki
Venue: Dejima Koryu Kaikan, 4F (this is the large white building next to Dejima Wharf and Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum; take #5 streetcar to Shiminbyoinmae stop, or take #1 streetcar to Dejima stop.)
Description: For our fourth meeting of 2008, our presenter explains that "if you have ever tried to tell a joke in a foreign language, or to introduce a funny story in class, you will probably recognize ... read more

Teaching English Through Drama

Sponsor: Nara Chapter
Speaker: Kathy Emori
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sat., May 17)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): TBA
Prefecture: Nara
City: Nara
Venue: Tezukayama University Gakuenmae Campus (JALT2004 Conference Site) Facing South Exit of Gakuenmae Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line
Description: Teaching English through drama is gaining momentum in the EFL community, and with good reason. With the right approach, drama techniques can be an effective way to help students loosen up, think outside the box, ... read more

Materials Creation for Professional Development

Sponsor: East Shikoku Chapter
Speaker: Neil Heffernan, English Education Center, Ehime University
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Sat., May 17)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Kochi
City: Kochi
Venue: Kochi Women's University, Eikokuji Campus, Kochi City, 2nd floor, administration building (10 meters from main entrance). 5-15 Eikokuji-cho, Kochi City.
Description: Creating and writing textbooks can be a rewarding experience for professionals who wish to further their development as both EFL teachers and practitioners in Japan. Although writing a textbook can be a long and arduous ... read more

There's A Book Inside All of Us

Sponsor: Miyazaki Chapter
Speaker: Paul Moritoshi
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sat., May 17)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Miyazaki
City: Miyazaki
Venue: Miyazaki Municipal University, Kenkyu Kogi Toh 3F, Room 310, Funatsuka 1-1-2, Miyazaki-shi (Tel: 0985-20-2000)
Description: It has been said that "There's a book inside all of us," but how does one go about writing a persuasive publishing proposal for an EFL textbook? For some, the process seems so intimidating, confusing ... read more

Thinking Podcasting? Think Again.

Sponsor: Okayama Chapter
Speaker: Alex McAulay, Yokohama University
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sat., May 17)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Okayama
City: Okayama
Venue: Okayama University, (FLEC) General Education Building B, 3rd floor. map:http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/en/tsushima_e.html
Description: The hype in CALL is currently settled on podcasting. However, teachers thinking of producing their own podcasts need to begin by addressing two issues: (a) the complexity involved in the undertaking, and (b) how to ... read more

Two Presentations by Terry Fellner

Sponsor: Fukuoka Chapter
Speaker: Terry Fellner, Saga University
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM (Sat., May 17)
Fee (JALT members): Free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Fukuoka
City: Fukuoka
Venue: Fukuoka Jo Gakuin Tenjin Satellite Campus (9F), Tenjin 2-8-38, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi map
Description: Presentation 1: Dealing with student plagiarism, a processed-based portfolio approach to academic writing. A concern among foreign language instructors is that of student plagiarism. The ease of finding materials online and copying portions of text ... read more

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

1. Building your own interactive whiteboard: methods and applications 2. Extensive reading with low level learners

Sponsor: Chiba Chapter
Speaker: 1. Nick Delleman 2. Fiona MacGregor
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Sun., May 18)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Chiba
City: Chiba
Venue: SATY Bunka Hall, Room 3 (4th Floor), 1 min. walk from Inage Station east exit on JR Sobu Line, map
Description: 1. The interactive whiteboard may soon be a feature of all language classrooms. With a little ingenuity and 6000 yen, teachers can introduce the technology into any space with a projector or television. The process ... read more

From Research to Video Blog: A Final Project for Japanese University Students

Sponsor: Gunma Chapter
Speaker: John Spiri
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Sun., May 18)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1000 yen
Prefecture: Gunma
City: Maebashi
Venue: Maebashi Kyoai Gakuen College, 1154-4 Koyahara-machi, Maebashi, Gunma (tel: 027-266-7575)
Description: University students in Japan can benefit by conducting research in English. The presenter will describe a final project for first and second year students at a university of technology in Japan involving research, writing, revising, ... read more

Prepare Your Students for Academic Studies

Sponsor: Hiroshima Chapter
Speaker: Eri Okuda (Oxford University Press)
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., May 18)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Hiroshima
City: Hiroshima
Venue: Hiroshima Peace Park, International Conference Center 3F.
Description: Students will cope much better in study-abroad programs if they are adequately prepared with the strategies they need to listen, take notes, and discuss ideas independently and confidently. Through her own anecdotes, Ms. Okuda will ... read more

Saturday, May 24th, 2008

Lesson Planning: As Easy As Pie!

Sponsor: Akita Chapter
Speaker: Lesley Ito
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Sat., May 24)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen for one-day members, 500 yen for students
Prefecture: Akita
City: Akita
Venue: Room B103 at AIU (Akita International University)
Description: Lesley Ito, owner of BIG BOW English Lab in Nagoya will present a simple and easy-to-use "Pie Chart" system for consistently creating high quality, balanced lesson plans and for keeping a manageable record of what ... read more

Themed Tasks for the Communicative Classroom

Sponsor: Kobe Chapter
Speaker: Marcos Benevides
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Sat., May 24)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1000 yen
Prefecture: Hyogo
City: Kobe
Venue: Kobe YMCA (2-7-15 Kano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe. tel: 078-241-7204)
Description: The speaker will demonstrate a 'strong' task-based approach to communicative teaching. This will be based on his co-authored title, Widgets (2008 Longman), but will also be relevant to teachers seeking to develop their own task-based ... read more

Sunday, May 25th, 2008

Annual Picnic & Barbecue

Sponsor: Toyohashi Chapter
Speaker: none
Time: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM (Sun., May 25)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Aichi
City: Toyohashi
Venue: Toyohashi Ryokuchi Koen (Takashi station, Atsumi Line)
Description: Toyohashi JALT will hold its annual May barbecue and picnic at the usual place, in Takashi Ryokuchi Park. Everyone is welcome - members, guests and visitors - and although barbecue will be provided, we would ... read more

Lesson Planning: As Easy As Pie!

Sponsor: Iwate Chapter
Speaker: Lesley Ito
Time: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Sun., May 25)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1000 yen
Prefecture: Iwate
City: Morioka
Venue: Aiina, Morioka
Description: Lesley Ito, owner of BIG BOW English Lab in Nagoya will present a simple and easy-to-use "Pie Chart" system for consistently creating high quality, balanced lesson plans and for keeping a manageable record of what ... read more

Elementary school English education: What can be done?

Sponsor: Shizuoka Chapter
Speaker: Machiko Fujiwara (Seigakuin University), Chizuko Aiba (Tokyo Denki University), and Brian Byrd (Seigakuin University)
Time: 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM (Sun., May 25)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1000 yen
Prefecture: Shizuoka
City: Shizuoka
Venue: Kyouiku Kaikan (across from Shin-Shizuoka) in the basement (5-minute walk north from JR station)
Description: The presenters have been working together in the field of elementary school English for more than 20 years. Seeking "the development of Japanese who can use English," we have used our original methods for teaching ... read more

Using a CALL Classroom to Teach English through Drama

Sponsor: Hokkaido Chapter
Speaker: Hitoshi Eguchi, Hokusei Gakuen University
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:45 PM (Sun., May 25)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Hokkaido
City: Sapporo
Venue: Hokusei Gakuen University, Oyachi, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo
Description: The benefits of using drama in language teaching have been explored by many language teachers. The pragmatic aspects of language can be taught with relative ease by putting students in a realistic context for language ... read more

Dynamic Presentations

Sponsor: Sendai Chapter
Speaker: Mike Hood
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., May 25)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1000 yen
Prefecture: Miyagi
City: Sendai
Venue: Aoba-ku Chuo Shimin Center (formerly called "Ichiban-cho Shimin Center") 2-1-4 Ichiban-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, 980-0811
Description: This presentation/workshop examines the difficulties Japanese students face as they attempt to make presentations in English. The aim is to equip teachers with knowledge and tools to better assist their students. Though the textbook Dynamic ... read more

Saturday, May 31st, 2008

JALTCALL 2008: New Frontiers in CALL: Negotiating Diversity

Sponsor: CALL SIG
(the Computer Assisted Language Learning Special Interest Group)
Speaker: Phil Hubbard Ph.D.
Time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Sat., May 31)
Fee (JALT members): 10,000
Fee (One-Day members): 12,000
Prefecture: Aichi
City: Nagoya
Venue: Nagoya University of Commerce & Business
Description: The theme of the JALTCALL 2007 Conference is "New Frontiers in CALL: Negotiating Diversity". Presentations may include the following areas: The impact of new and emerging CALL technologies Relationships between CALL and other disciplines, languages ... read more

Saturday, June 7th, 2008

Creating English Theater with EFL Students

Sponsor: Yamagata Chapter
Speaker: Christopher Gregory
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (Sat., June 07)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 800 yen
Prefecture: Yamagata
City: Yamagata
Venue: Yamagata Kajo Kominkan Sogo Gakushu Center, Shironishi-machi 2-chome, 2-15, Tel. 0236-45-6163
Description: From simple class projects to more elaborate productions, theater is a versatile English teaching tool for students of all ages and skill levels. This presentation will focus on how to effectively build language skills through ... read more

Critical Approaches to Teaching Writing: Mindfulness and the power of "no"

Sponsor: Gunma Chapter
Speaker: Marlen Harrison
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Sat., June 07)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1000 yen
Prefecture: Gunma
City: Maebashi
Venue: Maebashi Kyoai Gakuen College, 1154-4 Koyahara-machi, Maebashi, Gunma (tel: 027-266-7575)
Description: As "World Englishes" continue to dominate discussions of writing pedagogy, instructors ponder acceptable uses/performances of written language. In this lively discussion, we'll use Thich Nhat Han's Mindfulness Trainings as inspiration to consider L2 writing instruction ... read more

Sunday, June 8th, 2008

Writing Instruction and Assessment: The Power of "no"

Sponsor: Chiba Chapter
Speaker: Marlen Harrison, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Sun., June 08)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Chiba
City: Chiba
Venue: SATY Bunka Hall, Room 1 (4th Floor), 1 min. walk from Inage Station east exit on JR Sobu Line. map
Description: As "World Englishes" continue to dominate discussions of writing pedagogy, instructors ponder acceptable uses/performances of written language. In this lively discussion, we'll use Thich Nhat Han's Mindfulness Trainings as inspiration to consider L2 writing instruction ... read more

The Nikkei Experience in Japan

Sponsor: Matsuyama Chapter
Speaker: Donna T. Fujimoto, Osaka Jogakuin College
Time: 2:15 PM - 4:20 PM (Sun., June 08)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Ehime
City: Matsuyama
Venue: Shinonome High School Kinenkan 4F
Description: Nikkei refers to people of Japanese heritage who were raised outside Japan. There are many from North America who have lived long-term in Japan. This presentation will report on the activities and research of a ... read more