Japan Association for Language Teaching

"JALT" redirects here. For the neologism word, contraction of jealousy and altruism, see Yochai Benkler.

The Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT) is a non-profit professional organization for foreign language teachers in Japan. Japan's "largest convocation of language educators",^[1] JALT has 2,800 members,^[2] many of whom are non-Japanese who have settled in Japan.^[3] Each member belongs to a local chapter, and has the option of also belonging to Special Interest Groups (SIGs). JALT holds an annual conference, and has done so for 38 years.^[4] JALT produces a bimonthly magazine, a semiannual journal, and an annual conference proceedings.^[5]

JALT Chapters

Overview of Chapters

JALT has Chapters throughout Japan. Each member of JALT belongs to a chapter. Chapters take their names from the geographical area that they serve (usually named for their prefecture or city). Chapters sponsor monthly activities for language teachers in their area.^[6] Most chapter events are in English, though some are in Japanese.

List of JALT chapters

JALT SIGs

Overview of SIGs

JALT has many Special Interest Groups (SIGs) consisting of JALT members who share a professional interest. JALT members have the option of joining one or more SIGs. SIGs provide publications, mailing lists, and are involved with conferences.^[6]

List of JALT SIGs

Bilingualism
Business Communication
College and University Educators
Computer Assisted Language Learning
Critical Thinking
Extensive Reading
Framework and Language Portfolio
Gender Awareness in Language Education
Global Issues in Language Education
Japanese as a Second Language
Learner Development
Lifelong Language Learning
Literature in Language Teaching
Materials Writers
Mind, Brain, and Education
Other Language Educators
Pragmatics
School Owners
Speech, Drama, & Debate
Study Abroad
Task Based Learning
Teacher Education and Development
Teachers Helping Teachers
Teaching Younger Learners
Testing and Evaluation
Vocabulary

JALT Conference

The full name of JALT's annual conference is Annual International Conference on Language Teaching and Learning & Educational Materials Exhibition.^[7] Conferences consist of Plenary Sessions, Featured Speaker sessions, and concurrent workshops and presentations. There are about 600 of these, and about 1,600 attendees.^[8] There is a balance between practical presentations and theoretical ones.^[9] The Educational Materials Exhibition (EME) consists of displays of language learning textbooks, reference books and other language education materials.

JALT Publications

The Language Teacher

The Language Teacher is JALT's bimonthly magazine for teachers. It is distributed in both paper and electronic (online) form. The magazine was first published in 1984.^[10] It is a refereed publication, meaning that articles are subject to peer review.

JALT Journal

The JALT Journal is JALT's research journal, published semiannually, in May and November. It is an applied research journal, with an emphasis on linking theory to practice.^[11]

References

External links

JALT's official website

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