Hello, and welcome to another monthly edition of JALT Talk, the announcements newsletter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching.

Message from the JALT President, Clare Kaneko:

Thank you all for an amazing 50 years of JALT. 2025 has come and gone, we can’t wait for the next 50 years. Have a safe and happy holiday season. See you in 2026.

In this issue:

1. JALT2026 International Conference News
   • Basic details (including the call for presentation proposals)
   • T-shirts, hoodies, more
   • 2025 Videos available
   • JALT2026 Mind & Body Space Call for presenters
2. Job listings on the JALT Publications site
3. PanSIG 2026 Conference News
   • PanSIG Abstract Proposal Writing Workshops (January 5th, January 12th)
   • Call for presentation proposals closes January 18th
   • Conference grants deadlines
4. Reminder: Call for Presentation Proposals due January 31, 2026 for JALTCALL 2026 (in Nishinomiya, June 12-14, 2026)
5. Reminder: Call for Presentation Proposals due February 15, 2026 for the TBLT in Asia 2026 International Conference (in Tokyo, June 5-7)
6. Moving? Bring JALT with you!
7. Episode 6 of the PIE SIG Podcast
8. Pre-registration for the JALT Hokkaido Winter Language Conference 2026 (February 14-15) 
9. Recent JALT Publications
10. Upcoming JALT Events
11. Upcoming Conferences from our JALT International Partners

Job listings

JALT receives a number of job advertisements each month. If you're looking for a new position, please check out our job posts on our JALT Publications site: https://jalt-publications.org/tlt/departments/career-development-corner/jobs

Reminder: Call for Presentation Proposals due January 31, 2026 for JALTCALL 2026 (in Nishinomiya, June 12-14, 2026)

Under the theme "Prevail or Fail?," JALTCALL 2026 invites educators, researchers, and technologists to explore how digital tools, pedagogical innovations, and AI are reshaping language teaching and learning in an age of rapid change and uncertainty.

• Dates: Friday, June 12 - Sunday, June 14, 2026
• Theme: Prevail or Fail?
• Venue: Konan University, Hirao School of Management CUBE (Nishinomiya Campus), a 5-minute walk from Hankyu Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi Station (HK08), right between Osaka and Kobe.
• Note: Accommodation near the campus is limited, so staying around Osaka or Kobe Station is recommended for easy Hankyu access.
• Call for Proposals: November 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026
• Notifications + early-bird registration: March 1, 2026
• Presenter registration deadline: April 31, 2026
• Details: https://jaltcall2026.edzil.la

Reminder: Call for Presentation Proposals due February 15, 2026 for the TBLT in Asia 2026 International Conference (in Tokyo, June 5-7)

JALT's Task-Based Learning SIG presents the TBLT in Asia 2026 International Conference

• Converence dates: June 5th to 7th, 2026
• Venue: Waseda University, Toyama Campus, Tokyo
• Call for papers, posters, and workshops now open until February 15th, 2026.
• Details: https://sites.google.com/jalt.org/conference/
• Plenary Speakers:
  • Marta González-Lloret, University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Yuko Goto Butler, University of Pennsylvania
  • Jason Moser, Kanto Gakuin University

Moving? Bring JALT with you!

A new year marks the season of new beginnings! The new academic year means that some of us are moving on to new jobs, perhaps even in new cities.

To ensure you stay connected, we'd like to remind you to update your mailing or email address if it is changing. Keeping your information current ensures you receive JALT publications and news without any interruptions.

Episode 6 of the PIE SIG Podcast

Episode 6 of the Performance In Education (PIE) SIG Podcast, For the Love of Music--Rhythm and Embodied Learning, is now available. In this 37-minute episode, Dr. Kim Rockell shares personal stories and classroom-ready ideas for helping students develop English rhythm through embodied practice, even when teachers have no musical training.

Listen at https://jaltpiesig.org

Pre-registration for the JALT Hokkaido Winter Language Conference 2026

Pre-registration for the JALT Hokkaido Winter Language Conference 2026 (February 14-15) is now open! Get in quick to book hotels during this wonderful winter time of the year in Sapporo. 

To register and more information click here:
https://jalt.org/event/hokkaido/the-jalt-hokkaido-winter-language-conference-2026/

Recent JALT Publications

For a full list of all of JALT's publications (including SIGs, chapters, and conferences), please see https://jalt.org/jalt-publications/

• JALT has published The Language Teacher - 50.1: January 2026. TLT is JALT's bimonthly publication. https://jalt.org/the-language-teacher/
• As announced in the previous JALT Talk: JALT has published JALT Journal - Issue 47.2; November 2025. JALT Journal is JALT's research journal. It is published semiannually, in May and November, with submissions accepted throughout the year. https://jalt.org/jalt-journal/
• JALT's Mind, Brain, and Education SIG has published Bulletin of the JALT Mind, Brain, and Education SIG: Integrating Humor and Comedy in the Language Classroom: Vol. 11, Issue 12, December 2025. In collaboration with the PIE SIG, we examine the science of humor and explore the ways we can productively bring comedy into the classroom. 今月号はPIE SIGとコラボし、ユーモアを科学的に研究し、学びにコメディを取り入れる効果的な方法を探ります。 https://www.mindbrained.org
• JALT's Testing and Evaluation SIG has published Shiken: A Journal of Language Testing and Evaluation in Japan: 29.2. This issue dives into assessment validation, with studies focusing on vocabulary testing and standardized placement testing. https://tevalwp.jalt.org/?page_id=543
• JALT's Business Communication SIG has published JALT Business Communication Journal: Volume 3, Issue 1 (2025). The JALT Business Communication Journal is an interdisciplinary scholarly journal focusing on international and intercultural business communication, bridging research, education, and practice. JALT Business Communication Journalは、国際的・異文化的なビジネス・コミュニケーションを中心に、研究・教育・実務をつなぐ学際的な学術誌です。 https://doi.org/10.37546/JALTSIG.BzCom3.1
• JALT's Accessibility in Language Learning SIG has published Accessible Language Learning Review: Volume 5, Issue 3. In this issue, we share a message from the president, reflect on a year of ALL SIG activities, offer practical classroom insights, and highlight experiences from the ALL SIG LIFT Scholarship. 本号では、会長からのメッセージをはじめ、ALL SIG の一年間の活動を振り返り、授業にすぐに活かせる実践的な知見や、ALL SIG LIFT 奨学金の取り組み・経験をご紹介します。https://allsig.jalt.org/newsletter
• JALT's Materials Writers SIG has published Between the Keys: 33.3.  https://mwsig.jalt.org/between-the-keys
• JALT's Learner Development SIG has published Learner Development Journal: Issue 9 (LDJ9). Edited by Stacey Vye (Saitama University, Saitama, Japan), Rob Moreau (Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan), and Ivan Lombardi (University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan), LDJ9 focuses on "Engaging With and Exploring Autonomy, Creativity, and Well-Being for Learner Development" with five innovative Stories of Practice and one creative Practice-Related Review, as well as an insightful Commentary by Christina Gkonou (University of Essex, UK) and a compelling Introduction by Stacey, Rob, and Ivan. 編集：Stacey Vye（埼玉大学・埼玉県）、Rob Moreau（明治大学・東京都）、Ivan Lombardi（福井大学・福井県）。LDJ9は「学習者ディベロップメントにおける自律性、創造性、ウェルビーイングへの関わりと探究」に焦点を当て、5編の革新的な「実践の物語（Stories of Practice）」と1編の独創的な「実践に関するレビュー（Practice-Related Review）」を掲載しています。さらに、Christina Gkonou（エセックス大学・英国）による洞察に満ちたコメンタリー、およびStacey、Rob、Ivanによる説得力のある序文も収録されています。https://ldjournal.ld-sig.org/issues/2025-12-issue-9/

Upcoming JALT Events in January 2026

For event details and events from February onward, please see https://jalt.org/events

January 5, 2026 @ 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
PanSIG Executive Committee
PanSIG 2026 Writing Proposal Support Workshop

January 10, 2026 @ 6:15 PM - 8:15 PM
Sendai Chapter
JALT Sendai New Year's 2026

January 12, 2026 @ 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
PanSIG Executive Committee
PanSIG 2026 Writing Proposals Support Workshop 2

January 17-18, 2026
Task-Based Learning SIG
TBLT Topics #1: Materials Design

January 18, 2026 @ 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Oita Chapter
JALT Oita Featured Speaker Event exploring immigration, inclusion, and the role of language education

January 18, 2026 @ 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Osaka Chapter
LTP Kansai Convention

January 24, 2026 @ 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
East Shikoku Chapter
Teaching and Learning: Japanese and International Student Collaboration in the Classroom

January 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Matsuyama Chapter
(1) The Use of AI in a Language Class; (2) The Immediate Method in Action

January 25, 2026 @ 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sendai Chapter
JALT 2025 Highlights

January 25, 2026 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Extensive Reading SIG
PresentERs - Extensive Reading in University EFL Contexts: Insights from Turkiye

January 28, 2026 @ 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Other Language Educators SIG
Multilingual Café on Portuguese

Upcoming Conferences from our JALT International Partners:

• Thailand TESOL:
  Urgent Update: The 45th Thailand TESOL, International Conference 2026
  New dates: January 30-31, 2026
  New venue: Swissotel, Bangkok, Thailand.
  Website: https://thailandtesol.org/
• Nepal English Language Teachers' Association (NELTA):
  Urgent Update: 30th NELTA International Conference 2026, Kathmandu, Nepal
  Urgent Update: January 30-31, 2026.
  Website: https://nelta.org.np/conference/30
• TESOL-SPAIN:
  TESOL-SPAIN 49th Annual National Convention 2026, March 13-15, 2026, Sevilla, Spain
  Website: https://www.TESOLSPAINSevilla2026.com
• EdYOUFest:
  • Derry, North Ireland, February 13 - 15, 2026;
  • Etna/Pedara, Italy, April 17 - 18, 2026;
  • Istanbul, Türkiye, August 2026;
  • Tokyo, Japan, September 19, 2026;
  • Belgrade, Serbia, August 29, 2026;
  • Valletta, Malta, September 11-12, 2026;
  • Lviv, Ukraine, November 14, 2026;
  • Rabat, Morocco, December 6, 2026.
  Website: https://www.edyoufest.org
• TESOL (Affiliate member):
  TESOL International Convention & Expo 2026, March 24-27, 2026, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
  Website: https://www.tesol.org/professional-development/education-and-events/in-person/tesol-convention/
• IATEFL (Associate member):
  2026 IATEFL International Conference, April 20-24, 2026, Brighton, UK
  Website: https://www.iateflconference.org
• Korea TESOL:
  KOTESOL 2026 International Conference, May 16 - 17, 2026, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea, Abstract submission deadline: January 25, 2026.
  Website: https://koreatesol.org/IC2026
• English Teachers' Association-Republic of China (ETA-ROC): 
  2026 PAC, ENG.SU-APLX & ETA 35th Anniversary International Symposium on English Language Teaching and Learning, November 14-15, 2026, Venue: Chientan Youth Activity Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
  Abstract submission deadline: March 1, 2026.
  Website: https://eta.org.tw/

If interested in representing JALT at one of our international partner conferences, please complete the following Google form (https://forms.gle/ERn7KiYjM4E5QVoHA) and contact international@jalt.org

That's all for this month. You can subscribe and / or access back issues here. Alternatively, if you'd rather not receive more information from JALT, you can unsubscribe here: https://hosted.jalt.org/membermail/unsubscribe-success.php?c=225

Best regards,

Bill Pellowe
JALT Director of Public Relations
pr@jalt.org
https://jalt.org