Call for Presentations JASAL 2018 x SUTLF 5

Download as a PDF here.
Making Connections
Sojo University, Kumamoto, Japan
Saturday, December 15, 2018

The Japan Association for Self-Access Learning (JASAL) and Nankyu JALT and are very pleased to invite you to participate in the JASAL 2018 x SUTLF 5 Conference on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Sojo University in Kumamoto, Japan.  

 The theme of JASAL 2018 x SUTLF 5  is Making Connections. There are multiple connections within the field of second language education. Some examples of these include connections between educators and students, in- and and out-of-class learning, theory and practice, and culture and language. We hope that this theme inspires and expands participants’ thinking of the complex web consisting of, but certainly not limited to, people, place, practice, theory, materials, administration, curriculum, culture, and technology. It is our belief that, in thinking about these various connections in new ways, we may gain new perspectives and insights into language education. 

JASAL 2018 x SUTLF 5 will bring together language teachers as well as practitioners, administrators, and students involved in the field of self-access learning across Japan to share our innovative practices, to learn from each other, and to inspire each other to make connections between these different elements in language education. The conference will include a tour of Sojo University’s newly reopened self-access learning center, SILC.

The theme of JASAL 2018 x SUTLF 5 is Making Connections. Self-access centers and self-access learning are not learning opportunities isolated from the rest of the campus or the language learners’ learning process. It is the “connections” that students, learning advisors, teachers and administrative staff make that lead to the emergence of self-awareness, the development of learner autonomy and language learning. The connections can exist via structure; for example, between resources and opportunities available in self-access centres (SACs); between curriculums and SACs. Connections can also be made interpersonally between learners through learner communities for example, or can be established intrapersonally through self-reflections in advising sessions or in their learning processes.

 Each self-access center has a different learner population and these learners’ needs, the availability of financial and human resources, the goals of the institution, and the beliefs of administrators, staff, learning advisors and teachers all influence what is provided in self-access environments. At JASAL 2018 x SUTLF 5, we would especially like presenters to share how they are being creative in making connections in providing self-access environments so that we can deepen our understanding and thoughts in order to further enrich our students’ language learning experiences. Specifically, we would like to think about:

 (1)  What are the connections that exist or that we try to build in self-access learning environments?
(2)  How do each of the stakeholders in self-access environments make those connections to foster enriching language learning experiences? 
(3)  How do these connections result in learner development?

 This year too, we wish to broaden the participation at the JASAL Annual Conference by encouraging students to present, and to give all presenters the option to present in English or Japanese.

 With our conference theme in mind, we welcome three general types of proposal submissions:

  • Research-based presentations, in which there is reference to theoretical literature and/or collection and discussion of data
  • ‘My Share’ presentations, which are less research-focused and emphasize the sharing of practical ideas
  • Administrator presentations, which provide a platform for administrators concerned with the operations of SAC/LLSs

We are particularly looking for presentations focusing on this year’s theme, “connections” in the following areas, although other relevant topics will also be considered:

  • Managing and administrating Self-Access Centers (SAC)/Language Learning Spaces (LLS)
  • Learning Spaces and SAC/LLS layout
  • Language policy in SAC/LLS
  • Materials and displays
  • Self-access and curriculum, Learning program design
  • Learner involvement in SAC/LLS, Learning Community
  • Learning advising/counseling/coaching
  • Professional development for self-access learning
  • Assessment of self-access learning
  • Evaluating a SAC/LLS
  • Interaction and collaboration with colleagues and administrators
  • Promotion of SAC/LLS
  • Research design
  • Student perspectives on SAC/LLS
  • Lifelong learning
  • Learner development
  • Study abroad

Presentation Format:
Regular presenters

  • 25-minute presentation 
  • Poster presentation
  • 45-minute workshop

Undergraduate students are welcome to apply for 25-minute  or poster presentations.

Proposals
Proposals should include the following:
•   Title
•   Name(s) of presenter(s) and affiliation(s)  
•   100 word abstract for program booklet
•   200-250 word abstract for proposal reviewers
•   Indication of presentation format

Submission deadline: Sunday, September 30, 2018
Please submit your proposal to this form (https://goo.gl/forms/6wMSEDB5stBDJ18y1).

Access to Sojo University
Sojo University is a private university located in Kumamoto. It is just a few minutes by JR train from Kumamoto Station (which is accessible by bullet train). If you fly, it takes 40-50 minutes by limousine bus from Kumamoto Airport.

Directions to Sojo University SILC: https://www.sojo-u.ac.jp/en/access/index.html  

SOJO International Learning Center: https://www.sojo-u.ac.jp/silc/

More details on the conference page.

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