JASAL2025 took place at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), Beppu, Oita, on Saturday, 11th October 2025. It was held in a hybrid format and had around 100 participants. This year, the focus was on Emotions in Self-Access Language Learning. Visit the 2025 pre-conference page here.
Plenary Speaker
Addressing affect in self-access learning settings
Dr. Maria Giovanna Tassinari
Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
Abstract
Affective factors play a significant role in foreign language learning, and in recent decades, research has increasingly focused on this dimension—examining learners’ emotions, feelings, motivation, and engagement, among other aspects. This body of work has highlighted the close relationship between emotion and cognition, the influence of emotional states on cognitive processing, and the impact of motivational factors and personal beliefs on learning outcomes.
In self-access learning settings, the affective dimension becomes even more crucial. Learners engaged in self-directed learning may face challenges such as fluctuating motivation, disorientation, disappointment, or frustration. Moreover, successful self-access learning frequently involves social interaction—such as joining a learning or conversation group, participating actively, or even taking the initiative to lead one. While these situations can be energizing and motivating for some, they may be intimidating or overwhelming for others. Finally, beginning a reflective dialogue with a language advisor can be both rewarding and demanding, requiring emotional self-regulation and openness.
This presentation briefly illustrated how self-access managers, advisors, and support staff can create environments that reduce emotional barriers and instead foster a sense of acceptance, autonomy, and security in learners’ language learning journeys.
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Conference Schedule and Program
Friday, 10th October, 2025
A SAC Tour was held by the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) team. Administrative staff and University students who volunteer as staff at the SAC led a tour of the site, shared about their role in the space, and led a workshop on different aspects of a SAC. See description and photos here.
Saturday 11th October, 2025
This year was our fourth year offering the conference in a hybrid format, meaning that there were both online and on-site presentations. As in the previous conference, online presentations were screened in presentation rooms at the venue, and all on-site presenters signed into Zoom and shared their slides. In this way, online participants could also attend their presentations. Some elements, such as the Poster Session and SAC tour, were available for on-site participants only. See photos here.
Presentations
Videos, slides, and posters from select presentations can be viewed here. Submit your poster, slides or/and video via https://www.dropbox.com/request/J9qK6jasMS3L4SJIWuDd
Networking Reception
19:30-21:30: Conference Dinner at Oita Kitchen HAL was held with around 50 participants.
Post-conference Event
Sunday 12th October, 2025
The day after the event, APU students – Steam Steps – organised a walking tour in the Kannawa area. Around 40 participants joined.
The Japan Association for Self-Access Learning 