JASAL2026 took place at Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT), Omiya Campus in Osaka, on Saturday, 10th October 2026. It was held in a hybrid format and had around 70 on-site attendees and 10 online. This year, the focus was on Empowering Language Learning: Self-Access, Advising, and Technology. Visit the 2026 pre-conference page here.
Plenary Speaker
Empowering Learning Advisors: Thinking Routines as Tools to Develop Learner Autonomy in Diverse Environments
Maria de la Paz Adelia Peña Clavel
Associate Professor at the School of Languages, Linguistics and Translation in UNAM, Mexico
Abstract
Advising in Language Learning (ALL) is an intentional mediation process that guides learners to take ownership of their learning and actions to achieve their goals through informed decision-making (Kato & Mynard, 2016). Building on the foundational distinction between “teaching” and “advising” (Gremmo, 1995), and drawing on more recent models grounded in complexity and the ecology of learning (Mynard, 2020; Tassinari, 2022), ALL has evolved considerably. It has moved from physical self-access learning centres (SALCs), hubs, and lounges toward language courses (Skupeňová & Herout, 2024) and the management of diverse virtual and hybrid models (Peters & Mynard, 2021). This is; an evolution that reflects dynamic responses to rapid technological transformation and advances in neuroscience and positive psychology.
Fostering autonomy in these contexts requires advisors to draw on dialogic competencies, socio-affective sensitivity, and empathy—qualities essential for managing the emotions and anxiety that can hinder learning (Kato & Mynard, 2016; Tassinari, 2016). As teachers or advisors, we are constantly searching for approaches and techniques that can help students find their own path toward their learning goals while exercising their autonomy in virtual or physical environments. How can this process be supported concretely, across such diverse and ever-changing settings?
In this plenary, I will address that question directly by illustrating Visual Thinking and Thinking Routines (Project Zero, n.d), originally applied in science and language education (Abdullah, Halim & Zakaria 2014), as adaptable tools. I will demonstrate how I embedded these routines as cognitive tools in collaborative virtual spaces—such as Virtual Exchanges (Teletandem) and “learning to learn” workshops—as well as in one-on-one advising sessions in my context at ENALLT-UNAM in Mexico. By making thought processes explicit, these routines transform abstract reflection into tangible, shareable structures, providing learners a visual image of their thoughts, feelings and learning (Ritchhart et al., 2011). By the end of this talk, attendees will have ideas for incorporating Thinking Routines into their advising or teaching practice.
Conference Schedule and Program
Friday, 9th October, 2026
A SAC Tour was held by the OIT Language Learning Commons (LLC) 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 10th October, 2026
This year was our fifth 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
How about this?
If you are a presenter, please consider sharing a PDF of your poster or slides which we can upload on the JASAL website. The deadline for submitting files is Oct 31 2026. Upload link:
https://www.dropbox.com/request/jh47JVLiTNqOsx8J79CO
We also accept video files, if you would like to record your presentation and make it available (by Dec 31st 2026). Please get in touch if you would like to submit something after that date.
For all files, please also fill in this consent form so we know how you would like the file to be used. They can be sent only to conference attendees or made more widely available.
https://forms.gle/wg9KohGMehka8ZpKA
Networking Reception
20:00-22:00: Conference Dinner at Wakura (藁蔵 ) was held with around 30 participants.
Post-conference Event
Sunday, 11th October, 2026
JASAL2026 finished off with a chance to explore the Minoh area in northern Osaka with a walk up to the famous waterfall. 14 people joined the walk, which winds up through small craft shops and restaurants before entering the shady green area. This part of Osaka is famous for its maple trees “momiji” which will soon be turning beautiful shades of orange and red (and you can even buy momiji tempura!). The weather was unseasonably hot, but the shade and river made for a lovely walk. We even managed to time it well to coincide with some other conference goers who’d decided to go on a more ambitious hike, and arrived at the waterfall just in time to meet them. It was great to chat and catch up with people in a different environment, and the perfect way to finish the conference weekend.
