The Japan Association for Language Teaching is a professional organization dedicated to the improvement of language learning and teaching in Japan, a vehicle for the exchange of new ideas and techniques, and a means of keeping abreast of new developments in a rapidly changing field. There are about 40 active JALT chapters and 18 SIGs located throughout Japan. JALT is the Japan affiliate of International TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) and a branch of IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language). If you join, you will receive:

Publications

JALT publishes The Language Teacher, a monthly magazine of articles and announcements on professional concerns, and the semi-annual JALT Journal. The Hokkaido Chapter also publishes the annual Proceedings as a special added benefit.

Attendance at Chapter Meetings

Entrance to regular Hokkaido Chapter meetings, in general held on the last Sunday of the month, are free of charge to members. The national Special Interest Groups (SIGs), also hold special events such as computer assisted language learning, testing and other themes at discounted fees for JALT members.

Annual JALT International Conference

The JALT International Conference on Language Teaching/Learning attracts more than 2,000 participants annually. The program consists of over 200 papers, workshops, colloquia and poster sessions, a huge publishers' exhibition, an employment center, and social events.

SIG Membership

Applied Linguistics, Bilingualism, College and University Educators, CALL, Crossing Cultures, Eikaiwa, Foreign Language Literacy, Gender Awareness, Global Issues in Language Education, Japanese as a Second Language, Jr./Sr. High School Teaching, Learner Development, Materials Writers, Other Language Educators, Pragmatics, Professionalism Administration and Leadership in Education, Teacher Education, Teaching Children, and Testing and Evaluation are SIGs, each of which JALT members can join at a discounted subscription fee of 1,500 yen.

Awards for Research Grants and Development

Awarded annually. Applications must be made to the JALT President by September. Awards are announced at the annual conference.