Japan Association for Language Teaching

The Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT) is a non-profit professional organization for foreign language teachers in Japan. Japan's "largest convocation of language educators", JALT has 2,800 members, many of whom are non-Japanese who have settled in Japan. Each member may belong to a local chapter, and has the option of also belonging to Special Interest Groups (SIGs). JALT holds an annual conference, and has done so since 1975. JALT produces a bimonthly magazine, a semiannual journal, and an annual conference proceedings.

JALT has Chapters throughout Japan. Each member of JALT may belong to one chapter. Chapters take their names from the geographical area that they serve (usually named for their prefecture or city). Chapters sponsor activities for language teachers in their area. Most chapter events are in English, though some are in Japanese.

JALT has many Special Interest Groups (SIGs) consisting of JALT members who share a professional interest. JALT members have the option of joining one or more SIGs. SIGs provide publications, mailing lists, and are involved with conferences.

The full name of JALT's annual conference is Annual International Conference on Language Teaching and Learning & Educational Materials Exhibition. Conferences consist of Plenary Sessions, Featured Speaker sessions, and concurrent workshops and presentations. There are about 600 of these, and about 1,600 attendees. There is a balance between practical presentations and theoretical ones. The Educational Materials Exhibition (EME) consists of displays of language learning textbooks, reference books and other language education materials.

The Language Teacher is JALT's bimonthly magazine for teachers. It is distributed in both paper and electronic (online) form. The magazine was first published in 1984. It is a refereed publication, meaning that articles are subject to peer review.

The JALT Journal is JALT's research journal, published semiannually, in May and November. It is an applied research journal, with an emphasis on linking theory to practice.

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