Dr. Robert Swier,
Kindai University

Research Seminar Series

The NaraJALT Research Seminar Series spotlights current research in the field of Applied Linguistics. In this, the inaugural seminar, Nara Chapter member,

Dr. Robert Swier, will use his research on 3D virtual environments in language learning as a springboard to provide a big-picture view of the current state of SLA research, and outline what a successful future research agenda might look like in the age of artificial intelligence. Do not miss this opportunity to get up to speed on the field of SLA and explore what directions it is likely to take.

Date: Wednesday, September 9th, 2026
Time: 7:30 pm

Venue: online via Google Meet

Cost: ¥500, free for JALT members

Research Seminar Link: https://meet.google.com/gyq-qovv-wey.

NaraJALT MyShare 2026 Picnic in the Park

Thanks to everyone for making this year’s MyShare and Social Events another great success for NaraJALT. Nineteen people participated in the MyShare Event — well over half from the Nara Chapter and others coming from across the Kansai region. A special thanks to the seven MySharers (Melissa, Moon, Kayo, Kit, Eric, Deepti, Brian), for sharing their practical language-learning activities with us.

And thank you to all who shared a wonderful time and lunch together for this year’s Social Event following the MyShare. We were fortunate the rain cleared up and the sun shone brightly on our picnic in the park.

NaraJALT MyShare 2026

Do you have a tried and tested, go-to, language-learning activity that you’d like to
share? The time-honoured NaraJALT MyShare Event is an opportunity to share practical language teaching ideas in an open, informal, round-table discussion.

Date: Sunday, April 5th, 2026

Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 pm

Venue: Nara Colleges Kouryu Terrace

Cost: 500 yen (free for JALT members)

📌 Guidelines for MySharers:

No presentation proposals or slides necessary
5 min for explanation + 5 min for follow-up discussion= 10 min total

For this year’s event, we are excited to introduce a beautiful new venue: the Nara Colleges Kouryu Terrace. Located opposite the main gate of the Nara Women’s University, the Kouryu Terrace offers a relaxing and interactive space like no other; absolutely perfect for MyShare.

To make this the perfect day out in Nara this spring, the MyShare Event is combined with a wonderful chapter social outing — details below.

NaraJALT Social Event:

Picnic in the Park + Walk on Wakakusayama

What better way to enjoy the splendor of Nara in spring than with a picnic in the park and walk on Wakakusayama? Following the MyShare Event, this social outing is an opportunity to relax and recharge with fellow chapter members.

Date: Sunday, April 5th, 2026
Time: 12:30 pm to 16:00 pm

Venue: Nara Park + Wakakusayama

Cost: Free for all

Friends, families and pets on leashes are welcomed — c’mon Kenny! Bring your own lunch, drinks, and groundsheets. Walking shoes are also recommended for those who would like to, after lunch, join in a vigorous walk up the Wakakusayama hill and enjoy the timeless tranquility and extraordinary view of Nara city.

In the event of rain or unfavorable weather, we will stay dry and warm by having lunch at the MyShare Event venue — details in previous post. For those who will not attend the MyShare Event, the meeting place is pinned on this Google Map — look for the NaraJALT banner at 12:30!

NaraJALT2025 — Conference Wrap-Up

NaraJALT finished 2025 strong with another successful annual conference. NaraJALT2025 was blessed with lovely late autumn weather and the gold and yellow leaves of the Nara Women’s University campus welcomed participants from far and wide — some as far as Okayama and Chiba — and of course many of our ‘deer’ NaraJALT members. Thank you to all for coming out for the day. Along with the engaging presentations, stimulating discussions, and friendly conversations, your participation is what makes our conference a success. We look forward to seeing you all again at the next chapter conference in December 2026. Check out the NaraJALT2025 Archive page for more information.

NaraJALT2025 was held onsite and in person at the Nara Women’s University on December 7th.

NaraJALT2025

NaraJALT2025 will be held onsite and in person at the Nara Women’s University on December 7th. We have another great lineup of speakers for you this year. The program has four presentations throughout the day with plenty of time during and after for networking.

NaraJALT2025 once again celebrates the creativity and expertise of its members. This year, three of the four presenters are proud NaraJALT members, continuing our tradition of sharing fresh ideas and fostering collaboration within our teaching community. Furthermore, we are excited to introduce this year's invited speaker: Paul Raine.

Speakers: Paul Raine, Melissa Meishang Chung, Shizuka Itagaki, and Benjamin Robertson.
Date: Sunday, December 7th, 2025, 10:00am-17:00pm
Location: Nara Women’s University. Lecture Hall S235 on the 2nd floor of the S building.
Cost: ¥1,000 (Free for JALT members)

Paul Raine is an English language teacher and web developer with 20 years of experience teaching English in Japan and developing online tools for English language teachers and learners. He has a Master's degree in TESOL (University of Birmingham, 2012) and a Masters degree in Technology Enhanced Learning (University of Lancaster, 2024). He is the founder of ZenGengo.com, Eigo.AI and LingoLesson.com. He currently teaches at Ritsumeikan University, Osaka Ibaraki Campus.

NaraJALT2025 Program:

Opening
10:00-10:15
Presentation 1
10:15–11:00: Mellssa Meishang Chung
Play, Engage, Learn: Adopting digital gamification for the EFL classroom
Presentation 2
11:15-12:00: Shizuka Itagaki
English learning through digital teaching materials: toward the promotion of inclusive and accessible education
Group photo
12:00-12:15

Lunch Break
12:15-13:15
Presentation 3
13:30-14:15: Benjamin Robertson
Whose English? Expanding Voices in Japanese ELT Materials
Presentation 4: Invited Speaker
14:30-15:30: Paul Raine
The shifting landscape of English language ed-tech in the age of AI
Closing
15:30-15:45
Social hour
16:00-17:00

Invited Speaker Presentation
Paul Raine
Presentation title:
The shifting landscape of English language
ed-tech in the age of AI
Abstract:

Since the seminal launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, the English language edtech landscape seems to have been shifting daily under our feet. With OpenAI's latest launch of its agentic chatbot in July 2025, there has been another seismic shift that English language teachers need to understand. In this presentation, the speaker will discuss some of the latest breakthroughs in AI, including agentic AI, which can browse and interact with the Internet on the user's behalf. Questions posed will include how we ensure that students are engaging with online activities in an authentic and meaningful way, how to avoid a situation in which AI is responding to tasks (on the learner's behalf) that have been devised by AI (on the teacher's behalf), and what theories and frameworks might help us understand and leverage the affordances of AI for English teaching and learning while avoiding its pitfalls.

Presentation 1
Mellssa Meishang Chung
Presentation title:
Play, Engage, Learn: Adopting digital gamification for the EFL classroom
Abstract:

The presentation will offer some practical first principles that EFL teachers might use as a framework when considering digital gamification for their classes. We will consider how we can possibly enhance our lessons by focusing on interactivity. Rather than utilizing digital tools for passive learning, we will consider learning modes that students with the shortest attention span can still partake in classroom activities regardless of their English language skill.

Presentation 2
Shizuka Itagaki
Presentation title:
English learning through digital teaching materials: toward the promotion of inclusive and accessible education
Abstract:

In recent years, awareness of dyslexia and learning disabilities has been increasing in Japanese society. It has also been recognized that while some students are able to read and write in Japanese without difficulty, their dyslexia becomes evident when learning English. For students who face such learning challenges, digital teaching materials can often provide various support. Through the use of personalized learning approaches such as digital resources, it is expected that inclusive education in Japan will be further promoted, enabling students with and without disabilities to learn together.

Presentation 3
Benjamin Robertson
Presentation title:
Whose English? Expanding Voices in Japanese ELT Materials
Abstract:

In many junior high school classrooms, English materials emphasise a narrow range of language models, often under representing the diversity of English use worldwide. This presentation, grounded in the Global Englishes framework, explores the rationale for supplementing such materials to better reflect global communication. It will outline examples, discuss implementation challenges in the Japanese context, and suggest ways to include more representative voices to support learners’ intercultural competence.

NaraJALT
Annual General Meeting 2025

This year's NaraJALT Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held before the JALT National Conference. The agenda included the following three items:

Chapter Constitution Amendments
Officer Elections
Officer Reports

1. Chapter Constitution Amendments

A suggestion was made to change the informal chapter name of Nara JALT to NaraJALT (i.e., space removed between Nara and JALT). Rationale: The revised version of the informal name, NaraJALT, is the way that the chapter has been presenting and promoting itself for years now, and this amendment is to update the constitution in line with that practice. The official association name remains the Nara Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching, as stipulated in the chapter constitution. This suggestion was discussed and approved during the meeting.

2. Officer Elections

An election was held during the meeting and the chapter officers for the new year were decided. A list of the chapter officers can be found here: nara.jalt.org/about-us/officers

3. Officer Reports

Reports were made by the following officers during the meeting:
Membership Chair

Program Chair

Publicity Chair

Treasurer

President

These reports can be viewed on the recording of the AGM on our Youtube channel.
NaraJALT AGM 2025

NaraJALT MyShare 2025

Nara JALT would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that made it out to Nara for out annual MyShare event. The NaraJALT MyShare is all about bringing likeminded people together to share their practical ideas in a fast and simple manner. This year was no different and we were lucky enough to have eight fantastic MySharers. We loved hearing your teaching ideas and I'm sure all the attendees found something they could use in their classroom this year.

The mysharers have kindly given us permission to share their teaching ideas with you. We hope you find them useful and seeing this encourages you to participate in future Nara JALT events. Please check out the materials and more pictures from the event on the MyShare page.

Lunch & Hike on Mount Ikoma

This spring, join NaraJALT for a fun day out on Mount Ikoma, featuring the best stone-oven pizza in Nara, easy-grade mountain hike, and exceptional spring views.

Date: Sunday, April 6th

Times, Locations and Links:

11:36 Ikoma Cable-car Tori-mae Station

12:00 Kumotei Stone-Oven Mountain Pizza Restaurant

14:00 Ikoma-sanroku Park

Lunch

Following the annual NaraJALT MyShare event, participants will walk to the Ikoma Cable-car Tori-mae Station, and catch the 11:36 cable-car to the Hozan-ji Station. From Hozan-ji, it’s a short walk to the secluded Kumotei restaurant, where participants will enjoy the most delicious pizza set-lunch.

Cost: ¥3,630

Hike

After lunch, participants will set off on a 30-min easy-grade hike to the Ikoma-sanroku Park, where they can enjoy afternoon tea among the cherry blossoms with spectacular views. For the return journey, participants can take a bus to Ikoma Station, or opt to hike the more challenging 60-min return-leg down the mountain.

You will not want to miss this unique opportunity to savour, stroll, and soak in the views of the beautiful Mount Ikoma in spring. Lunch reservation is limited and registration is essential, so be sure to fill in the form to reserve your spot.

NaraJALT MyShare

NaraJALT 2025 MyShare Event:

Sharing Practical Teaching Ideas

Date: Sunday, April 6th 2025

Time: 9:30am - 11:00am

Venue: Room 401 (4th Floor)

Ikoma Seisei Building

1-chōme-6-12 Motomachi,

Ikoma, Nara 630-0257
Venue Link

Cost: 500 yen (free for JALT members)

MyShare Background:

Originally a column in The Language Teacher for exchanging practical teaching ideas, the MyShare event gives participants a chance to share their most effective teaching Practices.

This open forum invites participants to present one tried-and-tested

language-learning activity in a round-table discussion. The room will be arranged in a circle to encourage interaction.

Guidelines for MySharers:

● Prepare a five-minute explanation of your activity.

● Bring a handout in the style of MyShare from JALT’s The Language Teacher.

● No slides or elaborate presentations required.

NaraJALT2024

NaraJALT2024 will be held onsite and in person at the Nara Women’s University on December 1st. We have another great lineup of speakers for you this year. The program has five presentations throughout the day with plenty of time during and after for networking. Furthermore, we are proud to introduce our first invited speaker: Ben Tanaka from Retire Japan

Speakers: Ben Tanaka, Erin Noxon, David Eckford, Olga Li and Akiko Mokhtari, and Eric Martin
Date: Sunday, December 1st, 2024, 9:00am-17:00pm
Location: Nara Women’s University. Lecture Hall N202 on the 2nd floor of the N building.
Cost: ¥1,000 (Free for JALT members)

Ben Tanaka (also Shearon) was born in Germany, grew up in northern Spain, yet claims to be British. He retired from formal work in 2022. He has been running RetireJapan since 2013 to help people living in Japan learn more about personal finance, investing, retirement, and life in Japan. He also helps his wife run a medium-sized English school and writes various things.

We would like to thank JALT CALL SIG for helping us bring Ben Tanaka to Nara.

NaraJALT2024 Program:
9:00–9:15: Opening
Presentation 1
9:15–10:00: Erin Noxon
Thirty Essential Google Tricks Every Educator Should Know
Presentation 2
10:15–11:00: David Eckford
The Benefits and Challenges of Teaching Traditional Japanese Arts in a Study Abroad Program
Presentation 3
11:15–12:00: Olga Li and Akiko Mokhtari
Enhancing Inductive Learning through AI-Assisted Paraphrasing and Prompt Engineering

12:00–13:30: Lunch
Presentation 4
13:45–14:45: Eric Martin
High-frequency Vocabulary: Understanding the Words that Our Learners are Likely to Know (and Those They Don’t)
Invited Speaker Presentation
15:00–16:00: Ben Tanaka
Ten Easy Steps to Sort Your Finances Out in 2025
16:00–16:15: Closing
16:15–17:00: OUP Social Hour

Invited Speaker Presentation
Ben Tanaka
Presentation Title:
Ten Easy Steps to Sort Your Finances Out in 2025 (Language Teacher Edition)
Abstract:

Personal finance is a lot like health: if you have good habits and a decent routine, staying healthy is fairly easy and you don’t need to think about it very much. If you don’t, it can seem almost impossible to even get started. If you are living in Japan there may also be a language barrier (even if your Japanese is good, the concepts and vocabulary of finance may be too much).
Luckily personal finance is pretty straightforward, and with a few key concepts and habits you can set up a financial foundation for your life that will allow you to have fun now and also ensure that your future self is not miserable.
This simple presentation will go over ten things you should probably be doing with your money in Japan, including saving, investing, financial planning, retirement planning, and more. We will cover NISA and iDeCo (including the very welcome changes for teachers), and there will be time to ask questions.

Erin Noxon
Presentation Title:
Thirty Essential Google Tricks Every Educator Should Know

Abstract:

This session will cover essential Google tools, tricks, and automation specifically designed for educators. For 30 minutes I will go over 30 different tricks and then answer any questions and we can share other good ideas together. It doesn’t matter if you are a newbie or a Google Certified Innovator; if your school is a Microsoft or Google School. Learn how to leverage Google’s free powerful features to save time, enhance productivity, and create a more interactive classroom environment. We’ll explore practical tips and you’ll leave with actionable strategies (and my slides so you don’t forget and can teach others).

David Eckford
Presentation Title:
The Benefits and Challenges of Teaching Traditional Japanese Arts in a Study Abroad Program
Abstract:

This presentation looks at introducing traditional Japanese arts as a formal part of the international student curriculum. The presenter draws on his experience of coordinating such a program for inbound students at a university in Osaka. Cultural exchange in authentic environments is the core component of the program, and the benefits and challenges of facilitating such courses are discussed.

Olga Li and Akiko Mokhtari
Presentation Title:
Enhancing Inductive Learning through AI-Assisted Paraphrasing and Prompt Engineering

Abstract:

This presentation introduces an initiative to integrate ChatGPT into summary writing classes for engineering graduate students. It will explore how ChatGPT is used to complete summary tasks, with a focus on the design of prompts and individual learning outcomes in English. We explore a pedagogical example where learners use ChatGPT to refine summaries they initially created without the aid of generative AI or machine translation tools. This method focuses on the challenging task of paraphrasing and demonstrates how AI can support inductive learning in prompt engineering. Actual data will be presented to illustrate the effectiveness and impact of this approach.

Eric Martin
Presentation Title:
High-frequency Vocabulary: Understanding the Words that Our Learners are Likely to Know (and Those They Don’t)
Abstract:

The highest frequency English words are arguably the most important words for EFL learners to know, precisely because they are used so often. However, upon entering university, to what degree can teachers assume that learners already know these words? I present the results of a recent study that I conducted, which suggests that word frequency rankings are far from perfect predictors of Japanese university EFL learners’ word knowledge, even among the highest frequency 100-word groups. I discuss how other word variables (e.g. word length), as well as teacher intuition, can aid teachers in making reasonable assumptions of their students’ abilities.