• Information

    • MEMBERSHIP

    • The JALT Hokkaido Local Membership is no longer available. For information on becoming a member of JALT click here:  http://jalt.org/joining

      If you would like information on joining JALT as a GROUP Member please contact our Membership Chair, Shaun Hoggard, at membership-hokkaido@jalt.org
      The GROUP Membership is  8,500 yen -- 4,500 cheaper than a full memebrship (13,000 yen), but only one person in the group can receive the JALT publications the Language Teacher and the JALT Journal. A miniumum of 5 people are necessary for making a group. Group Membership offers full member benefits such as members discounts for JALT events across Japan including the JALT International Conference. Group Members can also serve as National, Chapter, and SIG officers.

    • 👇 Upcoming Events Below 👇   

      Make sure to check out our past events in the Event Archive.

    • Join language educators from across Hokkaido and beyond for an inspiring, face-to-face professional development event in Sapporo. The JALT Hokkaido Winter Language Conference 2026 brings together teachers, researchers, and publishers to explore innovative and practical approaches to language education, with a strong focus on engagement, creativity, and classroom impact.

      Conference Schedule

      Saturday, February 14
      6:30–8:30 PM — Networking Event
      Begin the conference by reconnecting with colleagues, meeting new educators, and sharing ideas in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

      Sunday, February 15
      10:00 AM–5:00 PM — Main Conference Day
      Hokkai-Gakuen University, Sapporo
      Enjoy a full day of presentations, interactive sessions, and publisher displays featuring the latest resources and research in language education.

      Featured Keynote Speaker

      Dr. James York (Meiji University, Tokyo)

      Keynote   -   Finding the SPACE to Play in Language Teaching

      This keynote explores how educators can intentionally design physical and conceptual spaces for play within language classrooms. Drawing on principles of ludic pedagogy, the S.P.A.C.E. framework highlights how play can foster student agency, creativity, and meaningful engagement. Rather than viewing play as a distraction from learning, this approach positions the classroom as a pedagogically designed environment where students learn through exploration, interaction, and iteration. Participants will engage with reflective questions and collaborative discussion as they reconsider how thoughtful classroom design can transform learning into a dynamic, student-centered experience.

      Featured Workshop  -  TBLT-Gaming

      This workshop introduces a Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) framework designed to develop all four language skills through and around gameplay, with particular emphasis on communication and oral proficiency. The framework primarily uses analog games, whose affordances such as face-to-face interaction, negotiation of meaning, and social dynamics make them especially effective for language instruction. The framework is also adaptable to digital games, allowing flexibility across teaching contexts. Gameplay accounts for approximately one-third of the learning process, supported by pre-task preparation, analysis, and reflection to ensure meaningful learning outcomes. Participants will leave with a ready-to-use framework and worksheets that can be immediately applied in their own classrooms.

      Conference Fees

      Students - Pre-registered: Free / At the door: ¥1,000

      JALT Members - Pre-registered: ¥1,000 / At the door: ¥2,000

      Non-JALT Members - Pre-registered: ¥3,000 / At the door: ¥4,000

      Please check your JALT Membership Status and Membership Number before registering. 

      Pre-registration here

      (Please pay both 'pre-registered' and 'at the door' fees in cash when entering the conference)

      Important Information

      This year’s conference will be held face-to-face and on-site only. Pre-registration is strongly recommended.

      Learn, play, and connect with fellow educators at the JALT Hokkaido Winter Language Conference 2026.

      We look forward to welcoming you to Sapporo!

    • On December 20, we had our final event for 2025.

      Details about the event are below and some photos taken on the day. 

      Todd Beuckens
      (Asia Pacific University / Creator of e lllo.org

       Hokkai-Gakuen University, Toyohira Campus— Building 6 (Subway Building), 3rd Floor, Room 31 Doors open at 3:30 PM, so feel free to come early, mingle, and get settled.

      Presentation: 4:00–5:30 PM

      A dynamic session with time for questions and discussion — we’d love to hear your ideas and insights!

      AGM & Election Results: 5:30–6:00 PM

      We’ll share updates, announce our newly elected officers, and look ahead to an exciting year.

      Everyone is welcome — let’s end the year on a high note and get ready for an exciting 2026!

      Abstract and bio here

      Poster

       

    • You can read more JALTHokkaido and our constitution here.

      https://jalt.org/groups/chapters/hokkaido

    • NEWS & MEETINGS 

    • RECENT NEWS

    • With help of the JALT Hokkaido EDPAG Grant for research and promotional activities, a paper has been published in the LEARN journal which is indexed in Scopus and Eric.

      The authors would like to thank JALT Hokkaido Chapter and have made mention in the acknowledgements.  The grant was used to pay student participants and a student research assistant during the investigative stage of the study.

      If you are interested in reading the paper titled ‘Reactions of Teachers and Students Towards the Implementation of Performance-based Language Assessment: A Washback Study in Hokkaido, Japan’ click on the link below and go to the 20th paper down the list.

      https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/LEARN/issue/view/17077

      To find out more about the JALT Hokkaido EDPAG Grant for research and promotional activities please visit https://hokkaido.jalt.org for more information.

    • EDPAG Grant Recipients

    • JALT Hokkaido is offering grants for research, educational and promotional activities.
      There are also grants for supporting members and non-members, for example, to attend JALT Hokkaido events and support local teaching and learning communities.
      For more information, and to submit your proposal, follow this link:
      The JALT Hokkaido team is looking forward to seeing your proposal and learning about your ideas!
    • Winner of the JALT Hokkaido EDPAG 2021!

      Recipient: Professor Bordin Chinda

      Title: Reactions of Teachers and Students Towards the Implementation of Performance-based Language Assessment: A Washback Study in Hokkaido, Japan

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