Scope & Originality: Submissions should address topics in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) and ideally align with the conference theme or thematic streams announced for that year. We welcome a broad range of proposals – from rigorous research studies to practical teaching applications – as long as they contribute new or innovative insights to CALL. Proposals should present original work not previously published or presented.
Language: Proposals must be submitted in English or Japanese. We’re unable to accept other languages at this time because we cannot reliably secure qualified reviewers, and we want sessions to reflect the primary languages of our conference audience. If needed, we can provide a reference-only Japanese translation of these guidelines upon request. In the event of any discrepancy, the English version prevails.
Proposal Length: The abstract or proposal summary should be a maximum of 200 words. This summary should clearly and coherently describe your session’s topic, objectives, methodology (if research-oriented), outcomes or findings (actual or expected), and the significance or implications for CALL practice/research. A well-crafted submission will allow reviewers to easily understand the purpose and value of your proposal.
Submission Process: Proposals are submitted online through the conference submission system by the stated deadline. You will need to provide a title (using title case), the 200-word abstract, and select the appropriate session type (see session types below) and thematic stream (subtype). Please confirm that your Edzil.la profile name is correct. Your profile name and affiliation will be printed on the conference program and your name badge. If your session has co-presenters, only the primary presenter’s name is required at submission – additional co-presenters can be added after acceptance if needed. Each individual may submit one proposal as the primary presenter (you can be a co-presenter, panelist, or forum speaker in another session). All submissions must be received by the deadline; late proposals are usually not accepted.
Review & Selection: All proposals will undergo double-blind peer review by the conference committee. Two reviewers will evaluate each submission based on clarity and coherence of the abstract, relevance to CALL and to the conference theme, and originality/timeliness of the research or teaching approach. Proposals should therefore be specific and informative – avoid vague language and clearly highlight what is new or valuable. High-quality proposals that demonstrate clear objectives, sound methodology or practical rationale, and a contribution to the field are more likely to be accepted.
Notification & Confirmation: Authors will be notified of acceptance or rejection by the announced date. Upon acceptance, presenters must confirm their participation. Registration by the early-bird deadline is required for all presenters (including co-presenters) to secure a spot in the program. Presenters who do not register by that deadline risk having their presentation removed from the schedule.
Presenter Policies: All presenters for each accepted proposal must attend the conference and deliver the presentation (in-person, or online if the conference permits remote presentations for that year). Co-presenters who do not register and attend the conference will be removed from the conference program. If a presenter has special circumstances (e.g., inability to travel), they should coordinate with conference organizers in advance. In sessions with multiple speakers (panels/forums), the organizer of that session must ensure all participants can attend and actively contribute. All presenters are expected to uphold professional standards and abide by the JALT Code of Conduct during the conference.
Funding and Grants: JALTCALL strives to support presenters with limited funding. In most years, a small number of fee waivers or presenter grants are available for those in financial need (e.g., unaffiliated teachers or students). If you wish to be considered, mention this in your proposal or notes upon submission. Such waivers, when offered, are typically awarded based on the strength of the proposal and financial need.
Publication Opportunities: Presenters are encouraged to consider writing up their work for publication after the conference. The JALTCALL SIG publishes proceedings or invites submissions to its journals (JALTCALL Journal or JALTCALL Trends) for selected conference papers. Details on post-conference publication (if applicable) will be provided to presenters separately; these follow their own submission guidelines.
When submitting your proposal, you must choose one of the following session types. Each has specific requirements and is reviewed according to the nature of that type.
Format: An oral presentation, typically 25 minutes (including 5 minutes for Q & A). This is the standard conference talk slot for one presenter or a team.
Content: This category covers both traditional research papers and practice-focused “show and tell” talks. A research-oriented presentation usually involves reporting on a study or experiment, analyzing data, or discussing theoretical aspects related to CALL. It should include a clear research question or objective, methodology, results (or expected results), and implications. In contrast, a practice-oriented presentation demonstrates a teaching tool, software, courseware, or pedagogical technique in CALL. Practice-oriented presentations may be slightly less formal in terms of research rigor – there is “less expectation regarding evaluation or research issues” than a full research-oriented presentation – but should still be informative and valuable to practitioners. Both types of presentations should emphasize what participants can learn or take away for their own teaching/research.
Proposal Guidelines: In your 200-word abstract, clearly identify whether your talk is research-based or practice-focused (or a blend of both). For research presentations, outline the research purpose, design, and key findings (even if preliminary), and state why they matter to language teaching/learning with technology. For practice/showcase talks, describe the context or problem addressed, the tool or approach you will demonstrate, and any evidence of its effectiveness (or lessons learned from using it). All presentations, regardless of type, should highlight how they contribute to a better understanding or practice of CALL.
Additional Notes: Standard A/V equipment (projector, speakers) will be provided for oral presentations. Presenters should plan to leave a few minutes for Q&A within the 25-minute slot. Co-presenters are allowed for a single presentation, but all co-presenters should have a meaningful role during the talk.
Format: An interactive poster session. Poster presentations are displayed during a dedicated 60-minute poster time slot, during which attendees circulate and discuss with presenters. Multiple posters will be presented concurrently in the same room. This format is ideal for one-on-one or small-group discussions; attendees can drop by at any time during the session to ask questions. There is no formal lecture – instead, the presenter engages in repeated short explanations and dialogue with viewers.
Content: Posters are especially suited for work-in-progress, preliminary research findings, innovative ideas, theoretical proposals, or pedagogical innovations that benefit from visual explanation. For example, you might present a research project in development, a new CALL tool or activity you’ve created, or a summary of survey results. The scope can be broad: “describing a work in progress, a theory in development, or a new process or idea” are all appropriate. Even more fully developed studies can be presented in poster format if the presenter prefers a more interactive setting. Essentially, any topic that can be effectively communicated with charts, graphs, screenshots, or other visual aids is suitable for a poster.
Proposal Guidelines: The proposal for a poster is similar to an oral presentation abstract – it should concisely describe the topic or study, including the context and the main point or finding you will convey. If it’s research, mention research questions and any data or expected results. If it’s a practical project or showcase, describe the innovation and its significance. Make it clear why the topic is interesting and what attendees can learn from your poster. Tip: A good poster abstract often poses a problem or question and hints at your solution or insights, inviting people to come find out more at the session.
Additional Notes: Specific poster dimensions or materials (e.g., poster size, mounting method) will be announced closer to the conference. (For reference, in past conferences, poster boards have been around A0 size or large whiteboards where posters could be affixed.) Prepare a visually clear poster and consider handouts or QR codes for digital access to your work. You are expected to stand by your poster for the full session to engage with attendees.
Format: A workshop is an extended 60-minute session that is hands-on and interactive. Rather than a lecture or research talk, a workshop focuses on demonstrating and training participants in the use of a technology or a CALL technique. The presenter typically guides the audience through activities or demonstrations step-by-step, often with opportunities for participants to try something themselves (either during or after the session). Workshops are scheduled in blocks (usually one hour) to allow depth and Q&A throughout the session.
Content: Workshops should teach attendees “how to use various tools or ideas for CALL-based language learning environments.” They may showcase commercial or free software, online platforms, mobile apps, or innovative classroom techniques involving technology. (Developers presenting their own commercial software should contact the conference team about commercial sponsorship packages). The key is that the session is practical: attendees should come away with new skills or understanding of a process. For example, a workshop might train teachers in using an LMS plugin, building multimedia materials, implementing a specific game-based learning approach, using coding or VR in language lessons, etc. It can also be a creation workshop (developing materials) or a strategy workshop (for integrating tech into curriculum), as long as it’s activity-oriented. Ensure that any tools demonstrated are accessible (or alternatives are provided) so participants can implement the ideas on their own later.
Proposal Guidelines: A workshop proposal should clearly state what tool, resource, or method will be taught and how the session will run. Outline the topics or tasks participants will engage in and what materials (software, equipment, etc.) will be used. Highlight the practical benefit: what will participants be able to do or understand by the end of your workshop? If any prerequisite knowledge or devices are required (e.g., “Bring a laptop or smartphone”), mention that. The abstract should assure reviewers that the session will be interactive and valuable for teacher development in CALL. (If relevant, note your expertise with the tool or approach to establish credibility.)
Additional Notes: Workshops often require logistical planning. Presenters should communicate any special equipment or room setup needs to organizers in advance (e.g., computer lab, strong Wi-Fi, etc.). Be prepared to bring any necessary digital materials. During the workshop, plan to incorporate participant interaction – e.g., exercises, guided practice, Q&A breaks. Time management is crucial in workshops, so your plan in the proposal should reflect a clear structure (introduction, demo, hands-on practice, wrap-up, etc.).
Format: A panel discussion is a 60-minute session featuring a group of presenters (usually 3–4 panelists plus a moderator) exploring a specific issue or theme in depth. Panels are intended to provide diverse perspectives on a topic through a more conversational format. Typically, each panelist offers a short opening statement or mini-presentation, and then the moderator facilitates discussion among the panelists and with the audience. Panels are scheduled as single sessions (no rotation of audience) to allow continuity of discussion.
Content: Panel topics should be of broad interest or address emerging debates in CALL. For example, a panel might discuss ethical issues of AI in language education, compare experiences implementing online learning during a pandemic, or present different research findings around a common question. Because multiple experts are involved, the strength of a panel is the dialogue and contrast of viewpoints. Panel proposals should therefore have a clear unifying theme or question and a rationale for why each panelist is included (what perspective or expertise they bring). Ensure the topic lends itself to discussion rather than just four separate presentations – panelists should engage with each other’s ideas. The moderator can be one of the panelists or a separate facilitator; in either case, the role is to keep the conversation focused and include audience questions.
Proposal Guidelines: Panel proposals are typically submitted by the organizer or moderator on behalf of the group. The proposal should list all panel participants (panellists and moderator) and include the panel title and an overall abstract. In the 200-word abstract, outline the central issue or question the panel will address and briefly mention the subtopics or perspectives each panelist will contribute. For example: “Panel on Mobile Learning: Alice Smith will share usage data from her context; Bob Lee will discuss pedagogical challenges; Carol Tan will demonstrate an app development perspective… followed by a moderated Q&A.” Emphasize the interactive nature of the session and what attendees can learn. It’s important to show that the panel is well-structured and that the presenters have a plan to engage in a cohesive discussion (not just unrelated mini-talks). Each panelist must attend and participate in the conference; do not list unconfirmed participants.
Additional Notes: All panel members need to register for the conference by the presenter deadline, just like regular presenters. The conference may provide name tents or microphones for a panel format. The moderator should manage time to allow at least 15 minutes of audience Q&A toward the end. Panels provide a great opportunity for interaction, so moderators are encouraged to include audience questions or interactive polling throughout, if feasible.
Format: A forum is similar to a panel in that it is a group session (about 60 minutes) with multiple presenters, but it often consists of a series of short presentations on a related theme, rather than an open Q&A for the entire time. Forums are sometimes organized by JALT Special Interest Groups (SIGs) or a team of colleagues who want to present complementary pieces of research. In a forum, each presenter might give a brief 10-minute talk, for example, followed by a period of interaction or discussion involving all forum presenters and the audience. The structure can vary – some forums run as consecutive mini-presentations, while others might include two rounds of presentations with a discussion after each round. The key is that all contributions are connected under one theme or title.
Content: Forums typically delve into a focused topic from multiple angles. For instance, an SIG forum could explore “Learner Autonomy in CALL” with five members each sharing a small project or case study, then discussing common threads. Another example: a colloquium on “Game-Based Learning” might have presenters each covering a different aspect (one on student motivation, one on classroom integration, one on game design for language learning, etc.), followed by a general discussion. Because forums allow multiple voices, they are well-suited for showcasing diverse experiences or research around a unifying idea. In past JALTCALL conferences, forums have been quite interactive; for example, the Learner Development SIG forum in 2019 featured six presenters sharing various CALL learner development projects and then a collective reflection period. This format encourages audience members to hear several short talks and engage in synthesis during the discussion.
Proposal Guidelines: A forum proposal should be submitted by a lead organizer and should include the forum title, an abstract, and the list of all presenters/topics. Use the abstract to explain the overall theme and purpose of the forum and briefly outline what each presenter will contribute. Since 200 words is tight for multiple talks, focus on the common thread and the unique aspect of each contribution (in one sentence each, if possible). It’s also good to mention the format: for example, note if you plan a Q&A panel at the end or interactive discussion segments so reviewers see that the session is coordinated. Clearly label it as a “Forum” or “Colloquium” in the submission. All forum presenters should be aware of and agree to this joint proposal. If a SIG sponsors the forum, mention that as well (SIG forums are welcome and typically each SIG is allotted a slot if a proposal is submitted).
Additional Notes: Forums require careful time management to give each presenter their turn and still allow for interaction. The forum lead or a discussant should keep things on schedule. Like panels, all participants in a forum must register for the conference in advance. If your forum is accepted as a SIG-sponsored session, the SIG may also advertise it – coordinate with your SIG officers. The conference organizers might group forum sessions in the program, so using “Forum” in the title (e.g., “LD-SIG Forum: [topic]”) can help attendees identify it.
These submission policies are designed to ensure that the JALTCALL conference features high-quality, relevant, and engaging sessions across a range of formats. By following the guidelines above, contributors can prepare proposals that meet the expectations for each format and increase their chances of acceptance. We encourage submitters to think carefully about which format best suits their content – whether it’s an empirical research report, a hands-on demonstration, a collaborative panel, or any other style – and to craft clear, informative proposals. JALTCALL has a strong tradition of diverse session types, and we value contributions from both new and experienced presenters. We look forward to your submissions and to another excellent conference showcasing the latest in CALL.
Sources: The above guidelines have been compiled and adapted from recent JALTCALL conference calls for proposals and program documentation, as well as JALT conference best practices. For reference, JALTCALL has consistently invited proposals for papers, show & tell demonstrations, workshops, and poster sessions over the past decade, and more recently has included panel discussions and SIG forums to broaden the conference discourse. These policies aim to encapsulate the essence of those calls and provide a clear framework for future JALTCALL conference submissions.