Skip to main content

PanSIG Tips for Presentation Proposal Submissions

Thank you for expressing interest in submitting a proposal to present at PanSIG 2025. Ours is a supportive conference that welcomes experienced and less experienced presenters, so here we share some tips and our proposal vetting criteria to help you write a quality proposal regardless of your experience level.

Submission Guidelines
Presenter Information: Name, affiliation (academic institution or business), email address for first speaker and other speakers. You enter this information when you create an account on our conference management site at https://events.jalt.org. You can also create new accounts for your co-presenters/co-authors as necessary
Title: No more than 75 characters (40 characters for Japanese and Mandarin-Chinese) including spaces. 
Format:

When you submit your proposal, you can choose from the following 2 Face-to-face options: 

  • Research or Practice-oriented Oral Presentation (25 minutes, including Q&A)
    Present at Kanda University of International Studies on Saturday or Sunday of the conference. Free Wi-Fi internet connection is available. This is an excellent choice for people who want live audience interaction.
  • Poster session
    Present a research poster to a live audience at the event. Posters will be paper-based. Presenters must be on hand to present and discuss their research throughout their session.

There are also 2 unvetted presentation options:

  • NEW! For this year only* SALC showcase (maximum of 10 slots)
    JASAL (The Japan Association for Self-Access Learning) will send conditions and deadlines for this category on PanSIG's behalf directly to SALCs. 
  • Unvetted SIG Forum or Unvetted SIG Poster
    Conditions and deadlines for this category will be sent directly to SIG Representatives at a later date.
Abstract: No more than 200 words in English, French, Hungarian, German, Italian, Romanian and Spanish, or 400 Japanese characters. This will be used for vetting in the selection process as well as appearing in the conference handbook. Submissions that have fewer than 150 words or 300 Japanese characters may be declined. For proposals submitted in languages other than English, we request a short English description for vetting purposes
Keywords: Please list 2-4 keywords to classify your presentation.
Notes: Please indicate any special requests you have for your presentation. (Speakers must supply their own digital devices and any needed adapters.)

Factors that strengthen:

  • The topic and point of view are clearly stated.
  • The format is appropriate to the topic.
  • The content to be presented fits the time allotted.
  • The presenter shows familiarity with current practice and/or research.
  • The content of the presentation will add valuable knowledge to the field or present a useful skill.
  • The abstract is well written, carefully edited, and proofread.
  • The format of the proposal abstract follows a clear three-step order:
    1. Background introduction,
    2. Problem addressed (if research-based) or classroom activities to be shared (if practice-based), and finally
    3. What will be addressed to in the presentation. Clearly explain what the presentation will show, investigate, or discuss.

Factors that weaken:

  • The abstract is too general, lacks details and examples.
  • The title is obscure, inappropriate, or unrelated to the content.
  • Elaborate equipment is needed.
  • The abstract includes unclear language.
  • Insufficient time would be available to present.
  • Abstract is not appropriate for the requested presentation type.
  • Abstract is not appropriate for the selected SIG.

Factors that can lead to automatic rejection:

  • Abstract word count is below 150 words.
  • Proposal contains plagiarized material (including self-plagiarism of your own abstracts and titles from other presentations or publications).
  • Identifying information is included in the abstract. This includes, but is not limited to: grant numbers, institution names, names of individuals, job titles, or positions held within JALT. Abstracts should be anonymous when vetted. After vetting, you will have an opportunity to add identifying information to your abstract if necessary.
  • The proposal contains derogatory or offensive language.
  • The proposal is an advertisement for a commercial product (JALT commercial sponsors are offered unvetted presentation slots).
  • The topic is not related to language learning and one of JALT's 30 special interest groups.

Vetting Rubric for PanSIG 2025

Your proposal will be evaluated using the following criteria:

  • This presentation would be a valuable addition to PanSIG 2025
  • The abstract is an appropriate length
  • The topic and point of view are clearly stated.
  • The topic is related to language learning or education (within the scope of the PanSIG Conference).
  • The abstract shows familiarity with current practice and/or research.
  • The presentation will add valuable knowledge to the field or present a useful skill.
  • Both experts and those new to the topic would understand the abstract.
  • The proposal provides is clear and coherent.
  • The abstract is well written in an appropriate academic register.
  • The abstract is carefully edited and proofread.
Style Guidelines
Title Abstract

Your title will appear in the conference handbook and platform. Therefore, it should clearly reflect the contents of the presentation to the audience.

No more than 75 characters (40 characters for Japanese and Mandarin-Chinese) including spaces.

Capitalization Rules
Capitalize the first letter of the title, proper nouns, and the first word after a colon.

Capitalization Examples
An exploration of identity in TESOL: Self-reflection as practice

The abstract is a concise description of your proposal. This will be used for vetting. It will also appear in the conference handbook and on the conference site.

No more than 200 words in English, French, Hungarian, German, Italian, Romanian and Spanish, or 400 Japanese characters. Submissions that have fewer than 150 words or 300 Japanese characters may be declined for acceptance.

Do not include presenter name(s), institution(s), or publication(s). Citations are acceptable as appropriate. It is not necessary to provide a formatted reference list.

Style Rules
Avoid gendered language. PanSIG encourages the pronouns they / them / their rather than gendered pronouns. 

*Please note: PanSIG reserves the right to edit accepted abstracts for length and clarity.