Introducing the brand new Showcase presentation format
This year, JALT is introducing a new presentation format called the "showcase." This is a one-time special presentation format designed to support the theme of PanSIG 2025, Agency and Autonomy in Language Learning. PanSIG 2025 is being held at KUIS, home to the largest SALC in Japan. Thanks to this and this year's theme we decided to introduce this new style highlighting Self Access Learning Centers (SALCs) from all around Japan and even one from Mexico. Come join us to learn about SALCs from the following universities:
- Reitaku University
- Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University
- Chiba University
- Hirosaki University
- Sojo University
- Saitama University
- Nihon University College of Humanities and Sciences
- Otemon Gakuin University
- Ritsumeikan University
- Soka University
- and specially invited all the way from Mexico, The National Autonomous University of Mexico
Academic Institution: Reitaku University
Presenters: Colin Mitchell (Director), Derrick Wong, E Von Wong
Abstract: Reitaku iFloor is an entire floor designed to support students' language and cultural learning across all faculties and academic years. iFloor fosters a transition toward andragogical learning, providing learners with structured opportunities to develop autonomy and take greater responsibility of their learning (Knowles et al., 2015). The iFloor hosts functional and flexible spaces, notably the iLounge, a hub for interactive language practice, and the Writing Centre, which provides writing support from trained student tutors and teachers. Additionally, faculty-led weekly workshops ‘Terrace Talks’ promote language learning through personalised topics, fostering engagement through shared interests. The iFloor also offers the Transformative Autonomous Language Learning (TALL) course, a credit-bearing self-directed learning program where students design personalised study plans and reflect on their learning progress (Mezirow, 2012).
All aspects of the iFloor are centralised through ifloor.super.site, a dedicated platform providing students with access to iFloor information, schedules, and services. The iFloor showcase features interactive elements from the iLounge, sample writing centre support materials, promotional resources, and Terrace Talks, demonstrating how students engage with self-directed learning in a structured yet flexible environment. Additionally, the showcase will highlight the TALL course, presenting its design, impact, and role in fostering learner autonomy and reflective language development.
Academic Institution: Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University
Presenters: Clair Taylor (Director), Chris Ho (student volunteer staff)
Abstract: Lounge MELT ("Maximum English Learning Together") is a warm, nurturing SALC located at a small, private university in Gifu. The name captures the relaxing feel of the space and suggests a "melting pot"— blending students from different years and faculties. Set up originally by students, this space (a former classroom) fell into disuse but was revived in 2012 by the current MELT Director and is continually developing. It consists of a lounge for conversation, light study, and social events, with a quieter annex for more serious study. Staffed by a team of part-time learning advisers, MELT's main focus is community. The advisers foster a supportive environment in which any student can come alone or with friends and feel comfortable, and where informal, spontaneous mentoring is a normal, everyday occurrence. With its cosy, homely feel; regular users; and grassroots, low-budget history, MELT meets the characteristics of a "third place" (Oldenburg, 1989). This gives students and learning advisers a strong sense of ownership and investment as they strive to keep the community thriving. This warm, living spirit is palpable. In this showcase, we will communicate this spirit, sharing some of the activities which have organically developed in this open culture.
Academic Institution: Chiba University
Presenters: Sarah Morikawa (Director), Robert Werner (Lecturer), Rizvon Ahrori (Student)
Abstract: English House (EH), established in 2013 at Chiba University, is a combination of a self-access centre and social space where students from different countries and departments can interact in a low-pressure environment to improve their language skills. There are two main areas: one is more for study-oriented interaction, while the other is mainly for social interaction. This showcase will focus on study activities.
One of the main features of EH is the large number of student staff hired as part-time workers to conduct conversation sessions. Around 25 student assistants (SAs) work to provide 50 sessions a day free of charge to students or staff. The conversation sessions are linked to one of the first-year compulsory courses to help students overcome the initial "barrier" of entering the facility. Another key feature is the long-standing Language Exchange programme. Approximately 200 students per semester are paired to conduct face-to-face tandem language learning. This programme is currently being expanded to an international online format. These and other activities, such as individual lessons, study groups and the English House Student Society, will be explained in the showcase.
Academic Institution: Hirosaki University
Presenters: Sanae Katagiri (Teacher/Manager), Reik Jagno (Teacher/Manager) Joshua Lee Solomon (Teacher/Manager)
Abstract: The Hirosaki University English Lounge (SALC) is a medium-sized facility located in a national university. It opens five days a week operated by four affiliated faculty, who are also teachers in the Liberal Arts curriculum. It sees approximately 5000 visits per year and services undergraduates, postgraduates, and staff; as well as local citizens and Aomori prefecture high school students during special workshops. The SALC is located in the Center for Liberal Arts Development and Practices and is integrated into the university's liberal arts English curriculum.
We offer 10-12 weekly non-credit, non-mandatory workshops each semester, in addition to events held during vacation.
We also provide a wide range of seminars and cultural exchange opportunities as well as interdepartmental presentations, all focusing on autonomous learning and cross-cultural communication emphasizing world Englishes. Furthermore, the SALC is cooperating with different departments to further forward the university's internationalization.
This showcase provides an in-depth overview of the center's management, organizational structure, material development processes, and event planning. Special focus will be put on the topics of material development, outreach activities, the English Lounge Forum as element to connect the university more, and the integration of the SALC into Liberal Arts education.
Academic Institution: Sojo University, Sojo International Learning Center (SILC)
Presenters: Kayoko Horai (Director), Alison Koga (Lecturer), Mark Howarth (Lecturer)
Abstract: Our SALC is a dynamic, student-centered space integrated with the curriculum through the Self-Directed Learning (SDL) Unit, which encourages students to connect their individual learning needs, class experiences, and beyond-class learning. As a STEM-focused institution, many of our students are not language majors, so we prioritize creating a welcoming environment that fosters confidence in using English.
A key feature is collaboration—our SALC partners with the IoT Center and Monozukuri Center, where students can engage in creative activities using advanced machines and equipment. Student involvement is also central, with "SALCers" and Sojo English Association (SEA) members enhancing the space through riddles, cultural displays, and intercultural events.
The SALC offers diverse activities like Minecraft Corner, art exhibitions, programming kits, and outdoor events, promoting English use in engaging ways. The Conversation Lounge provides a casual space for language practice, while the Skills Center offers personalized tutoring. Collaboration with the Art Department adds further interdisciplinary opportunities.
Our showcase will highlight how curriculum integration, collaboration, and student-led initiatives create an inclusive and dynamic SALC. By fostering creativity, communication, and self-directed learning, our SALC empowers students to confidently use English in authentic contexts.
Academic Institution: National Autonomous University of México
Presenters: Maria de la Paz Adelia Peña Clavel (Director and Learner Advisor)
Abstract: Mediateca, a self-access language learning centre (SALC) at ENALLT, UNAM in Mexico City, is an alternative language learning space, providing resources in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Russian) to students and faculty. Its core mission is to develop learner autonomy, empowering individuals to manage their language process and acquisition according to their needs and learning preferences. This is achieved through a diverse array of both on-site and online resources, including personalised learning advising, "Learning to learn" workshops, and the Teletandem program. The Teletandem program (video calls with students of Spanish in international universities) and the promotion of learning autonomy are our distinctive features. A team of dedicated advisors and academic assistants supports the centre. Moreover, its professional development initiatives, such as a diploma course and mini-courses for language teacher advisors, reinforce its commitment to high-quality language education. Attendees will experience a visual overview of our centre through videos highlighting our various activities, such as Teletandem, and conversation circles. We will experience some workshop demonstrations and show examples of learner advisor-created materials. We will also share insights of a research project based on Activity Theory.
Academic Institution: Saitama University
Presenters: Stacey Vye (Professor/Director of Center for English Education and Development (CEED)/SALC/ERC Coordinator), Adriana Edwards Wurzinger (Coordinator of Academic Communication Skills Courses/SALC/ERC Advisor)
Abstract: Our English Resource Center (ERC) SALC facilitates group advising at Saitama University. Three English language teaching faculty have afternoon sessions three days per week. Students join the hybrid in-person and online group advising with a Meeting Owl conference camera, which may be unique compared to other SALCs. The ERC advisors create and maintain close-knit learning communities through reflective conversations based on the learners' preferences. The ERC utilizes a drop-in system where advisees log in, and the advisors can view each advisee's preferences and purpose to adapt the focus for each learner. Long-term advisees support the newcomers as near-peer role models with encouragement. Our primary focus is facilitating collaborative learner autonomy through communication with advisees in a social hybrid environment. The ERC is an advisees' center, uniquely changing and evolving based on the learners. The advisees are stakeholders of the ERC budget who order learning resources to borrow. We aim to showcase the ERC group advising practices focusing on learners maintaining group learning communities collaboratively. Advisors foster learner growth and confidence where advisees transform into near-peer role models who support ERC newcomers. Participant feedback through reflections and potential improvements is welcome to support our learning community.
Academic Institution: Nihon University College of Humanities and Science
Presenters: Timothy Gutierrez (Faculty steering sub-committee member), Eran Kim (Associate Professor/Faculty steering sub-committee member), Fuse Sayoko (Undergraduate Student)/Student Advisor), Gabriela Schmidt, (Faculty steering sub-committee member), Ting Li (Associate Professor/Faculty steering sub-committee member)
Abstract: Our SALC, the Global Research Education Center (GREC), consists of four inter-dependent sub-divisions helping to improve foreign language education at our university. The center has grown to include resources for (a) students wishing to improve their English and other foreign languages, (b) foreign students studying at our university, (c) students studying to be teachers of Japanese as a foreign language, and (d) students who wish to improve their academic writing both in English and Japanese. Uniquely GREC serves the above variety of students through a mixture of administrative staff, student experts, and experienced teachers. With our SALC showcase we would like to demonstrate how four distinct centers work together as an integrated whole to help fulfill Japan's national objective of becoming an international society as well as the GREC's smooth collaboration between academic affairs and academic departments. We would also like to showcase our student advisors who help students study an additional language, live overseas, take standardized proficiency tests, or improving their academic writing. We would like to showcase our language learning space which provides a hub for Japanese students to interact with native speaking teachers and, more importantly, international students studying at our university of nearly 10,000 students.
Academic Institution: Otemon Gakuin University
Presenters: Katherine Thornton (Program Director), Jay Pepito (E-CO Teacher)
Abstract: English Café at Otemon (E-CO) is a small SALC at Otemon Gakuin University. Our mission is to promote international exchange, foster learner autonomy and provide opportunities for language use, both English and other languages. We aim to be as multilingual as possible and offer Chinese and Korean sessions in addition to English. We provide a learning advising service, group and individual language practice sessions run by international and Japanese students, regular conversation and testing courses, and workshops. We have a team of around 20 student volunteer staff, who organise several events per semester and play an active role in promoting our activities through Instagram, posters and displays.
Many students suffer from a lack of confidence in English, so our main focus is to break down the barriers felt towards language learning through offering personalised support and building a supportive community.
Our USP is our student-run community outreach projects. These include a multilingual games event with international students for local children, and a project designed to enhance disaster preparedness for foreign residents. Through these events, the student team build communication and leadership skills while promoting international exchange in the local community. In our showcase, we will share examples of our activities.
Academic Institution: Ritsumeikan University
Presenters: Moe Shoji (Faculty and Intercultural Advisor), Hatsune Yoshimoto (SALC, the Beyond Borders Plaza, Kinugasa Campus), Hinako Goi (SALC, the Beyond Borders Plaza, Kinugasa Campus), Shinnosuke Harada (SALC, the Beyond Borders Plaza, Kinugasa Campus)
Abstract: Our center, the Beyond Borders Plaza (BBP), is an international hub designed to cultivate a global atmosphere on campus. BBP is located across our Osaka, Kyoto, and Shiga campuses, each managed by a dedicated instructor with oversight provided by a central director. The team also includes office staff and student staff who play an active role in the center's daily operations. We emphasize student autonomy, encouraging student staff to take initiative in planning and implementing activities that connect students from diverse backgrounds and interests. Our BBP prioritize international exchange over language learning, offering a variety of activities, such as cultural exchange workshops, excursions, cooking, sports events, and language exchange sessions. These activities, primarily organized by student staff, promote intercultural understanding and create opportunities for both international and domestic students to engage in meaningful cross-cultural interactions, transcending language barriers, cultural differences, academic disciplines, and year levels. In this showcase, we will highlight the distinctive practices at each location and our collaborative approach across three campuses. We will also present how student staff are encouraged to facilitate communication among users and develop their mindset as BBP student staff through designing their own training sessions with close support from instructors and office staff.
Academic Institution: Soka University
Presenters: Mari Kuromatsu (Self-Access Center Coordinator), Eugene Addo, Gee Lian Ng, Dylan Tong
Abstract: The WLC Self-Access Center (SAC) at Soka University has been a leader in self-directed language l earning for over 25 years. Our center empowers students to become independent and effective language users through a variety of innovative programs. These include English conversation clubs for English, Japanese and other foreign languagues. Additionally, we provide 1-1 tutoring at our Writing Development Desk and a new, integrated English Advising Corner (EAC), which offers advisory support towards (i) improving specific language knowledge or skill and (ii) preparing for TOEFL and IELTS speaking tests. Such 1-1 advisory sessions aim to foster further learner autonomy in language learning.
Our unique selling point lies in the collaborative environment we've cultivated, where both Japanese and international students work together to run the programs which promotes cross-cultural exchange. The center is designed to foster autonomy and fluency in language learners, with support available for a wide range of learning styles and needs.
At our showcase, you can expect to learn about the EAC. Our EAC instructors are all full-time lecturers who interact with Japanese students daily in the classroom. As a result, they have firsthand knowledge of students' struggles in English. This exposure equips our SAC instructors with the insight needed support learners in becoming confident, self-directed language users.