Abstract
The Japan Association for Self-Access Learning (JASAL) held its 15th annual conference event on the 5th of December, 2020. Due to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the event was conducted online via the Zoom teleconferencing application, marking JASAL’s first “virtual conference” and requiring an impressive feat of innovation from organizers. The conference, attended by more than 50 participants in total, featured 20 presentations on a variety of topics relevant to self-access learning and supporting language learner autonomy. Highlights of the day included a plenary talk by Satoko Kato and Hisako Yamashita and a virtual tour of Tokyo International University’s English Plaza. In this conference report, 17 English-language presentations are summarized and arranged according to three themes: autonomy-supportive learning projects; SALC development via research and reflection; and reflections on the transition to emergency remote self-access in 2020.
Highlights
On Saturday, 5th December 2020, The Japan Association for Self-Access Learning (JASAL) held its annual conference on the occasion of the organization’s 15th anniversary
A number of themes emerged with direct relevance to the state of self-access and learner autonomy during this tumultuous year; following a review of the plenary talk, presentation summaries are organized according to these topics
In years past, the opportunity to visit the hosting organization’s self-access facilities was a JASAL conference highlight; these tours often provide context for presentations, insights into the unique priorities of various institutions and communities of practice, and new approaches to pilot with our own learners
Summary
On Saturday, 5th December 2020, The Japan Association for Self-Access Learning (JASAL) held its annual conference on the occasion of the organization’s 15th anniversary. LAs and assistant language teachers (ALTs) worked with students to develop organizational and time management strategies while raising awareness of the learning process; learners reported improved research skills, and greater creative thinking and feelings of self-efficacy.
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