Sunday, May 31, 2026     6:00 - 7:00 PM JST 

Bridging theory and practice to create better learning materials.

This talk focuses on the hotly debated role of theory in materials development for language learning. I introduce some of the challenges of developing research-informed learning materials and consider research in three areas which have had an impact on global coursebooks: corpus-linguistics, listening skills development and the representation of cultural content.

In each case, I will explore how research has been applied to materials development, show examples from global course books, and draw upon my own experience as a published course book author, teacher, and researcher.

Free Zoom event!

Registration Link:

https://forms.gle/2V3UFofciEHATPzQ6 

Overview

The 3T Summit: Teaching, Textbooks, and Technology is a face-to-face event exploring the role of these three areas in English language teaching (ELT). Participants will explore how to effectively utilize both digital tools and traditional methods to support language learning. Sessions will highlight classroom applications, AI integration, pedagogical theory, and reflective practice. The event also features opportunities for textbook authors and IT developers to showcase and present their work, offering valuable resources and insights for teachers looking for new materials for their classrooms. Sponsors may have sample textbooks and trial access to their products. 

3T Summit 2026 website link under construction. Please wait a bit!

Co-Creating the Curriculum 

  Saturday, May 23     11:40 - 12:45    

Join us for presentations and discussion about involving students in the materials and content creation process!

 We'll listen to 4 speakers, Nicola Hannah (Nagoya City University),  Bethany Lacy (Rikkyo University), Deepti Mishiro (Kobe University), and Andre Parsons (Hokkaido University of Education - Hakodate) discuss their experiences before opening the floor to discussion.   

Additionally, be sure to check out our SIG table during the conference! 

THEME: Student Involvement in Materials Development: Building Community through Classroom Content.

In alignment with the PanSIG 2026 theme of Community, the Materials Writers Special Interest Group (MW SIG) invites proposals for our forum centered on the collaborative nature of content creation. While materials writing is often viewed as a solitary task for the "expert" teacher, this year we want to highlight the bridge between the writer and the learner.

CALL for PRESENTERS:

We are looking for presenters to share their experiences, research, and practical strategies for involving students in the materials development. How can we leverage our students' voices to create more relevant, engaging, and authentic learning tools?

The conference is scheduled to kick off with a networking event on Saturday, February 14th from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Following this, a full schedule of presentations and displays from publishers will take place on Sunday, February 15th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Hokkai-Gakuen University in Sapporo. 

https://hokkaido.jalt.org/

The Materials Writers SIG is proud to be a sponsor of this event and will host a table display featuring textbooks and other materials created by JALT members. To learn more about these resources, visit the MW SIG Showcase.

MW SIG member Jerry Halvorsen will be managing the table. Please stop by and say hello! 

Interested in hosting the next 3T Summit?

The MW SIG is actively seeking host institutions.

Wouldn't it be great to have the 3T Summit in your area?

Date: (Autumn)

Venue: Your Institution

Requirements:

Venue for approximately 100 participants

4 to 6 rooms for presentations

1 large lecture hall

Sponsor area

We are currently reviewing applications.

Please get in touch with us at [materialswriters-president@jalt.org]

• Meet the Maker is a unique program where materials writers showcase their textbooks, apps, or other creations, followed by an interview led by the MW SIG. Check out our growing list of videos and upcoming events!

Visit the Meet the Maker Invitation Page.