In This Issue

Articles

This issue contains one full-length research article in English, and three Expositions articles in English. In the full-length research article, Noriko Nakanishi explores the relationship between in-class and out-of-class language learning, specifically the effects of coursework and self-training through shadowing-based tasks on language learners’ oral proficiency development. While her findings suggest moderate progress resulting from self-training, the author also provides empirical support for two inter-related causal claims. Firstly, interactive, communication-focused classroom instruction encourages the development of pronunciation skills, oral fluency, and syntactic accuracy. However, these tend to stagnate or regress without sustained engagement by learners outside the classroom. This analysis leads to valuable insight on how to steer autonomous practice so as to sustain procedural oral skill development.

The first Expositions article, by renowned sociolinguist David Block, unpacks the concept of (social) class - as discussed within and beyond Marxist literature, and developed by the author - and relates it to many of the practical issues and questions explored by applied linguists and language teachers. It offers a series of powerful arguments on class as both a structuring reality and a process, and as a useful construct in research on English language teaching and learning. Block’s argument about the need to frame English language education within a broader transformatory worldview offers rich conceptual grounds upon which to reconsider how English language teachers present the language and its social, political, and economic resonances, and ultimately, how they understand and respond to students’ needs.

In the second Expositions paper, Noriko Ishihara argues that pragmatic competence should become an explicit area of language pedagogy, not as “icing on the cake” after learners have developed sufficient mastery of target language forms, but rather from the very first day of instruction for all learners. This underlying argument allows the author to draw clear conceptual links between language education and intercultural communication. She then proposes and unpacks a learners-as-ethnographers approach through which students can develop both (meta)pragmatic awareness and pragmatic language use in the classroom. The author also brings critical light upon the native-speaker criterion in language education, while fronting creativity and criticality as key components of multilingual pragmatics. She also offers a critique of current translingual practices as potentially reinforcing linguistic racism and other forms of language-based injustices. 

The third Expositions paper, by Keita Kikuchi, explores non-cognitive skills, with an explicit emphasis on grit, optimism, and resilience, three noteworthy concepts said to have particular relevance to foreign language education research in Japan. The author looks at non-cognitive skills also from the perspective of positive psychology, and offers valuable conceptual and practical possibilities for language teachers working in the Japanese EFL context. 

Reviews

In this issue, we are pleased to present six excellent book reviews. The first is an analytical review of Dominant Language Constellations: A New Perspective on Multilingualism, by Harsha Dulari Wijesekera, who characterizes the volume as “a stimulating and timely addition to contemporary multilingualism studies … offering a new conceptual vocabulary and an empirically grounded framework that better mirrors how individuals use and experience multiple languages in navigating today’s globalised contexts.” The second book, reviewed by Thomas Amundrud, is Plurilingual Education in a Monolingualised Nation: Exploring New Frontiers in Language Teaching in Japan. One of the features of this book is the author’s introduction of polyethnography, which according to Amundrud is an “intriguing innovation.” Promoting Reflection on Language Learning: Lessons from a University Setting, reviewed by Mizuka Tsukamoto, is our third offering. Characterizing the book as uniquely relevant because “all contributions stem from research and practice at Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS) in Japan”, Tsukamoto reveals the strengths of the work, at the same time offering suggestions for improvement. Paul Marlowe, who has reviewed books for JALT Journal in the past, has brought his analytical talents to a review of The Twenty Most Effective Language Teaching Techniques. Marlowe cheekily suggests that this volume could easily be re-titled Paul Nation’s Greatest Hits, and notes that “one of the book’s most notable strengths is its balance of empirical support and practical relevance.”  Our fifth review, by Rebecca L. M. Funabashi, looks at a very timely Nicky Hockly’s 30 Essentials for Using Artificial Intelligence. While acknowledging that “[t]he pace of innovation in AI development creates obvious difficulties in writing a book about practical teaching applications of AI”, Funabashi praises the author for being “forward-thinking … by not focusing on particular tools, but on their main functionality.”  Last but not least, we are pleased to present Takeshi Onodera’s review of Mindsets in Language Education. Acknowledging that the book focuses primarily on English rather than other languages, Onodera observes that “this volume makes a notable conceptual contribution and advancement by foregrounding the role of sociocultural and educational conditions in shaping mindsets, offering both context-specific insights and broader cross-contextual patterns.” We hope that JALT Journal readers will enjoy and benefit from reading the thoughtful reviews in this issue.

From the Editors

This issue is witness to many changes within JALT Journal. It marks the final issue with Jeremie Bouchard as editor. Jeremie will be missed, as the entire editorial team has become accustomed to learning from his critical eye, lightning speed work rate, and thoughtful feedback and guidance at all stages leading to the publication of a JALT Journal issue. His leadership and dedication to the journal have been nothing short of admirable. Thank you, Jeremie! Luckily for JALT Journal and the editors, he will take on the role of JALT Publications Board Chair, thus continuing to play a role in JALT Journal, albeit an indirect one. Joe Geluso will step into the role of editor, and Paul Leeming will become the associate editor. We are also happy to welcome Rob Lowe as the incoming assistant editor. Rob has extensive teaching and research experience in Japan and an impressive publication record. JALT Journal will most certainly benefit from his contributions. Joe and Paul look forward to working with Rob over the coming years. This issue also marks the last one for Masayuki Kudo and Charles M. Mueller as the two Japanese-language editors. Their combined efforts have helped sustain JALT Journal’s status as a bilingual academic journal, and expand the journal’s range of research interests. Thank you very much, Masayuki and Charles, for your generosity and valuable contributions, and we wish you the best in your future endeavours. We are also very pleased to welcome Mayumi Kashiwa as the new Japanese-language editor. Mayumi is a dynamic educator and scholar, with excellent publications to her name. We all look forward to working with her in the years to come.

— Jeremie Bouchard, Editor

— Joe Geluso, Associate Editor

— Paul Leeming, Assistant Editor

— Robert Lowe, Incoming Assistant Editor

Parting Messages

It has been an honour and a privilege for me to fulfill editorial duties at JALT Journal. Working alongside an exceptional team of expert editors, dedicated reviewers, and of course authors, I have learned a great deal about the range of research interests shared among members of the applied linguistics research community here in Japan. I extend my sincere gratitude to everyone I have had the privilege to meet while working as editor for the past four years or so, and thank them for their professionalism, collegiality, and commitment to high standards of scholarly publishing. I would also like to express my appreciation to the entire JALT organisation, with a special thanks to Theron Mueller for his broad understanding of the JALT organisation and his unwavering support of JALT Journal. I owe my deepest gratitude to the JALT Journal readership, whose engagement in the field, and expectations regarding quality research and academic discourse, continue to motivate the work done at JALT Journal. Joe Geluso now takes the lead as chief editor, and with Paul Leeming, Rob Lowe, Melodie Cook, Mayumi Kashiwa, and Cameron Flinn as teammates, JALT Journal could not be in better hands. Under their collective guidance, JALT Journal will continue to grow as a respected forum for critical inquiry and scholarly exchange. It is my honour to take on the role of JALT Publications Board Chair for the next few years. I look forward to new challenges and opportunities ahead.

—Jeremie Bouchard

Serving on the editorial team has been an enriching experience and a significant journey in my life. Throughout this remarkable engagement, I have gained valuable insight and skills that have greatly influenced my academic and professional development. I would like to express my gratitude for everyone’s support, guidance, and encouragement. Thank you for the incredible opportunity to collaborate with such an exceptional team. I truly appreciate all your efforts and the opportunities you have provided me. 

—Masayuki Kudo

It has been a pleasure supporting JALT Journal and working with such a dedicated community. Thank you for the opportunity and for your continued efforts to advance English language teaching.

—Charles M. Mueller

Introductory Messages 

I am excited to join the JALT Journal as assistant editor. I look forward to working with this team to continue showcasing research that represents the exciting work being done both within and beyond the language teaching community in Japan.

—Robert Lowe

I am honored to serve as the JALT Journal Japanese-language editor. I am very much looking forward to working with the editorial team and assisting authors through the review and publication process. I hope to support the continued growth of Japanese-language scholarship and contribute to the journal’s further development.

—Mayumi Kashiwa