ZPD by MW SIG
ZPD by MW SIG
Embedded Files
The next Zoom for Professional Development (ZPD) session is taking place on Tuesday, October 27th, at 8pm.
The Materials Writers (MW) SIG will be hosting.
Find out more about the MW SIG and join us!
Sign up here to get the Zoom link: https://go.jalt.org/zpdrsvp
The MW SIG supports educators interested in creating, developing, and publishing language-learning materials. Whether you're an experienced author or just getting started, we offer opportunities to learn, collaborate, and share your work.
Our Activities
* GRAPE (Graded Readers Authorship and Publication Experience): A collaborative project that has helped authors write and publish 15 graded readers.
* Meet the Maker: Online events where authors introduce and promote their newly published textbooks and materials.
* MW SIG Showcase: An online gallery featuring over 60 titles by MW SIG and JALT members.
* 3T Summit (Teaching, Textbooks, and Technology): Our annual conference, taking place on November 1, 2026, at the Prefectural University of Kumamoto.
* Between the Keys: Our journal, published three times a year, featuring peer-reviewed academic articles and other contributions. The journal recently received an ISSN, with DOI registration planned.
* JALT Conferences: Active participation in PanSIG and the JALT International Conference through forums, presentations, and SIG tables.
We're also active on Facebook and Instagram, where we share news, upcoming events, new publications, and the accomplishments of our members.
2026 3T Summit: Teaching, Textbooks, and Technology
2026 3T Summit: Teaching, Textbooks, and Technology
November 1, 2026 at the Prefectural University of Kumamoto
MW SIG Showcase
MW SIG Showcase
The Materials Writers Showcase features textbooks and other materials created by members of the Japan Association for Language Teaching.
MW SIG Showcase for Textbooks and Other Materials
Interested in displaying your materials? Click here.
Between the Keys
Between the Keys
Our publication, Between the Keys (BtK), is published three times a year. Our online archives reach back to Volume 9.
You can find all available issues by clicking on the links in the Between the Keys archives spreadsheet below.
The publication's content is generally MW SIG member generated, but we do accept materials-related articles from non-members. If you wish to submit an article for publication, please read How to Submit to Between the Keys
Meet the maker
Meet the maker
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!
Click the link for more information and previous video recordings.
Upcoming Meet the maker Presentations
Upcoming Meet the maker Presentations
John Rucynski & Phoebe Amoroso
Working in Japan: Further Explorations
October 18, 2026 (Sunday), 8:00 to 9:20 pm (JST)
Working in Japan: Further Explorations: textbook link
For Registration and Zoom link visit the Meet the Maker Showcase here.
Abstract:
Working in Japan: Further Explorations, co-authored by Phoebe Amoroso and John Rucynski, is the follow-up textbook to the highly successful Working in Japan: Video Interviews with 14 Professionals. The first textbook was a finalist in the Local Innovation category at the 2017 ELTons. The new textbook features video interviews with 14 additional professionals, from Bulgaria to Indonesia to Peru, engaged in various careers in Japan, including content creator, educator, guesthouse owner, import specialist, and musician.
Bio:
Phoebe Amoroso is a Tokyo-based journalist, multimedia reporter, and storyteller. Since moving to Japan in 2014, she has worked as a business reporter for NHK World and as a correspondent, covering breaking news for international outlets such as PBS, CBC, and Al Jazeera. She has written widely on food, travel, business, and Japanese culture for publications including The Japan Times, Nikkei Asia, BBC, and Lonely Planet. She also produces broadcast features for BBC World Service and has co-authored three editions of Startup Guide, covering Japan, Tokyo, and Nagoya.
John Rucynski is associate professor at Okayama University, where he teaches a wide range of English language and content-based courses. He has co-authored four textbooks for use in English language courses at the university level in Japan, including the Surprising Japan! (Shohakusha) and Working in Japan (National Geographic Learning) series. His latest editing project was A Passion for Japan: A Collection of Personal Narratives. This anthology features contributions from several JALT members.
Marcos Benevides
Miles Craven
David Barker
Steven Quasha / Daniel Mills
Welcome to the Web Site of the Materials Writers (MW) Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT).
教材開発研究部会 (MW) のウェブサイトへようこそ。教材開発研究部会は全国語学教育学会 (JALT) の分野別研究部会 (SIG)の一つです。
SIG Statement of Purpose
SIG Statement of Purpose
教材開発研究部会の基本理念
教材開発研究部会の基本理念
The Materials Writers SIG (MW SIG) was established for the purpose of helping members to turn fresh teaching ideas into useful classroom materials. We try to be a mutual assistance network, offering information regarding copyright law, sharing practical advice on publishing practices, including self-publication, and suggesting ways to create better language learning materials for general consumption or for individual classroom use.
教材開発研究部会 (MW SIG) は、メンバーが日々の教育の場で得た新しいアイディアを教材にしていく助けとなることを目的に設立されました。著作権に関すること、自費出版を含めた出版に関する実践的なアドバイス、広く一般学習者または特定の授業のためにどうしたらより良い語学教材が作れるか、といったことに関するアイディアを共有しお互いを高め合える部会であることが願いです。教材開発についてもっと知りたい、自分のアイディアを形にしたいという方、入会大歓迎です。一緒に活動しませんか 。
Materials Writers SIG Constitution
Materials Writers SIG Constitution
SIG 教材開発研究部会 会則
SIG 教材開発研究部会 会則
Our constitution was ratified at our AGM at the 2011 JALT International Conference.
本部会の会則は、2011年JALT国際大会総会で承認されました。
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