JALTCALL Podcast

In this episode Brian, Geoff, and Luc talk about the JALTCALL Forum "Scaffold or Crutch?" that will take place from 11 am to 12.30 pm on Saturday, Nov 21st, at The WINC Aichi in Nagoya. When does technology support learning, and when does it replace it? How do we know it's useful? In the forum, we will explore technologies that both excite and concern us, discuss how we place them on the scaffold-to-crutch spectrum, and consider what comes next. As students increasingly learn with and through AI, the key challenge is ensuring these tools promote growth, independence, and authentic expression rather than compensating for underdeveloped skills. Understanding that boundary may be one of education’s most important questions. We will also be giving concrete examples of how teachers can implement AI in their language teaching. Please join us at the conference and tune in for more.

Enjoy the show.

In this episode, Robert Remmerswaal interviews Tina Shu Wen Lin from Taiwan.

Teaching in Japan vs. Taiwan: Contracts, Culture, and Career Paths

What’s it really like to teach English at a university in Japan versus Taiwan? In this episode, Robert Remmerswaal talks with Shu-wen Tina Lin about her journey from Taiwan to the UK and Japan—and back again—and shares practical insights for teachers considering a career outside Japan.

Tina discusses contract renewals, job security, teaching workloads, pay, and career progression. She also reflects on the differences she experienced in the classroom, the challenge of imposter syndrome, and why the connection she could build with students helped bring her back to Taiwan.

If you’re exploring university teaching in East Asia, this conversation offers a candid look at what to ask before signing a contract—from administrative duties to evening and weekend classes—and what to expect from everyday life and living costs.

In this episode, host Brian Gallagher talks with Luc Gougeon and Robert Remmerswaal as they share their personal experiences during and after the seismic events that shook Kumamoto in July of this year.

On July 26, a significant earthquake rocked Kumamoto, registering a magnitude of 7. While Luc's home emerged unscathed, just a hundred metres away, neighbours faced extensive damage to their kitchens.

Robert shared how fortunate he was to have left work just before the earthquake struck. He reflected on the potential disaster he narrowly avoided: "If I was lucky, I would have stood up and moved towards the door... I would have been knocked unconscious by my bookshelf." Luc and Robert describe the eerie quiet that followed the earthquake, punctuated by frequent aftershocks that lasted for two weeks. Luc mentions the unusual sight at a local Costco, where a crater had formed in the parking lot, a stark reminder of the earthquake's force. The conversation turns to the devastating explosion at the AEON Mall, which occurred shortly after the earthquake. The resilience of the Kumamoto community shines through these stories of survival and recovery. As they navigate the aftermath of these disasters, their shared experiences remind us of the importance of preparedness and community support.

We also discuss the conference events of the year so far and coming up, as well as recent research on AI use in Chinese high schools and their effects on student learning.

Enjoy the show.

In this episode Brian and Geoff talk about a recent report on How People are Seeing AI around the World.

Starting with a Substack summary of an American study by the PEW Resarch Center of over 5,000 people from all walks of life. (actually 5,119) https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/06/PI_2026.06.17_Americans-and-AI_TOPLINE.pdf

The report infers that Americans are using the big AI hitters of ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Meta AI, Character AI, and Grok.

They go on to talk about Summer Fun Ideas including: Playing with ClaudeAI Claude Code Cheat Sheet https://cc.storyfox.cz/

Geoff - Progress Meter for Xreading, Building for Duolingo as well, No stupid questions podcast

Sold a Story mini series, Listening to the DIESOL podcast with Brent Warner, BBC Sounds Strong Message Here with Armando Iannucci, and The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe.

We mention Alpha Schools that we will talk about in the next podcast founded by MacKenzie Price, Co-Founder of 2 Hour Learning and Alpha Schools, is revolutionizing K-12 education.

In this episode, Associate Professor of Otemon University Mehrasa Alizadeh discusses "From Fail to Prevail: A Reflective Narrative of Immersive Technologies in Language Education"

In her keynote session, Mehrasa reflects on her past work with immersive technologies in language education, examining not only what prevailed but also what failed, and how she attempted to address these challenges. By critically engaging with initiatives that did not unfold as planned, she highlights key pedagogical and practical lessons drawn from these experiences. She also demonstrates how these insights have directly informed the design and direction of her current project, offering a reflective account of how learning from failure can ultimately help innovation prevail in technology-enhanced language learning.

Sponsored by Eigo.AI, LingoLesson, English Central, Alma Publishing, RDR Services, and XReading.

Enjoy the show.

In this episode we have our first mass interview of the editors and a collection of authors of the book "Artificial Intelligence in Japan’s Language Learning Classrooms" edited by Robert Dykes, Oliver Edwards, Dave Bollen, and Tina Shu-wen Lin. We take time to let each author speak and explain a little about what they researched and wrote in their chapter.

We explore how AI is reshaping language learning with insights from this new book. We learn about practical applications and ethical considerations for educators and students. In the ever-evolving landscape of education, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a pivotal component, particularly in language learning. With the release of the book "Artificial Intelligence in Japan's Language Learning Classrooms", this group of academics and authors dive into the practical applications, ethical considerations, and the future of AI in this field.

This event was recorded live on Monday, June 8th, 2026

Enjoy the show.

In this episode, Brian interviews UK Open University Professor Emerita Agnes Kukulska-Hulme outdoors at the TaiwanCALL/GloCALL Conference held in May 2026 at Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan. Our first ever outdoor recording was full of wind and background noise that we managed to clean in Riverside Studio and produce in Audacity. Thank goodness for high-quality production tools and a great microphone for recording. We start with the on-campus birdsong accompanying our intro and a pre-interview chat about William Shakespeare. Professor Hulme is now retired and living in Stratford-upon-Avon, which is the birthplace of William Shakespeare and where she now volunteers as a local tour guide and expert in several languages, including Polish, French, English, and more. Originally from Poland, Agnes is quite multilingual, which served her very well in her research with migrants and barriers to language learning. She talks about the impact of technology on language learning, navigating the abundance of educational resources available to us all now, and reconsidering communication in language and how we speak to each other.

Agnes Kukulska-Hulme, Professor Emerita at The Open University, researches future learning, mobile language learning, migrant learning, AI assistants.

Agnes Kukulska-Hulme https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5874-8837

https://oro.open.ac.uk/view/person/ak35.html

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=RndcRYEAAAAJ&hl=en

https://conference.twcall.org/index.php

In this episode Brian Gallagher interviews Darren Kinsman, the president of (PIESIG) the JALT Performance in Education Special Interest Group. Darren Kinsman is an English language educator based in Japan and host and producer of the PIE SIG Podcast, where he speaks with educators about their teaching and development. He holds degrees in political science, education, and photographic preservation, along with a CELTA and a Canadian teaching license, and has taught at universities in both Canada and Japan. He currently serves as President of the Performance in Education SIG. In his teaching, he uses simple technology to support speaking and writing development. Students record a short self-introduction at the beginning of a course and again later on to compare their progress. They also record conversations, which they transcribe, helping them notice gaps in their language. Work is submitted digitally for feedback, and review activities are supported through platforms such as Google Classroom and Quizlet. The focus is on making progress visible and giving students clear ways to improve. He has also presented on online learning and remote teaching, including “Developing and Adopting Best Practices for Remote Teaching Post-ERT” at the JALT 2021 International

Conference.

This episode introduces site chairs Roger Palmer and Brent Jones and includes an in-depth discussion on the upcoming JALTCALL 2026 conference in Nishinomiya. In section 1 we discuss their backgrounds and their research on social semiotics, Genre-Based Pedagogy, Team-Based Learning, and COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) projects. In section 2 they share insights on the conference venue, local attractions, transportation options, getting to the site, and their ongoing projects in language education and international collaboration. In section 3 we wrap up with other upcoming event information and tidbits. Enjoy the show.

This podcast explores the latest developments in AI, social media legislation, and digital policies affecting youth and education. Experts discuss global policies, the impact of AI on learning, and practical classroom strategies. This episode explores innovative approaches to social media and AI in education, featuring insights from educators on integrating technology into the classroom, managing student engagement, and preparing for future trends.

In this studio episode we discuss AI, Technology, and Youth Safety, Legislative Changes and Social Media Policies including Age Verification and Its Implications, before Navigating User Profiles and Security in Technology.

The issue of Legislation and Age Verification in Digital Spaces is in the news now and we consider Balancing Autonomy and Guidance, Practical Applications of Social Media and AI in Education, Utilizing AI Tools in Education, and the famous Gartner Hype Cycle.

Of course we have some recommended resources too. Enjoy the show.