About Back to School (BTS)
The Back to School Conference (BTS) is Osaka JALT’s annual professional development conference for language educators, researchers, students, and anyone interested in language teaching and learning.
Established in 2011, BTS provides a welcoming and low-pressure space for the language education community to come together at the start of the academic year, exchange ideas, share research, and connect with colleagues. Usually held in April, it’s a great way to kick off the new school year and get the spring semester off to an inspired start.
Check out our Events page for photos and presentation summaries of previous BTS conferences.
With a variety of research- and practice-based presentations, workshops, discussions, and informal networking opportunities, BTS brings together educators and researchers to explore current issues in language education, share classroom experiences, and learn from one another.
A Community for Learning, Sharing, and Connecting
BTS is a great opportunity to:
- share original research, ongoing projects, and teaching practices
- learn about new ideas, approaches, and developments in language education
- exchange perspectives with educators and researchers from different backgrounds
- build professional connections
- strengthen our language education community
We welcome contributions from educators and researchers at all stages of their careers. In particular, we encourage first-time presenters, emerging educators, and emerging researchers to share their ideas, experiences, and work with the community.
Through our annual conference, Osaka JALT aims to provide a friendly and supportive environment where new voices can be heard, confidence can be developed, and meaningful professional connections can be made.
BTS is known for its welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of community. Alongside a great line-up of presentations, we provide snacks, tea, coffee, and other basic refreshments throughout the day so presenters and attendees can take a break, chat, and connect with one another.
We introduced our Inclusive Food Initiative in 2025, which aims to make our refreshment table more welcoming and accessible. Working together with local Osaka businesses, we endeavor to provide a range of refreshment options that consider a range of dietary needs, including vegan, gluten-free, halal, and other dietary preferences. We hope these small touches help everyone feel comfortable, included, and part of the Osaka JALT community.
We look forward to seeing you at the next Back to School Conference.
Conference Proceedings
We encourage all presenters to turn their conference presentation into a published paper by submitting to the BTS Special Section of our peer-reviewed journal, the Osaka JALT Journal. Check the journal page for more information and publishing guidelines.
Thinking about publishing for the first time? This is a great place to start!
We especially pride ourselves on being a supportive and welcoming place for first-time authors. If you’re new to academic publishing, you’re not on your own. In addition to our OJJ editorial team, the Writer’s Peer Support Group (PSG) offers additional support for JALT members to help refine and polish your manuscript before submission, giving you extra confidence throughout the process.
We’d love to help you take the next step and share your work with the language teaching community.
Back to School 2027
Conference presentation proposals are not currently being accepted.
Information about Back to School 2027 will be available in spring 2027, so please check back with us then for updates.
We look forward to receiving your proposals and hearing your ideas in the future.