Who are we?
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JALT Bilingualism SIG
Supporting people who speak more than one language
The Bilingualism Special Interest Group (SIG) is made up of around 200 JALT members and subscribers, many of whom are raising or teaching bilingual children.

Our aim is to further research on bilingualism as it occurs in Japan. We also promote mutual support among our members through our bi-monthly newsletter, academic publications, and an active email list.

Parents in international marriages, people who communicate in more than one language, and teachers of multilingual students all take advantage of the practical and theoretical information available via our group.
What do we offer our members?
What are we interested in?
The word “bilingual” means many things to many people. We intend it as an umbrella term to refer to individuals and groups who use two (or more) languages on a regular basis, and who consequently have some claim to multiple cultures. The way such people process and use language is the focus of our research.

As parents, we are also deeply concerned with fostering minority language educational opportunities for our children.

Some of our ongoing research topics include;

The Bilingualism SIG is perhaps the only national organization devoted to bilingual parenting and education in Japan. Members receive a copy of our newsletter, Bilingual Japan, six times a year. Each issue contains articles and reports reflecting the diversity of bilingualism studies in Japan, including regular columns such as;
A free inspection copy is available from the editor, York Weatherford at yorkweatherford(a)mac.com  .

The B-SIG puts out two scholarly print publications each year. Our journal, The Japan Journal of Multilingualism and Multiculturalism, is published annually in Autumn and contains numerous research articles and book reviews. We also publish a monograph concerning practical issues related to bilingual parenting in Japan.  In addition, we have compiled a bibliography on bilingualism which lists books and articles we recommend to SIG-members.

Our email discussion group is an excellent way to meet and talk with other parents raising children bilingually in Japan.

At the annual JALT conference, we sponsor a panel based on some practical aspect of bilingualism, and our members give a variety of presentations on their current research. In addition, we hold an informal banquet, which has proven to be a fantastic opportunity for parents to meet others in similar situations.

None of us is such an expert that we have all the answers, but by joining the Bilingualism SIG, you will be sure to find someone who can sympathize with your position and offer advice when you need it. Moreover, you will discover a tremendous forum for contributing your own research to the growing field of bilingualism studies.

A brief history of the JALT Bilingualism SIG