JALT Publications
Positions Available

TLT Proofreaders

The Language Teacher. . . needs English language proofreaders immediately. Qualified applicants will be JALT members with language teaching experience, a fax, email, and a computer that can process MS Word files. The position will require several hours of concentrated work every month, mailing list subscription, and occasional online and face-to-face meetings. If more qualified candidates apply than we can accept, we will consider them in order as further vacancies appear. The supervised apprentice program of The Language Teacher trains proofreaders in TLT style, format, and operations. Apprentices begin by shadowing experienced proofreaders and then rotate from section to section of the magazine until they become familiar with TLT's operations as a whole. They then assume proofreading tasks themselves. Consequently, when annual or occasional staff vacancies arise, the best qualified candidates tend to come from current staff, and the result is often a succession of vacancies filled and created in turn. As a rule, TLT recruits publicly for proofreaders and translators, giving senior proofreaders and translators first priority as other staff positions become vacant. Please submit your curriculum vitae and cover letter to the TLT Co-Editors.

Associate Editor

The JALT Publications Board invites applications for the position of Associate Editor of the JALT Journal. The Associate Editor will work with the Editor to produce the journal. After being recommended by the Publications Board and approved by the JALT Executive Board, the successful applicant will serve as Associate Editor for 1 to 2 years before serving as Editor for a similar period. The successful applicant will have the following:

1. A record of publications in competitive and refereed journals (in-house university-bulletin articles will be considered as part of a publishing record on their merits, but some of the applicant’s publications should include recognized, reputable and anonymously-refereed journals at either the national or international levels). Information on either the impact factor or the acceptance rate for some of the journals in which the applicant has published would be helpful in determining the applicant’s own ability to publish in highly competitive forums.
2. Previous editorial/referee experience
3. Ability to meet deadlines and handle correspondence professionally
4. A sound background in language education or a related field
5. A master’s degree or higher in language education or related field
6. Seven or more years of experience teaching language, at least two of which have been in Japan
7. Current residency in Japan and definite intention to maintain such residency for the period of expected service to the JALT Journal
8. Association with JALT through membership and previous participation in publications are valued, but meritorious applications from non-members will also be considered provided that such applicants meet or exceed the above requirements and become members if selected by the Board for the position

Duties include processing submissions, sending them out for review, communicating with authors and reviewers, working with authors to help them improve promising manuscripts, editing the Perspectives section of the JALT Journal, and assisting the Editor as required. As Editor, duties increase to include editing feature articles and the research forum, overseeing all other sections, working with proofreaders and the layout company, and guiding the future of the journal in accordance with JALT policies.

Candidates should submit the following application materials by email attachment. There is no deadline for applications, and recruiting will continue until the post is filled by a suitable candidate who is acceptable to the Board under the expectations elaborated above (Points 1 through 8).

1. A curriculum vitae, including a complete list of publications
2. A statement of purpose indicating both why you would like to become Associate Editor (and later advance to Editor) and your qualifications
3. Copies of five publications of which some should be recent

Application materials should be sent to both the Publications Board Chair, Steve Brown pubchair@jalt-publications.org, and the current Editor, Ian Isemonger jj-editor@jalt-publications.org.

Applicants will be notified if they have passed the screening stage. After that, the final Board decision, which is subject to approval by the JALT Executive Board, will be made.