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TESL Canada Journal Special Issue 2027: Call for Papers

Call for Papers - Special Issue Winter 2027  

Guest editors:  

Ibtissem Knouzi, York University  

Penny Kinnear, OISE - University of Toronto  

Merrill Swain, OISE - University of Toronto  

Proposal deadline: February 01, 2026  

Full paper deadline: June 15, 2026  

Vygotskian sociocultural theory: Transforming L2 teaching, learning, assessment, and  research  

Vygotskian Sociocultural Theory (V-SCT), as a theory of mind, has had a major impact on  second language (L2) theory and practice over the last four decades. It has challenged L2  educators' understanding of the genesis of L2 development and effective pedagogy through a  set of principles (see Swain, Kinnear & Steinman (2015) for a comprehensive and accessible  review) such as the central role of interpsychological mediation, and the focus on conceptbased  teaching and curriculum design. However, as L2 educators and researchers, often trained in  cognitivist paradigms, redefine their roles and attempt to reconcile previous practices and  beliefs with new concepts, many confusions persist (Knouzi, in press). These confusions exist  especially with respect to key concepts such as ZPD vs. i+1; mediation vs. scaffolding; role of  concept-based language instruction in form-focused instruction; role of affect vs. positive  psychology; and Dynamic Assessment vs. proficiency testing.  

This special issue seeks to explain key V-SCT concepts and demonstrate their relevance to L2  theory and practice in Canadian contexts, as demonstrated by Canadian scholars through  conceptual papers and empirical studies.  

We invite submissions that examine and critique L2 development, teaching, and assessment  practices, and teacher education from a V-SCT perspective, addressing topics such as, but not  limited to, the following:  

- Role of mediation in learning and development, focusing on the range, affordances, and  constraints of mediational means (including digital and multimodal) in L2 language  classrooms.  

- Role of language as a cognitive tool (e.g., languaging, collaborative dialogue,  instructional interactions)  

- Concept-based instruction in L2 classrooms and in teacher education programs  - Dialectic relation between affect and cognition  

- Assessment  

- Activity theory-informed analysis of learner/teacher development 

Papers in English and French will be considered. We welcome papers for inclusion in one of  three sections: “Full-Length Research Articles” (original research), “Perspectives” (theoretical  explorations of relevant issues), and “In the Classroom” (pedagogical focus). Please refer to  the TESL Canada Journal author guidelines for more information:  

http://www.teslcanadajournal.ca/index.php/tesl/about/submissions  

Interested authors are invited to submit a 400-word abstract (including references) to  teslcanadajournal@tesl.ca by February 01, 2026. Please indicate clearly the category to which  your abstract belongs. Notice of abstract acceptance will be emailed by March 01, 2026. Full  manuscripts are due June 15, 2026, and will be subject to a rigorous blind review process. In  line with SCT principles, we will follow a process that fosters collegial mediation and creates  opportunities for scholarly development. In a two-phase process, each contributor will be asked  to review a paper in the special issue (blind review). Following the first revisions and  resubmission, all contributors will have the option to receive additional feedback through  discussion at a meeting attended by SCT colleagues before submitting a final version. The  special issue will be published in January-March, 2027.  

If you have any questions or queries about this special issue, please contact Ibtissem Knouzi at  iknouzi@yorku.ca

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Special Issue AILA Review 38

The founders of the research network EMEVEDI https://aila.info/research/list-of-rens/english-as-a-medium-of-education-multilingualism-and-the-sdgs-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/ organized a themed issue to explore approaches to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in applied linguistics focusing in particular on unequal relations of power manifested in language ideologies and practices in diverse educational and social contexts. The papers in the 38(2) special issue discuss the hegemony of English and Eurocentric norms from a decolonial perspective, providing examples of inclusive language education. The role of researchers, applied linguists and language educators in promoting a more critically informed, plural, and culturally rich environment for knowledge production and language teaching, learning and use is also discussed. In this issue the authors explore how applied linguistics can foster the development of EDI in multilingual approaches and contexts identifying, interrogating and/or interrupting the legacy of coloniality in language practices and views. The special issue titled Decolonial approaches to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Applied Linguistics – addressing local and global EDI challenges is guest edited by professors Kyria Finardi, Marina Orsini-Jones and Azirah Hashim.

  1. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Academic Production and Dissemination in Languages other than English: Possibility or Wishful Thinking?

Cláudio França & Kyria Finardi

  1. Individual differences in English-Medium Education: Comparing multilingual identity, beliefs, motivations and perspectives in EME in Spanish and Chinese undergraduates

Jennifer Ament & Mengjia Zhang

  1. Redefining English Language Teaching in Punjab: Embracing Translanguaging and Plurilingual Competence for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Preeti Suri & Marina Orsini-Jones

  1. Language Teacher Education in Brazil and the place of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Juliana Cristina Salvadori,  Eduardo Henrique Diniz de Figueiredo, Bárbara Cortat Simoneli

  1. Heritage speakers in Switzerland: Plurilingualism and social justice in a multilingual country.

Andrea Wehrli

  1. Internationalisation at Home through Critical Virtual Exchange

Mirjam Hauck, Ana Cristina Biondo Salomão, Müge Satar & Gustavo Primo

  1. Longitudinal civic engagement: Undergraduate students’ reflections on an intergenerational virtual exchange

Carolin Fuchs & Hannah Ferguson

  1. Virtual Exchange for English Language Teaching (VEELT): Engagement and Inclusion Challenges

Yu-Hua Chen, Sofia Di Sarno-García, Marina Orsini-Jones & Karina Guadalupe Díaz Pedroza 

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BICLCE 2026

BILCE is pleased to share the Call of Papers for the 11th Biennial International Conference on the Linguistics of Contemporary English (BICLCE), to be held from 3rd to 5th July 2026 in Austria, at the University of Klagenfurt.

For over two decades, the BICLCE conference series has been a forum for researchers who are interested in the linguistics of contemporary English. It is open to different theoretical and methodological perspectives. Previous conferences were held in Edinburgh (2005), Toulouse (2007), London (2009), Osnabrück (2011), Austin TX (2013), Madison WI (2015), Vigo (2017), Bamberg (2019), Ljubljana (2022) and Alicante (2024). BICLCE 2026 wishes to continue this long-standing tradition of exploring contemporary English.

We are pleased to announce the following keynote speakers:  Daniel Davis, Maria Kuteeva, Marc Xu, Barbara Seidlhofer, and José Fajardo.

This time, BICLCE11 comes with an additional thematic focus on “English in a geopolitically changing world”, motivated by the major changes the world has experienced in the last several years which may potentially influence how English is used and perceived internationally.  Therefore, we are happy to invite researchers to submit proposals addressing this topic in particular. Beyond this special theme, contributions related to English are also welcome in any of the following fields/areas: syntax, morphology, sociolinguistics, semantics, pragmatics, discourse analysis, cognitive linguistics, phonetics/phonology, applied linguistics, and more.

We invite proposals for contributions to the conference, either for the General Sessions or for one of seven Thematic Sessions:

  1. Exploring contemporary English(es) using the BSLVC database
  2. English as a catalyst of change? Gender inclusivity, cross-linguistic dynamics, and colonial legacies
  3. Comparing the incomparable – Exploring the synchronic relevance of historical sociolinguistic insights
  4. Social variation and norms in Outer Circle Englishes
  5. A matter of concord: English agreement across varieties and registers
  6. When English is no longer a ‘foreign’ language – Signifiers, attitudes and didactic approaches
  7. The applied linguistics of ELF communication

For all sessions, we invite proposals for individual papers consisting of a 20-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of discussion.

Abstracts should clearly indicate the theoretical framework, the research question(s), elaborate data and methodology and discuss (expected) findings. The abstract should not exceed 300 words (excluding references). The abstract should be adapted to the Chicago Manual of Style (18th edition), and be anonymized before its submission as they will undergo anonymous peer-review.

The abstracts should be submitted electronically and as either docx or pdf files, using the following template: https://conference3.aau.at/event/156/attachments/116/305/Template_BICLCE11.docx.

The author(s) should submit their abstract via https://conference3.aau.at/event/156/abstracts/.

The deadline is January 15th, 2026. Notifications will be sent out by 15th March.

Please forward this information (and the CfP attached) to your colleagues, students and interested parties.

We look forward to welcoming you in Klagenfurt!

All the very best,

Nikola, for the BICLCE11 organization team

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AESLA 2026

AESLA is  pleased to present the 43rd International Congress of the Association of Applied Linguistics (AESLA), which will be held from 15 to 17 April 2026 in Granada.

The theme of the conference will be: ‘Language, variation and identity: linguistic dynamics to represent society’. This title suggests a reflection on how linguistic changes influence the configuration of societies given that, in an increasingly diverse, global and interconnected world, language is an essential tool for representing social complexity. In this case, applied linguistics can provide new interpretations of patterns of linguistic change and variation, as well as explain the role that language plays in the articulation of social identities and in the creation and/or modification of linguistic communities. This conference aims to be a space for dialogue to reflect on how language reflects and shapes social diversity.

For more information visit https://wpd.ugr.es/~aesla26/important-dates/

Submission of proposals: October 15 to December 20, 2025

Notification of acceptance: no later than February 8, 2026

Registration of speakers: December 2, 2025 to March 15, 2026

Attendee registration: December 2, 2025 to April 1, 2026

Conference dates: April 15 to 17, 2026

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The 24th AsiaTEFL International Conference Call for Proposals

The 24th AsiaTEFL International Conference & The 11th International Conference on ELT in China(AsiaTEFL 2026) will be held at Xi’an Jiaotong University of China from May 28 to 31, 2026. AsiaTEFL 2026 invites proposals for presentations from practitioners, researchers, and policymakers as well as graduate students from across Asia and beyond to share insights, foster collaboration, and explore the emerging theories and methods in the evolving field of ELT. Proposals may be for individual papers, posters, symposia, colloquia or workshops sessions.

 

Time: May 28 to 31, 2026

Venue: Xi’an Jiaotong University, China

Organized by:

AsiaTEFL

Hosted by: 

China English Language Education Association 

School of Foreign Studies, Xi’an Jiaotong University

Sponsored by: 

Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press

Center for Teaching and Learning Development, Xi'an Jiaotong University

National Research Institute for Foreign Language Teaching Materials, Beijing Foreign Studies University

 

The AsiaTEFL International Conference is a large-scale international academic event that has consistently advanced foreign language education and research across Asia while strengthening academic exchange among teachers and scholars in linguistics and applied linguistics throughout the region. Besides engaging parallel sessions, the program will feature inspiring keynote, plenary, and featured presentations, outstanding book exhibits, and ample opportunities for professional networking and collaboration.

 

The conference theme of AsiaTEFL 2026, “ELT in a Changing World: Global Challenges and New Opportunities”, examines how English Language Teaching is adapting to address urgent global needs by leveraging AI, innovation, and sustainable practices to generate significant social impact.

 

Conference Theme

ELT in a Changing World: Global Challenges and New Opportunities

 

Strands

  1. Language Policy, Planning, and Sociolinguistics
  • Language Planning and Policy
  • Plurilingualism and Translanguaging
  • World Englishes and English as a Lingua Franca
  • Multilingual and Multicultural Education
  • The Relationship Between Native Culture and Foreign Culture in ELT

 

  1. Teaching Methodologies and Curriculum Design
  • Methodologies and Teaching Approaches
  • Curriculum and Syllabus Design
  • EFL Materials Design
  • English for Academic and Specific Purposes
  • Teaching Younger Learners
  • Language Assessment and Evaluation

 

  1. Language Learning and Development
  • Second Language Acquisition and Literacy Development
  • Intercultural Communication and Global Competencies
  • Creativity and Critical Literacies
  • Intercultural Critical Thinking Competence

 

  1. Inclusivity and Well-Being in Education
  • Working with Special Needs Students
  • Inclusivity in the Classroom
  • Teacher and Student Well-Being and Mental Health
  • Social and Emotional Learning
  1. Teacher Education and Professional Development
  • Teacher Education and Professional Development
  • Language Teacher Beliefs and Teaching Practices
  • Sustainable Professional Practices

 

  1. Technology and Digital Innovations in Language Education
  • Digital Literacies and Language Learning Technology
  • AI in Language Teaching and Learning
  • Ethics of AI application in Language Education
  • Equity and Access in Digital Language Learning

 

Keynote and Plenary Speakers

Markus Bieswanger (University of Bayreuth, Germany)

Shawn Loewen (Michigan State University, USA)

Hossein Nassaji (University of Victoria, Canada)

Glenn Stockwell (Waseda University, Japan)

Wang Chuming (Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, China)

Xu Jinfen (Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China)

Isaiah WonHo Yoo (Sogang University, Republic of Korea)

 

Forms of Presentation

  1. Papers (20 minutes):
  • Detailed presentations sharing research findings.
  • Includes time for Q&A.
  1. Workshops (60 minutes):
  • Interactive sessions with hands-on activities.
  • Designed for skill-building and practical learning.
  • Includes time for Q&A.
  1. Colloquia/Symposia (90 minutes):
  • Extended sessions with multiple talks on a common theme.
  • Followed by a discussion period.
  • Includes time for Q&A.
  1. Multimodal Posters (90 minutes):
  • Visual presentations combining text, images, and other media.
  • Presenters discuss their work with attendees.
  • Includes time for Q&A.

 

Proposal Submission

Abstracts should be no more than 250 words. All proposals should be submitted online via the submission system at the AsiaTEFL 2026 official website: http://www.asiatefl2026.org

Please submit your proposals as soon as possible. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This will allow colleagues more time to secure local funding and obtain the necessary international travel documents.

Proposal submission deadline: December 31, 2025

Proposal acceptance notification: No later than January 31, 2026

Working Language: English

Registration & Payment Dates

Early-Bird/Presenter Registration: February 1-March 31, 2026

Regular Registration: April 1-May 15, 2026

On-site Registration (CNY only): May 28, 2026

 

Conference Website

http://www.asiatefl2026.org

Organizing Committee

The 24th AsiaTEFL International Conference

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Confucius Institutes in Brazil (by Francisco Figueiredo- ALAB)

Brazil Unifies Its Confucius Institutes Under New National Network; 

UFG Represents Country in Global AI Forums

On September 12th, 2025, the Network of Confucius Institutes in Brazil was officially established, marking an important milestone in strengthening academic and cultural cooperation between Brazil and China. The proposal for its creation originated from the Confucius Institute at UNESP, which also hosted the inaugural meeting. On that occasion, it was decided that Professor Luís Antônio Paulino, from UNESP, would assume the presidency of the Network.

The event was marked by broad institutional and diplomatic representation, bringing together Brazilian and Chinese directors of the Confucius Institutes operating in the country, as well as various authorities from both China and Brazil. Among those in attendance were the Minister of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, the Acting Consul General of the Consulate General of China in São Paulo, the Director-General of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) in Beijing, along with the Rector of UNESP, the Rector of UnB, the Vice-Rectors of UEPA, UEMA, UFBA, UFC, and UFT.

Currently, Brazil has 14 Confucius Institutes – located at UNESP, UFG, PUC-RIO, UEPA, UFBA, UFC, UFF, UFMG, UFRGS, UFRJ, UnB, Unicamp, UPE, and FAAP – and one Chinese Center at UFMT. Together, they form a national network dedicated to ‘promoting the Chinese language and culture, as well as fostering academic and scientific exchange between the two countries.

Subsequently, on October 10th, 2025, the first online meeting of the Council of the Network of Confucius Institutes in Brazil was held. The main objectives of the meeting were to approve the 2026 Work Plan and to elect the two vice-presidents of the Network, as established in its Statute. Following deliberations, Professor Francisco José Quaresma de Figueiredo, Director of the Confucius Institute for Chinese Medicine at UFG, and Professor Antônio Braga, Director of the Confucius Institute at UEPA, were elected to join the Network’s leadership alongside the president.

The strengthening of this organizational structure represents a significant step toward consolidating the presence of the Confucius Institutes in Brazil, expanding opportunities for interinstitutional cooperation and broadening the reach of initiatives aimed at Chinese language teaching and the promotion of intercultural dialogue.

The Confucius Institutes have as their main objective the dissemination of the Chinese language and culture, and some of them, such as the Confucius Institute of Chinese Medicine at the Federal University of Goiás, in addition to offering courses on the Chinese language and culture, also provide courses in the area of Chinese Medicine. Every year, a major global event is held in which new methods and approaches for teaching Mandarin are discussed – the World Chinese Language Conference, which took place in Beijing from November 14th to 16th 2025. The event is attended by directors of Confucius Institutes around the world, as well as the President or Vice-President of the institutions responsible for each Confucius Institute. This year’s theme was “Innovation Leads, AI Empowers: Learning Chinese Without Borders.”

The use of Artificial Intelligence in Mandarin teaching was also discussed at another event held in Hong Kong from November 16th to 17th – the Global Confucius Institutes Hong Kong Forum, organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with the theme “Exploring New Opportunities for Cooperation among Confucius Institutes in the Era of AI.” The event was attended by 150 invited participants from various Confucius Institutes in 69 countries. The Confucius Institute of Chinese Medicine at UFG represented Brazil at this event.

Prof. Francisco José Quaresma de Figueiredo

Brazilian Dean of the Confucius Institute for Chinese Medicine at UFG

Vice-President of the Network of Confucius Institutes in Brazil

 

in Action / AILA International Events / Congratulations / Events / Visibility

GAFSU – Global Alliance of Foreign Studies Universities held in Hangzhou

Presidents' Forum of the Global Alliance of Foreign Studies Universities held in Hangzhou

Themed "Future Solutions, AI Empowerment, Integrated Development", the Fifth Presidents' Forum of the Global Alliance of Foreign Studies Universities (GAFSU), hosted by Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and organized by Zhejiang International Studies University, was held in Hangzhou on Oct 24.

The forum was attended by leaders from 24 member institutions of the alliance, and over 170 global experts and scholars from more than 60 universities and institutions.

The Fifth Presidents' Forum of the GAFSU is held in Hangzhou. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

During the forum, Liu Limin, president of the China Education Association for International Exchange, vice president of the Western Returned Scholars Association, and China's former vice minister of education, highlighted the importance of strengthening the collaboration between foreign language universities and research institutions. Liu emphasized leveraging the "intelligence" and "inclusive" advantages of digital technology to promote the deep integration of cutting-edge technology and foreign language education.

Liu Limin delivers a speech during the forum. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

In his address, Jia Wenjian, chairman of the GAFSU, BFSU's president and deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU Committee, offered future-oriented suggestions: deepen the integration of digital intelligence in language education; enhance the interdisciplinary integration of academic disciplines and specialties; and strengthen the resource integration in the development of the alliance.

Jia Wenjian offers future-oriented suggestions for the development of the GAFSU. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Zhang Huanzhou, board member of the GAFSU and president of Zhejiang International Studies University, noted that the forum has created a platform for an exchange matrix within the intercultural education community for members of the alliance.

Zhang Huanzhou highlights the importance of the forum. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

The forum released the "Initiative for Collaborative Advancement of Innovation in Language Education and Research in the Digital Intelligence Era," calling on member universities to jointly plan new approaches for digitally empowered education and teaching, explore new global pathways for language education, create new global hubs for knowledge innovation, and build a new ecosystem with diverse stakeholder participation.

The GAFSU was initiated in 2015 by BFSU and is currently composed of 39 universities from 20 countries, all distinguished in foreign language teaching and area studies.

 

 

in AILA International Events / Events / Past Events

BFSU at CIEP

Beijing Foreign Studies University held a Series of Talent Exchange Activities for the 23rd Conference on International Exchange of Professionals

The 23rd Conference on International Exchange of Professionals was held at the Shanghai World Expo Center from October 21st to 22nd. During the conference, Beijing Foreign Studies University held two talent exchange activities with the themes of " Interdisciplinarity and Innovation in Country and Area Studies " and "Artificial Intelligence and International Education". Jia Wenjian, president of Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Zhao Gang, vice president, attended the event.

Interdisciplinarity and Innovation in Country and Area Studies attracts Global Scholars to discuss the Development Path of the Discipline

The talent exchange event on " Interdisciplinarity and Innovation in Country and Area Studies" is hosted by the Country and Area Studies Academy. The event brought together over 50 experts and scholars from UNESCO, the Australian Academy of Humanities, and dozens of top universities and research institutions around the world. The opening ceremony was presided over by Zhao Gang.


The Unveiling of International Collaborative Platform for Cross-Disciplinary and Innovative Country and Area Studies was held at the event. Jia Wenjian, Irina Bokova, the former Director-General of UNESCO, Marakkale Manage Pathmalal, the president of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Barnabas Nawangwe, the president of Makerere University in Uganda, delivered speeches and jointly unveiled the plaque for the "International Collaborative Platform for Cross-Disciplinary and Innovative Country and Area Studies" of Beijing Foreign Studies University. They stated that against the backdrop of profound changes in the current world order, deepening interdisciplinary and cross-cultural regional and country studies holds irreplaceable strategic value for promoting global governance and enhancing mutual learning among civilizations.

The event focused on in-depth discussions on the theoretical frontiers and practical exploration of regional and country studies. David Carter, an academician of the Australian Academy of Humanities, expounded on the significant role of regional studies as a cross-disciplinary platform. Chih-Ping Chou, a retired professor from Princeton University, analyzed the development trends of global Chinese education. Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim from the University of Abuja explored the academic connotations of China-Africa cooperation from a cross-disciplinary perspective. Professor Ren Xiao from the Institute of Regional and Global Governance, BFSU summarized the latest progress in China's regional and country studies. Scholars from countries such as Algeria, Germany, France, Argentina, and Ethiopia respectively shared their research findings on topics such as China-Africa relations, African language standardization, multilingual learning, and global public health, fully demonstrating the diverse and cross-disciplinary characteristics of regional and country studies. In the "At the Crossroads of Regional Studies" roundtable discussion, dozens of guests conducted a heated discussion on how to transcend traditional research paradigms and build a more equal and inclusive global knowledge system, providing insightful ideas for future disciplinary development.

Artificial Intelligence and International Education Jointly Explore a New Chapter in the Future of Education

The "Artificial Intelligence and International Education" talent exchange event was organized by the School of Education, the BFSU Artificial Intelligence and Human Language Lab, and the Institute of Online Education of Beijing Foreign Studies University. The event brought together over 50 high-level experts and scholars from nearly 30 countries and regions, as well as more than 10 heads of overseas universities and research institutions. The opening ceremony of the event was presided over by Zhao Gang.

Meanwhile, a roadshow and exhibition of "Artificial Intelligence + Foreign Language Education Products and Periodicals" was held on the event. Li Zuowen, director of the BFSU Artificial Intelligence and Human Language Lab, and Tang Jinlan, dean of the Institute of Online Education, respectively introduced two academic journals, "Language and Intelligence" and "Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning". Dr. Li Lingxiao from the Artificial Intelligence and Human Language Lab demonstrated the innovative applications of artificial intelligence in areas such as language learning, teaching evaluation, and course resource development, presenting the latest achievements and research progress in this field.

During the event, experts and scholars from all over the world delivered 18 specialized academic reports on the theme of "Artificial Intelligence and International Education". The research areas covered educational technology, artificial intelligence and language learning, language teaching, and other fields, fully demonstrating an international perspective of interdisciplinary cooperation. The keynote speeches on the first day were hosted by Li Zuowen, with key topics including LingTutor and inquiry-based learning, key issues of AI as high-quality educational resources, the definition of AI literacy and the application of AI in English teaching, and the challenges of generative AI and higher education. The keynote speeches on the second day were hosted by Tang Jinlan, mainly focusing on ethical guidelines for the application of AI in education, the future transformation of language education with AI, the challenges of AI in the cultivation of translation talents, the digital transformation of global education with AI, and the challenges of cooperation and collusion with generative AI.

The event featured two roundtable discussions, themed "Opportunities and Challenges in the Digital Transformation of International Education " and "Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Multilingual Teaching". These discussions were hosted by Professor Kong Lei from the Artificial Intelligence and Human Language Lab and Dr. Tu Xiliang from the Institute of Online Education. Experts and scholars from universities such as Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Makerere University, Sofia University, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador, University of Nairobi and Australian National University participated in the discussions. They engaged in lively exchanges on topics such as the path of digital education transformation and the practical application of AI technology in cross-cultural language teaching, providing valuable and diverse perspectives for the development of international education.

This event effectively promoted academic dialogue and knowledge sharing in the field of artificial intelligence and international education research through keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, and achievement displays. It provided an important platform for promoting the digital transformation of international education and facilitating interdisciplinary innovation research. This event not only showcased the latest research achievements in this field but also offered a valuable opportunity for global educators to learn from each other and develop together. The experts attending the event unanimously agreed that artificial intelligence technology is profoundly changing the global education ecosystem, and international cooperation and cross-cultural exchanges are crucial in this process.

The Conference on International Exchange of Professionals is the largest and most prestigious international talent platform in China. Based on this platform, Beijing Foreign Studies University has gathered top experts and scholars from around the world to hold a series of activities such as academic discussions, project signing, cooperation negotiations, and roadshow exhibitions, aiming to deepen international understanding, promote global dialogue, actively build a new pattern of international academic cooperation and talent exchange, and actively contribute the wisdom of Beijing Foreign Studies University to strengthening international cooperation and mutual learning among civilizations, as well as promoting the common development of global talents.

in AILA International Events / Events / Past Events

CELEA – China English Language Education Association – Annual Conference

The 2025 Annual Conference of China English Language Education Association was held in Chongqing on October 17-19, 2025. It was hosted by Southwest University. The theme of the conference is English Teaching in the New Era: New Approaches for Intercultural Communication and Mutual Learning. Prof. Prof. Peter I. De Costa from Michigan State University, Prof. Cheng Xiaotang from Beijing Normal University, Prof. Yin Yungong from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Prof. Dong Hongchuan from Sichuan International Studies University and Prof. Wen Xu from Southwest University gave plenary speeches at the conference. During the conference, 17 symposia, 1 editor-in-chief forum were held and 15 groups of individual papers were presented. About 300 EFL scholars and teachers attended the conference on site and 32,000 people watched the plenary sessions on-line.   

The next Conference of CELEA, the 11th International Conference on ELT in China will be held jointly with the 24th AsiaTEFL International Conference (AsiaTEFL 2026) in Xi’an city on May 28-31, 2026.  

Prof. Sun Youzhong, the CELEA president and Prof. Gao Yang from Xi’an Jiaotong University attended the 23nd AsiaTEFL International Conference held in Hong Kong, China on July 10-13, 2025. Prof. Gao Yang spoke as the representative of the host organization of the next AsiaTEFL Conference.

Prof. Kyria Finardi had a meeting with the representatives of CELEA, Prof. Sun Youzhong, Prof. Jin Limin, Prof. Zhang Hong, Ms Duan Changcheng and Ms Hou Hui on October 28, 2025 to discuss possibilities of academic exchanges and a global talents nurturing program.

During her visit to Beijing, professor Kyria Finardi also met Prof. Xu Jiajin https://corpus.bfsu.edu.cn/info/1067/1988.htm  from the National Research Centre for Foreign Language Education, BFSU. Professor Xu is also involved in a recently approved project focused on the role of AI in the geopolitics of knowledge production coordinated by Professor Kyria Finardi in Brazil. The project involves various AILA members from 12 other countries besides China and has recently received approval and support from the Brazilian Research Foundation FAPES.

in AILA International Events / Events / Past Events

The 2nd ALTI International Seminar in Applied Linguistics (ISIALing 2025)

Malang, Indonesia – On 8–10 October 2025, The Asosiasi Linguistik Terapan Indonesia (ALTI) – Indonesian Association of Applied Linguistics (IAAL), conducted  the 2nd International Seminar of Applied Linguistics (ISIALing) in collaboration with the 71st TEFLIN International Conference, hosted by Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Universitas Brawijaya. The conference, also in conjunction with The 5th ICE and The 5th ICOLLEC,  brought together more than 650 scholars, practitioners, and linguistics professionals from Indonesia and 13 other countries. The conference invited very special keynote speaker, Prof. Kyria Rebeca Finardi, President of AILA, among other keynote speakers, namely keynote speech dari Prof. Gary Barkhuizen (University of Auckland, New Zealand) dan Prof. Ju Seong Lee (University of Hong Kong), Assoc. Prof. Dennis Alonzo (University of New South Wales) and Assoc. Prof. Hamamah, who is the coordinator of Cooperation Department of ALTI.

President of ALTI, Dr. Meinarni Susilowati expressed her deep gratitude for continuous support from AILA for ISIALing, which always had the President AILA as the keynote speaker. The former President of AILA, Prof. Dr. Azirah Hashim delivered the keynote speech on the first ISIALing in online platform. The presence of AILA President on the 2nd ISIALing showed greater support for ALTI to be more widely recognized.

ALTI Executive Board Meeting 

Within this international forum, ALTI also conducted Executive ALTI Board Meeting, together with the delegates from different parts of Indonesia. The meeting was very important to equalize perspectives so that each delegate can disseminate the results of the meeting into programs and activities that can provide benefits for their community. President of AILA also attended the meeting and discussed how ALTI might participate on AILA programs both for organizational development and personal growth. This year Executive ALTI Board Meeting signified potential collaborations among applied linguistics association across countries and institutional alignment with AILA’s sustainability-driven global agenda. 

In the collaborative conference, ALTI also carried out a workshop under the theme “Translation and Interpretation Teaching in Indonesia,” which explored the status quo of teaching translation and interpretation in Indonesia. This workshop was done with the collaboration of ALTI and Persatuan Penterjemah Malaysia (Malaysia Translator Association). The theme was purposively selected by considering the fact that translation teachers faced conflicting situation due to vast development translation technology. ALTI invited Dr. Sugeng Hariyanto (Himpunan Penerjemah Indonesia/Indonesia Translator Association) and Dr. Noor Ida Ramli (Malaysia Translator Association) as the resource persons. The activities were conducted through interactive presentations, group discussions on translation. As the outcome of this workshop is a book chapter on teaching translation in Indonesia.

Institutional Significance and Sustainability Orientation

As an affiliate of AILA, ALTI occupies a strategic position in Indonesia’s applied linguistics landscape. AILA describes itself as “a federation of national and regional associations of Applied Linguistics” which aims to promote research and practice in applied linguistics globally. Among AILA’s key policy priorities is linguistic diversity, inclusion, and sustainability, particularly recognising language’s role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

By hosting this workshop and board meeting within an international conference framework, ALTI signals its intention to:

  • Strengthen its internal governance and member services so that it can provide robust platforms for research, publication, professional development, and networking in applied linguistics and translation in Indonesia.
  • Enhance its visibility and connection to international networks via AILA, thereby opening opportunities for collaborative research, global dissemination, and cross‐national partnerships.
  • Embed sustainability thinking into its translation and applied linguistics agenda e.g., how translation practices can support multilingualism, language rights, inclusive education, indigenous/minority languages, and sustainable language communities, in line with AILA’s orientation.
  • Foster translation scholarship not only as an academic endeavour but as a means of sustaining knowledge exchange, linguistic equity, and professional practice, thereby linking the micro (individual translators/researchers) with the macro (institutional and societal sustainability) levels.

Outcomes & Next Steps

The workshop and general board meeting at the TEFLIN International Conference 2025 in conjunction with the 2nd ISIALing in Malang, mark a significant milestone for ALTI in its journey from a national organisation to a globally‐connected affiliate of AILA with a sustainability‐informed institutional strategy. As Professor Kyria underscores, “This is an excellent opportunity for members to participate in research, exchange their best practices, and participate in the national events held by other affiliates in Asia, Europe, Africa, and America.” By aligning translation studies and applied linguistics practice with the broader themes of linguistic diversity, inclusion, and sustainability, ALTI reinforces its institutional capacity and relevance in a changing global research ecosystem. As applied linguistics continues to engage with pressing societal issues, such as multilingualism to environmental communication, and inclusive education ALTI promises to contribute meaningfully to Indonesia’s scholarship and practice in the field.

ALTI JAYA, INDONESIA MAJU

in AILA International Events / Events / Past Events

 Call for Papers:  UNICollaboration conference in Limassol, Cyprus June 4-5 2026

The UNICollaboration organisation is organising an international research conference on the theme of “Virtual Exchange in a Changing World: Innovation and Inclusion”. Our 2026 theme acknowledges the transformative power of digital connectivity and collaborative learning in times of global complexity.

The conference will take place on June 4-5, 2026 at the Cyprus University of Technology in Limassol, Cyprus and welcomes presentations, workshops, panel discussions and posters that include both research studies and practical reports.

The deadline for submission is 15 November 2025. Details can be found in the Call for Papers HERE and the link to submit abstracts can be found on the conference website HERE.

If you have specific questions about conference logistics or travel issues, you can contact the organizers at their email address: unicollabconference2026@gmail.com; or directly to anna.nicolaou@cut.ac.cy; annanicolaou0@gmail.com

in Events / featured stories / timeline / Upcoming Other Events

2nd CFP AESLA GRANADA 2026

The Spanish Association of Applied Linguistics (AESLA) and the Organizing Committee of this edition are pleased to invite you to the 43rd International Conference of the Spanish Association of Applied Linguistics, organized by the Department of Spanish Language at the University of Granada. The conference will be held in Granada from April 15 to 17, 2026, at the School of Civil, Canal, and Port Engineering.

With the topic: ‘Language, variation and identity: linguistic dynamics for representing identity’, we want the conference to become a space for dialogue where we can reflect on how language reflects and shapes social reality and how speakers use linguistic resources to represent their identity.

The AESLA 2026 Organising Committee encourages you to participate in the conference by submitting a proposal for an oral presentation or a poster.

We remind you that each participant may submit up to two proposals, in Spanish and English, from 15 October 2025 to 20 December 2025. Proposals should be submitted via the web platform: https://matrix.aesla.org.es/aesla2026, and will be assigned to the thematic panel chosen for review (each proposal may only be submitted to one panel).

For more detailed information about the AESLA 2026 conference, please visit our website: https://wpd.ugr.es/~aesla26/

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us at the following email address: aesla2026@aesla.org.es

We look forward to seeing you in Granada!

Elena Fernández de Molina Ortés, Rocío Cruz Ortiz and Edyta Waluch de la Torre

Coordinators of the Organising Committee for the AESLA 2026 Conference

in EUROPE / Events / featured stories / timeline

In Conversation: Multilingual and Intercultural Perspectives in Language Learning: Essays in Honour of Claire Kramsch

 

In Conversation: 

Multilingual and Intercultural Perspectives in Language Learning: Essays in Honour of Claire Kramsch

The special issue of L2 Journal, Multilingual and Intercultural Perspectives in Language Learning: Essays in Honour of Claire Kramsch, guest edited by Drs. Simon Coffey and Zhu Hua, is now available. Join the guest editors, contributors to the special issue, and Dr. Claire Kramsch as they discuss the special issue and the substantial impact of Dr. Kramsch’s work on applied linguistics and world language education scholarship and practice.

Tuesday Oct. 7, 2025

9:00am PST/5:00pm GMT+1

Zoom

Register here

 

 

in Events

LTRC 2026 Montreal, June 2-6 Call for Proposals

The 47th Language Testing Research Colloquium (LTRC) of the International Language Testing Association will be held June 2-6, 2026, at the DoubleTree Hilton in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Theme: Global to Local Language Assessment

One increasing area of interest in our field is the extent to which assessment activities are situated in their relevant contexts (DeLuca et al., 2019). Contexts may refer to anything from the micro-context of a language classroom to macro-contexts of the societies where large-scale language tests operate, including pedagogical, linguistic, social, and political elements (Saville, 2012). As Jin (2017) notes, “Context is vitally important in conceptualizing the construct and specifying the content of language learning, teaching, and assessment” (p. 1). For the 47th LTRC, we invite submissions that address this tension between global and local concerns, such as the search for universal scales and models for large scale language tests vs. the drive to explore local context-bound assessment needs and practices. Given this theme, and given that the conference is being held in Quebec, presentations are welcome in English or in bilingual English/French formats.

Proposals due: September 30, 2025

Notifications sent out: December, 2025

Presentation categories

LTRC2026 invites proposals for the presentation types listed below. Except for symposia, each proposal should be no longer than 500 words and must be accompanied by a summary of 250 words. The 500-word proposal will be evaluated by the reviewers, but only the 250-word summary will be available to conference attendees.

Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria and weighting:

1)        Relevance to the conference theme (10%):  i.e., a consideration of the local context in the contribution, or addressing the tension between global and local concerns

2)        Conceptual framework (25%): Appropriateness and detail of the conceptual framework underlying the contribution.

3)        Argument and Methodology (30%): Appropriateness and detail of the argument (for conceptual studies) and in the research design and methodology (for empirical studies). For demos, detail of the demonstration plan. Note: for works-in-progress, the argument or methodology is planned, not completed.

4)        Clarity (15%): Linguistic and rhetorical elements of the submission. Is it easy to understand and follow without confusion or re-reading?

5)        Significance (20%): The potential of this contribution to advance knowledge in our field; potential for an innovative impact

 Paper presentations

Paper presentations can be either empirical or theoretical. Preference will be given to proposals related to the conference theme, which include details about the local context of the study being presented. Proposals not accepted as research papers may be considered as posters or works-in-progress.

Demonstrations (Demos)

Demonstrations usually show how technology has been innovatively applied in language assessment. Presenters should be prepared to showcase their work through screen shots, video recordings and/or live demonstrations. The proposal should describe the substantive goals of the presentation and outline how the demo will proceed.

Posters

Posters will be displayed during the timetabled session in the program, where presenters need to be present, discuss their work, and answer questions. Posters are a good opportunity for those involved in test development projects, new tests, and technological innovations to present their contributions to language assessment.

Works-in-Progress (WIPs)

Researchers currently working on ongoing research projects can submit them as a work-in-progress presentation. This session offers good opportunities for the presentation of research in progress or research that is being planned. Presenters discuss their projects with small groups of participants and receive comments and suggestions on how best to proceed. Proposals should include questions about the project for the attendees to consider.

Symposia (1.5h)

A symposium addresses a topic of scholarly interest and comprises multiple presentations that are clearly linked to each other and to the symposium topic. Each symposium should begin with an introduction to the topic and issues of consideration, followed by individual papers offering multiple perspectives to the topic and a synthesis by a discussant. Ample time should be allowed for an extended discussion of the theme with the audience. Each symposium proposal should include a 500-word overview of the symposium topic and 300-word descriptions of individual presentations. The entire proposal will be included in the conference program book.

*Note: Limited possibility for virtual proposals

One part of the program will be dedicated to a short series of synchronous virtual presentations. In other words, attendees will be present at LTRC in Montreal and the presenter will be projected on a screen in one of the conference rooms, through Zoom or a similar platform.

These limited virtual timeslots will be very competitive and are only available to those presenters for whom it would be impossible to come to LTRC in person. Therefore, if you wish to be considered for a virtual timeslot, you will not be considered for an in-person timeslot. You will be asked to choose the virtual option when you submit your proposal, along with an explanation for why it is impossible for you to travel to Montreal.

Proposal Deadline

September 30, 2025 at 11:59 pm anywhere on Earth, UTC-12 (This means until it is no longer September 30 no matter where you are).

Submissions for ILTA: https://www.conftool.pro/ltrc2026/

Contact
Email inquiries: ltrc@iltaonline.com 


Note for student presenters


ILTA welcomes proposals from students in master’s or doctoral programs and if the paper is accepted for a paper session or a symposium, student will be eligible for the Robert Lado Memorial Award for Best Graduate Student Paper, which is awarded at the end of the conference. Note that proposals co-authored with faculty members are not eligible, whereas proposals co-authored by several student presenters are.

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Call for Special Issue Proposals on Generative AI and Multilingual Education

  1. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Academic Production and Dissemination in Languages other than English: Possibility or Wishful Thinking?

Cláudio França & Kyria Finardi

  1. Individual differences in English-Medium Education: Comparing multilingual identity, beliefs, motivations and perspectives in EME in Spanish and Chinese undergraduates

Jennifer Ament & Mengjia Zhang

  1. Redefining English Language Teaching in Punjab: Embracing Translanguaging and Plurilingual Competence for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Preeti Suri & Marina Orsini-Jones

  1. Language Teacher Education in Brazil and the place of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Juliana Cristina Salvadori,  Eduardo Henrique Diniz de Figueiredo, Bárbara Cortat Simoneli

  1. Heritage speakers in Switzerland: Plurilingualism and social justice in a multilingual country.

Andrea Wehrli

  1. Internationalisation at Home through Critical Virtual Exchange

Mirjam Hauck, Ana Cristina Biondo Salomão, Müge Satar & Gustavo Primo

  1. Longitudinal civic engagement: Undergraduate students’ reflections on an intergenerational virtual exchange

Carolin Fuchs & Hannah Ferguson

  1. Virtual Exchange for English Language Teaching (VEELT): Engagement and Inclusion Challenges

Yu-Hua Chen, Sofia Di Sarno-García, Marina Orsini-Jones & Karina Guadalupe Díaz Pedroza 

in Events

Special Issue AILA Review (forthcoming)

  1. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Academic Production and Dissemination in Languages other than English: Possibility or Wishful Thinking?

Cláudio França & Kyria Finardi

  1. Individual differences in English-Medium Education: Comparing multilingual identity, beliefs, motivations and perspectives in EME in Spanish and Chinese undergraduates

Jennifer Ament & Mengjia Zhang

  1. Redefining English Language Teaching in Punjab: Embracing Translanguaging and Plurilingual Competence for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Preeti Suri & Marina Orsini-Jones

  1. Language Teacher Education in Brazil and the place of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Juliana Cristina Salvadori,  Eduardo Henrique Diniz de Figueiredo, Bárbara Cortat Simoneli

  1. Heritage speakers in Switzerland: Plurilingualism and social justice in a multilingual country.

Andrea Wehrli

  1. Internationalisation at Home through Critical Virtual Exchange

Mirjam Hauck, Ana Cristina Biondo Salomão, Müge Satar & Gustavo Primo

  1. Longitudinal civic engagement: Undergraduate students’ reflections on an intergenerational virtual exchange

Carolin Fuchs & Hannah Ferguson

  1. Virtual Exchange for English Language Teaching (VEELT): Engagement and Inclusion Challenges

Yu-Hua Chen, Sofia Di Sarno-García, Marina Orsini-Jones & Karina Guadalupe Díaz Pedroza 

in Events

LTRC 2026 Montreal, June 2-6 Call for Proposals

The 47th Language Testing Research Colloquium (LTRC) of the International Language Testing Association will be held June 2-6, 2026, at the DoubleTree Hilton in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Theme: Global to Local Language Assessment

One increasing area of interest in our field is the extent to which assessment activities are situated in their relevant contexts (DeLuca et al., 2019). Contexts may refer to anything from the micro-context of a language classroom to macro-contexts of the societies where large-scale language tests operate, including pedagogical, linguistic, social, and political elements (Saville, 2012). As Jin (2017) notes, “Context is vitally important in conceptualizing the construct and specifying the content of language learning, teaching, and assessment” (p. 1). For the 47th LTRC, we invite submissions that address this tension between global and local concerns, such as the search for universal scales and models for large scale language tests vs. the drive to explore local context-bound assessment needs and practices. Given this theme, and given that the conference is being held in Quebec, presentations are welcome in English or in bilingual English/French formats.

Proposals due: September 30, 2025

Notifications sent out: December, 2025

Presentation categories

LTRC2026 invites proposals for the presentation types listed below. Except for symposia, each proposal should be no longer than 500 words and must be accompanied by a summary of 250 words. The 500-word proposal will be evaluated by the reviewers, but only the 250-word summary will be available to conference attendees.

Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria and weighting:

1)        Relevance to the conference theme (10%):  i.e., a consideration of the local context in the contribution, or addressing the tension between global and local concerns

2)        Conceptual framework (25%): Appropriateness and detail of the conceptual framework underlying the contribution.

3)        Argument and Methodology (30%): Appropriateness and detail of the argument (for conceptual studies) and in the research design and methodology (for empirical studies). For demos, detail of the demonstration plan. Note: for works-in-progress, the argument or methodology is planned, not completed.

4)        Clarity (15%): Linguistic and rhetorical elements of the submission. Is it easy to understand and follow without confusion or re-reading?

5)        Significance (20%): The potential of this contribution to advance knowledge in our field; potential for an innovative impact

 Paper presentations

Paper presentations can be either empirical or theoretical. Preference will be given to proposals related to the conference theme, which include details about the local context of the study being presented. Proposals not accepted as research papers may be considered as posters or works-in-progress.

Demonstrations (Demos)

Demonstrations usually show how technology has been innovatively applied in language assessment. Presenters should be prepared to showcase their work through screen shots, video recordings and/or live demonstrations. The proposal should describe the substantive goals of the presentation and outline how the demo will proceed.

Posters

Posters will be displayed during the timetabled session in the program, where presenters need to be present, discuss their work, and answer questions. Posters are a good opportunity for those involved in test development projects, new tests, and technological innovations to present their contributions to language assessment.

Works-in-Progress (WIPs)

Researchers currently working on ongoing research projects can submit them as a work-in-progress presentation. This session offers good opportunities for the presentation of research in progress or research that is being planned. Presenters discuss their projects with small groups of participants and receive comments and suggestions on how best to proceed. Proposals should include questions about the project for the attendees to consider.

Symposia (1.5h)

A symposium addresses a topic of scholarly interest and comprises multiple presentations that are clearly linked to each other and to the symposium topic. Each symposium should begin with an introduction to the topic and issues of consideration, followed by individual papers offering multiple perspectives to the topic and a synthesis by a discussant. Ample time should be allowed for an extended discussion of the theme with the audience. Each symposium proposal should include a 500-word overview of the symposium topic and 300-word descriptions of individual presentations. The entire proposal will be included in the conference program book.

*Note: Limited possibility for virtual proposals

One part of the program will be dedicated to a short series of synchronous virtual presentations. In other words, attendees will be present at LTRC in Montreal and the presenter will be projected on a screen in one of the conference rooms, through Zoom or a similar platform.

These limited virtual timeslots will be very competitive and are only available to those presenters for whom it would be impossible to come to LTRC in person. Therefore, if you wish to be considered for a virtual timeslot, you will not be considered for an in-person timeslot. You will be asked to choose the virtual option when you submit your proposal, along with an explanation for why it is impossible for you to travel to Montreal.

in Events

GERA Congress 2026 – Disruptions

Disruptions allow and provide opportunities for new beginnings, fundamental reconsiderations, and the conceptualization of alternative directional approaches to education and training. They form a constitutive part of growing up, socialization, and education. The basic dialectical tone and the colorful metaphors used in the context of disruptions, upheavals, breakthroughs, collapses, or new departures point, not least, to the fundamental anthropological issue of a fragile existence. Not only does the notion of the human fragment testifies to this, but so does the phenomenon of the breakthrough as an elementary gain of knowledge along the fault lines of experience. Both in individual life courses and in the context of organizational or societal developmental processes, rifts mark disruptive changes. The dynamics of such social and cultural transformations, technological innovations, political upheavals, or increasing diversifications of educational and professional careers require pedagogical actors to deal with such breaks, discontinuities, and transitions. With the topic of this congress, we aim not only to identify problems but also focus on necessary moments of transition which hold potential for innovation and the positive shaping of the future.

The GERA Congress 2026 will take place in Munich from March 22nd – March 25th 2026.

https://dgfe2026.fak11.lmu.de/en/sample-page-english/ 

in Events