Rethinking Evidence of Language Learning: Emerging Perspectives on Assessment
Assessment is fundamentally concerned with the collection and interpretation of evidence to support claims about language learning and proficiency. As language use, learning environments, and assessment practices continue to evolve, long-standing assumptions about what constitutes valid evidence of language ability are increasingly being reconsidered.
Traditionally, language assessment has relied heavily on observable products such as essays, test scores, and monologic oral performances. Increasingly, however, researchers and practitioners are exploring a broader range of evidence, including learning processes, interactional and co-constructed performances, learner development, plurilingual language practices, culturally situated ways of demonstrating competence, technology-mediated communication, and data generated through digital learning environments. These developments raise important questions regarding assessment design, construct representation, validity, fairness, and the role of professional judgment in interpreting assessment evidence.
This special issue seeks to examine how language assessment is responding to an expanding evidentiary landscape. Drawing on perspectives from learning-oriented and dynamic assessment, interactional competence, plurilingual and decolonial approaches, learning analytics, assessment literacy, and AI-mediated communication and assessment, the issue invites scholarship that explores new sources of evidence, evolving assessment practices, and the implications of these developments for language learning, teaching, and assessment.
Central Question of the Special Issue:
What counts as evidence of language learning and proficiency, and how should that evidence be collected, interpreted, and used in contemporary assessment contexts?
Potential Topics
Assessment evidence and validity
Learning-oriented and dynamic assessment
Process-oriented assessment and learner development
Interactional competence and collaborative and co-constructed performance
Human judgment, assessment literacy, and professional expertise
Fairness, ethics, and inclusion in assessment
Classroom, institutional, workplace, and policy perspectives on assessment
Papers in English and French will be considered and can focus on research concerning any second, additional, minority, heritage, or Indigenous language, not just English or French. Submission reporting on research conducted outside of Canada are welcome; however, authors will be asked to discussed the implications of their research for Canadian contexts. 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 by February 1, 2027. Notice of abstract acceptance will be emailed by March 1, 2027. Full manuscripts are due June 15, 2027, and will be subject to a rigorous double-blind review process. The special issue will be published in Spring 2028.
If you have any questions or queries about this special issue, please contact Heike Neumann at .
Welcome to the March 2025 AILA Newsletter. The first issue of this year opens with many prospects for collaboration. An important benefit of being an AILA member is to be part of the AILA Research Networks (ReNs) (https://aila.info/research/) that aim to tackle important matters and advance research on specific topics of Applied Linguistics through the collaboration of scholars to synthesize knowledge, examine the state of art, stimulate innovations and identify promising avenues for research areas of worldwide significance for the field.
Currently AILA has 16 ReNs that tackle important issues such as language for aviation, teacher identity, emerging technologies, multilingual approaches to fluency, research cultures, Open Scholarship, EMI; Virtual Exchange, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, migration, inclusive education, multimodality, autonomy, CLIL, language policy, to name but a few.
With an eye to further develop intra and inter-regional collaborations through AILA, we take this opportunity to share a report of AILA Research Networks for the period of 2024-2027.
AILA Research Networks
The AILA Research Networks (ReNs) are a key initiative by the Association Internationale de Linguistique Appliquée (AILA) to address pressing issues in applied linguistics arising from real-world problems. Originally structured for 15 ReNs in three-year cycles, the framework was revised in 2012 for greater flexibility, especially in response to emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2024–2027 call for ReNs aims to balance renewing established networks and creating new ones, aligning with AILA's by-laws while exploring innovative formats.
A formal call for ReN proposals was issued in 2024, with submissions reviewed by a dedicated committee comprising representatives from the Executive and International Committees. The 2024–2027 ReN Committee, led by Prof. Dr. Grégory Miras, includes members from Spain, Singapore, Brazil, and the UK. They reviewed proposals based on criteria such as team composition, international diversity, and strategic relevance to applied linguistics.
On November 24, the committee approved 16 ReN proposals, including 4 new projects and 12 renewals, showcasing the diversity of approaches in applied linguistics. The list of ReNs is available on the AILA website (https://aila.info/research/list-of-rens/) and showcases the diversity of research in applied linguistics.
Our promotion policy for Research Networks (ReNs) over the 2024-2027 cycle is designed to enhance visibility and engagement through a multi-faceted approach that targets applied linguistics. This strategy involves two complementary cycles aimed at showcasing the work of various ReNs and highlighting their contributions to the field.
The first system focuses on promoting ReNs that address specific topics. This will be achieved through webinars that bring together experts from different ReNs to discuss and share insights. These webinars will be recorded and made accessible online, accompanied by short videos tailored for social media platforms. Additionally, reports summarizing the webinars will be published in our newsletter, ensuring that the information reaches a wide audience.
The second system emphasizes the promotion of ReNs that deal with transversal topics. This initiative involves publishing comprehensive reports that delve into the broader dimensions of these ReNs, with a focus on their interdisciplinary impact. These reports will be featured in both the INJAL journal and newsletter, and will be supported by short promotional videos for social media.
By combining webinars, online publications, and social media outreach, we aim to create a dynamic and inclusive promotional strategy that effectively communicates the value and significance of our ReNs to the broader academic community and beyond. This approach not only ensures that the work of our ReNs is widely recognized but also fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing across different disciplines.
AILA cooperates with the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML), which is delighted to announce the launch of the new bilingual website “CLIL in languages other than English – Successful transitions across educational stages”, now available in English and French at www.ecml.at/CLILLOTEtransitions.
This year marks the quarter-century of dedicated efforts to preserve linguistic diversity and promote the use of mother tongue languages in education. To celebrate this milestone, UNESCO is launching a new report Languages matter: Global guidance on multilingual education which highlights the urgent need to include multilingualism in education systems so that children learn in a language they understand and speak fluently. Today, 40% of people globally lack access to education in the language they speak and understand fluently. In some low- and middle-income countries, this figure rises to 90%. More than a quarter of a billion learners are affected. According to UNESCO’s World Atlas of Languages, there are 7,000 languages, spoken or signed, in use in the world today – and only 351 languages are used as the medium of instruction.
BAAL 2025 will be hosted by the University of Glasgow on the 4th, 5th and 6th September 2025. The conference theme is Applied linguistics in the face of global challenges and local needs, inviting scholars to reflect on the role of applied linguistics in the changing world, with fast technological advances and more interconnected societies on the one hand and challenges, such as the climate crisis or the rise of isolationistic politics worldwide, on the other.
Deadline for receipt of Abstracts is 31 March 2025, 11.59pm UK time.
Hungarian Association of Hungarian Applied Linguists and Language Teachers
HAALLT and the Department of Hungarian Language and Literature, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek are organising the 30th CONGRESS OF HUNGARIAN APPLIED LINGUISTICS, with the theme Language Use and Language Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, on April 14-15, 2025 at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek.
As an added benefit, AILA members are eligible for a reduced participation fee, as the Hungarian association has been recognized as an AILA affiliate starting this year.
LITAKA
The 7th International Conference of Applied Linguistics 'Languages and People' jointly organized by the Lithuanian Association of Applied Linguistics LITAKA and Vilnius University will be held from 25–27 September 2025 at the Faculty of Philology, Vilnius University. Paper proposals are welcome across a range of disciplines, including sociolinguistics, language policy, discourse analysis, translation, pragmatics, language teaching and learning, language testing, language acquisition, lexicography, corpus linguistics, cognitive linguistics, and more. Extended deadline for abstract submission: 17 March, 2025. For more information, please go to: https://litaka.lt/en/. Contact person: , Inga Hilbig, Head of the Organising Committee.
ASOCOPI
The Colombian Association of English-language Teachers (ASOCOPI, for its initials in Spanish), is a non-profit professional association whose mission is to foster quality in English language teaching (ELT) in Colombia. This year, it will celebrate its 60th Annual and 6th International Conference in Santa Marta, from October 2-4, 2025, aiming to honor six decades of commitment as well as continuing to co-construct a stronger, more connected, and innovative ELT community in Colombia. Call for papers is open until April 21st—don’t miss the chance to learn in community.
The School of English of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, in cooperation with ELLMEnet (Early Language Learning and Multilingual Education Network) and GALA (the Greek Applied Linguistics Association), are proud to welcome researchers from all over the world to attend our 3rd International Conference on Early Language Learning and Multilingual Education in Early Childhood (ELLME'25) to be held in Thessaloniki (Greece) from 19th - 20th September 2025. All information about the CFP and conference can be found here: https://www.ellmenet.com/ellme25.
Call for Papers
The editors of the 2027 Advances in CALL Research and Practice volume, entitled CALL and the intersection between language and culture, are currently seeking chapter proposals. The book will feature contributions that explore the symbiotic relationship between language and culture. Since the way technology can enhance this relationship is continuously changing as digital resources evolve, this volume will focus on current technological advancements to foster language learners' linguistic and cultural abilities within the foreign language classroom. This volume will be part of the CALICO book series and published through University of Toronto Press. The deadline to submit 300-500-word chapter proposals is June 27, 2025. Please email your proposals to the co-editors below:
Sofia Di Sarno-García () and Abraham Cerveró-Carrascosa ()
Women and Female Voices in March
The Centre for the Study of Global Development (CSGD) at the Open University in the UK, in celebration of International Women's Day 2025, invites all to the seminar Urgent Action for Gender Equity on March 6th exploring impactful, collaborative strategies for individuals and communities to take meaningful action toward achieving gender equity. The event serves as a call to urgent action, pushing for accelerated progress in gender equity, and addressing the systematic barriers in Education, Health and well-being, Language and Culture. The discussion brings together three esteemed academics from around the globe to lead an engaging conversation on holistic and inclusive approaches to gender equity. The event is free but registration is needed. Please visit the site for more info:
To receive the AILA newsletter, register at https://aila.info/members/welcome/newsletter/ and please share it widely, keeping us up to date about relevant actions and events to be announced in the upcoming issues. We plan to publish newsletters in March, June, September and December every year and invite all affiliates to send us updates and news to include in them. To keep us up to date with news from your affiliate, please write to .
Best wishes,
Kyria
Professor Kyria Finardi President, AILA International Association of Applied Linguistics
Welcome to the second edition of the AILA newsletter in 2025. We invite all to read, share, subscribe and contribute to this vehicle to stay tuned with news from the AILA family. We start this issue by sharing some news from our regional associations, committees, ReNs and national affiliates.
AIALA
The AILA Ibero-America (AIALA) was created in 2020 with the support of the AILA national affiliates AMLA (Mexico), ALAB (Brazil), AESLA (Spain) and AAAL (USA) to promote multilingual collaboration in the region and beyond, increasing the representation of the Ibero-American applied linguists and languages in the field thus reflecting the linguistic diversity in the world and within AILA.
After initial presentations introducing AIALA at the national event of AAAL 2021 and ALAB 2021, AIALA has consistently shown its presence in the annual AAAL event and in the AILA international events having organized symposia at the 2021, 2023 and 2024 editions of the AILA World Congresses in Groningen, Lyon and Kuala Lumpur, respectively.
AIALA @ AAAL 2025
During the AAAL 2025 event held in Denver between March 22nd and 25th this year, AIALA (represented by AAAL representative Anne Marie Guerrettaz) organized a colloquium with two strands: Antiracism, Decolonization, and Intersectionality for Systemic Transformation (ADIST) and Language and Ideology (LID). Organizers from AIALA dialogued with 50 regional scholars presenting broad long-term questions for regional systemic transformation. The questions that guided the colloquium were: What regional innovations are emerging from ‘la lingüística aplicada en las Américas?’ and How can transnational professional relationships among Hispanophone and Lusophone applied linguists systemically transform ‘la lingüística aplicada en las Américas?’. The answers are emergent and complex and three themes structured the colloquium comprising five studies from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Presentations stressed that Latin America is underrepresented in applied linguistics journals (Wiley, 2024) and representatives from AAAL and prominent scholars (Pennycook & Makoni, 2020) called for broader disciplinary equity regarding the “Global South” (e.g. Kramsch, Castañeda-Peña & Gamboa, 2023). In response, the colloquium advanced disciplinary equity and inclusion vis-à-vis Latin America by centering: (1) regional scholars and (2) salient political and epistemological dynamics of Applied Linguistics in the Americas.
AIALA @ ALAB 2025
The Brazilian Association of Applied Linguistics (ALAB) will host the 14th edition of Brazilian Congress of Applied Linguistics (CBLA for the acronym in Portuguese) between July 14th and 18th, 2025, at the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS). Celebrating its 35th anniversary (1990–2025), ALAB will bring together members, researchers, students, faculty, and professionals in Applied Linguistics and related fields to disseminate and share research and best practices creating and/or potentializing networks in the field. The 2025 edition of CBLA has the theme "Languages, territories, and bodies in motion" reaffirming ALAB’s commitment to expand the epistemological boundaries of Applied Linguistics, both nationally and internationally.
The symposium organized by AIALA is coordinated by Kyria Finardi, coordinator of AIALA, and Doris Matos, president of ALAB. With the theme "Multilingual Perspectives in Applied Linguistics and Contributions from the Ibero-American Association of Applied Linguistics (AIALA)" the symposium will feature participants and presentations from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain, the United States, Mexico, Paraguay, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. AIALA aims to increase the visibility of applied linguists from the region, as well as of speakers of minoritized languages in other regions and from Spanish, Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe, promoting the recognition of regional linguistic diversity with an emphasis on the knowledge of Indigenous peoples and historically marginalized communities. The event reaffirms ALAB's commitment to pluriepistemic and internationalized Applied Linguistics, oriented towards linguistic justice with the decolonization of knowledge.
ALAB and JEDI
ALAB reaffirms its commitment to historical reparation, epistemic justice, and territorial equity through affirmative policies aimed at including Black, Indigenous, trans, and socioeconomically vulnerable populations. Among the most recent initiatives is the exemption and reduction of annual fees and event registration fees as part of a policy to promote more equitable access to associative life.
A significant example is the free membership of 15 Indigenous students from the Graduate Program in Letters: Language and Identity at the Federal University of Acre (PPGLI-UFAC), selected through the process "Affirmative Policies: International Decade of Indigenous Languages". This action, resulting from the partnership between PPGLI-UFAC and ALAB, marks an important step in expanding the Association's partnerships with the North Region of Brazil.
This initiative contributes to decentralizing academic practices and valuing the presence of Applied Linguistics in historically marginalized contexts within the circuits of scientific power. It represents a symbolic and political milestone in recognizing the protagonism and intellectual production of Indigenous peoples in the field of Applied Linguistics.
AILA ASEAN and ALAA
At the AILA World Congress in Kuala Lumpur in August 2024, a dynamic symposium - supported by the Australian High Commission in Malaysia - brought together Early Career Researchers (ECRs) from across ASEAN nations (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and Australia, alongside established leaders in the field.
Building on papers accepted at AILA 2024, the ECRs presented forward-thinking ideas for advancing their research beyond the conference, turning initial findings into long-term projects. Experienced researchers participated as discussants, offering feedforward - not just feedback, but strategic, future-focused advice designed to foster growth and leadership in the field.
The energy and collaboration sparked at the symposium have already borne fruit: the group has launched its first collective initiative - an edited volume led by three ECRs, with mentorship from a senior scholar and contributions from others in the cohort. This project marks an exciting step in nurturing the next generation of academic voices across the region.
This initiative is coordinated by Elke Stracke (ALAA), Azirah Hashim (MAAL/AILA ASEAN) and Shameem Rafik-Galea (MAAL).
Applied Linguistics in Europe
As part of preparations for the next AILA-Europe Junior Research Meeting's EUJAL issue, we aim to replicate a study conducted in the early 2000s by Karlfried Knapp.
If you are a member of one of the AILA-Europe affiliates, we warmly invite you to complete the survey available at the link below. It will take approximately 10 minutes, and the deadline for submission is June 15, 2025.
Please note that the survey is fully compliant with GDPR regulations. All responses are anonymous and securely stored on the University of Lorraine servers via the LimeSurvey platform. Data will be retained for 10 years and may be used for scientific publications.
China English Language Education Association (CELEA)
The 2025 Annual Conference of China English Language Education Association will be held in Chongqing on October 17-19, 2025. The theme of the conference is “English Teaching in the New Era: New Approaches for Intercultural Communication and Mutual Learning”.
CELEA is going to host the 24th AsiaTEFL International Conference (May 29-31, 2026). The theme of the conference is “ELT in a Changing World: Global Challenges and New Opportunities”.
CELEA signed a cooperation and exchange agreement with the Korea Association of Teachers of English (KATE) in February, 2025. Prof. Sun Youzhong will attend the KATE2025 Conference on July 17-18, 2025.
CELEA council member, Prof. Mu Yang will attend the 2025 JACET International Convention in Japan on August 26-28, 2025.
AAAL News
As leaders of a professional organization, the AAAL Executive Committee opposes the United States Presidential Executive Order issued on March 1, 2025, “Designating English as the Official Language of the United States.” In doing so, they reaffirm AAAL’s mission of building and sustaining just and equitable conditions for individuals, communities, and societies. A commitment to protecting linguistic rights, supporting multilingualism and multiculturalism, and promoting ethical and informed understandings of language-related processes and practices through evidence-based research lies central in this mission. The full statement can be viewed at:
Also, AAAL published another manifest in March. The U.S. Department of Education announced on March 11, 2025 that it would reduce the Department’s workforce by nearly 50%. As a professional organization dedicated to advancing language education, multilingualism, and international engagement, the AAAL Executive Committee is deeply concerned about reports suggesting that two major offices under the purview of the Department – the International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) office and Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) - could be eliminated, in line with the Department’s proposed reorganization. The IFLE office administers Title VI and Fulbright-Hays grant and fellowship programs that prepare U.S. students, teachers, and citizens to address global challenges by fostering a deeper understanding of languages, cultures, places, and peoples. OELA provides national leadership to help ensure that English learners (ELs) and immigrant students attain English proficiency and achieve academic success. While no formal announcement regarding the shutdown of the two offices has been made, we urge policymakers to reaffirm their commitment to the essential programs run by these two offices whose elimination will have a direct and long-lasting impact on language education and research designed to better serve multilingual communities. The AAAL Executive Committee will work with peer language professional organizations and through their representative at the Joint National Committee for Languages-National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS), which is committed to ensuring that Americans have the opportunity to learn English and at least one other language, in order to affirm the importance of multilingualism and multiculturalism both abroad and within the United States, and to protect all individuals’ rights to language education. The full statement can be seen at:
During the AAAL 2025 event, the editors of all major AL and SLA journals conversed and debated items of mutual interest in their online JOURNAL EDITORS GROUP, which has been managed by Dr Graeme Porte (Editor of the CUP journal Language Teaching) for the last 16 years. In that time its membership (by invitation) has grown from an initial 20 editors to well over 50 - itself reflecting the increasing number of journals out there aiming to provide a platform for research in the many subfields of AL and SLA. Recent discussions have included how to work with plagiarism in submissions, paper mills and how to detect and report these, the use of AI in submissions, and how to encourage new reviewers onto the journals. Through this forum, the manager also organizes the annual Editors open meeting, which is presented to attendees at the AAAL conference (see below for this year's offering in Denver). Over the last few years these have attracted over 300 attendees and have proven one of the most popular sessions in post-conference feedback questionnaires.
To see Summary of Editors' Open Meeting in Denver AAAL 2025: click here.
News from AILA Research Networks (ReNs)
Discover the ReN "Research & Educational Cultures in Applied Linguistics" (RECAL)
Coordinated by Paola Gamboa and Claire Kramsch, this Research Network invites scholars and educators to rethink applied linguistics across cultural and institutional boundaries. Read the open-access interview in International Journal of Applied Linguistics (Wiley): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijal.12752?af=R
AILA continues to promote its ReNs
Join us for the first joint webinar hosted by the EMEVEDI and Inclusive FL Education Research Networks which will take place on 25 June 2025 from 1:00–2:00 PM (CEST), and explore the theme of 'Thinking inclusivity in Applied Linguistics'. Registration is required for this free webinar. The connection link will be sent a few days before the event.
The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee is tasked with ensuring AILA practices promote JEDI, proposing meaningful changes when needed, and proposing objective ways to measure the potential impact of these changes.
Explore key concepts and values surrounding Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) - a central focus for AILA as we foster inclusive, impactful research and collaboration across our global network.
Publications
UNESCO
Some UNESCO recent publications related to its Intercultural Competence Chair are:
UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education: Here
News of Relevant Organizations
IATBLT
The International Conference on Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) took place April 2–4 in Groningen, the Netherlands, bringing together 347 participants from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Celebrating 20 years of TBLT conferences, scholars and practitioners engaged in task-based research and pedagogy convened to share the latest developments in the field, highlighting the vibrant interplay between theory and practice in language teaching and learning.
Hosted collaboratively by faculty at the University of Groningen and the International Association for Task-Based Language Teaching (IATBLT), this year’s conference centered on the theme of, “Task-Based Leveraging of Technology.” The program featured an engaging mix of paper presentations, workshops, and plenaries. In line with IATBLT’s commitment to accessibility and knowledge sharing, all plenary sessions were live-streamed and are now available for open-access on-demand viewing on the TBLTea YouTube channel.
On a personal note, it was a pleasure to reconnect in person with current and former AILA EB/IC members Rasmus Steinkrauss, Marjolijn Verspoor, and Audrey Rousse-Malpat, as well as TAAL President Kornwipa Poonpon, who organized an invited colloquium. Steinkrauss and Verspoor were on the scientific and organizing committees, and Audrey served as Conference Co-Chair and Social Chair, alongside Conference Chair Marije Michel.
TBLT is an active subdomain within the field of instructed second language acquisition (ISLA), offering a robust framework for both empirical research and pedagogical application. By centering research and learning on authentic, real-world tasks, TBLT aligns closely with the broader objectives of applied linguistics and overlaps with current AILA priorities focused on meaningful, real-world impact.
Looking ahead, we warmly invite you to keep an eye out for the Call for Papers for our next conference, to be held in August 2027 in Honolulu, Hawai’i, immediately following the AILA World Congress in Vancouver. Visit tblt2027hawaii.com for updates.
To learn more about TBLT, explore membership, or get involved in our global community of researchers and educators, visit iatblt.org, or contact current IATBLT President Laura Gurzynski-Weiss at .
Call for Chapters
Edited Volume: Handbook of Teaching, Learning and Artificial Intelligence To be published by: Edward Elgar Publishing
Edited by:
Dr. Lucas Kohnke, The Education University of Hong Kong
Prof. Di Zou, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof. Benjamin L. Moorhouse, City University of Hong Kong
Overview
This Handbook of Teaching, Learning, and Artificial Intelligence aims to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and global perspective on integrating AI across educational contexts. The volume will bring together scholars and practitioners to explore how AI technologies are reshaping educational theory, practice, policy and ethics.
The handbook is organised around four thematic sections:
1. The role of AI in teacher education and professional development
2. Disciplinary perspectives on AI in teaching and learning
3. Ethical, equitable, and human-centered approaches to AI use
4. Future directions and innovations in AI-driven education.
We welcome contributions that are theoretical, empirical, conceptual, or practice-based, and encourage submissions from diverse global, methodological, and disciplinary perspectives.
Proposal Submission Details: Deadline: August 1, 2025 Submission: Please email a 500–600 word abstract outlining:
The context of your chapter
Methodology or approach
Contribution to the field in one of the four key areas.
Submit proposal to: Dr Lucas Kohnke,
Call for Chapters
Edited Volume: Generative AI in Teacher Education: A Handbook for Teacher Learning and Development To be published by: Springer Edited by: Dr. Lucas Kohnke, The Education University of Hong Kong
We are inviting chapter proposals for a forthcoming edited volume that explores the intersection of generative artificial intelligence and teacher learning and development, with a focus on both pre-service and in-service educators.
This handbook will provide a comprehensive and critically informed resource for understanding how generative AI is reshaping teacher education, professional development, and pedagogical practice across diverse educational contexts.
Suggested Topics (but not limited to):
Integrating GenAI into pre-service teacher education programs
GenAI and professional learning for in-service teachers
AI literacy and teacher agency
Ethical, social, and pedagogical implications of GenAI for teachers
Case studies of GenAI use in teacher PD or practicum contexts
Equity, access, and inclusion in AI-supported teacher learning
Reflective practices, identity formation, and AI
Cross-cultural or comparative insights into GenAI in teacher development
We welcome diverse methodological approaches and international perspectives.
Proposal Submission Details: Deadline: June 18, 2025 Submission: Please email a 200-300 word abstract outlining:
The context of your chapter
Methodology or approach
Contribution to the field of teacher learning and development
Submit your proposal to: Dr Lucas Kohnke,
CFP TBLT
Task-Based Language Teaching has been widely researched and implemented in second language (L2) education over the past several decades (East, 2021; Ellis et al., 2019; Skehan, 1998; Willis & Willis, 2007). With its emphasis on communicative, real-world tasks that promote meaningful interaction, TBLT has gained traction across various educational contexts, including English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as a Second Language (FSL) programs in Canada (Gutiérrez, 2024; Payant & Michaud, 2020; Wouters et al., 2023). Despite its growing popularity, TBLT continues to present implementation challenges, especially in standardized curricula, technology-mediated environments, and multilingual classrooms. This special issue seeks to explore emerging innovations and persistent challenges in TBLT, offering new insights into its application in both Canadian and international settings. Papers written in English or 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 by August 1st, 2025. Notice of abstract acceptance will be emailed by August 31st. Full manuscripts are due January 5th, 2026 and will be subject to a double-blind review process. The special issue will be published in Fall 2026. If you have any questions or queries about this special issue, please contact Gabriel Michaud at .
Upcoming Events
The Call for Papers for the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia (ALAA) 2025 Conference is open. The conference will be held in Darwin from November 17 to 19 with the theme ‘Language and the interface of mono-/multi-/translingual mindsets.’ The CFP has recently been extended to June 10. For further information visit here.
ELINET
ELINET is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual ELINET Conference held in conjunction with the 6th EMI Symposium, Transforming Education, Transforming Lives, which will take place on 3–4 July 2025 at the Department of Education, University of Oxford. The event will be held in conjunction with the 6th English Medium Instruction (EMI) Symposium. Confirmed speakers include Dr. Ali Fuad Selvi, Dr. Ikuya Aizawa, Prof. David Lasagabaster, Prof. Julia Reckermann, Dr. Samantha Curle, and Prof. Rowland Imperial. This international conference will bring together leading scholars and practitioners to examine key developments in (English) Medium Instruction, Global Englishes, and the interplay of internationalization, languages, and education. For more information visit the site:
Bridging Applied Linguistics and STEM Communication
Dr. Glenda El Gamal, Secretary General of AILA and Senior Lecturer at Khalifa University, the UAE’s leading university, was recently featured in a video podcast discussing the critical role of communication in STEM and how AI is reshaping the way complex scientific content is conveyed. In just four weeks, the video podcast has garnered over 150,000 views, a clear indicator of the demand for effective communication strategies in technical fields.
The video podcast, hosted by Khalifa University, aligns with AILA’s EmTechAL – Emerging Technologies in Applied Linguistics ReN, emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap between research, emerging technologies and broader audiences through accessible, impactful communication. To watch the video podcast and explore how applied linguistics can elevate STEM communication, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZIAKwRxtUM
This initiative underscores AILA’s ongoing commitment to advancing applied linguistics in interdisciplinary contexts, reinforcing the importance of impactful communication across academic and professional domains.
Stay Vigilant: Email Phishing Scams Targeting AILA Members
By Glenda El Gamal, AILA Secretary General.
Recently, several members of the AILA community have reported receiving suspicious emails from individuals falsely claiming to be Kyria, AILA President, or Rasmus, AILA Treasurer, requesting money or other sensitive information. These are phishing scams designed to deceive recipients into sharing personal or financial details.
While we have taken measures to address these incidents, it is important to remain vigilant. With public-facing websites, such scams are unfortunately common and difficult to completely eliminate.
If you receive an email that seems suspicious – particularly one requesting money or personal information – please do the following:
Ignore the email. Do not respond or engage with the sender.
Do not open attachments or click on any links within the email.
Be vigilant. If you are uncertain about an email’s legitimacy, contact us directly to verify.
Your caution helps protect our community. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and vigilance.
Stay Tuned
To receive the AILA newsletter, register at https://aila.info/members/welcome/newsletter/ and please share it widely, keeping us up to date about relevant actions and events to be announced in the upcoming issues. We plan to publish newsletters in March, June, September and December every year and invite all affiliates to send us updates and news to include in them. To keep us up to date with news and contacts from your affiliate, please write to .
Best wishes,
Kyria
Professor Kyria Finardi President, AILA International Association of Applied Linguistics
The 21st AILA World Congress will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 12-16 August 2024 (https://aila2024.com). With the theme ‘Linguistic Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Sustainability’, the Congress is attracting more than 1500 delegates, both onsite and online. Interviews with some distinguished speakers (Professor Dr. Claire Kramsch, Professor Dr. Catherine Nickerson, Professor Dr. E. Aminudin Aziz, Professor Dr. Peter de Costa and Professor Dr. John E. Joseph) have been featured in the latest Malaysian Association of Applied Linguistics (MAAL) Newsletter, which can be accessed here.
Research Networks (ReNs) seek to promote research and its dissemination in all academic areas covered by AILA, with a particular focus on areas with potential for new cross-disciplinary endeavours. The ReNs facilitate regional and inter-regional networking leading to more joint engagements and exchanges. There will be a call for new ReNs after the AILA meetings in August 2024 – please send your proposals to the ReNs Coordinator at .
AILA Review
AILA Review is the Scopus-indexed journal of AILA published by John Benjamins. AILA Review invites applied linguistic scholars and practitioners to submit proposals for a thematic issue, addressing socially relevant problems in which language learning, research, and practice play a key role. Proposals for thematic issues should include (1) the title of the proposed issue, (2) the purpose of the proposed issue and its relevance, (3) the table of contents, and (4) 300-word abstracts of all papers included, along with author name(s) and affiliation(s). Depending on the guest editor(s)' preference, each issue should contain 6–8 articles, that will normally each be of 10,000 (8 articles) to 15,000 words (6 articles) in length, including tables and figures. This should be sent by e-mail to and more information can be found at https://benjamins.com/catalog/aila.
As we approach 60 years of AILA, it is fitting to recall the founders of the Association and others who played a key role in the Association’s early days. In this issue, we remember Albert Valdman and Christopher Candlin who were Presidents during the 1980s to 2000s.
Albert Valdman
Albert Valdman served as President from 1987 to 1993 for two terms and prior to that was Secretary-General from 1984 to 1987. He is Rudy Professor Emeritus and Director Emeritus of the Creole Institute at Indiana University, USA.
Solidarity awards were agreed by the Executive Board and international committee (EBIC) in 1994, following an initial suggestion during Valdman’s presidency. The awards were designed to increase participation of affiliates and individuals who could not afford to do so without financial support. The first awards were presented at the Tokyo congress in 1999 and have continued up to today.
Valdman was also concerned about gender equality within the Association and had remarked when Britt-Louise Gunnarsson became the sole female member of the Executive Board that “if the EB is to better reflect the overall membership of the national affiliates, the number of women representatives to the IC (International Committee) must be increased” (AILA Newsletter 1990).
In 2004, he published an article in the AILA Review tracing “the history of AILA through his memories of its origins in the early 1960s in France to its place today as the umbrella organization of over 30 national associations from all over the world”. The article written in French can be read here.
Christopher Candlin
Christopher Candlin served as President from 1996 to 2002 for two terms. He was a Senior Research Professor Emeritus of linguistics at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia and held many positions in the applied linguistics world. He was founding member of the Asia-Pacific LSP & Professional Communication Association.
As President, he addressed issues of inaccessibility and equality among applied linguists e.g., in 1998, he stated “Two matters at present concern me...working together to welcome new associate members and new affiliates...how affiliates who live and work in relatively privileged academic circumstances can assist colleagues less well provided for...” (AILA Newsletter 1998). In 2000, he further emphasised the need for "vigorous and productive debate about issues of inaccessibility, access to resources, disparities in distribution of information among the world community of applied linguistics, and enhancing a mutuality of research, publications and teaching" (AILA Newsletter 2000).
Chris passed away in 2015. Having had the privilege of working on a legal discourse project led by him and Professor Vijay Bhatia, and also while serving on the executive committee of the LSPPC, I know I speak for many when I say that his energy, ideas, enthusiasm and kindness are very much missed.
AILA Archive
An awareness of the history of our Association and how it has evolved – its successes as well as its setbacks - is important as we chart our way forward. An archive would help ensure that new board members have access to the Association's history and previous strategies and decisions, helping to maintain continuity and stability. To this end, we have been compiling materials for the AILA archive and are currently digitising bulletins, newsletters and AILA Review issues which are available from its inception. Our goal is to make these resources accessible to members through the AILA website by August 2024. This archive will be a valuable asset for researchers, historians, and members interested in exploring the Association's history, activities and impact. I would like to acknowledge Professor Richard Smith at Warwick University for his contributions and collaboration on this project.
Best wishes to all and looking forward to meeting many of you in Kuala Lumpur at AILA 2024.
Azirah
Professor Azirah Hashim President, International Association of Applied Linguistics (AILA)
Welcome to the October 2024 AILA Newsletter, the first newsletter since the new board was elected. As I said in my President’s Vision speech (https://aila.info/aila-presidents-vision-2024/), if we want to go fast, we should walk alone but if we want to go far, we have to walk in company, and in good company I am! This is the new AILA board and committees that are walking and working with us ☺
To mark AILA’s 60th anniversary and outreach to different regions of the world, we had two World Congresses in different regions: in 2023 in Europe (Lyon) and in 2024 in Asia (Kuala Lumpur See report). Our next World Congresses will be in North America - Vancouver, Canada (2027) and Oceania - Perth, Australia (2030) (https://aila.info/events/aila-world-congresses/). Meanwhile, forthcoming events by affiliates and relevant institutions include:
Forthcoming Affiliates’ Conferences and Other Events
The China English Language Education Association (CELEA) is organizing its annual Conference of China English Language Education Association in Dalian on October 18-20, 2024. The theme of the conference is Interdisciplinary Integration and Collaborative Innovation: Enhancing the Overall Quality of Talent Cultivation. For more information on other relevant activities of CELEA, click here.
IRAAL
The Irish Association for Applied Linguistics is organizing its next conference in University College Cork, November 15th and 16th 2024 with the theme Diversity and Identity in Applied Linguistics. Plenary speakers include Professor Lorraine Leeson of Trinity College Dublin and Professor Li Wei of University College London. More information at https://sites.google.com/ucc.ie/iraal2024/home/programme.
AFLA
Symposium "Linguistique appliquée : tensions et constructions d’un savoir sur la langue au service de la société", 25th of October, at Sorbonne Nouvelle Université: http://www.afla-asso.org/je-2025/
V Congreso Paraguayo de Lingüística Aplicada (CONPLA) that will take place online between 18-21 November, 2024: https://www.conpla.org/
ANELA
The Dutch Association of Applied Linguistics is organizing the AVT/Anéla/LOT Language Day Conference 2025 in Utrecht, The Netherlands on Jan. 31st, more info at: https://anela.nl/activiteiten/grote-taaldag/
NEALA
The NéALA 2025 Conference "Naturel et Artificiel en Linguistique Appliquée : une époque de paradoxes" will take place between 02-04 July 2025 at l'Université de Lorraine (Nancy, France): https://neala2025.sciencesconf.org/
CILIDI
3rd International Conference of Digital Linguistics, co-organized by the University of Alicante, the University of Granada and the Polytechnic University of Valencia, which will be held at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain) on June 26 and 27, 2025: https://cilidi.webs.upv.es/en
AILA ReN Migration Linguistics
AILA ReN Migration Linguistics will organise their first international conference on 14-15 December 2024, at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (onsite and online) with the theme 'Processes, Programs, Practice, Progress'. The conference will feature panels with government officials and migrant representatives, as well as talks regarding language resources, and creative outputs relating to linguistic dimensions of migration.
More information at: https://www.migrationlinguistics.info/international-conference-on-migration-linguistics
IALIC
The International Association for Languages and Intercultural Communication is organizing their 24th international conference Towards a plurilingual curriculum: fostering pluricultural communication in the digital age, between Nov. 28th-30th at the University of Bordeaux, France. More information visit: https://ialic2024.sciencesconf.org/
CALICO
The Computer Assisted Language Instruction Consortium will have their next annual conference in San Diego, USA, between May 28-31. More info at: https://calico.org/conference/
ALAB / AIALA
The Brazilian Association of Applied Linguistics (ALAB) will host its 14th National Congress (CBLA) to celebrate ALAB’s 35th anniversary between 14-18 July, 2025 in Sergipe, Brazil (https://alab.org.br/cbla-atual). During the event, the Iberoamerican Association of Applied Linguistics (AIALA), will convene its first symposium in Latin America with presenters from the region.
AILA has promoted regionalization with initiatives, conferences and events being held by the different affiliates and networks. For more information on regional associations, please visit https://aila.info/about/regionalization/.
Regarding the events that are organized by our national affiliates, we want to take this opportunity to remind all that one of the many benefits of being an AILA member is to pay reduced rates at the conferences organized by our affiliates (https://aila.info/members/).
To receive the AILA newsletter, register at https://aila.info/members/welcome/newsletter/ and please share it widely, keeping us up to date about relevant actions and events to be announced in the upcoming issues.
Best wishes,
Kyria
Professor Kyria Finardi President, AILA International Association of Applied Linguistics
Welcome to the December 2024 AILA Newsletter. Considering the current global scenario of enduring wars and crises, I would like to finish this year with a message of hope and an invitation to think together about ways in which we, applied linguists, can make a difference for a better world.
As part of its strategic collaborations, AILA has a longstanding relationship with UNESCO having endorsed its Sustainable Development Agenda (https://aila.info/about/endorsements/policies-guidelines/un-2030-sustainable-development/). Moreover, we share an interest in the role of languages and intercultural competence for a more peaceful world. So as to stay tuned with the latest news by UNESCO, in this issue we share some highlights from the UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competences newsletter published recently by Dr. Darla K. Deardorff, UNESCO Chairholder. For those who would like to read the news in full or subscribe to its quarterly newsletter, please write to: .
Highlights UNESCO Chair Intercultural Competences Newsletter
The newsletter highlights the UN Summit of the Future, emphasizing peacebuilding through intercultural dialogue, human rights, governance reform, and the role of multilingualism in global cooperation. The role of applied linguists is vital in fostering inclusivity, language accessibility, and ethical use of technology.
AILA Research Networks (ReNs) (https://aila.info/research/list-of-rens/) aim to tackle important matters and advance research on specific topics of applied linguistics through the collaborative effort of scholars working on innovative research perspectives. ReNs also synthesize knowledge, examine the state of art, stimulate collaborations and identify promising directions in research areas of worldwide significance for applied linguistics.
Currently AILA has 22 ReNs that tackle important issues for the aforementioned UN agenda and that include, but are not limited to: the role of English and other languages in education and implications for multilingualism, the importance of multilingual education, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Language Policy and Planning, open scholarship, migration, content and language integrated learning, academic publishing, inclusive education, English as a lingua Franca and Virtual Exchange, to name but a few.
With an eye to further develop intra and inter-regional collaborations through AILA, we take this opportunity to share a report of submissions to AILA Research Networks for the period of 2024-2027. AILA Research Networks (ReNs) promote research and its dissemination in all academic areas of Applied Linguistics with a particular focus on areas that have the potential for new cross-disciplinary research. Typically, ReNs involve at least five members from at least three countries. Results of the application for ReNs will be out in January and a report can be seen here.
Highlights Events and Call for Papers
BAAL
The 58th annual British Association for Applied Linguistics conference will be hosted by the University of Glasgow, between 4th and 6th September 2025. The conference theme is "Applied linguistics in the face of global challenges and local needs". Please look out for an official call for papers in January, with a deadline for proposals on 31 March. The conference team can be contacted on .
LSPIC
The Linguistic Society of the Philippines has recently announced the Call for Papers for their upcoming international conference to be held on April 24-26, 2025.
Details can be found here: https://www.lsphil.net/post/536b624c
AESLA
The Spanish Association of Applied Linguistics (AESLA) and the Organizing Committee of this edition of the Association’s annual conference are pleased to invite you to the 42nd International Conference of the Spanish Association of Applied Linguistics (AESLA), organized by the Department of Spanish, Modern, and Classical Philology (English Philology), which will take place from April 2 to 4, 2025, at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB, Palma, Mallorca) on the UIB Campus (Spain).
The two cornerstones of this conference will be language acquisition and teaching and intercultural and multilingual communication in the digital age.
Each participant may submit a maximum of two proposals, in Spanish, English, or Catalan, from October 31, 2024, until the submission deadline of proposals on December 20, 2024 through the conference website platform (https://evaluaciones.aesla.org.es/). For more detailed information about the organization of AESLA 2025, visit https://aesla.uib.eu or contact .
TAML2, Madrid 2025!
Next edition of the Tense, Aspect and Modality in L2 (TAML2) conference, which we'll be hosting at the Complutense University of Madrid between November 27 - 28, 2025. Deadline for abstract submission: 19 January, 2025, by email to or visit their Website: https://eventos.ucm.es/122980/detail/tense-aspect-and-modality-in-l2-taml2.html
CELEA
The 2025 Annual Conference of the China English Language Education Association (CELEA) will be held in Chongqing on October 17-19, 2025. For a report of the 2024 event and other activities by CELEA in 2024, click here.
ICLHE
The Organizing Committee of the International Conference on Language and Higher Education - ICLHE - invites you to their 8th edition, the ICLHE 2025 Conference themed "EMInclusion: Integrating Language and Content for Egalitarian Higher Education" that will take place from September 24 to 27, 2025, at the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The conference focuses on the complexities of English-Medium Instruction (EMI) and Other Languages as a Medium of Instruction (OLMI), promoting dialogue on fostering inclusivity and linguistic diversity in higher education. Participants are invited to submit proposals in one of seven tracks, exploring themes such as linguistic inclusion, identity, language policies, and the role of languages in higher education. Contributions may take the form of papers, experience reports, posters, workshops, or colloquia. Submissions will be accepted from December 10th, 2024, to January 19, 2025, via https://www.even3.com.br/8thiclhe/. For detailed information about the conference, visit ICLHE 2025 or contact the Organizing Committee at or on Instagram @iclhe2025conference.
CFP Local Voices, Global Impact: Examining the role of English in Multilingual and Multicultural Contexts of the Global South
We are pleased to invite researchers, educators, and advocates to contribute chapters to an upcoming edited volume titled “Local Voices, Global Impact: Examining the role of English in Multilingual and Multicultural Contexts of the Global South”, for submission as an edited volume to Routledge. This volume is edited by Dr. Mona Nishizaki (University of Genoa), Dr. Rafael Timmermann (Federal University of Pará), and Prof. Dr. Kyria Finardi (Federal University of Espírito Santo) and aims to identify, interrogate and hopefully interrupt the ongoing legacies of colonialism that continue to shape education systems across the Global South, with particular focus on whose knowledge, experiences, and perspectives are centered and whose are marginalized. At the same time, as we observe a growth in English Medium Instruction (EMI) as the internationalization of higher education accelerates, we seek to highlight how the Global South can carve its own place in this evolving landscape while promoting multilingualism in situated, decolonized educational practices. This book will showcase local voices and experiences that connect to global trends, emphasizing the importance of multilingualism and decolonization in shaping more inclusive and equitable educational futures. We welcome contributions that explore both theoretical frameworks and practical approaches from diverse contexts within the Global South. Submissions may include but are not limited to:
Original research studies
Conceptual/theoretical papers
Case studies of best practices
Policy analyses
Reflections on grassroots initiatives
We are particularly interested in chapters addressing one or more of the following broad themes:
Decolonizing Education: Reclaiming Knowledge and Epistemologies in the Global South
Multilingualism and Linguistic Justice in Postcolonial Contexts
English as a Global Language: Opportunities and Challenges for the Global South
Navigating Globalization: The Global South in the Internationalized Higher Education Landscape
Pedagogical Innovations: Bridging Local and Global Contexts in Multilingual Classrooms
Language, Power, and Identity in Higher Education: Whose Voices Are Heard?
Policy, Equity, and Access in Education in and for the Global South
English Medium Instruction (EMI) and Its Impact on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Grassroots Educational Movements: possibilities and challenges for Local Voices and Global Advocacy
Technology in Education: exploring affordances and challenges in a Multilingual-Interconnected World
We invite contributions that critically engage with these topics from local perspectives, emphasizing the ways in which educational practices in the Global South can influence and reshape global discourses. Contributors are encouraged to provide contextually grounded insights that reflect the realities of multilingualism, colonial legacies, and the push for decolonization in educational settings.
Submission Guidelines:
Please submit an abstract (300–500 words) that clearly outlines your chapter's focus, methodology (if applicable), and how it relates to the overarching themes of the volume. Please submit your abstract and biography to .
Key Dates:
Abstract submission deadline: 15 January 2025
Notification of acceptance: 15 February 2025
Full chapter submission deadline: 15 August 2025
For inquiries, please contact the editors at .
Obituary
GAL / AILA
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague Wolfgang Kuehlwein on September 23, 2024, at the age of 84. We would like to express our sincere condolences to his family. Professor Kuehlwein was president of GAL, the German affiliate of AILA, from 1977 to 1986, and Vice President of AILA from 1981 to 1987. GAL and AILA are grateful for his service to the field of Applied Linguistics and will honor his memory!
To receive the AILA newsletter, register at https://aila.info/members/welcome/newsletter/ and please share it widely, keeping us up to date about relevant actions and events to be announced in the upcoming issues. We plan to publish newsletters in March, June, September and December every year and invite all affiliates to send us updates and news to include in them. To keep us up to date with news and contacts from your affiliate, please write to .
With best wishes of happy holidays, especially to those colleagues and friends who will be celebrating Christmas, with hopes for peace for all for the new year.
Best wishes,
Kyria
Professor Kyria Finardi President, AILA International Association of Applied Linguistics
Welcome to the third edition of the AILA newsletter in 2025. We invite all to read, share, subscribe and contribute to this vehicle to stay tuned with news from the AILA family.
AILA Europe
A special issue “European Junior Applied Linguists in a globalized world”, edited by Grégory Miras & Sin Wang Chong will be online published in the of “European Journal of Applied Linguistics” during autumn 2025. The issue will contain 10 papers presented at the European Junior Researcher Meetings 2022-2024.
The AILA-Europe Annual meeting 2025 will take place on 10 October 2025. Among the topics will be the organization of the next Junior Researcher Meetings as well as further development of AILA Europe network.
JAAL in JACET
Since joining AILA in 1984, the Japan Association of College English Teachers (JACET) has worked to promote applied linguistics research in Japan as JAAL in JACET. In the early years, the field of applied linguistics was still emerging in Japan, and even today, it would be difficult to say it has become fully established across the academic landscape. Nevertheless, JACET has consistently pursued its mission by fostering dialogue, encouraging collaboration, and keeping its doors open to other associations in the field of language education.
A major milestone in this effort came in 2018, when JACET launched the annual JAAL in JACET Research Exchange Meeting. These gatherings have provided an important platform for researchers, educators, and graduate students to exchange ideas and present their work. The seventh meeting, held in 2024, featured vigorous discussion through symposia on topics such as the politics of applied linguistics, inclusivity, and English language education, reflecting the diverse and evolving concerns of the discipline.
Looking ahead, JAAL in JACET is preparing to take a more active role in shaping the future of applied linguistics research in Japan. This year’s eighth Academic Exchange Meeting, to be held in December 2025, will expand its schedule to include more presentations, symposia, and networking opportunities. Additionally, at the 64th JACET International Convention in the summer of 2025, a dedicated JAAL in JACET session will be introduced to showcase interdisciplinary approaches to language education research. Through these initiatives, we aim not only to deepen academic exchange but also to strengthen ties with a broader range of language education organizations, both domestic and international.
An important part of this vision is the creation of a data commons for applied linguistics in Japan. With the rapid improvement of digital research infrastructure in recent years, we see a timely opportunity to establish a shared repository that will allow easy access to past and current research data. Such a resource will be invaluable for enabling smoother collaboration, avoiding duplication of effort, and accelerating progress in the field.
Finally, a note on AILA East Asia. Comprising JACET (Japan), CELEA (China), and ALAK (Korea), this regional body held its most recent meeting in Japan in 2024. Unfortunately, the timing coincided with the typhoon season, necessitating substantial schedule changes and the shift of the symposium to an on-demand online format. In September 2025, AILA East Asia will be hosted in Seoul, Korea. We look forward to continuing this rotation hosting system, which we believe will further strengthen the applied linguistics community and enhance scholarly exchange throughout East Asia.
Through these collective efforts, JAAL in JACET remains committed to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and forward-looking applied linguistics community in Japan and beyond.
AIALA
The Iberoamerican Association of Applied Linguistics (AIALA) organized a symposium during the 14th national congress (CBLA) of the Brazilian Association of Applied Linguistics (ALAB), held in Aracaju, Brazil, between 14-18 July. The symposium, organized by AIALA Coordinator, Kyria Finardi, and ALAB President, Doris Matos, welcomed applied linguists from Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, United States and Switzerland showcasing 12 paper presentations in Spanish, Portuguese and English, the working languages of AIALA. To read a personal account of the symposium by AAAL representative in AIALA, Anne Marie Guerrettaz, click on the link below:
AILA continues to connect researchers, educators, and practitioners worldwide through its Research Networks (ReNs), fostering exchange and innovation in applied linguistics. The AILA ReN cycle aims to highlight and showcase the 16 Research Networks accepted for the 2025–2027 period. This promotional cycle offers a variety of formats to capture the dynamism of these networks, including written interviews with ReN convenors and webinars bringing together two ReNs to explore shared themes.
On 25 June 2025, the EMEVEDI ReN and the Inclusive Foreign Language Education ReN inaugurated the first AILA ReN joint webinar, Thinking Inclusivity in Applied Linguistics. The session invited ReN co-convenors to reflect on how equity, diversity, and inclusion—approached through a decolonial lens—are influencing current research and practice. Convenors Marina Orsini-Jones, Mirjam Hauck, Carlos Alberto Hildeblando Júnior, Luciana Cabrini Simões Calvo, Elena Gómez-Parra, and Joanna Pfingsthorn brought together voices from a wide range of cultural, institutional, and geographical contexts. In line with open science principles, the video recording is now accessible on the AILA YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/CcO5CIFdrLc.
The conversation continues this autumn with the upcoming webinar From Language Policy to Autonomy in Applied Linguistics, featuring the Learner Autonomy ReN (ReNLA) and the Language Policy Research Network (LPReN). Sarah C.K. Moore, David C. Johnson, and Christine O’Leary will lead this online discussion on 30 September 2025, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm CEST. Registration is now open at this link: https://u2l.fr/ailawebinar2.
The two most recent reports from the AILA ReN coordinator are available free to read in the INJAL journal – a partner of AILA:
AILA Review is the official journal of AILA. The Journal publishes empirical and state-of-the-art research in applied linguistics. The first issue of AILA Review appeared in 1984. Up to Volume 15, the journal was published by AILA on its own platform. From Volume 16, AILA Review is published by John Benjamins. AILA Review is a Scopus-indexed journal with two issues published each year: a special issue and an open-themed issue. Free access to AILA Review is one of the benefits available to AILA members.
HOW TO ACCESS AILA REVIEW AS AN AILA MEMBER (NATIONAL AFFILIATE)
AILA Review can be accessed freely through the AILA App.
Login to the AILA App at https://aila-net.app No account: If you do not have an account, please register in the login page where the REGISTER tab is located and receive a link in your email inbox to confirm your email address. The AILA webmaster will verify your registration and it will be approved once your national affiliate has confirmed your membership. This is usually completed within 14 days.Retrieve forgotten password: Use the ‘Lost your password?’ link located at the bottom of the login form, to reset your password.
Forgot email address I used to signup: Use the ‘Lost your password?’ link, located at the bottom of the login form. If the email exists in the system, it will send a new link to reset your password.
Once logged in, click the AILA Review icon to get to the link to access the journal.
Special Issue AILA Review (forthcoming)
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, which is expected to be published in October 2025, 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. To view the titles of the papers, click here.
Mirhosseini, S. A., & De Costa, P. I. (Eds.). (2025). Critical English Medium Instruction in Higher Education. Cambridge University Press
This volume calls for an explicit and inclusive critical understanding and investigation of EMI, conceptualizing criticality as any attempt at addressing issues of ideology, policy, identity, social justice, and the politics of English. The book highlights the notion of ‘Critical EMI’, bringing together applied linguists to revisit EMI in higher education from critical sociocultural perspectives. Situating EMI within wider sociopolitical contexts of knowledge, it examines the theory, research, policy, and practice of EMI as necessarily situated within ideological relations shaped by language and society. The chapters are organized in three parts (‘Ideologies and educational policies’; ‘Identity and educational justice’; ‘The sociopolitics of English in education’) and overall problematize the neocolonial spread and dominance of English through EMI. Contributors’ affiliations and the contexts of their research and writing include a range of countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Oceania.
Call for Special Issue Proposals on Generative AI and Multilingual Education
The Journal of Education for Multilingualism (JEM) is an international, peer-reviewed, and open-access scholarly journal that is devoted to the field of multilingual education. The online-only journal is primarily concerned with the education of multilingual individuals at various educational levels, beginning from kindergarten to higher education, and also focuses on workplace literacy settings. JEM encourages scholarship grounded in interdisciplinary frameworks that offer insights from related disciplines such as applied linguistics, school psychology, linguistic anthropology, and sociology of education. Although articles are written in English, the journal also invites original studies dealing with the learning and teaching of languages other than English.
JEM aims to foster, present, and disseminate current research, policies, and practices that focus on issues related to multilingualism in global educational spaces. The journal is committed to becoming a preeminent research platform for all multilingual education researchers, advocates, applied linguists, foreign/second language teachers, program administrators, and students of language teaching. JEM maintains a strong international outlook by employing a diverse editorial board and publishing studies based in various contexts. It has a mission to continue bridging the gap between theory and practice in multilingual education. The journal also articulates the role of advocacy in launching and implementing promising programs and practices.
JEM is seeking guest editors for Volume 3/Issue 2 to be published in December 2026. We especially welcome special issue proposals that explore the intersection of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and multilingual education. If you are interested in proposing a special issue that is aligned with the aims and scope of the journal, please send a special issue proposal to the Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Huseyin Uysal, at by October 15, 2025. For the instructions for special issue proposals, please see JEM’s Submission Guidelines.
CFP - Special Issue: Rethinking Educational Practice with AI
Over the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) has become more than a buzzword in education – it is now deeply embedded in teaching, learning, assessment, and governance. This special issue responds to the growing need to critically synthesize, compare, and expand our understanding of how AI transforms education. We aim to collect contributions that go above and beyond the logic of technological innovation and address how educational purposes, pedagogical practices, and institutional structures are being reconfigured through the integration of AI. For more information, click here.
Deadline for submissions: November 15th, 2025 Expected publication: October, 2026 Submission guidelines:https://vo.hse.ru/manuscript
Stay Tuned
To receive the AILA newsletter, register at https://aila.info/members/welcome/newsletter/ and please share it widely, keeping us up to date about relevant actions and events to be announced in the upcoming issues. We plan to publish newsletters in March, June, September and December every year and invite all affiliates to send us updates and news to include in them. To keep us up to date with news and contacts from your affiliate, please write to and .
Best wishes,
Kyria
Professor Kyria Finardi President, AILA International Association of Applied Linguistics
Welcome to the fourth and last edition of the AILA newsletter in 2025. We invite all to read, share, subscribe and contribute to this vehicle to stay tuned with news from the AILA family.
As you may know, one of the responsibilities of the AILA President is to publish a quarterly newsletter, typically issued in March, June, September, and December each year. To access a comprehensive archive of past newsletters, please visit https://aila.info/members/welcome/newsletter/.
To receive the AILA newsletter via email, simply subscribe through the provided link. If you represent a national affiliate or regional organization, kindly disseminate this information to your members to enhance the benefits of AILA membership. Additionally, feel free to share this with your broader networks.
If you wish to share news or contents to the newsletter, please send your contributions via email to by the following deadlines: February 15th (for the March issue), May 15th (for the June issue), August 15th (for the September issue), and November 15th (for the December issue).
The newsletter reaches approximately 10,000 recipients across all continents and serves as an excellent platform for staying informed and sharing news relevant to the AILA community. It is also a valuable channel for promoting initiatives and events within AILA. Upcoming events or calls for papers are encouraged to be shared through this medium.
AILA Executive Board and EBIC Meetings in Glasgow
The AILA Executive Board and the EBIC committee met on 2 and 3 September 2025 in Glasgow, immediately before the BAAL Conference. The meetings were held in a hybrid format, allowing colleagues to join either in person or online. This worked very well and created an inclusive space for all members to take part.
Across the two days, participants shared their annual reports, reflected on ongoing activities, and discussed key issues that guide AILA’s work for the year ahead. The discussions were thoughtful, constructive, and focused on supporting affiliates, strengthening our initiatives, and preparing for upcoming events.
We would like to extend warm thanks to everyone who contributed to these meetings. We are also grateful to our BAAL colleagues for hosting the EBIC meeting and for their generous support throughout our time in Glasgow. The engagement and goodwill shown by all involved made the meetings both productive and enjoyable.
We look forward to building on this momentum in the coming year.
By Dr Glenda El Gamal
Secretary-General, AILA
News from affiliates and relevant organizations
ALAA
The Australian Applied Linguistics Association - ALAA - is excited to launch the 2nd edition of the ALAA newsletter. You are invited to read it here: Newsletter.
ALTI
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.
The 8th JAAL in JACET Conference will be held at Ritsumeikan University (Osaka–Ibaraki Campus) on December 6–7, 2025. The event will feature an online keynote by Prof. Kyria Finardi, President of AILA, and a special invited lecture by Prof. Ikuo Koike, Honorary President of JACET. The conference welcomes presentations on applied linguistics and language education.
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. 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.
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 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.
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.
BICLCE 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.
AILA Review is the official journal of AILA. The Journal publishes empirical and state-of-the-art research in applied linguistics. The first issue of AILA Review appeared in 1984. Up to Volume 15, the journal was published by AILA on its own platform. From Volume 16, AILA Review is published by John Benjamins. AILA Review is a Scopus-indexed journal with two issues published each year: a special issue and an open-themed issue. Free access to AILA Review is one of the benefits available to AILA members.
Special Issue AILA Review
The founders of the research network EMEVEDI (link da ReN) 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.
As we close another year of learning and exchange, may we continue to build bridges across languages, cultures, and hearts. May 2026 bring renewed courage to imagine, connect, and act — together — for a more peaceful and inclusive world.
Best wishes,
Kyria Professor Kyria Finardi President, AILA International Association of Applied Linguistics
Welcome to the first edition of the AILA newsletter in 2026, the year of the Fire Horse according to the Chinese lunisolar calendar. We invite all to read, share, subscribe and contribute to this vehicle to stay tuned with news from the AILA family.
As you may know, one of the responsibilities of the AILA President is to publish a quarterly newsletter, typically issued in March, June, September, and December each year. To access a comprehensive archive of past newsletters, please visit https://aila.info/members/welcome/newsletter/.
To receive the AILA newsletter via email, simply subscribe through the provided link. If you represent a national affiliate or regional organization, kindly disseminate this information to your members to enhance the benefits of AILA membership. Additionally, feel free to share this with your broader networks.
If you wish to share news or contents to the newsletter, please send your contributions via email to by the following deadlines: February 15th (for the March issue), May 15th (for the June issue), August 15th (for the September issue), and November 15th (for the December issue).
The newsletter reaches approximately 10,000 recipients across all continents and serves as an excellent platform for staying informed and sharing news relevant to the AILA community. It is also a valuable channel for promoting initiatives and events within AILA. Upcoming events or calls for papers are encouraged to be shared through this medium. These are some of the important dates we have to celebrate.
International Day of Education
On 24 January, the international community celebrates the UNESCO International Day of Education, a moment to reaffirm education as a fundamental human right and a shared global responsibility. From an applied linguistics perspective, this day highlights the central role of language in ensuring educational access, quality, and equity worldwide.
Languages shape how knowledge is produced, taught, assessed, and circulated across borders.
Multilingual education, inclusive language policies, and respect for linguistic diversity are essential to ensuring that international education does not reproduce inequalities, but instead fosters participation, dialogue, and mutual understanding. AILA reaffirms its commitment to promoting language-sensitive approaches to education that support social justice, sustainability, and meaningful international cooperation.
International Mother Language Day
Celebrated on 21 February, International Mother Language Day draws global attention to the vital role of linguistic diversity and multilingualism in education, culture, and society. For applied linguists, this day resonates strongly with ongoing efforts to protect minoritized, Indigenous, and heritage languages, and to challenge monolingual ideologies that marginalize speakers and forms of knowledge.
Languages are not merely tools of communication; they carry histories, identities, and ways of knowing. Supporting mother languages in education and public life strengthens learning, well-being, and social cohesion, while contributing to linguistic sustainability worldwide. AILA stands in solidarity with initiatives that value all languages as resources for inclusion, epistemic diversity, and intercultural dialogue.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day, observed on 8 March (https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day), offers an opportunity to reflect on the intersections between language, gender, and power. Language both mirrors and shapes social realities: it can perpetuate inequality, but it can also serve as a powerful means of resistance, visibility, and transformation.
Research and practice in applied linguistics have long demonstrated how gendered discourses affect access to education, academic recognition, leadership, and participation in public life. AILA recognizes the contributions of women in applied linguistics worldwide and reaffirms its commitment to fostering equity, inclusive language practices, and gender-aware research and education across diverse sociocultural contexts. In this spirit, we acknowledge the many women who have advanced the field of applied linguistics. While it is impossible to name them all, we take this opportunity to recognize those who have served as presidents of AILA: Azirah Hashim (2021–2024), Claire Kramsch (2014–2017), and Susan Gass (2002–2005; 2005–2008).
News from AILA Affiliates, ReNs and Relevant Organizations
The AILA Research Network (ReN) promotion cycle continues to highlight research from these groups, delivering solutions to real-world challenges.
In this second interview, we speak with Meng Liu, Ali H. Al-Hoorie, Phil Hiver, Xuechun Huang, and Mehdi Shaahdadi about the Open Applied Linguistics ReN. Their mission? To promote open scholarship through talks, workshops, and resources, fostering inclusivity and lowering barriers to participation.
Launched in 2022, the ReN addresses the growing interest in open scholarship, with 500+ mailing list subscribers and a strong social media presence. It bridges gaps in research quality, accessibility, and inclusion, offering field-specific insights. Applied linguists can engage with discussions on transparency, ethical practices, and open-access publishing. The ReN’s "Meet the Authors" series and Open Applied Linguistics Research Library provide valuable resources.
As part of AILA, the ReN is leading the way for the entire applied linguistics community in highlighting the importance of open research.
January 26 - INJAL report: Second written interview about Open Applied Linguistics – with Meng Liu, Ali H. Al-Hoorie, Phil Hiver, Xuechun Huang, Mehdi Shaahdadi. Click here
September 2025: Second AILA ReN webinar featuring Research Network for Learner Autonomy (ReNLA) & Language Policy Research Network (LPReN).
July 2025 - INJAL report: A short summary of the first AILA Joint Research Network Webinar on Thinking Inclusivity in Applied Linguistics. Click here
June 2025: First AILA ReN webinar featuring EMEVEDI ReN and the Inclusive Foreign Language Education ReN.
April 2025 - INJAL report: First written interview about ReN RECAL – Research & Educational Cultures in Applied Linguistics – with Paola Gamboa and Claire Kramsch. Click here
The special issue of the European Journal of Applied Linguistics
A curated collection of scholarly articles examining contemporary theoretical and empirical advancements within the field of European applied linguistics.
AILA-Europe Junior Researcher Meeting 2026, 13-14 November 2026
An academic forum designed for doctoral candidates and early-career scholars to disseminate original research and engage in peer-led discourse within an international framework.
Online Workshop “Research Methods in Terminology”, 8 May 2026
A technical seminar focused on the methodological frameworks and analytical tools essential for conducting rigorous research in terminology and specialized languages.
News from China English Language Education Association (CELEA)
CELEA and the co-host Xi’an Jiaotong University are actively preparing for the 24th AsiaTEFL International Conference & the 11th International Conference on ELT in China to be held in Xi’an on May 29–31, 2026. Recent progress includes issuing the first round of acceptance notifications, conducting the second round of proposal reviews, planning for AILA East-Asia Forum and the special events celebrating CELEA’s 45th anniversary etc. About 1,000 scholars and teachers from Asia and across the world will participate in the conference.
Upcoming Events
AFinLA
Welcomes all to their annual Autumn Symposium of the Finnish Association for Applied Linguistics (AFinLA), to be held in Oulu, Finland 12-14 November 2026. The theme of the symposium is “Encounters: Culture, Technology and Interaction.”
The Hungarian Association for Applied Linguistics (HAALLT), in cooperation with AILA Europe, is organizing the online workshop “Research Methods in Terminology” (8 May 2026, Zoom, 10:00–17:00 CET).
For full details (including topics, submission guidelines, and deadlines), please see the workshop announcement above.
3rd International Conference on Migration Linguistics, Malaysia and Singapore, November 2026
Conference Theme: Migrants at the Margins: Roots, Routes, Belonging, and Language
Contemporary migration is a phenomenon shaped by histories of displacement, changing work opportunities, geopolitical shifts, global inequalities, and the climate emergency. As people migrate, they navigate new social, cultural, political, and linguistic terrains. A large proportion of people who migrate for better opportunities elsewhere tend to be at the mercy of forces of power both at the origin and in the destination. In the process, their identities are reshaped across roots (heritage and origin), routes (journeys, mobilities, border crossings), belonging (integration, exclusion), and language (communication, identity, power, survival).
Publishing and Presenting Research Internationally: Issues for Speakers of English as an Additional Language (PRISEAL) is dedicated to supporting researchers who use English as an additional language to publish and present their work. Since its first meeting in Tenerife in 2007, PRISEAL has addressed the social, linguistic and geopolitical challenges faced by scholars navigating English-medium academic publishing. Over the years, the organization has helped articulate global concerns around research inequities, language hierarchies, academic publishing norms and access to international scholarly communication.
Plurilingual Perspectives on Scholarly Writing for Publication: Within, Através y au-delà des Frontières "nas Américas"
Edited by James N. Corcoran, Caroline Payant, Simone Sarmento, Laura Colombo, Mario E. López-Gopar, Lorena Córdova-Hernández, and Fiona Patterson
Copy edited by Lindsey Harding. Designed by Mike Palmquist.
This multilingual, multimodal edited collection includes contributions from emerging and established scholars who consider a wide range of issues related to scholarly writing for publication in diverse international contexts. The contributors—writing in Cree, English, French, Guadaloupean Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and sometimes in multiple languages—report the results of empirical studies, consider the impact of pedagogical initiatives, and reflect upon the politics and practices of academic knowledge production and dissemination. Readers will find themselves adopting a reflexive stance as they consider critical questions underlying publishing across sociolinguistic and geographical contexts. The book can be viewed and downloaded for free at https://wacclearinghouse.org/books/international/plurilingual/
Important Notice: Phishing Attempts
We have recently become aware of several phishing attempts targeting AILA members. These fraudulent emails falsely claim to be from members of the Executive Board and request funds or urgent financial assistance. These messages are scams and are not sent by AILA.
Please do not respond to such emails, do not click on any links, and do not download attachments. We strongly advise against forwarding these messages. Instead, delete them immediately.
If you are uncertain about any message claiming to be from AILA, please contact the Secretary General directly at for verification.
We are taking steps to reduce the risk of further incidents, including removing email addresses from the AILA website and strengthening protective measures.
Thank you for your vigilance and cooperation.
Advancing Research, Collaboration, and Inclusion
The initiatives highlighted above reflect the vitality and diversity of the AILA community across regions, languages, and research traditions. From early-career researcher forums to methodological innovation and large-scale international conferences, these activities demonstrate how applied linguistics continues to evolve through dialogue, critical inquiry, and collaborative engagement.
As we move further into 2026, AILA remains committed to fostering inclusive research cultures, strengthening connections among affiliates and Research Networks, and supporting scholarship that responds to social, educational, and linguistic challenges worldwide.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Engagement in 2026
We encourage affiliates, Research Networks, and partner organizations to share upcoming calls, events, and initiatives for inclusion in future issues.
The Year of the Fire Horse symbolizes a rare and dynamic combination of freedom, passion, and forward momentum — a time associated with transformation, bold initiatives, and new opportunities. May we embrace this spirit as we continue advancing research, collaboration, and inclusion in Applied Linguistics worldwide.
Best wishes,
Kyria Professor Kyria Finardi President, AILA International Association of Applied Linguistics
Welcome to the second edition of the AILA newsletter in 2026. We invite all to read, share, subscribe and contribute to this vehicle to stay tuned with news from the AILA family. To access a comprehensive archive of past newsletters, please visit https://aila.info/members/welcome/newsletter/.
To receive the AILA newsletter via email, simply subscribe through the provided link. If you represent a national affiliate or regional organization, kindly disseminate this information to your members to enhance the benefits of AILA membership. Additionally, feel free to share this with your broader networks.
If you wish to share news or contents to the newsletter, please send your contributions via email to by the following deadlines: February 15th (for the March issue), May 15th (for the June issue), August 15th (for the September issue), and November 15th (for the December issue).
The newsletter reaches approximately 10,000 recipients across all continents and serves as an excellent platform for staying informed and sharing news relevant to the AILA community.
Education Beyond 2030: UNESCO Launches Global Consultations
As the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals approaches, progress toward inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG 4) remains increasingly fragile. Gains in access have slowed, and the out-of-school population has risen for a seventh consecutive year, reaching an estimated 273 million children and youth. In response to these challenges and accelerating global shifts—such as climate pressures, rising inequalities, and technological transformation—there is an urgent need for a whole-of-society effort to reimagine the future of education.
To shape this future, the SDG 4 High-Level Steering Committee has launched a three-year global consultation process running from January 2026 to December 2028. This initiative seeks to build consensus around post-2030 education priorities and strategies, upholding education as a fundamental human right and ensuring that inclusion and equity remain the cornerstone of the agenda.
The timeline for the consultations spans three key phases:
Phase 1 (Ongoing): Features a foresight exercise alongside a global youth and student consultation. These efforts will result in working papers that will be presented at the 2027 Global Education Meeting.
Phase 2 (Starts 2027): Will expand engagement to regional, national, and stakeholder groups, involving civil society, governments, teachers, and youth.
Phase 3: Will synthesize all contributions into a consolidated framework designed to inform the United Nations about inter-governmental discussions on the post-2030 development agenda.
This consultation represents a critical opportunity to ensure future education systems equip everyone to navigate a changing world and actively contribute to a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future. To know more about this visit https://www.unesco.org/sdg4education2030/en/consultations.
Important Dates (April–June)
As part of AILA’s commitment to multilingualism, equity, and global cooperation, we highlight key international dates that resonate with our shared values and ongoing work in applied linguistics:
April 23 – World Book and Copyright Day (UNESCO)
This day (https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-book-and-copyright) celebrates books as powerful vehicles for knowledge creation and dissemination. For the AILA community, it is also an opportunity to reflect on issues of access, open science, and the linguistic dimensions of academic publishing, particularly the need to support more inclusive and multilingual knowledge production. For more information on AILA endorsed principles see https://aila.info/about/endorsements/.
Observed across diverse regions of the Global South and beyond, this day highlights the richness and global reach of Portuguese as a pluricentric language. It invites reflection on linguistic diversity, South–South cooperation, and the importance of valuing multiple languages in research, education, and internationalization.
The date is also closely associated with the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) https://www.cplp.org/ which brings together nine member states across Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The CPLP plays a key role in promoting the Portuguese language as a means of cultural connection, political dialogue, and educational collaboration, reinforcing the importance of multilingual and pluricentric perspectives in global knowledge exchange.
May 16 – International Day of Living Together in Peace (UN)
This day calls for dialogue, tolerance, and solidarity across differences. It aligns closely with AILA’s engagement with intercultural communication, emphasizing the role of language in fostering understanding and building more peaceful and inclusive societies.
Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognize, respect, and appreciate others. In this sense, language plays a central role in enabling dialogue across cultural, linguistic, and epistemic boundaries.
The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 72/130, declared 16 May the International Day of Living Together in Peace as a means of regularly mobilizing the efforts of the international community to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity. The Day aims to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in differences and diversity, in order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity, and harmony.
May 21 – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (UNESCO)
A key date for the applied linguistics community, this day underscores the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity as foundations for sustainable development. It reinforces the need to promote inclusive educational practices and equitable participation in global knowledge exchange.
Held every year on 21 May, the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development celebrates not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development. The United Nations General Assembly first declared this World Day in 2002, following UNESCO’s adoption of the 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, recognizing the need to enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable development, and global peaceful coexistence.
With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, and the UN General Assembly Resolution A/C.2/70/L.59 on Culture and Sustainable Development, the message of this Day has become even more relevant. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals can best be achieved by drawing upon the creative potential of the world’s diverse cultures and by engaging in continuous dialogue to ensure that all members of society benefit from sustainable development.
For AILA, this day resonates strongly with ongoing efforts to promote multilingualism, intercultural dialogue, and more equitable knowledge ecologies in a superdiverse and interconnected world. In line with these commitments, AILA endorses the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: https://aila.info/about/endorsements/policies-guidelines/un-2030-sustainable-development/.
June 20 – World Refugee Day (UN)
This day (https://www.un.org/en/observances/refugee-day) draws attention to the experiences of displaced populations worldwide and highlights the critical role of language in access, integration, and social inclusion. It invites the AILA community to continue engaging with issues of linguistic justice, migration, and education in multilingual contexts of displacement.
AILA 2027 World Congress: Call for Papers Now Open
The Call for Papers for the AILA 2027 World Congress is now open, and we warmly invite scholars, educators, and practitioners in Applied Linguistics to submit proposals. Held every three years, the AILA World Congress is the leading international forum for advancing research, dialogue, and innovation in the field.
Proposals are welcome across a broad range of strands and topics in Applied Linguistics and may be submitted as paper presentations, poster presentations, or symposia. The Congress provides a unique opportunity to engage with an international scholarly community, share cutting-edge research, and contribute to discussions shaping the future of Applied Linguistics.
The abstract submission deadline is June 30, 2026. Full submission guidelines and detailed instructions are available on the conference website: Call For Papers: AILA 2027 World Congress.
News from AILA ReNs
The AILA Research Networks (ReNs) are now approaching the midpoint of their activity for the 2024–2027 period. In 2025, the ReNs further strengthened their research and collaborative activities, organising symposia, webinars, and international conferences on topics such as multilingualism and linguistic diversity; applied linguistics and education research; language policy, ideology and inclusion; academic communication and scholarly publishing; as well as digital transformation, AI, and multimodality.
Several ReNs have published books, special journal issues, and open-access teaching resources, while also increasing their visibility at major events organised by AILA affiliates. Some networks have had to adapt to increasing academic constraints and emerging contemporary challenges by reframing their research agendas in order to remain relevant.
In addition, initiatives such as the creation of collaborative platforms and mailing lists have helped expand membership and facilitate exchange. The ReNs have also been actively preparing for AILA 2027 by developing symposium proposals and consolidating their structures for the years ahead. One of the key advantages of AILA ReNs is that they are granted an invited slot at each AILA Congress.
There is now just one year left before the AILA 2027 Congress, when the call for ReNs for the 2027–2030 period will open. You are encouraged to begin reflecting on contemporary themes linked to real-world issues that could be highlighted within AILA ReNs.
75 years of the Department of English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo
The year 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the Department of English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over the past decades, the Department has grown through the dedication, collaboration, and intellectual effort and engagement of generations of scholars, students, and associates. The English Department in Sarajevo played a crucial role in founding The Society for the Advancement of Applied Linguistics in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SAALinBiH), which has been a national affiliate of AILA since 2019. It is our hope that this fruitful collaboration will continue for years to come and that it will lead to a better understanding of different languages, cultures and identities.
Publications
AILA 60 Years Anniversary Book
We are thrilled to share the publication of 60 Years of Applied Linguistics: Toward More Engaged Research, a landmark volume published by John Benjamins Publishing Company. This book captures the spirit of the AILA World Congress 2023 in Lyon, where scholars gathered to reflect on six decades of applied linguistics and chart a path toward more socially engaged research in response to today’s pressing educational and societal challenges.
This project began as a deeply human adventure—a meeting in 2017 with Isabel Colón de Carvajal and Nathalie Blanc that sparked a journey of collaboration to promote applied linguistics. Completed with Shona Whyte, this book stands as a testament to countless hours of collective work and the enduring legacy of both the Association internationale de linguistique appliquée and the Association française de linguistique appliquée since 1964. It is a celebration of the field’s evolution, its challenges, and its commitment to fostering meaningful change.
The book is available in open access, reflecting our unwavering belief in open science. We extend our deepest gratitude to the esteemed applied linguists—Henry Widdowson, Claire J. Kramsch, Diane Larsen-Freeman, Angela Creese, Azirah Hashim, Kyria Finardi, Virginia Yip, Annick De Houwer, Alexandre Duchêne, Jean-Paul Narcy-Combes, Georges Daniel Véronique, Eilika Fobbe, Alice Burrows, and Luisa Fernanda Acosta Córdoba—for their invaluable contributions. From a historical perspective to emerging discourses for social change, this book explores the diverse roles of applied linguistics in shaping education and society. It is a call to action, inviting researchers to engage more deeply with the world around them regarding real-world problems.
Following the recent announcement of Plurilingual Perspectives on Scholarly Writing for Publication: Within, Através y au-delà des Frontières “nas Américas” in our March newsletter, we are pleased to highlight some of the chapters from the volume.
The introduction chapter: Plurilingual Editor Perspectives on Scholarly Writing for Publication: Subjetividades et Ontoepistemologias is polyvocalic, plurilingual and sets the groundwork for an exploration of scholarly writing for publication practices in “the Americas.” Adopting a self-reflexive posture, the author-editors begin by reflecting upon the adequacy of language as an entry point for understanding the politics of global knowledge exchange, the use of particular terminology (e.g., “English for research publication purposes,” “critical,” “plurilingual”), and the raisons d’être or missions of this project. After considering the variety of ways in which we draw on our diverse linguistic repertoires and how this shapes how we see and negotiate ourselves in an asymmetrical world of academic knowledge production, we turn to epistemological considerations as we interrogate our ways of taking up the term plurilingual in scholarly writing (research) and teaching. We conclude with a plurilingual overview of this extensive volume.
The Call for Proposals for the AAAL 2027 Conference opens on Monday, June 1, 2026!
Please visit the Call for Proposals website, where additional information and instructions for how to submit are available for your review including information on the AAAL 2027 Virtual Conference. We look forward to receiving your submissions and are excited to welcome you to Atlanta and online for AAAL 2027!
AFLA
The upcoming conference of the French Association of Applied Linguistics (AFLA) “Circulation and Interaction of Knowledge in Applied Linguistics” (CISELA 2027) will take place from May 26 to 28, 2027, at the Annie Ernaux House of Humanities at CY Cergy Paris University. It is organized by the AGORA, EMA, and LT2D research teams.
The relationship between science and society is currently evolving and numerous initiatives encourage the shared production of knowledge and a broader dissemination of scientific work. Linguistics and language sciences are fully aligned with this dynamic, which emphasizes the importance of opening applied linguistics to social needs and interdisciplinary collaborations. Building on the latest conferences organized by the French Association for Applied Linguistics (CRELA 2013, TRELA 2015, PRELA 2019, AILA 2023, NéALA 2025), CISELA 2027 aims to examine the circulation, dissemination, and popularization of knowledge and to explore how linguistics can be practically applied and find its place in society, particularly in the non-academic world.
The conference aims to explore those transformations through three main themes:
Circulation, dissemination, and popularization of knowledge;
Challenges and applications of applied linguistics in professional settings;
Interdisciplinarity and applied linguistics.
The call for papers, posters, and symposia is available in French and in English on the conference website: https://afla2027.sciencesconf.org/resource/page/id/3. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: .
Papers must be submitted via Sciencesconf by September 1, 2026.
ChinaCALL 2026 & ICELEAL 2026 (Guangzhou, China | November 13–15, 2026)
Hosted by Computer-Assisted Language Learning Association, China Association for Comparative Studies of English and Chinese (ChinaCALL), organized by Institute of Online Education, Artificial Intelligence and Human Languages Lab at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), School of Foreign Studies at South China Normal University (SCNU). This event is cohosted by The Education University of Hong Kong, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, City University of Macau, Online Confucius Institute at The Open University, Virtual Exchange (VE) China Hub, Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning (JCCALL), Beijing Waiyan Online Digital Technology Co., Ltd and LANGUAGECERT.
Themed around “AI-empowered Digital Language Education and Applied Linguistics: Bridging Theory and Practice”, the conference aims to share knowledge, skills, and ideas on the integration of technologies and language learning in the forms of pre-conference workshops, keynote speeches, symposia, individual presentations and a colloquium.
We have recently become aware of several phishing attempts targeting AILA members. These fraudulent emails falsely claim to be from members of the Executive Board and request funds or urgent financial assistance. These messages are scams and are not sent by AILA.
Please do not respond to such emails, do not click on any links, and do not download attachments. We strongly advise against forwarding these messages. Instead, delete them immediately.
If you are uncertain about any message claiming to be from AILA, please contact the Secretary General directly at for verification.
We are taking steps to reduce the risk of further incidents, including removing email addresses from the AILA website and strengthening protective measures.
Thank you for your vigilance and cooperation.
Looking Ahead: Building Bridges Through Applied Linguistics
As we move toward the second half of 2026 and continue preparing for AILA 2027, we invite affiliates, Research Networks, and partner organizations to keep sharing their initiatives, calls, publications, and events for future editions of the newsletter.
In a world increasingly marked by uncertainty, mobility, technological transformation, and growing inequalities, Applied Linguistics continues to play a vital role in fostering dialogue, understanding, and more equitable forms of knowledge exchange. Across languages, cultures, and borders, our community reminds us that communication is not only about words, but also about building bridges, sustaining cooperation, and imagining alternative futures.
May the months ahead inspire renewed collaboration, critical reflection, and collective engagement as we continue advancing multilingualism, intercultural dialogue, and socially responsible research worldwide.
Best wishes,
Kyria Professor Kyria Finardi President, AILA International Association of Applied Linguistics
As we await responses to the call for papers for the 2027 AILA congress in Vancouver (Canada)— during which will launch the call for the new AILA ReNs for the 2027–2030 period—we continue our overview of the current ReNs and their scientific work. Learn more about ReNs.
[WEBINAR] Fourth AILA ReN Webinar - November 17th, 2026
Don’t miss our upcoming webinar in November 17th, 2026 4pm-5pm CET, Beyond words: Multilingual fluency and gesture featuring Multilingual approaches to fluency (Fluency) & Gesture, Multimodality, and SLA (Click here).
January 2025 - INJAL report: Learn more about Rens. Click here
March 2025 - AILA Newsletter
April 2025 - INJAL report: First written interview about ReN RECAL –Research & Educational Cultures in Applied Linguistics – with Paola Gamboa and Claire Kramsch. Click here
June 2025 - AILA Newsletter
June 2025 - First AILA ReN webinar featuring EMEVEDI ReN and the Inclusive Foreign Language Education ReN
July 2025 - INJAL report: A short summary of the first AILA Joint Research Network Webinar on Thinking Inclusivity in Applied Linguistics. Click here
September 2025 - AILA Newsletter
September 2025 - Second AILA ReN webinar featuring Research Network for Learner Autonomy (ReNLA) and Language Policy Research Network (LPReN)
January 2026 - INJAL report: Second written interview about the ReN Open Applied Linguistics with Meng Liu (Beijing Foreign Studies University), Ali H. Al-Hoorie (Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu), Phil Hiver (Florida State University), Xuechun Huang (University of Leeds), and Mehdi Shaahdadi (Independent Researcher). click here
June 2026 - AILA Newsletter
July 2026 - Third AILA ReN webinar featuring Emerging Technologies in Applied Linguistics (EmTechAL) and Applied Linguistics and Aviation English(es) (Aviation English(e))
July 2026 - Third written interview about HoLLT.net with Giovanni Iamartino (University of Milan) and Richard Smith (University of Warwick) click here
Stay updated and get all the details—subscribe to the AILA Newsletter today: click here
2028 Special Issue: “Connecting Research and Practice in Second Language Education: Toward Stronger Partnerships”
Overview
Despite longstanding calls for closer collaboration between second language (L2) researchers and practitioners, a gap between research and practice continues to be recognized across language education contexts. Researchers and teachers often operate within different professional environments, priorities, and expectations, which can limit opportunities for meaningful dialogue and collaboration. At the same time, there is growing recognition that stronger partnerships can benefit both groups, helping researchers address issues that are relevant to classroom practice while enabling practitioners to draw on research to inform teaching and learning.
Recent discussions in applied linguistics have emphasized collaborative approaches in which researchers, teachers, teacher educators, administrators, and policymakers work together to address shared concerns related to language learning and teaching. Such partnerships can promote reciprocal knowledge exchange, support professional growth, and contribute to more effective educational practices.
The Canadian context provides a particularly important setting for exploring these issues. Canada's diverse language education landscape includes public and private institutions, newcomer settlement programs, community-based initiatives, and language teacher education programs. This diversity creates valuable opportunities to examine how research can inform practice and how practitioners can contribute to research in ways that strengthen language education across settings.
Aim of the Special Issue
This special issue seeks to explore the relationship between second and additional language research and educational practice. The goal is to promote an open, reciprocal, and sustained dialogue among researchers, teachers, teacher educators, administrators, employers, and policymakers.
We invite contributions that:
Examine the relevance and utility of L2 research for educational practice. • Explore factors that facilitate or hinder research-practice partnerships. • Investigate collaborative models of knowledge generation between researchers and practitioners.
Highlight innovative initiatives that strengthen connections between research and practice.
Share experiences, perspectives, and lessons learned from diverse educational contexts.
Topics of Interest
Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:
Language teacher education and professional learning
Teacher beliefs, cognition, and decision-making
Research-informed language teaching and assessment
Teacher-researcher partnerships and collaborative inquiry
Practitioner research and classroom-based research
Teachers as consumers and users of research
Teachers as producers of research
Research engagement and knowledge mobilization
Professional development for teachers and researchers
Institutional, administrative, and policy support for research-practice collaboration • Technology and artificial intelligence in language teaching and teacher development • Cross-cultural and international perspectives on research-practice connections • Teaching and learning of English and additional languages
To encourage a diversity of perspectives, submissions focusing on languages other than English and contributions from non-Western contexts and research traditions are especially welcomed.
Submission Categories
We welcome submissions in the following categories:
Full-Length Research Articles
Perspectives
In the Classroom
Authors should indicate the intended submission category when submitting their manuscript. For manuscript preparation and submission requirements, please consult the TESL Canada Journal Author Guidelines:
Markus BIESWANGER, University of Bayreuth, Germany, GAL (organizer liaising with the ReN coordinator)
Eric FRIGINAL, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, AAAL
Malila PRADO, United International College, China, ALAB
Scope :
Aviation is, no doubt, one of the most international of all industries world-wide. As a result, communication between interlocutors who do not share the same cultural background and/or first language is the norm rather than the exception. Such communication can occur in a number of different contexts – for example, between pilots and air traffic controllers, between a captain and a first officer on the flight deck, between pilots and ground staff, between cabin crew and passengers, and many more – and is primarily conducted in English, either by prescription or convention. Much research focuses on the safety-critical voice-based interaction between pilots and air traffic controllers in air traffic management. In international aviation, this kind of communication is supposed to be conducted in accordance with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) provided by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in a number of documents, in order to ensure effective and efficient communication. These SARPs, which are among the few genuinely global language policies, are primarily defined in Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation on “Personnel Licencing” (ICAO 2018), Volume 2: “Aeronautical Telecommunications” of Annex 10 (ICAO 2016a), supplemented by documents such as ICAO Doc 4444 Air Traffic Management (ICAO 2016b), Doc 9432 Manual of Radiotelephony (ICAO 2007), Doc 9835 Manual on the Implementation of ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements (ICAO 2010), and Doc 10197 Test Design Guidelines Handbook on the Design of Tests for the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements(ICAO 2024). Applied linguists play an important role in the development of each of these documents, the analysis of the language used in actual air traffic control communication in routine and non-routine situations, including variation in real-life interactions, and the design and evaluation of teaching and testing resources.
Based on the productive and inspiring symposium on “Standardization and Diversity in Aviation English” at the AILA World Congress 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, featuring established and emerging researchers on Aviation English(es) from five different continents, the Research Network (ReN) “Applied Linguistics and Aviation English(es)” is designed to provide a link between these and additional researchers in Applied Linguistics, to facilitate collaboration to tackle language-related real-world problems associated with international aviation, and to disseminate applied linguistic research on Aviation English(es). The ReN focusses primarily, but not exclusively, on interaction between pilots and air traffic controllers, but can be expanded to other aviation-related topics as needed. Among many other things, applied linguistic research can support the understanding and awareness of language as a factor in aviation and aviation safety, identify and address issues that need attention and suggest possible solutions. Applied linguists also often serve as a bridge between the many stakeholders in aviation communications. Due to the truly international nature of aviation and the role of AILA as the global umbrella organization of Applied Linguistics, adopting a broad interpretation of the field, an AILA ReN is the ideal applied linguistic anchor for the multi- and interdisciplinary research conducted on Aviation English(es) and gives such research a recognizable home.
Highlight of 3 scientific works by ReN members:
Friginal, Eric, Elizabeth Mathews and Jennifer Roberts. 2019. English in Global Aviation: Context, Research, Pedagogy. London et al.: Bloomsbury.
Friginal Eric, Malila Prado & Jennifer Roberts (eds.). 2024. Global Aviation English Research. London: Bloomsbury.
Bieswanger, Markus. 2025. World Englishes and air traffic control communication: implications for Applied Linguistics. World Englishes 44.
Some members:
William AGIUS, Zurich University for Applied Sciences, Switzerland
Markus BIESWANGER, University of Bayreuth, Germany
Dominique ESTIVAL, Australia
Eric FRIGINAL, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Noriko ISHIHARA, Hosei University, Japan
Hyejong KIM, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Elizabeth MATHEWS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, United States of America
Malila PRADO, United International College, China
Andrew SCHNEIDER, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, United States of America
Patrícia TOSQUI LUCKS, Airspace Control Institute (ICAE), Brazil
RELANZA - Redefining language education: SDGs and innovative teaching strategies
By Dra. Mercedes Querol-Julián (AESLA/BAAL)
How can language education contribute to building more sustainable, inclusive and socially responsible societies? RELANZA project (Redefining language education: SDGs and innovative teaching strategies) was created to explore this question. Funded by Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR, Spain) and coordinated by Mercedes Querol-Julián, the project has been developed by the PRODIGI (Personal and Professional Development through Digital Genres) research group in collaboration with the BAAL Language Curriculum SIG. Bringing together scholars from Spain and the United Kingdom, it involves researchers from UNIR, Universitat Jaume I, The University of Edinburgh and the University of Strathclyde, with dissemination support from Instituto Cervantes and FAAPI (Federación Argentina de Asociaciones de Profesores de Inglés).
Rather than treating sustainability as an additional topic to be incorporated into language lessons, RELANZA invites educators to reconsider the broader purposes of language education. The project highlights the potential of language learning to foster critical citizenship, intercultural understanding, equity and social responsibility, while aligning with the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education.
A distinctive aspect of the project is its emphasis on linguistic diversity as a sustainability issue. RELANZA argues that languages represent different ways of understanding and engaging with the world and that language education can play a vital role in promoting more inclusive and equitable educational practices. From this perspective, sustainability is viewed as a guiding principle for curriculum design, teacher education and classroom practice.
To support educators in different contexts and languages, RELANZA has produced a range of open-access resources in English and Spanish. These include a podcast series featuring international experts, practical guides accompanying each episode, and interactive online materials designed to encourage reflection and adaptation to local educational realities. Together, these resources aim to bridge research and practice while providing concrete opportunities for professional learning.
The six podcast episodes feature interviews conducted by Darío Banegas with leading scholars on themes shaping contemporary language education:
Digitalisation in the language curriculum (Fernando Trujillo Sáez)
Artificial intelligence in the language curriculum (Victor Lim)
Multimodal literacy in the language curriculum (Noelia Ruiz-Madrid)
Internationalisation in the language curriculum (Emma Dafouz)
Sustainable development in the language curriculum (Paul Meighan)
Social justice in the language curriculum (Deniz Ortaçtepe Hart)
An innovative aspect of the project is its use of AI-assisted voice cloning and dubbing technologies, combined with extensive human review and post-production of the podcast. Through this approach, RELANZA explores how emerging technologies can support wider access to educational knowledge while maintaining ethical standards and human oversight.
Beyond its educational resources, RELANZA has contributed to broader public discussions on the role of AI in knowledge dissemination. The article “La IA ahora puede hablar con tu voz, pero ¿sigue siendo tu mensaje?” reflects on the project's use of GenAI voice-cloning technologies, examining both their potential and their limitations. Based on testimonies from project participants and the technician involved in the production process, the article considers questions of authenticity, accessibility and responsible AI use.
By combining research, technology and practitioner-oriented resources, RELANZA contributes to ongoing discussions about the future of language education. Its work demonstrates how language curricula can engage with pressing global concerns while supporting more reflective, inclusive and socially responsive educational practices.
Language Rights in the Age of AI: Why This Moment Matters
This year marks thirty years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights (UDLR) in Barcelona in 1996. Looking back, the Declaration was remarkably visionary in recognizing that language rights are inseparable from human rights, cultural diversity, democratic participation, and social justice. Thirty years later, however, the world has changed in ways that could scarcely have been imagined in 1996.
Artificial intelligence now mediates communication, education, information access, and knowledge production on a global scale. While these technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for connection and learning, they also raise profound questions about linguistic diversity and equity. Which languages are represented in AI systems? Which varieties of language are considered legitimate? Whose knowledge becomes visible and searchable? Which communities remain marginalized or invisible?
AI systems do not create knowledge in a vacuum. They learn from the texts, images, and data that humans have produced, selected, and made available. As a result, they can reproduce existing inequalities, amplifying dominant languages, perspectives, and narratives while rendering others less visible. In this sense, AI may contribute to what Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie famously called "the danger of a single story"—the tendency for one narrative to become so dominant that alternative experiences, knowledges, and ways of seeing the world are overlooked or erased. If AI systems are trained primarily on a narrow range of linguistic and cultural sources, they risk mirroring and magnifying historical biases rather than expanding opportunities for diversity and inclusion.
For AILA, these concerns resonate strongly with our commitments to multilingualism, linguistic diversity, social inclusion, and JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion). They also connect directly with ongoing global conversations about the future of education beyond 2030 and the role of language in achieving sustainable and equitable development.
The initiative to update the Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights therefore arrives at a particularly important moment. It offers an opportunity not only to revisit the challenges identified in 1996 but also to address new realities created by globalization, migration, digital communication, and artificial intelligence.
As applied linguists, we have a responsibility to contribute to these discussions. Our field has long examined how language intersects with power, identity, education, and social participation. The renewal of the Declaration invites us to bring this expertise into broader public conversations about the future we wish to build.
In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms, linguistic diversity is not simply a cultural resource to be preserved. It is a condition for epistemic diversity, democratic participation, and human flourishing.
The challenge before us is not only to protect languages. It is to ensure that the future remains multilingual, inclusive, and open to multiple ways of knowing, communicating, and existing in this world.
Welcome to the Autumn Symposium of the Finnish Association for Applied Linguistics (AFinLA) on 12–14 November 2026 in Oulu, which is the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Similarly to culture, the AFinLA Autumn Symposium brings participants together for collaboration and new ideas. Indeed, the theme of the symposium this year is “Encounters: Culture, Technology and Interaction”. Proposals are invited for presentations of applied language studies that explore, for example, what kinds of encounters culture and technology enable, realise and require as well as what kinds of meanings, forms and changes language and interaction bring about in such encounters. In addition to proposals relating to the theme of the symposium, other topics related to applied language studies are welcomed.
Proposals for presentations, posters and workshops must be submitted using the online form athttps://link.webropol.com/s/afinla2026 by 14 August 2026. Acceptance of presentations, workshops and posters will be announced on 18 September 2026 at the latest. The final deadline for registration and payment of the symposium fees is 9 October 2026.
10th AILA-Europe Junior Researchers’ Meeting in Applied Linguistics | Update
Research(ing) Cultures in Applied Linguistics
September 10-11, 2018
University of Duisburg-Essen, Campus Essen, Germany
The 10th AILA-Europe Junior Researchers' Meeting in Applied Linguistics will be hosted by the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, September 10th to 11th. This year’s conference focuses on Research(ing) Cultures in Applied Linguistics.
The two-day Junior Researcher Meeting will allow early career applied linguists to present their research as well as network in an interactive and informal international environment. This year, 37 young researchers will be presenting their work in German and English.
The conference programme will be supplemented by keynotes that are tailored to the needs of young researchers:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gene Thompson (Rikkyo University, Japan) and
Jun. Prof. Dr. Dominik Rumlich (University of Münster, Germany)
will be talking about first career steps in research and about methodology.
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.
AILA is governed by EBIC which consists of an Executive Board (EB) and an International Committee (IC). EBIC meets at least once a year either at the AILA World Congress or, in non-Congress years, at a venue selected by the EB at least nine months prior to the meeting itself. All EBIC members are expected to attend all EBIC meetings.
Executive Board
The EB administers the affairs of AILA and represents AILA in all judicial and extrajudicial proceedings.
EBIC, on the basis of an election under § 2 of the Bylaws, elects from among individuals nominated by Regular Affiliate Members the Executive Board composed of:
a President (P),
a Vice President (VP),
a Past President (PP),
a Secretary General (SG),
a Treasurer (T),
a Research Network (ReN coordinator),
Publications Coordinators (PC),
a Congress and Events Coordinator (CEC),
four Members at Large (ML) and
a co-opted representative, proposed by the host affiliate of the next congress and approved by tha AILA EB.
The duties of the officers are defined by Bylaws § 1.
Elections take place at each World Congress for all positions except President and Past President. The term of office for Vice President is three years. The Vice President moves to the position of President following his/her three-year term as Vice President. The President moves to the position of Past President following his/her three-year term as President. The Secretary General, Treasurer, ReN Coordinator, Publications Coordinators, Congress and Events Coordinator, and Members at Large may be re-elected to the same position only once for a further period of three years. The maximum length of time on the EB for a member is restricted to 9 years. This does not include Vice President, President, and Past President positions. A person can only be Vice President, President, and Past President once.
If there is a vacancy on the EB during the period between the triennial World Congresses, the President has the power to co-opt a temporary replacement until the next EBIC meeting when it is subject to ratification. The term of office of the duly appointed and ratified replacement is until the next World Congress.
The President may co-opt a member of a regular affiliate member to serve on the Executive Board as the need arises.
International Committee
The IC is composed of a single representative from each regular affiliate member.
When an IC representative is elected to the EB, the individual's regular affiliate member is required to elect or appoint a new official representative to the IC.
Proxies
If a regular affiliate member is not able to send a representative to a meeting of EBIC, that regular affiliate member may appoint in writing another EBIC member to serve as its proxy.
A regular affiliate member may not hold more than two proxies.
EB members may hold a proxy exclusively for their own regular affiliate member.
A proxy is to be written and signed and brought to the EBIC meeting to be verified. With the authority of the members of a regular affiliate member, a proxy may be transmitted electronically but must be verified at the EBIC meetings to the SG.
