Intelligent CALL in Higher Education: Personalization, Ethics, and Multimodality in Language Learning

Dear Colleagues,

The field of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is undergoing a profound transformation, particularly within higher education settings. The integration of sophisticated artificial intelligence, the proliferation of multimodal platforms, and the increasing demand for personalized learning experiences are reshaping how languages are taught and acquired digitally at the university level. This Special Issue aims to capture this pivotal moment by collecting research that investigates the present and future of technology-mediated language learning and teaching in higher education contexts.

Moving beyond the established paradigms of traditional CALL, this Special Issue will explore the opportunities and challenges presented by intelligent learning environments for university students and instructors. We invite empirical studies, critical reviews, and theoretical papers that address key contemporary themes in the field. These may include: the efficacy and ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence-powered tools (e.g., chatbots, intelligent tutoring systems, automated feedback generators) in tertiary language education; the design and impact of personalized and adaptive learning pathways for higher education curricula; the pedagogical use of multimodal and immersive environments in university courses; and the evolving role of university instructors as facilitators in these advanced digital ecosystems.

A critical thread running through the Special Issue will be a focus on the ethical considerations—such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and digital equity—that must be addressed to ensure the responsible development of future CALL innovations within higher education institutions. By bringing together diverse international perspectives, this Special Issue will provide a comprehensive and critical overview of the state of the art in CALL for tertiary education, establishing a new research agenda for the field.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Intelligent CALL (iCALL) and automated feedback for university-level language acquisition;
• Artificial intelligence-assisted language learning in tertiary settings;
• Computer-mediated communication and telecollaboration for higher education students;
• Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) in university contexts;
• Personalized and adaptive language learning systems designed for higher education;
• CALL and the education of future and current university-level language instructors;
• Ethical considerations, data privacy, and digital equity in higher education CALL environments;
• Gamification and digital game-based language learning (DGBL) in university language teaching.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Francisco Javier Palacios-Hidalgo
Prof. Dr. Cristina Huertas Abril
Guest Editors

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