Language Education in the Age of AI and Emerging Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

Telecommunications and information technology have become important aids to language learning and a vital feature in second and foreign language classrooms. Language students once worked on large computers in labs, listening to tapes, whereas today, teachers and students walk around with laptops or mobile phones capable of carrying out more than the large mainframe computers of the 1960s. The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) has the potential to facilitate English language learning and reshape language education. Innovative technologies empower and boost students’ learning by improving engagement, retention, confidence, fluency, flexibility, and personalization in and outside of the classroom. Therefore, it is important for researchers and practitioners to share how they have implemented innovative technologies in different learning environments. 

This Special Issue will address theoretical issues, research, and practical guidelines on the use of contemporary telecommunications and information technology, especially AI, VR, and AR, in language education. It will provide researchers and practitioners with insights and inspiration to apply the latest technologies in their professional settings.

We invite researchers and practitioners who are engaged in technology-enhanced language learning to share and exchange theoretical contributions, good practices, and research experiences. Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. AI for language education; 
2. Virtual learning environments (AR, VR, MR, and XR) for language education; 
3. Smart learning environments for language education;
4. Intelligent agents (assistants) and conversational robots (Chabot) for language education; 
5. Intelligent tutoring systems for language education;
6. Automatic writing evaluation (AWE);
7. Big data in language education; 
8. Natural language processing for language education;
9. Educational data mining for language education; 
10. Educational technology-assisted assessment and feedback; 
11. Digital teacher competence;
12. Teacher training in new technologies.

Dr. Di Zou
Dr. Lucas Kohnke
Guest Editors

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