Jeong-Bae Son, PhD, is an author, an educator, and a researcher. He worked as Professor of Applied Linguistics and TESOL in the School of Education at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. He serves as the President of the Asia-Pacific Association for Computer-Assisted Language Learning (APACALL) and the Director of the Technology-Enhanced Language Teaching Research Institute (TELTRI). He is the author of Teacher Development in Technology-Enhanced Language Teaching (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018) and Insights into Digital Literacy in Language Teaching (Castledown, 2024). Details of his research can be found on his website at https://drjbson.com.
Plenary Presentation Title: AI Literacy, AI-Powered Language Teaching, and Language Teachers
Abstract:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing our educational landscape while influencing how we work, communicate, and learn. What is AI? How does it work? What is AI literacy? How can language teachers develop AI literacy? What is AI-powered language teaching? What roles and competencies are required of language teachers in AI-powered language teaching? What AI tools are available for second/foreign language education? How can language teachers integrate AI tools effectively into their teaching? What research needs to be conducted on the use of AI tools for language learning and teaching? These questions have been raised and are being discussed in the field of computer-assisted language learning (CALL). We will explore the questions and talk about language teacher development in the era of AI. We will also look at some AI-powered language teaching activities based on Son’s (2024) AI literacy framework, which involves the development of understanding, knowledge, and skills for using AI applications and tools for specific purposes and highlights using AI creatively, critically, effectively, efficiently, and ethically.
Workshop Title: Digital Literacy in Language Teaching
Abstract:
Digital literacy is the ability to use digital technologies at an adequate level for information search and evaluation, creation, communication, collaboration, and online safety in a digital society (Son, 2015). Digital language teaching can be defined as the application of digital pedagogies and digital technologies to the teaching of languages (Son, 2020). It entails the use of digital devices, tools, and resources that support language learning and teaching. For the success of digital language teaching, language teachers need to have competent digital literacy skills, use digital teaching strategies, and integrate digital technologies effectively into language teaching. We will explore key elements of digital literacy, which contribute to discussions on the roles of digital literacy in language teaching. We will also discuss challenges with digital literacy and strategies for digital language teaching. Language teachers are invited to respond to the questions of how they can become creative, communicative, collaborative, reflective, and dynamic professionals in digital environments and how they can develop their digital literacy and improve their knowledge and skills for digital language teaching.