Call for Papers: Special Issue on Generative AI and Digital Technologies in the Teaching and Learning of Languages Other Than English (LOTE)

2026-10-27

Guest Editors

  • Kate Borthwick, University of Southampton, UK
  • Lynn Ling Li, Zhejiang Normal University, China
  • Marion Sadoux, University of Oxford, UK

Focus and Scope

While the rapid integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and digital technologies has transformed language education, the overwhelming majority of research continues to centre on English. Languages Other Than English (LOTE), including less commonly taught languages, heritage languages, indigenous languages, and languages of regional or minority communities, remain significantly under-represented in the literature on technology-enhanced language learning and teaching. This special issue seeks to address this imbalance by foregrounding the distinctive challenges, opportunities, and pedagogical innovations that arise when GenAI and digital tools are applied to LOTE contexts. LOTE learners and teachers often face limited digital resources, scarce authentic materials, smaller learner populations, orthographic and typological complexity, and weaker institutional support. At the same time, GenAI and digital technologies hold particular promise for these languages: personalised input generation, adaptive feedback, low-resource language modelling, multimodal scaffolding, and the revitalisation of endangered or heritage languages. We invite empirical, theoretical, and critical contributions that explore how GenAI and digital technologies can support, transform, or problematise LOTE teaching and learning. Submissions focusing on languages other than English, multilingual/plurilingual settings, and under-resourced contexts are especially welcome. Studies that report null, mixed, or negative findings, as well as those that critically examine issues of linguistic equity, data bias, and cultural representation, are strongly encouraged.

 

Main Themes

  • GenAI for vocabulary, grammar, and pragmatic development in LOTE
  • Low-resource language modelling and GenAI adaptation for less commonly taught languages
  • Digital and AI tools for heritage language maintenance and intergenerational transmission
  • Multimodal and immersive technologies (AR/VR, digital games, social media) in LOTE classrooms
  • Teacher education and professional development for LOTE instructors in the age of GenAI
  • Learner agency, motivation, and identity in AI-mediated LOTE learning
  • Assessment, feedback, and automated evaluation in non-English languages
  • Ethical, cultural, and equity issues in applying GenAI to minority and indigenous languages
  • Cross-linguistic comparisons of digital/AI affordances across typologically diverse languages
  • Informal and out-of-class LOTE learning supported by digital technologies and GenAI
  • Future directions and research agendas for technology-enhanced LOTE education

Submission Types

  • Original empirical research (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods)
  • Theoretical/conceptual papers
  • Critical reflections and position papers

Important Dates

  • Abstract submission deadline: 31 January 2027
  • Notification of abstract acceptance/invitation for full manuscript: 31 March 2027
  • Full manuscript submission deadline: 31 August 2027
  • First-round review notifications: 31 October 2027
  • Revised manuscripts due: 30 November 2027
  • Expected publication: December 2027 [Continuous online publication]

Submission Guidelines

Manuscripts should follow the journal’s author guidelines (APA 7th edition). Empirical papers are expected to be 6,000–8,000 words (including references); conceptual or discussion papers 4,000–6,000 words. Abstracts (maximum 400–500 words) should clearly indicate the target language(s), the specific GenAI or digital technology under investigation, research questions, methodology, and anticipated contribution to LOTE education.

An invitation to submit a full manuscript does not guarantee acceptance. All submissions will undergo the journal’s standard double-blind peer-review process. Please find the submission guidelines here: https://www.castledown.com/journals/index.php/tltl/about/submissions

Please submit abstracts via K.Borthwick@soton.ac.uk/Lynn@zjnu.edu.cn/marion.sadoux@lang.ox.ac.uk and mention “Special Issue: LOTE & GenAI” in the subject line.

Technology in Language Teaching & Learning is a fully open-access journal. There is no submission fee; an APC applies after acceptance. Authors may find the journal’s current APC discount policies here: https://www.castledown.com/journals/index/article-processing-fees. 

We look forward to receiving contributions that help shift the centre of gravity in technology-enhanced language education research toward greater linguistic diversity and equity. For enquiries, please contact the guest editors at K.Borthwick@soton.ac.uk/Lynn@zjnu.edu.cn/marion.sadoux@lang.ox.ac.uk