Future of technology in language teaching and learning

Abstract

Ever since the technology found its way into language education during the 1980s and 1990s, discussions surrounding language teaching and learning with technology have manifested into an interdisciplinary field, bringing together the diverse groups of scholars to consider how best to support language learning with technology. In conjunction with the ongoing advancement of technology, the field has now expanded its avenue and established multiple sub-disciplines and special interest groups, such as Intelligent CALL, virtual-reality (VR) and language learning, digital game-based language learning, virtual world and language learning, computer-mediated communication (CMC), distance and blended learning, massive open online courses (MOOCs), and mobile-assisted language learning (MALL), with even more unique and innovative subfields such as robot-assisted language learning and speech bots emerging. To respond to the increasing interest, it has become apparent that creating open platforms for scholars and practitioners to share their research outputs and pedagogical reflections is critical in contributing to the long-term growth of the field.