VIC 2024 proudly introduces our three distinguished keynote speakers. These eminent experts will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in English Language Teaching to the Convention, promising to inspire and enlighten our attendees.
Keynote Speaker 1: Dr. Justin Shewell
Dr. Justin Shewell is the co-designer and primary instructional designer for “Teach English Now!”, perhaps the world's largest online TESOL certificate program with over 500,000 learners enrolled. He is also the author of “50 Ways to Teach Online: Tips for ESL/EFL Teachers” and a number of other book chapters and academic articles on the use of Educational Technology in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). He is the co-author of “100 Ways to Teach Language Online” and “50 Ways to Learn a Language”. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Technology from Arizona State University, an M.A. in TESOL from Brigham Young University - Provo, and a B.A. in TESOL Education from Brigham Young University - Hawaii. He has lived and worked in Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. He has presented countless workshops and keynotes in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Brazil, Korea, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and the United States. He is also heavily involved in the TESOL International Association, where he is currently serving as the President-Elect for 2024-2025. You can find more information about Dr. Shewell's expertise and experience by visiting jshewell.com. Dr. Shewell lives in Arizona with his family.
Revolutionizing Language Learning with Artificial Intelligence
The advent of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has as much potential to change education now as the Internet did in the late 1990’s. This technology promises numerous benefits, from personalized learning experiences to enhanced administrative efficiency. However, it also presents a host of potential pitfalls, including ethical concerns, data privacy issues, and the risk of over-reliance on automated systems. This keynote presentation will delve into the essence of AI, providing a clear understanding of what it is and how it functions. It will explore the multifaceted ways AI may impact both teachers and students, highlighting the opportunities for innovation in pedagogy and curriculum design. The presentation will also address the challenges educators might face in integrating AI into their classrooms, offering practical strategies to navigate these complexities. Attendees will gain insights into leveraging AI to enhance student engagement, tailor instruction to individual needs, and streamline educational processes. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to effectively harness the power of AI, ensuring it serves as a valuable asset rather than a disruptive force in their classroom.
Keynote Speaker 2: Associate Professor Dr. Long V. Nguyen
Long V Nguyen serves as the Vice Rector at the University of Danang - University of Foreign Language Studies, having held the position of lecturer since the late 1990s. His recent engagements include active involvement in multiple initiatives within the National Foreign Languages Project, assuming roles as a Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) specialist and serving as the vice-president of VietCALL. Long earned his Master of Arts in TESOL Studies from the University of Queensland, followed by a PhD in Applied Linguistics, with a focus on Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), from Massey University. Recognized as a Microsoft MIE (Microsoft Innovative Educator) and PIL (Professional in Learning), he has been acknowledged since 2012 and has received several prestigious grants for his noteworthy contributions to research endeavors. His extensive publications encompass diverse domains, including educational technology and communication in foreign language acquisition, sociocultural perspectives in language education, digital literacy, collaborative learning, and language teacher education.
Research Writing in the AI Generation: Rethinking Pedagogies, Practices, and Perspectives
The era of AI represents a paradigm shift in research writing, prompting a rethinking of pedagogies, methods, and views. This presentation delves into the rapidly expanding environment of AI tools for research, which is challenging traditional conceptions of knowledge sharing. As the pace of 'Knowledge Doubling' accelerates, scholars face the challenge of distinguishing between human-authored information and AI-generated material, provoking contemplation on the changing role of technology in academia. While AI technologies are extremely useful in improving grammar and structure, they cannot replace the nuanced skills and critical thinking required for scholarly writing. Furthermore, ethical concerns loom big, as relying on AI risks reducing students' autonomy and evaluative abilities. As the educational landscape transforms, the discourse expands to contemplate alternative dissertation formats and pedagogical approaches that reconcile AI's utility with academic integrity. Ultimately, this discourse underscores the imperative for scholars to navigate the creative tension between automation and originality, anticipating and mitigating the long-term implications of AI on scholarly communication and equitable access to research tools.
Keynote Speaker 3: Dr. Adam Edmett
Adam Edmett is Head of EdTech Innovation for the British Council and currently based in Doha, Qatar. His role involves identifying and managing the development of EdTech innovations to enable the delivery of high-quality English language teacher development programmes using a range of technologies. Adam has 27 years’ experience in ELT and digital learning technology with roles in fourteen countries. He has a Doctorate from the University of Bath and an MA from the Open University, both in Online Education. His current research interests are around the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on English Language Training and specifically the need for responsible and secure AI across the sector. Adam is also Research Manager at AQUEDUTO (Association for QUality EDUcation and Training Online). Adam’s publications include AI and English language teaching: Affordances and challenges, Developing a self-assessment tool for English language teachers, and Evaluating the role of video in supporting reflection beyond INSET.
Artificial Intelligence in English Language Teaching: Preparing for the Future
The discussion around how AI will impact every field of human activity has gained traction and urgency following the recent developments in conversational AI, such as ChatGPT and similar large language models (LLMs). These, in turn, have led to the release of other AI-powered tools that can rapidly generate language, images, and computer code with remarkable ease. There is increasing recognition that these emerging technologies present immediate - as well as far-reaching - opportunities, challenges and risks to education systems. However, in the specific case of Artificial Intelligence applied to the field of education, the body of research and recommendations is somewhat limited and the issue needs to be better explored… Artificial Intelligence promises to reshape how we teach, learn and assess English. It offers new possibilities for enhancing our practice, but also raises ethical and practical questions. How is artificial intelligence being used for English language teaching (ELT/L) and learning globally? Where is the research being conducted and with who? Will ELT be impacted more than other disciplines? What are the opportunities, issues, and challenges? How can we deploy this technology effectively and responsibly in our field? Join us for a stimulating session, as we delve into this rapidly evolving landscape. You will hear the latest findings from our first-of-its-kind research on AI in ELT and discuss the practical implications for us as teachers and teacher educators.
