TALFL Conference
Ninth TESOL/Applied Linguistics/Foreign Languages (TALFL) Conference
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Conference schedule / Registration link to be provided at a later time.
Date: April 3rd, 2027
Early-bird registration by March 21st: $45
Registration starting March 22nd: $55
Location: Sykes Student Union
West Chester University
West Chester, PA, USA
Conference Theme: Theme: Language Without Limits
For this edition of TALFL the conference planning committee has chosen a deliberately broad theme. The issues worthy of discussion with regards to language education are plentiful and may include topics related to challenges inside and outside of the classroom. Thus, we encourage presentations examining a wide range of areas including (but not limited to) teaching methodology, technological innovations, language policies, assessment, materials development, language acquisition, and the promotion of bi-/multilingualism.
Keynote Speaker
Baburhan Uzum, Ph.D.
Professor of Bilingual and ESL Education at Sam Houston University
Baburhan Uzum, Ph.D., is a Professor of Bilingual and ESL Education at Sam Houston State University in Texas, USA. He received his Ph.D. in Second Language Studies from Michigan State University and has been teaching and conducting research in language teacher education since 2013. His research interests include language teacher identity and agency, virtual intercultural exchange, social justice in language education, and the integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into teacher preparation. He has published extensively in leading international journals, including TESOL Quarterly, Language Teaching Research, Teaching and Teacher Education, International Journal of Applied Linguistics, and World Englishes. He is also a co-editor of the book Telecollaboration in Language Teacher Education: Professional Learning, Identities, and Ideologies (Bloomsbury, 2026) and a guest editor of an upcoming special issue of TESOL Journal focusing on virtual intercultural exchange in TESOL teacher education. His work explores how language teachers develop their professional identities, navigate educational and sociopolitical contexts, and engage in meaningful intercultural learning experiences. Through his research and teaching, he seeks to advance innovative, equitable, and globally connected approaches to language teacher education.
Keynote: Teaching in the Age of AI: Balancing Innovation and Human Connection
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape education, teachers face new opportunities and challenges in navigating rapidly evolving classrooms. This keynote explores the emerging role of AI in education, focusing on its potential to transform (language) teaching practices, student learning, and professional development. Drawing on current research, preliminary findings, and practical experiences, the presentation will examine how teachers perceive, engage with, and integrate AI-powered technologies into their teaching. Particular attention will be given to the opportunities and challenges associated with AI integration, including its potential to support instructional planning, enhance student engagement, and foster creativity, as well as concerns surrounding ethical use, critical AI literacy, and teacher agency. By encouraging reflection, dialogue, and interactive activities, this keynote aims to inspire educators to approach AI thoughtfully and critically, exploring how these emerging technologies can support meaningful, inclusive, and human-centered teaching and learning.
