ECER 2026 - NW 31 Special Calls

Language Education in the Age of AI
NW 31 Language and Education

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into educational spheres is rapidly transforming the landscape of language learning. From machine translation and generative AI to intelligent tutoring systems and automated assessment, AI tools are transforming how languages are taught, learned, and practiced (Chapelle, 2025; Al-Hoorie & Alshakhori, 2025; Karataş et al., 2024). As AI tools become key actors in the classroom (Tolstykh & Oshchepkova, 2024), it is crucial to evaluate their role in either reinforcing or challenging standard norms and practices, and to explore how they might be used to support equitable language learning while minimizing risks to linguistic diversity and educational autonomy.

Decolonising Language Education
NW 31 Language and Education

Language education has evolved within systems and structures shaped by historical power relations. In some settings, these arrangements shape the recognition of learners’ diverse linguistic repertoires and ways of being and knowing – including heritage, regional/minoritised, community and migration-related languages, and Signed languages (García & Li, 2014; Canagarajah, 2013). As classrooms across Europe and beyond become more multilingual, it is timely to reconsider how languages are taught, learned, assessed, and valued. Here, decolonising refers to attending to coloniality in contemporary practice – broadening legitimacy, re-working criteria and materials, and sharing epistemic authority, while remaining distinct from political projects of decolonisation (Mignolo & Walsh, 2018).

Music-based methods and strategies for learning languages
NW 29 Research on Arts Education / NW 31 Language and Education

When it comes to language learning, music can be used for many goals: to lower language learners' affective barriers, increase motivation, or develop different kinds of learning strategies. Additionally, teachers use singing or listening to songs in order to enhancing vocabulary and phrases, facilitate the learning of language structures and increase fluency. Currently, educational environments benefit from increased access to diverse musical resources through mobile technologies. Simultaneously, students possess extensive musical repertoires at their disposal. This Special Joint Call NW 29 & NW 31 invites scholarly contributions that explore the multifaceted potential of music as a pedagogical tool in diverse language learning contexts. Especially welcome would be contributions regarding “lesser learned & researched” languages (includign sign language or Braille etc.)