CityU hosts international conference on English language teaching power to explore future of Asian English education in the AI era

Co-organized by National Geographic Learning and City University of Macau (CityU), the academic conference “The Future of English Education in Asia—Power of Teaching in the AI Era” unveiled yesterday at the Culture Centre of Taipa campus of CityU. The two-day event brought together over 700 experts, scholars, and teachers worldwide to discuss the latest trends in English language teaching, examine AI’s impact on education, and explore the future of English education in Asia, helping educators develop innovative teaching approaches.Carlos Roberto Xavier, director of the Department of Tertiary Education of the SAR Government Education and Youth Development Bureau, attended the conference. Michael Cahill, director of National Geographic Learning Asia Region of Cengage Group, delivered opening remarks, while the Rector Jun Liu and Prof. Lixian Jin, dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, delivered keynote speeches.

In his speech, Michael Cahill noted that this year marked the 5th year of organizing this academic conference, emphasizing the aim of providing a platform for experts and scholars to exchange ideas, share experiences, and discuss future in education.

Rector Jun Liu delivered a keynote speech titled “Embracing AI in English Language Education: Navigating Opportunities & Challenges.” He outlined the evolution of AI, analyzing the opportunities and challenges in English education from two perspectives: diachronically, tracing how technological tools have empowered English teaching, and synchronically, examining real-world applications to forecast future trends. Highlighting the AI Education Framework recently developed by The International Research Foundation for English Language Education (TIRF), he emphasized the need to establish a training mechanism of digital ethics for learners to mitigate risks such as data privacy concerns and cognitive overreliance. Additionally, he provided practical guidance for educators and students using AI, advocating for a synergy ecosystem for pedagogy and technology.

Dean Lixian Jin presented a keynote on “Intercultural Communicative Competence: An Essential Power of Teaching in English Education.” She highlighted the convenience brought by AI in intercultural communication and the new possibilities in the field of education, and the growing importance of fostering students’ intercultural communication competence with the support of the educators. Her speech explored the principles and strategies of teaching ICC (Intercultural Communicative Competence) in English education, highlighting the importance of fostering not only communication skills in the current globalized and digitally connected world but also perceptiveness, practical abilities, and problem-solving to equip learners to contribute meaningfully to society through English proficiency.[foogallery id="92620"]

The conference featured a diverse program. During the Educators’ Forum, scholars examined global perspectives and local practices in Asian English education. The sharing sessions showcased engaging case studies by National Geographic Explorers and scientists, demonstrating the power of storytelling in pedagogy.
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During the conference, UNESCO-ICHEI Head of Partnership Head of Partnership & UN Liaison Bosen Liu delivered a keynote titled “Pathways to the Futures of Higher Learning and Skill Development: The Role of Language Education as a Tool”; Shanghai International Studies University Professor Mei Deming, who chaired both the Ministry of Education (MOE)’s High School English Curriculum Standard Revision Committee and Compulsory Education English Curriculum Standard Revision Committee, presented “Restructuring English Teaching Materials for Learners’ Competence Building”; former TESOL President Deborah Short, author of the Reach Higher/Lift/Edge series spoke on “Developing Academic Language and Literacy: Th Foundation of 21st Century Communication”; Xiqin Lu, director of Secondary English Department at the People’s Education Press discussed on “Empower Students to Learn: Recent Changes in Junior Middle School English Textbooks”; while Daisy Chow Pui Lun, lecturer at English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU), Faculty of Arts of the The Chinese University of Hong Kong, shared insights on “Supplement, Not Supplant: Enhancing Engagement and Empowering Educators in TESOL through AI” in their respective keynote speeches.
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The conference also featured special presentations by National Geographic Explorer, award-winning multimedia storyteller and Fulbright Storytelling Fellow Lillygol Sedaghat on “The Power of Storytelling”; Chengdu University of Technology Researcher and American Museum of Natural History Visiting Scholar Yu Congyu on “Dinosaurs from Gobi”; as well as Leung Chi Man, assistant professor at the United International Colleg of the Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University and president of the Macao Entomological Society, and his talk titled “Tracking Macao’s Tiny Ants: A Scientific Adventure”, while the event concluded with Head of National Geographic Branded Content and Partnership Wang Yan's presentation “The Power of Visual Storytelling”.

Other distinguished attendees included Liying Cheng, dean of the School of Education, Wu Cheng, head of the Office of Global Affairs, along with faculty members and students from across the University.

Source: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Photos: CityU Reporter

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CityU hosts international conference on English language teaching power to explore future of Asian English education in the AI era

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