AI, advocacy and international collaboration to take center stage at Auburn University global webinar on foreign language teaching

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape education, Auburn University is leading the conversation with a full-day virtual conference titled “Global Perspectives on the Future of Foreign Language Teaching in K-12 Education: Advocacy, AI, and International Collaboration.” 

The webinar, being held on July 9, from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. CST, will be hosted by Auburn’s Office of International Programs and the Department of Curriculum and Teaching in Auburn’s College of Education. In part, the event will explore how AI tools can enhance language instruction, support cultural competence and foster global collaboration in K-12 classrooms.

“We hope attendees will walk away with globally informed perspectives on the future of K–12 world language education and actionable strategies they can implement in their own classrooms,” said Sara Ahnell, assistant clinical professor and program coordinator for Foreign Language Education programs in Education. “By learning how educators and policymakers in other countries are responding to current challenges and opportunities, participants will deepen their understanding of global trends and innovations in world language education.

"A key professional development focus will be on exploring how generative AI tools can be thoughtfully leveraged to support comprehension-based, communicative instruction in the K-12 world language classroom. Ultimately, we hope world language teacher attendees leave feeling empowered to better navigate the evolving landscape of our profession.”

When it comes to AI, Ahnell said it’s important to remember the importance of human connection.

“From instant translation to chatbots and feedback, generative AI is rapidly transforming how language is produced and taught. These tools have the potential to enhance language instruction, but they also raise important questions about authenticity, communication and the evolving role of the teacher,” she said.

“At Auburn, the well-known line in our creed, ‘I believe in the human touch,’ has never felt more relevant to me as a language teacher educator navigating this new terrain. As the generative AI freight train continues to gain momentum in education, the future of language teaching will depend on how teachers, stakeholders and policymakers preserve and nurture that human touch.”

She added that “At the same time, it’s important to thoughtfully explore how AI can support, not replace, the instruction that skilled teachers create. While AI may help with many aspects of lesson design, only well-trained teachers bring the expertise, cultural understanding and judgment needed to craft effective, purposeful lessons that engage learners in real-world language use.

“These human qualities remain essential for truly successful language teaching. While AI can generate translations, engage in conversation and spout cultural facts, what students lose when language is reduced to mechanical output is the opportunity to think deeply, connect meaningfully and grow interculturally.”

At Auburn’s College of Education, Ahnell said world language teacher preparation programs are “rigorous, research-based and grounded in the belief that language is not just a means of communication but a pathway to understanding culture, both our own and those of the target cultures.”

The July 9 webinar, aimed at addressing such topics, will be distinct in more ways than one.  

“In terms of origins, this is certainly the first such program here at Auburn and may be unique in offerings around the country,” said Andrew Gillespie, assistant provost in the Office of International Programs. “We would like to showcase our work and programs at Auburn but also have a collective effort among teachers and scholars, along with key Embassy and private sector colleagues, to think to the future of language education and how we prepare our young people for their role as future citizens of the United States in a global society.”

Gillespie, who has extensive global connections through his role, was approached initially by the Taiwanese government to arrange an event aimed at connecting with K-12 Mandarin Chinese teachers in the U.S. From there, he broadened the event’s scope and included representatives from embassies and cultural organizations across many languages and cultures, including Taiwan, Canada, Japan, Korea, Spain and Germany.