2025 Consortium of Middle East National Resource Centers Language Workshop

Workshop Description

Recently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and online tools have shown to be useful and create breakthroughs for language learning and teaching. They have opened new opportunities for how to think about language learning and teaching in a myriad of environments and contexts. In particular, AI has offered personalized and optimized tools and platforms which use chatbots and virtual language tutors to provide real-time feedback, simulate immersive language environments, and engage learners in conversational practice. Educators, learners, and testing agencies are constantly developing pedagogies that can cope with AI-generated tools as invaluable assets. Pedagogy experts have also raised crucial issues about the challenges and risks that need to be carefully considered when these tools are used. This dynamic conversation has made greater progress in commonly taught languages than in the less commonly taught ones, including Middle East Languages.

The Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Arizona in collaboration with UT-Austin’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies, University of Indiana’s Center for the Study of the Middle East, Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, SUNY-Binghamton University’s Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies, along with the Center for Educational Resources in Culture, Language and Literacy, are pleased to announce the 2025 Consortium of Middle East National Resource Centers Language Workshop. With focus on Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Turkish, and other related Middle East Languages, submissions are invited that focus on research and practice using AI and online tools. The conference organizers particularly invite abstracts relating to specific classroom projects that explore the potential of AI and online tools in ME languages and provide descriptive presentations. The workshop will be held at the University of Arizona on April 4th – 6th, 2025 (in-person) and April 19th, 2025 (virtual).

Papers and presentations related to the following topics are preferred; other topics will be considered as well.

1) Integration of emerging technologies such as:

· Text simplification tools

· Natural Language Processing (NLP)

· Machine learning algorithms

· Chatbots and virtual language tutors

· Personalization and adaptive learning

· Real-time feedback and assessment

· Gamification and immersive experiences

· Virtual exchange and tele-collaborations and linguistic and cultural learning

· AI and proficiency and language skills assessment tools

2) Challenges of integrating AI and online tools:

· Overreliance and loss of interaction in the classroom

· Technical issues and language specific characteristics including script

· Inequality in access and affordability

· Biases in language and cultural representations

Keynote Speakers:

· To be announced.

Submission Information:

· Due date: December 31st, 2024.

· Notification of Acceptance: January 30th, 2025.

· Registration and Submission link: Click here

· During the submission process you will be asked to indicate if you want your submission to be considered for presentation in person or for the virtual sessions.