The Future of English:
Technology, policy, EMI, Artificial Intelligence, & more
November 15, 2025
Woosong University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
Keynote Speaker:
Kevin Kester, Seoul National University
Call for Proposals: September 1, 2025
Deadline for Proposals: October 18, 2025 | 23:59
Web form here: https://forms.gle/dYogvCxcLCJBDvFG7
Conference Theme and Topics of Interest
The theme of this year's Daejeon-Chungcheong & Busan-Gyeongnam Thanksgiving Symposium is "The Future of English: Technology, Policy, EMI, Artificial Intelligence, and More." The role of the English language and its instruction is rapidly evolving, shaped by technology, global policy shifts, and the rise of artificial intelligence. This year’s theme invites educators, researchers, and practitioners to explore how these forces are transforming English language teaching, learning, and assessment. Topics may include 1) EMI (English Medium Instruction), 2) AI and AI-powered tools, 3) institutional policies, 4) digital pedagogies, and 5) other relevant areas. We welcome innovative approaches, case studies, and critical perspectives that address how English teaching can adapt to meet the demands of the future. Share your experience, research, and vision for how English will be taught—and used—across international university contexts in the years ahead. Here are some possible topic areas for the presentations:
Technology & Digital Pedagogy
● Using AI Tools (like ChatGPT) to Support Academic Writing in EMI Courses
● Flipping the University EFL Classroom with AI and Adaptive Learning Platforms
● Digital Literacy for EFL Students: Preparing Learners for the AI-Driven World
● Gamifying Vocabulary and Grammar Instruction with Mobile Apps and Online Tools
● Designing Technology-Rich EFL Classrooms for 21st Century Learners
Artificial Intelligence in English Language Teaching
● Evaluating the Effectiveness of AI Tutors in Speaking Practice
● Ethical Considerations of AI Use in EFL Assessment and Feedback
● Can AI Support Critical Thinking? Opportunities and Risks in the EFL Classroom
● Training Teachers to Integrate AI into Language Instruction Responsibly
● AI in the Writing Classroom: Benefits, Limitations, and Classroom Strategies
EMI (English Medium Instruction)
● Challenges and Innovations in EMI Implementation at Korean Universities
● Scaffolding Content for Non-Native Speakers in EMI Courses
● Professional Development for EMI Instructors: Needs, Models, and Outcomes
● Student Voices: How EFL Learners Experience EMI Across Disciplines
● Bridging the Gap Between Language Support and Content Delivery in EMI
Policy, Institutional Change & Global Trends
● Aligning National English Education Policy with Classroom Realities
● The Future of English as a Global Lingua Franca: Policy Implications
● Language Policy Shifts in Korean Higher Education: Global Models and Local Responses
● The Impact of Internationalization Policies on EFL Curriculum Design
● Multilingualism and English: Rethinking the Role of English in Korean Universities
Innovation, Research, and Teacher Development
● Action Research on Blended EMI Courses: Lessons from the Pandemic and Beyond
● Teacher Identity and Agency in an AI-Augmented English Classroom
● Innovative Assessments for the Digital-Age EFL Classroom
● From Resistance to Adoption: Faculty Attitudes Toward AI and EMI
● Reimagining EFL Teacher Training for the Future of English Education
In addition, we will consider submissions on the many general themes of continued interest to English teachers at all skill levels and ages, in Korea and beyond. Here is a list of topics that have been well-received in years past:
❖ Lifestyle concerns for the EFL teacher
● Adapting to East Asia
● Maintaining your mental health
● Finances
● Pension issues
● Legal help
● Resumes and job hunting
● Finding fun outside of work
❖ Teaching and training
● Graphic design
● Finding, using, and maximizing mobile and computer applications
● Games for the classroom – physical and virtual
● Teaching Basic English skills for Asia/Korea
● Teaching Basic English vocabulary for Asia/Korea
● Ideas for teaching any and all of the four macro skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking
● Teacher development
❖ Ideas for...
● Ideas for Elementary School Learners (K-12, hagwon)
● Ideas for Middle School Learners
● Ideas for High School Learners
● Ideas for University Learners
● Ideas for Adult Learners
Types of Presentations
The Program Committee is accepting proposals for:
● Long Presentations (50 minutes): Lecture-oriented presentation focused on best practices and practical solutions.
● Short Presentations (25 minutes): Lecture-oriented presentation focused on best practices and practical solutions.
● Workshops (50 minutes): Hands-on presentation suitable for either early-career or established professionals.
● Panel (50 minutes): Discussion including multiple short presentations focused on a single topic.
● Pecha Kucha (6 min. 40 sec.) PechaKucha is a concise, dynamic, and fun presentation format that uses 20 slides, each shown for 20 seconds. We will need several submissions (6?) to run this format.
● Poster Session A visual display for sharing ideas, projects, and/or research, which allows for short and informal discussion between attendees as they circulate within the poster session area. Note: No A/V equipment is available, but you can request power for your own equipment.
How to Submit Your Proposal
Submit your proposal on the web form at https://forms.gle/dYogvCxcLCJBDvFG7 from Monday, 1 September 2025, and before Saturday, 18 October 2025, 23:59.
You may submit more than one proposal. Please complete a new form for each proposal.
Prepare the information for your proposal beforehand and insert (copy-paste) it into the Proposal Form. Proposals must include:
● Your current school/institution
● Your full name
● Your email address
● Your nationality
● Type of presentation
○ Long Presentations
○ Short Presentations
○ Workshops
○ Panel
○ Pecha Kucha
○ Poster Session
● What level teacher is targeted with your proposal?
○ Kindergarten
○ Elementary
○ Middle School
○ High School
○ University
○ Adult
● Title of Proposal
○ Title should be 20 words or fewer
○ Keep the title short and attractive
○ Capitalize the first word of the title
○ Capitalize all major words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns) in the title, including the second part of hyphenated major words (e.g., Self-Report, not Self-report)
○ Capitalize all words of four letters or more
● Abstract
○ Give a 200-250-word summary of the presentation/workshop
○ Summarize key issues and provide readers with an incentive to attend
○ Describe what participants will do in the workshop/presentation
● 50 to 150-word biodata
○ Give your full names, highest qualification, and affiliation(s)
○ Describe your teaching/research interests and experience
○ You may add a contact email
For more information regarding submission of proposals, please email the symposium submission chair, Gabriela Villafradez, at gfradez@gmail.com.
Important Dates
Proposal submission deadline: Saturday, 18 October 2025, 23:59 (Any submission after the deadline will be placed on a reserve list)
Acceptance decision: Proposals will be reviewed by the selection committee, and those who submitted a proposal will be notified by Saturday, 25 October 2025.
Presenter Registration
Register here: https://forms.gle/W2TVLbrVvdwR8uc3A
Presenters are required to register for the Symposium. The costs are:
● Symposium Registration
○ KOTESOL member ₩10,000 includes/covers lunch
○ NON-KOTESOL member ₩15,000 includes lunch
○ An additional fee to attend the Thanksgiving Dinner
● Annual Membership of KOTESOL
○ Regular (Domestic) Membership (live in Korea), ₩50,000
○ Student Membership, ₩30,000
○ International Membership (live outside Korea), ₩70,000
○ Lifetime Membership, ₩500,000
○ Organizational Partner, Varies
We look forward to receiving your abstract and welcome you to the symposium.
2025 DCC-BG KOTESOL Thanksgiving Symposium
