Linguistics Colloquium | Preparing Language Teachers for Emerging Innovations, Jan. 26

The Linguistics Colloquium series presents Dr. Greg Kessler discussing “Preparing language teachers for emerging innovations” on Friday, Jan. 26, from 12:55 to 1:50 p.m. in-person in Gordy 310 or via Microsoft TEAMS.

Dr. Kessler is Professor and Department Chair of Innovative Learning Design & Technology Educational Studies in the Patton College of Education at Ohio University. Dr Kessler was formerly a faculty member of the Linguistics Department.

Abstract : I will discuss some recent and emerging innovations that are having a significant influence on language learning and teaching. Over the past 20 years, we have seen dramatic shifts in how technology is used to mediate language. Most recently, artificial intelligence has captured everyone’s attention. AI has existed since the early 1950s, but it has advanced more in the last few years than it had in several decades. This is largely due to the computing power we have as well as the vast quantities of authentic language and language models that have been gathered since the birth of the internet. I will discuss a bit of this history as well as what language teachers need to know about these developments. I will also discuss how we can prepare for the ongoing emergence of future innovations.