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Keynote Speakers
Professor Ping LI
Sin Wai Kin Professor in Humanities and Technology
Chair Professor of Neurolinguistics and Bilingual Studies
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Title:
Multimodal language learning and representation: Neurocognitive and computational mechanisms
Abstract:
In an era of rapid developments in digital technology and generative AI, we need to examine the mechanisms of language learning and representation from an integrative neurocomputational perspective. In this talk, I outline an approach that combines emerging technologies and data-driven methodologies with current neurocomputational theories, with particular reference to embodied language learning. I will discuss in particular the neurocomputational mechanisms underlying child and adult language learning, and the computational methods that enable us to extend our studies to new frontiers. First, we will examine how human learners effectively integrate multimodal information in a social interactive context, and how this contrasts with generative AI systems such as large language models (LLMs). Second, we will identify neurocognitive mechanisms underlying individual differences in native and non-native speakers during the processing of language in naturalistic contexts. Finally, we will examine how L2 learners can acquire a language in a similar way as L1 speakers when learning is enabled by technology-enhanced immersive situations. Our studies highlight context-based communicative abilities so that we can develop personalized pedagogical designs that tailor to individual learners’ needs and learning profiles.
Bio:
Ping Li is Sin Wai Kin Professor in Humanities and Technology, Chair Professor of Neurolinguistics and Bilingual Studies, and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He previously served as President of the Society for Computation in Psychology and Program Director at the U.S. National Science Foundation while being a Professor of Psychology, Linguistics, and Information Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University. Li’s research is focused on investigating the neurocognitive and computational bases of language acquisition, bilingualism, and reading comprehension in both children and adults. He uses digital technologies and cognitive neuroscience methods to study neuroplasticity and individual differences in learning to understand the relationships among language, culture, technology, and the brain. Li is currently Editor-in-Chief of Brain and Language and Senior Editor of Cognitive Science. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Professor Boping YUAN
Professor Emeritus in Chinese Language and Linguistics
University of Cambridge
Title:
Detectability of language cues matters: Evidence from L2 acquisition of English and Mandarin Chinese
Abstract:
Corder (1967) made a well-known distinction in second language (L2) acquisition between input and intake, arguing that input does not equal to intake. Cues in the target language input are crucial for triggering all necessary feature reconfigurations in L2 grammars, but intake can be affected by the absence or insufficiency of cues in the input, and/or by misleading, ambiguous or obscure cues in the input. Intake can depend on the readiness of the L2 grammar in taking in linguistic information from relevant cues and can also depend on the timing during the L2 development. The detectability of cues necessary for L2 feature reconfiguration can be blurred as a result of L1 influence and may vary with regard to their robustness in the input. To what extent can L2 learners’ success, failure, indeterminacy or delay in their L2 acquisition of certain linguistic features be affected by degrees of detectability of cues in the input? This question will be addressed in my talk with the help of potential cues L2 Chinese and L2 English input, which will be examined and analysed on the basis of comparisons and contrasts of features between L2 learners’ L1 and their target language. I will categorize cues into macro-cues, micro-cues, nano-cues, and their detectability will be discussed with regard to their saliency and robustness. The absence of cues in the input will be discussed as well. The detectability of different types of cues will be argued to have pedagogical implications.
Bio:
Boping Yuan is Professor Emeritus in Chinese Language and Linguistics at the University of Cambridge. He continues to be a PhD supervisor at Cambridge and Fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge. He is currently also a Distinguished Professor in Theoretical and Experimental Linguistics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His research interests are in linguistic approaches to second/third language acquisition, particularly in non-native language acquisition of Chinese within the framework of formal linguistics. He has recently developed interests in bilingualism and wellbeing as well. He is the General Editor of Journal of Second Language Studies and has been serving as a member of editorial boards of Second Language Research, International Review of Applied Linguistics, Journal of Chinese Linguistics, Lingua, 《世界汉语教学》，《外语教学与研究》，《现代外语》, etc. He has had publications in prestigious journals, such as Language, Linguistics, Transactions of the Philological Society, Second Language Research, Studies in Second Language Acquisition, Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, Language Learning, International Review of Applied Linguistics, EUROSLA Yearbook, International Journal of Bilingualism, Lingua, Journal of Chinese Linguistics, Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism, Frontiers in Psychology, 《世界汉语教学》，《外语教学与研究》，《现代外语》，etc. He also compiled two Chinese-English and English-Chinese dictionaries published by Oxford University Press. His forthcoming monograph entitled Interlanguage Grammars of Mandarin Chinese is going to be published by Cambridge University Press soon.
Mr. Steve DOSWELL
Chair
Chartered Institute of Linguists, UK
Title:
Linguists now and for the future – the changing context for languages and linguists
Abstract:
In his talk, CIOL Chair of Council and Chartered Linguist Steve Doswell will cover some of what he is seeing in terms of the evolving roles, types and skills of linguists and what is changing for languages and linguists with Generative AI and more. The talk will be illustrated using case studies from Steve’s “100 Conversations” research, based on in-depth interviews with linguists across the UK and Europe and “CIOL Voices” which are informed up-to-date points of views from CIOL members and stakeholders.
Bio:
Steve Doswell is a corporate communication practitioner with extensive experience spanning energy, power engineering, robotics, financial services and higher education. He has also had experience as a translator (French/German-English) and became a CIOL member in the 1990s after completing the Final Diploma in Spanish. He was President of FEIEA, the European Association of Internal Communication 2010-2012 and CEO of the UK’s Institute of Internal Communication (IoIC) 2011-2016. Steve took time out aged 50 to complete a Masters in European Politics (University of Birmingham). Steve has a deep affinity with Slovenia and is learning Slovene. A keen club runner, Steve is currently writing a book of his experience of running in all 28 EU countries during 2018-19 for charity. “I’m a Londoner but I’ve lived in Birmingham for almost 30 years and I’m really pleased to be able to support the Midlands Network. We can be both local and international in our outlook and that’s a real strength. As a member of Council since March 2021, and now as Chair, I aim to draw on my career skills and experience with professional bodies to support the work of CIOL as a whole.”
Workshop Speaker
Dr Angel Qing MA
Associate Professor
The Education University of Hong Kong
Title:
Empowering language teachers with corpus-based language pedagogy and artificial intelligence
Abstract:
This workshop seeks to unlock the transformative power of corpus linguistics and artificial intelligence (AI) for language educators. Despite its recognized benefits for enhancing language instruction, corpus linguistics is underrepresented in language teachers’ classroom teaching contexts. We aim to close this gap by guiding attendees through a curated selection of accessible online corpora. Participants will also gain deep insights into a new Corpus-Based Language Pedagogy (CBLP) and learn to leverage corpus tools together with AI for language teaching and learning purposes. The workshop is designed to equip language teachers with the skills to integrate CBLP enhanced by AI into their classroom teaching effectively, fostering teachers’ pedagogical proficiency and dedication to sustainable professional development.ders.
Bio:
Qing Ma (Angel) is an associate professor at the Department of Linguistics and Modern Language Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong. Her main research interests include second language vocabulary acquisition, corpus linguistics, corpus-based language pedagogy (CBLP), computer assisted language learning (CALL) and mobile assisted language learning (MALL).
She has developed the Parallel EAP Corpora (http://corpus.eduhk.hk/eap/)for research purposes and the Corpus-Aided Platform for Language Teachers (CAP) (http://corpus.eduhk.hk/cap/) for teaching purposes. She is an experimenter of corpus technology in teaching, and passionate English teacher trainer. Recently, she has established a new corpus-based language pedagogy by theorising and empirically testing it that has positively impacted many pre-service and in-service English teachers. She is the associate editor for four journals: Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL); International Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching (IJCALLT); The Journal of China Association for Computer-Assisted Language Learning (ChinaCALL); Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning (RPTEL).
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