Redefining Language Education – Technology, Accessibility, Empowerment
Panellists:
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Dr Maria Diakou (Cyprus Ministry of Education & Frederick University, Cyprus)
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Dr Pedro Jesús Molina Muñoz (University of Cyprus)
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Asst Prof Fernanda Carra-Salsberg (York University, Canada)
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Assoc Prof Olga Makinina (York University, Canada)
Moderators: Thomas Tinnefeld & Michael Carrier
Abstract
As the culminating event of the 2025 ICC Languages Conference, the panel discussion will provide an opportunity to explore the central theme in greater depth: Redefining Language Education: Technology, Accessibility, Empowerment. Throughout the event, discussions have explored the changing role of technology, the importance of accessibility, and strategies for empowering learners and educators in language education. This session will bring these elements together and provide a platform for participants to critically engage with the challenges and opportunities shaping the field.
The panel will begin by reflecting on key insights from the conference, revisiting major discussions on technology, accessibility, and empowerment. Panellists will highlight takeaways from various sessions, showcasing innovative strategies, tools, and research findings.
Key topics of discussion will include:
- Technology in Language Education – Exploring AI in personalised learning, gamification, immersive VR/AR experiences, and automated assessment. The panel will also consider the ethical implications and potential of AI-powered language tutors and chatbots.
- Accessibility in Language Education – Addressing inclusive strategies for learners with disabilities, multilingual access to materials, and language learning initiatives for underserved communities.
- Empowerment through Language Education – Examining how language learning fosters personal growth, professional opportunities, and cultural understanding, alongside strategies for learner autonomy, cultural sensitivity, and well-being.
This interactive session will provide attendees with a platform to contribute actively to the discussion. Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences, ask questions, and engage with the panellists in a dynamic exchange of ideas. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the panel discussion will conclude with meaningful dialogue and actionable insights to guide the future of language education.
Bios
Dr Maria Diakou works as a deputy head for the Cyprus Ministry of Education and as a faculty member at the University of Nicosia and Frederick University (Teaching postgraduate program Intercultural Studies and Greek as a 2nd/Foreign Language). She holds a Master’s in Applied Linguistics and a Doctorate in Education. She is currently the Coordinator of IATEFL LTSIG (Learning Technologies Special Interest Group). She is a Consulting Member of the MA in CALL committee of the Cyprus University of Technology, giving suggestions, support, and feedback to evaluate and adapt MA programme to meet the needs of language instructors in schools. Her research interests are in technology language learning and multicultural education.
Dr Pedro Jesús Molina Muñoz is a Spanish language instructor at the University of Cyprus Language Centre. He holds a BA in Classical Philology and a PhD in Greek Lexicography from the University of Granada. With over 15 years of experience teaching Spanish as a foreign language, he has also trained teachers at institutions such as the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus and the Cervantes Institute. He is actively involved in European projects on digital competences, technology-enhanced language learning, and the use of augmented and mixed reality in education.
Dr. Fernanda Carra-Salsberg is an Assistant Professor (Teaching Stream) at York University, where she teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) and Spanish. She researches AI affordances and challenges in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classrooms, emphasizing AI literacy and assessment as a teaching tool. She is a member of the Committee on Teaching, Learning, and Student Success (CTLSS) and regularly participates in Academic Honesty Hearings. A past nominee for the Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award, she has chaired and served on DLLL’s Teaching and Learning Committee for six years. Her interdisciplinary research also explores language pedagogy, migration, and identity.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9106-1084
Dr. Olga Makinina is an Associate Professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at York University, Canada. She has completed her PhD in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies at Carleton University, Canada, and has been teaching and/or conducting ESL/EAP classroom-based research in post-secondary institutions in Canada, Eastern Europe, and the United States. Her research interests focus on ESL/EAL acquisition in the context of technology- and AI-enhanced learning, genre-based pedagogies, multiliteracies and multimodalities, and formulaic language acquisition.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2447-7757