Exploring New Trends in Chinese Language Education in the AI Era
The Department of Applied Chinese Language and Literature at Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) held the 14th International Conference on “New Perspectives in Chinese Language and Overseas Chinese Education” from May 22 to 23, 2026.
This year’s conference focused on the theme “Chinese Language Teaching in the Age of AI: Multimodality, Data-Driven Approaches, Applications, and Practice,” bringing together scholars and educators from universities and Chinese language teaching institutions in the United States, South Korea, France, and Taiwan to discuss emerging trends and innovative practices in Chinese language education in the AI era.
The conference covered a wide range of topics, including phonetics and phonology, Chinese grammar, cross-linguistic comparison, corpus applications, AI-assisted teaching, overseas Chinese education, intercultural teaching, and social practice.
Keynote speakers included Professor Yen-Hui Audrey Li from Michigan State University, Hyunwoo Sun, CEO of Talk To Me In Korean, Chair Professor Shou-Hsin Teng from CYCU’s Department of Applied Chinese Language and Literature, and Professor Park Yong-Jin from Jeonbuk National University. Their presentations explored topics such as linguistic research, language learning in the AI era, Chinese grammar theory, and the learning challenges faced by Korean learners of Chinese, further enriching academic and pedagogical discussions in Chinese language education.
The conference also featured eight academic presentation sessions covering a wide range of topics, including Taiwan Mandarin Learning Centers, multilingual learners in Thai international schools, AI feedback in Chinese writing instruction in France, AI literacy in multimedia Chinese courses, Chinese grammar and semantics, cross-linguistic comparisons among Chinese, Vietnamese, English, and Korean, TBCL competency indicators, Chinese language teaching for international business, and Mandarin learning among Indonesian caregivers.
These discussions highlighted the diverse development of Chinese language studies—from linguistic theory and instructional design to real-world social applications—while also demonstrating the strong connection between Chinese language education, international learning contexts, cross-linguistic understanding, and contemporary social needs.
A highlight of the conference was the continued academic collaboration between CYCU’s Department of Applied Chinese Language and Literature and Jeonbuk National University in South Korea following the signing of a recent partnership agreement. Professor Park Yong-Jin not only delivered a keynote speech, but also led doctoral students in paper presentations and academic exchanges, further strengthening cooperation in Chinese language education, cross-linguistic studies, student exchange, and teaching practice.
The conference also featured practical workshops and an academic salon on the naming and international positioning of Chinese language education, connecting topics such as curriculum design, language identity, teaching practice, and global communication. Graduate students were recognized with Outstanding Paper Awards during the closing ceremony, encouraging young scholars to continue engaging in Chinese language education research.
Department Chair Liu Yu-Fen noted that, in response to rapid changes in AI and global language education, Chinese language teaching must integrate linguistic expertise, emerging technologies, intercultural understanding, and international collaboration. She added that the conference demonstrated CYCU’s strong commitment to research, global exchange, and talent cultivation in Chinese language education.
