The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ welcomed language educators from around the world for the , held June 25–28.

More than 220 participants from 14 countries, ranging from K–12 teachers to university faculty, came together to explore how technology, especially generative AI, is shaping language teaching and learning.

Naiyi Xie Fincham, associate director of UH‘s (NFLRC), spoke about the transformative potential of generative AI in language instruction.

“With purposeful task design and a clear curriculum integration plan, regular conversational practice with a generative AI–powered agent offers a low-stakes, low-stress space for independent language learning—delivering personalized, level-appropriate feedback, fostering self-regulated learning skills, and providing teachers with concrete evidence of each learner’s proficiency development to enable tailored instruction.”

Engaging with AI

Many presentations focused on the use of AI tools in curriculum design, assessment and student engagement. These are areas where both NFLRC and (CLT) at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ already support educators with free resources and professional development.

“Our centers at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ are helping shape the future of language education by supporting educators in navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape,” said Julio C. Rodriguez, director of CLT, NFLRC and the at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹. “Whether it’s designing new tools, creating professional learning opportunities, or fostering collaboration, we’re committed to making AI a resource that enhances teaching and learning and helps realize human potential.”

Featured speaker Michele Anciaux Aoki, respected advocate for international education and world languages, called attention to the . However, Aoki also cautioned that AI should support but not replace human connection, underscoring the need to keep learning rooted in culture and community.

Reimagining language labs

FLEAT 8 audiences also heard from Carol Goss, who leads a language and intercultural learning center at Valparaiso University. She encouraged educators to reimagine language labs as collaborative, intercultural spaces, not just places to practice grammar drills.

Hosted by UH’s NFLRC and CLT, FLEAT 8 was co-organized with the International Association for Language Learning Technology and the Japan Association for Language Education and Technology.

The FLEAT conference happens every five years, alternating between Japan and the U.S., and highlights the growing connection between technology and world language education.

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Create an AI-powered experience that helps people learn a language outside the classroom—that was the challenge posed to students at the 2025 Flagship Hackathon, hosted by the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s (Tech Center).

UH hosted the national competition at Arizona State University that brought together 34 students from 12 institutions including UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ and five language programs: Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Persian and German. Organized into six multilingual teams, the students had just two days to design a tech-based tool that supported language learning “in the wild”—meaning casual, real-world use such as studying abroad or chatting online.

“By hosting the Flagship Hackathon, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ affirms its national leadership in language technology innovation—bringing together students from across the country to tackle real—world challenges with AI, while exploring how technology can support lifelong, personalized language learning beyond the classroom,” said Julio Rodriguez, director of the UH Tech Center.

The winning project, Sl@ngQuest, is a chatbot that teaches users internet slang in the target language by pulling examples from authentic media. The team also created a how-to chapter for a digital Field Guide, complete with AI integration and multimedia elements.

An honorable mention went to Cultivating Friendships Abroad, a tool to help learners form meaningful connections while overseas.

The Tech Center’s annual Hackathon is known for its fast pace and creative energy. Faculty from UH such as Richard Medina and Molly Godwin-Jones lead the design of this year’s event together with former Tech Center interns, who helped mentor students to tackle language learning challenges through innovation. Each team included at least one computer science student to handle technical development.

The UH Tech Center is housed in the .