Hosted by the School of Foreign Languages and the Center for Applied Linguistics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the inaugural Frontier Forum on Positive Foreign Language Education Research took place from May 25 to 26, 2026. Centered on Positive Foreign Language Education Research and Practice in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, the event assembled leading scholars worldwide and attracted over 200 participants from more than 110 universities across China, the UK, the US, Austria, Poland, Ireland, as well as Hong Kong and Macao. Participating institutions include University College London, Michigan State University, Peking University, Fudan University and Beijing Foreign Studies University. Featuring keynote speeches, themed panel discussions, a journal editor roundtable and a book exhibition, the forum explored innovative approaches to integrating AI with positive foreign language education, aiming to advance the high-quality development of foreign language education nationwide.
The opening ceremony on the morning of May 25 was chaired by Professor Li Chengchen. Professor Shang Biwu, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, delivered the opening address. He reviewed the school’s educational philosophy and noted that artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of foreign language education. He emphasized that educators should value both technological empowerment and the fundamental mission of talent cultivation, and called for closer academic collaboration to drive disciplinary innovation.
Eight distinguished scholars at home and abroad delivered keynote presentations. Professor Peter MacIntyre from Cape Breton University, a renowned expert in positive psychology and second language acquisition, sent a video greeting. International speakers included Professor Jean-Marc Dewaele from UCL, Professor Peter De Costa and Professor Charlene Polio from Michigan State University, Professor Glenn Stockwell from The Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Sarah Mercer from the University of Graz and Professor Mirosław Pawlak from Adam Mickiewicz University. Professor Li Chengchen proposed the framework of Positive Foreign Language Education (PFLE) and a three-path model for fostering learner creativity. Professor Zhang Li established an AI-enabled holistic teaching framework for public speaking courses. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including positive classroom development, teacher well-being, research methodology integration, human-AI interaction and out-of-class affective learning. Scholars also reflected critically on toxic positivity and blind admiration for technology.
The forum organized 20 invited panels for experts, early-career scholars and graduate students. Discussions focused on human-machine interaction, culture-oriented foreign language teaching, translanguaging, AI-assisted language instruction and teacher professional development, with distinguished professors from top universities across the country serving as panel chairs.
Supported by Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press and Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press, the publisher session shared the latest academic publishing resources and achievements.
The journal editor roundtable gathered representatives from prestigious journals such as TESOL Quarterly and The Modern Language Journal. Co-chaired by Professor Zhang Xiaopeng and Mr. Yang Yifan, the editors introduced journal positioning and submission requirements, offered practical advice on revising manuscripts and responding to reviewers, and stressed the need to uphold academic ethics against improper use of AI in peer review.
Meanwhile, a book exhibition displayed over 100 new publications from Routledge and domestic presses, together with recent issues of Contemporary Foreign Language Studies, creating a relaxed atmosphere for academic exchanges during breaks.
The forum drew to a close at noon on May 26, with Professor Li Chengchen presiding over the closing ceremony. Professor Dewaele spoke highly of the forum’s academic quality and thoughtful arrangement. Professor Zhen Fengchao, Associate Dean of the School, reflected on the limitations of traditional foreign language education that overemphasizes learners’ weaknesses. He reminded participants to stay away from tech fetishism, and advocated a human-oriented positive education that preserves the warmth of teaching amid digital transformation. Keynote speakers were presented with SJTU souvenirs in appreciation of their contributions.
As China’s first high-level academic forum dedicated to positive foreign language education and a pioneering global event exploring its integration with AI, this forum has enhanced the international influence of SJTU’s foreign language discipline. It promotes global academic exchanges and interdisciplinary collaboration among applied linguistics, positive psychology and educational technology. Rooted in local teaching practices, the forum provides new ideas for the transformation of foreign language education in China, and will continue to inspire innovation in language education research and international academic cooperation worldwide.