Plenary speakers at PanSIG 2026 will be Robert Stroud (Saturday, 10 a.m.) and Louise Ohashi (Saturday, 4 p.m.).
We will also have a Panel Discussion on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Details below.
Louise Ohashi, Gakushuin University
Plenary Title: Developing GenAI Literacy through Teacher Communities
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is a transformative technology that has elicited both praise and concern from L2 educators. To use it effectively and guide students well, teachers must develop GenAI literacy, but the proliferation of new technologies has left many unprepared. Institutions have a responsibility to lead, but individual teacher agency is also vital. This session focuses on teacher-driven action, using the Community of Practice framework (Lave & Wenger, 1991) to show the crucial role of teacher communities in GenAI literacy development. The session introduces formal and informal teacher communities, drawing on personal narratives to demonstrate how teachers can learn and lead. Audience members will be encouraged to consider their current and future roles within teacher communities and will take away practical advice on how to strengthen their GenAI literacy and guide others.
Bio: Dr. Louise Ohashi is a professor at Gakushuin University, Tokyo, who specializes in second language acquisition and L2 education. Her research interests include learner autonomy, motivation, edtech, and GenAI. She recently co-edited the book Artificial Intelligence in Our Language Learning Classrooms (Candlin & Mynard ePublishing) and is working on a KAKEN-sponsored project that explores AI's impact on L2 education. She is also Chair of EUROCALL’s AI SIG and a keen language learner (日本語, italiano, français, español, Deutsch).
Full bio at https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0218-7385
Robert Stroud, Hosei University, Tokyo
Plenary title: Connected Voices, Connected Worlds: Reimagining FLT Communities Together
Plenary Abstract Across global ELT communities, practitioners are navigating a pivotal moment: technology and AI are accelerating rapidly, yet many learners feel increasingly disconnected from one another. Even with constant online engagement, genuine interaction, intercultural curiosity, and learner confidence can quietly diminish. This plenary examines how ELT educators and community leaders can shape a more human, future focused approach to language learning—one where connection, collaboration, and belonging remain central. Drawing on insights from Culture Club, a global educator led exchange project, as well as current developments in EdTech, AI, and task based learning, the keynote demonstrates how intentional design and practitioner driven innovation can transform digital tools into catalysts for community rather than fragmentation. Participants will explore practical, scalable strategies that bridge theory and classroom practice: fostering inclusive communication, designing learner centered intercultural tasks, and building emotionally supportive online and offline ELT communities.
Bio: Dr. Robert Stroud is a university professor in Tokyo at Hosei University and holds a PhD in English Language and Applied Linguistics. His research focuses on EdTech, AI, learner engagement, and cross cultural communication. As founding editor of The University Grapevine (TUG), he leads a global platform where students, teachers, and researchers share practitioner driven insights on language learning environments and strengthen international academic networks. As founder of the Culture Club Global Exchange Program, he designs interactive, intercultural learning experiences that bring diverse learners together to explore identity, communication, and global perspectives. Both initiatives foster inclusive communities that connect people across borders and amplify practitioner voices. As a respected TEDx and plenary speaker, he delivers impactful presentations and workshops worldwide, engaging audiences with practical insights and human centered innovation.
Panel Discussion Theme: Language Education in the Age of AI: Plenary Panel
This forum offers a space for open dialogue between PanSIG 2026’s plenary speakers (Louise Ohashi and Robert Stroud) and the audience. The plenary speakers will each give a short talk (abstracts below) then the moderator will open the floor for questions and discussion topics related to AI and L2 education.
Louise Ohashi, Gakushuin University
Panel Session Title: Generative AI Ethics in L2 Education
Panel Session Abstract Generative AI (GenAI) offers significant affordances within L2 education, providing personalised learning support for students and assisting teachers with pedagogical tasks. However, it also brings a multitude of challenges for teachers and institutions. Among these, GenAI ethics is an area of concern that cannot be overlooked. While ethical issues such as academic integrity, privacy protection, and data security have been widely acknowledged, adequate guidance for teachers is still lacking in many institutions. Furthermore, greater attention needs to be paid to issues such as GenAI's biases, its environmental impact, and the burden teachers face due to the need for upskilling and ongoing professional development. This session outlines key ethical considerations, offers ideas on how to address them, and proposes emerging principles (Ohashi & Hubbard, 2025) to help guide ethical use of GenAI in L2 learning contexts.
Robert Stroud, Hosei University, Tokyo
Panel title: Swimming in deeper water with AI
Panel Session Abstract AI in education hasn’t just arrived—it's come in waves. The first sparked wonder, as educators tapped into its power to boost creativity and lighten workloads. The second churned up anxiety: fears of plagiarism, overreliance, and the erosion of critical thinking. Now, the third wave invites us to dive beneath the surface. This is a moment for reflection, not reaction—for cultivating ethical use, learner agency, and authentic thought. It calls on educators to design learning that builds metacognition, discernment, and intellectual resilience—skills that help students think with AI, not just through it. Instead of chasing the next shiny tool, we’re challenged to craft principled frameworks and foster collaborative experimentation. We’ll explore how to navigate the third wave with clarity, courage, and care. And while a fourth wave shimmers on the horizon, its shape still unknown, our task now is to swim with intention—before the next tide rolls in.