AI is transforming the way research is conducted, teaching is delivered, and learners are assessed, requiring education not only to learn how to use technology but also to address a critical question: how can AI be used responsibly and effectively?
On August 15 and 16, the 6th International Conference of TESOL & Education (ICTE) 2026 was held at the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH) under the theme "AI in Research, Teacher Development, and Professional Practice." Organized by the International Conference of TESOL & Education (ICTE), the conference brought together educators, experts, lecturers, and researchers from 29 countries and territories.
On August 15 and 16, the 6th International Conference of TESOL & Education (ICTE) 2026 was held at the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH) under the theme "AI in Research, Teacher Development, and Professional Practice." Organized by the International Conference of TESOL & Education (ICTE), the conference brought together educators, experts, lecturers, and researchers from 29 countries and territories.
An overview of the opening ceremony of the 6th International Conference of TESOL & Education (ICTE) 2026 at IUH.
The academic scale of the conference also reflected the growing interest in AI across the education sector. The Organizing Committee received 244 abstracts from 480 authors representing 29 countries, with more than 105 papers selected for presentation at plenary and parallel sessions. Selected high-quality full papers will also be considered for publication in international journals such as CALL-EJ (Scopus Q1) and rEFLections (Scopus Q1), as well as in book chapters published by Springer Nature.
A notable feature of ICTE 2026 was the participation of prominent international scholars in TESOL, education, and AI applications.
A notable feature of ICTE 2026 was the participation of prominent international scholars in TESOL, education, and AI applications.
IUH representatives present letters of appreciation to the keynote speakers at ICTE 2026.
The plenary sessions opened with Prof. Andrew Lian, President of ICTE and Professor of Foreign Languages at Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand. Other keynote speakers included Dr. Natjiree Jaturapitakkul, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand; Dr. Willy A. Renandya from the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NIE-NTU), who is also a Visiting Professor at IUH; Prof. Jeremy White, Vice President of ICTE from Ritsumeikan University, Japan; and Dr. Ania Lian, Vice President of ICTE from Charles Darwin University, Australia.
The selected topics demonstrated that AI is being examined from multiple perspectives rather than simply as a tool to support teaching.
Dr. Natjiree Jaturapitakkul explored English communication beyond native-speaker norms in multilingual Asian contexts, while Dr. Willy A. Renandya focused on the role of reading in AI-assisted writing classrooms.
Prof. Jeremy White examined how language assessment needs to evolve in the AI era, shifting from a surveillance-oriented approach toward a more pedagogically focused perspective. Dr. Ania Lian approached AI through the lenses of ethics, self-assessment, and quality assurance.
The keynote series concluded with a presentation by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Vu Phi Ho, President of AsiaCALL, Vice President of ICTE, and a faculty member at IUH, who introduced a framework for the responsible integration of AI into language education.
Beyond bringing international perspectives to IUH, the conference also provided a platform for the University's researchers to contribute directly to the academic dialogue. Dr. Nguyen Truong Sa, Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages at IUH and Deputy Head of the ICTE 2026 Organizing Committee, presented research on the impact of AI-use guidance on mid- and late-career English language teachers.
Other presentations were delivered by Dr. Tran Tin Nghi, Director of the Foreign Language Center at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade; Dr. Hyangeun Ji from the University of North Texas, United States; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vu, Vice Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology.
The parallel sessions addressed key issues currently shaping education, including AI in teaching and teacher development, AI literacy, assessment, writing and speaking instruction, language skills development, and digital innovation.
The selected topics demonstrated that AI is being examined from multiple perspectives rather than simply as a tool to support teaching.
Dr. Natjiree Jaturapitakkul explored English communication beyond native-speaker norms in multilingual Asian contexts, while Dr. Willy A. Renandya focused on the role of reading in AI-assisted writing classrooms.
Prof. Jeremy White examined how language assessment needs to evolve in the AI era, shifting from a surveillance-oriented approach toward a more pedagogically focused perspective. Dr. Ania Lian approached AI through the lenses of ethics, self-assessment, and quality assurance.
The keynote series concluded with a presentation by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Vu Phi Ho, President of AsiaCALL, Vice President of ICTE, and a faculty member at IUH, who introduced a framework for the responsible integration of AI into language education.
Beyond bringing international perspectives to IUH, the conference also provided a platform for the University's researchers to contribute directly to the academic dialogue. Dr. Nguyen Truong Sa, Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages at IUH and Deputy Head of the ICTE 2026 Organizing Committee, presented research on the impact of AI-use guidance on mid- and late-career English language teachers.
Other presentations were delivered by Dr. Tran Tin Nghi, Director of the Foreign Language Center at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade; Dr. Hyangeun Ji from the University of North Texas, United States; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vu, Vice Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology.
The parallel sessions addressed key issues currently shaping education, including AI in teaching and teacher development, AI literacy, assessment, writing and speaking instruction, language skills development, and digital innovation.
Panel discussions and academic sessions at ICTE 2026 bring together international scholars.
Through these discussions, the conversation around AI moved beyond the simple question of whether it should be used. More fundamental questions emerged: How should teachers adapt? What competencies do learners need? And what principles should educational institutions establish to ensure that technology genuinely enhances the quality of education?
With scholars representing diverse educational systems, ICTE 2026 at IUH served as more than a platform for introducing new AI tools. It provided a space for Vietnamese education to engage with international perspectives on a rapidly evolving issue: as AI becomes increasingly capable, how will the role of teachers and the competencies required of learners be redefined?
Highlights from the conference:
With scholars representing diverse educational systems, ICTE 2026 at IUH served as more than a platform for introducing new AI tools. It provided a space for Vietnamese education to engage with international perspectives on a rapidly evolving issue: as AI becomes increasingly capable, how will the role of teachers and the competencies required of learners be redefined?
Highlights from the conference:
