Attending EUROCALL 2026: Connecting Academia, Reality, and People
Earlier this month, I had the pleasue of attending the EUROCALL 2026 conference held at Ulster University, Belfast, and thanks to the support from the Department of Education's postgraduate development fund. As my first conference experience, this event provided me with an opportunity to share some of my doctoral research findings, learn from researchers in the field of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), and reflect on my future research.
At EUROCALL, I presented some of the results of my doctoral research, and several audiences expressed interest in the practical applications of the research. Their questions prompted me to think more about the implications of these findings for language learning activities design, and the design of digital learning tools.
This conference was also a valuable opportunity to meet doctoral students and professors in the field of CALL. Our conversations exposed me to a wider range of research areas, and the sharing of perspectives and suggestions on each other's research was very inspiring.
I also attended workshops chaired by the editors of CALL-related journals. These discussions gave me a clearer understanding of what editors and reviewers consider good submissions, including clear contributions, in-depth discussions of relevant CALL literature, and a clear articulation of the research's significance. Discussions about the application of AI in academic writing were also useful. The editors repeatedly emphasized that while AI can assist in the writing process, researchers still need to contribute their own judgment, interpretations, and academic perspectives, rather than relying on AI to think for them.
I am very grateful for the funding provided by the Department of Education, which enabled me to participate in this conference. EUROCALL2026 was more than just an opportunity to show my research findings. It broadened my understanding of the CALL field and allowed me to connect with a supportive and beneficial community of researchers.
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