We find ourselves at a pivotal moment where the role of generative AI and other technological tools is reshaping the way we teach and learn languages. The question that lies before us is not whether these innovations will shape the future, but rather how we, as educators, will harness their potential to create meaningful and effective language instruction.
The title of our conference, No Fate: The Future is Not Set, underscores our belief that the future is not predetermined. We hope that our conference will serve both as a platform for collaboration and a catalyst for change as it is via the collective effort of educators, researchers, and innovators that the trajectory of language teaching and learning will be determined. By fostering collaboration, sharing insights, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible, we can shape the future of language education.
The metaverse is a brand new ecosystem where the real world and virtual world blend together, creating an online digital space parallel to the physical world. It breaks through the limitations of space and time separation, and is becoming a new field of "co-presence" in online education. This article explores the organic integration of metaverse technology with the development of Chinese international communication, involving elements such as integrated resources, holistic assessment, precision teaching, embodied learning, learning partners, and teaching communities. The practical application of the metaverse helps to promote accurate resource allocation, reshape the global language communication pattern, enhance the international status of Chinese, and promote the development of Chinese language education overseas. Therefore, efforts should be made in seizing opportunities, forward planning, building Chinese teaching resources in the metaverse, and cultivating talents for Chinese international communication in the metaverse, in order to better empower international Chinese education.
