The China-U.S. Alliance of College Teachers of Chinese was established at Xiamen University in 2024 and has since successfully held three annual conferences–in Xiamen (2024), Hong Kong (2025), and Macau (2026). To further promote international collaboration in Chinese language education, deepen the integration of humanistic values into language pedagogy and research, and explore what lies beyond the technological paradigm in international Chinese language education, the Alliance will hold its Fourth Conference in China, from May 28 to May 29, 2027.
The 2027 conference is co-organized by the China-U.S. Alliance of College Teachers of Chinese and Duke Kunshan University, and hosted by the Language and Culture Center, Duke Kunshan University.
Conference Dates: May 28-29, 2027 (check-in: afternoon of May 28, 2027)
Pre-conference Workshops: Afternoon of May 28, 2027
Proposal submission deadline: December 15, 2026
Theme
Beyond AI: Chinese Language Teaching and Humanity
AI 之外：国际中文教育与人文传承
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the landscape of language education and transform how we teach, learn, assess, and develop materials, a critical question emerges: What endures? The 2027 conference invites us to look beyond AI to explore the human dimensions, as the fundamental element of language teaching that no technology can replace: the cultivation of critical thinking, the nurturing of intercultural empathy, the transmission of cultural heritage, and the irreplaceable human connections that lie at the heart of language learning.
While AI offers powerful tools for personalization, efficiency, and accessibility, international Chinese language education must also attend to what makes us human–the teacher’s professional judgement, the learner’s agency and subjectivity, and the cultural understanding and humanistic care embedded in language education. This conference seeks to explore the intersection of technological innovation and humanistic values, asking how we can harness AI’s potential while safeguarding and enriching the human core of Chinese language teaching.
Suggested Topics
We welcome proposals in the following topics, including but not limited to:
- Humanistic approaches to AI-assisted Chinese language teaching, learning, and assessment
- Cultivating critical thinking and creativity in the age of intelligent language education
- Intercultural competence and cross-cultural communication beyond AI mediation
- The teacher’s role and professional identity in human-AI collaborative classrooms
- Preserving cultural heritage and humanities in digitally mediated Chinese education
- Learner autonomy, agency, and emotional engagement in AI-enhanced environments
- Ethical considerations in AI-driven Chinese language education
- Balancing technological efficiency with pedagogical depth and human interaction
- Interdisciplinary approaches to integrating humanities and AI in Chinese language curricula
- Other topics related to the human dimensions of international Chinese language education
Best Paper Award
The Best Paper Award recognizes an outstanding paper presented at the 2027 Conference of the China-U.S. Alliance of College Teachers of Chinese. The award honors original research that makes a significant contribution to the understanding and advancement of Chinese language education.
Eligible papers will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- originality and significance of the research;
- theoretical or conceptual contribution;
- methodological rigor;
- relevance to Chinese language learning and teaching;
- clarity and coherence of the argument; and
- potential impact on research, pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, teacher education, or educational policy.
Submission Guidelines
Abstract Submission: Please submit a one-page abstract (in Chinese or English) of approximately 300-600 words through the link below, including project overview, methodology, findings, and significance. Each participant may submit one single-authored abstract and one co-authored abstract, or two co-authored abstracts in total.
All submission will undergo anonymous peer review, and notification of acceptance will be sent by email.
Submission of Best Paper Nominations: Authors interested to be considered for the “Best Paper Award” should submit an abstract in Chinese or English along with the paper title, author’s name and affiliation, and a brief one-page statement explaining why the paper merits consideration, to the link below by December 15, 2026. The complete paper must be submitted to CUACTC-2027@dukekunshan.edu.cn by April 15, 2027. Only papers accepted and presented at the conference will be considered for the award. A selection committee will review nominated papers and makes a final decision of the award.
Important Dates
- Submission Deadline for Abstracts of Presentation and Best Paper: December 15, 2026
- Notification of Presentation Acceptance: January 15, 2027
- Registration Deadline: March 15, 2027 (Details to be announced by January 2027)
- Submission of Full Paper: April 15, 2027 (Upon invitation)
Contact Information
Questions and inquiries should be sent to conference email:
Submission Deadline for Abstracts of Presentation and Best Paper: December 15, 2026
Notification of Presentation Acceptance: January 15, 2027
Registration Deadline: March 15, 2027 (Details to be announced by January 2027)
Submission of Full Paper: April 15, 2027 (Upon invitation)
Pre-Conference Workshop and Check-in: Afternoon of May 28, 2027
Conference Day: May 29, 2027
The conference program will be updated later.
Registration fee:
RMB 800 per person. The registration fee covers conference materials, tea breaks, and a conference luncheon. Participants are responsible for their own transportation, accommodation, and other meals. Details on payment methods will be provided in subsequent announcements.
Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
More details will be updated later.
Contact the Conference Organizing Committee for any inquiries about the conference.