An inspiring conference at Liaoning University (LNU) in Shenyang

The conference banner at the entrance of Liaoning University in Shenyang
The conference banner at the entrance of Liaoning University in Shenyang

The 7th National Symposium on Foreign Language Teacher Education and Development took place at Liaoning University (LNU) in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, Northeast China, September 18-20, 2026. This year theme was ”Innovation in Foreign Language Education and Teachers’ Competence Development in the Digital Intelligence Era.”

The academic event was organized by the Professional Committee for Foreign Language Teacher Education and Development, China Association for Comparative Studies of English and Chinese (CACSEC). The conference was undertaken by the College of Foreign Studies, LNU and chaired by Professor of Sociolinguistics and Dean of the College of Foreign Studies, LIU Yi.

The conference materials
The conference materials

The event brought together some 300 delegates from universities, other educational institutions, publishers, and technology companies all over China.

The keynote speakers included:

-Prof. ZENG Tianshan from the Ministry of Education – Curriculum & Teaching Material Research Institute,

-Prof. LI Mang from Beijing Normal University,

-Prof. ZHANG Lian from Beijing Foreign Studies University, CACSEC Chair

-Prof. SANNINO Annalisa from Tampere University

Annalisa Sannino during her keynote address ”AI as a humanizing opportunity: The perspectives of four generations of cultural-historical activity theory”
Annalisa Sannino during her keynote address ”AI as a humanizing opportunity: The perspectives of four generations of cultural-historical activity theory”

”This was such a welcoming, joyful event filled with highly constructive discussions. I am deeply grateful to Prof. ZHANG Lian and to Professor LIU Yi and to her team at the College of Foreign Studies, for this exceptional opportunity of learning from and together with so many Chinese scholars, practitioners and students” says Annalisa Sannino.

Together with Dr Danyang WANG and Dr Portia WANG at the College of Foreign Studies, LNU
Together with Dr WANG Danyang and Dr WANG Jing at the College of Foreign Studies, LNU

”During my visit I had the pleasure to meet colleagues with whom I am collaborating since the Finnish Ministry of Education launched an initiative of research-based cooperation between Chinese and Finnish higher education institutions toward a Global Innovation Network for Learning and Teaching (GINTL, 2021-2024), as well as colleagues who have visited Tampere University as part of other collaboration initiatives.”

At the Panel “ Language Teachers’ Work and Life: Identity, Agency, Commitment, and Practice”
At the Panel “ Language Teachers’ Work and Life: Identity, Agency, Commitment, and Practice”

”I had the pleasure to attend the Panel ‘Language Teachers’ Work and Life: Identity, Agency, Commitment, and Practice’. It was a nice surprise to learn that the colleagues had visited Tampere University as part of cooperation initiatives with my local colleagues in Finland.”

The panel brought together the research team of Professors XIONG, LI and WU to present empirical studies on language teachers’ professional commitment, classroom practice, identity construction and agency. The panel sparked vibrant discussion among panel members, doctoral students and participants. Photo: from the right, front row: Prof. XIONG Tao, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies; Prof. SANNINO Annalisa, Tampere University; Prof. LI Huiyin, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies; Prof. WU Chi, Hunan Normal University. Back row: WEI Jianwei, WANG Yongjian, ZHENG Jiaxin, and Dr. YIN Feifei.

The beautiful library of Liaoning University in Shenyang
The beautiful library of Liaoning University in Shenyang

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