Looking into the Future of Language Learning and Technology with Carol A. Chapelle

Abstract

In this reflective interview, Carol Chapelle traces her pioneering journey in language learning and technology (LLT), beginning in the late 1970s at the University of Illinois, where exposure to early computer-assisted language learning sparked her lifelong interest. Emphasizing that technology is an addition—not a replacement—for the human element in teaching, Chapelle discusses how evolving tools, including generative AI, both enhance and challenge pedagogical practice. She warns against misconceptions that students inherently know how to use technology for learning and that AI can replace educators. Instead, she advocates for equipping teachers with the expertise to guide students in leveraging technology productively. Chapelle highlights the importance of integrating LLT into teacher training and ongoing professional development. She also underscores the empowerment technology offers students, especially through access to cultural content and tools for linguistic analysis. For researchers, corpus linguistics exemplifies how technology transforms language study. Looking ahead, Chapelle foresees continued exploration of generative AI, acknowledging both its pedagogical potential and the uncertainty it introduces. Despite fears of AI replacing language education, she reaffirms the enduring human drive to learn language. This interview captures the evolving interplay between language, technology, and pedagogy from one of the field’s most influential voices.