Online Symposium: Next-Generation Language Assessment Literacy in the AI Era
Dr. Stergiani Kostopoulou, lecturer in EAP at our Language Centre is involved in organising the Online Symposium on Thursday 16 October 2025, 13:55–17:30 CE
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant promise but a powerful force already
transforming how we teach, learn, and assess languages. This raises crucial questions: How
can AI enhance language assessment literacy? What new opportunities does it open for
fairness, inclusivity, and innovation — and what risks and ethical challenges must we
address?
This international online symposium brings together renowned scholars and researchers
from around the world to explore these pressing issues. Presentations span three themed
parts, covering AI-driven assessment frameworks, classroom practices, writing and self-
assessment, and the readiness of learners and institutions for an AI-shaped future.
Participants will engage with 13 thought-provoking talks, interactive discussion groups, and
a plenary wrap-up led by Prof. Barry O’Sullivan, who will draw together insights and chart
future directions for research, practice, and policy in this rapidly evolving field.
Find out more here
Registration link: (opens in a new window)https://ucd-ie.zoom.us/meeting/register/Z9vNaUaQQ0mbC5T94rrXPQ
Conference Participation 2025
Our staff regularly attend and present papers at conferences on language teaching and on teaching English for Academic Purposes.
In April 2025, we presented three papers at the biennial BALEAP conference (see image of Dr Stephen Kelly presenting a paper on The Oral Defense), hosted by Plymouth University.
Conferences such as BALEAP, AULC, EALTA, EAQUALS and ELT Ireland allow our staff to share research and ideas with other experts in the field. We are currently involved in a number of research projects concerning the relationship between language proficiency, academic success and employment after university, and the academic faculty are actively engaged in publishing their work.
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Think Languages Week
We welcomed over 100 secondary school students to the UCD Language Centre for taster classes in Swahili, Polish, Russian, Korean and Arabic as part of Think Languages Week 2023 and again in 2024!
Our Spanish lecturer also spoke to them about the benefits of language electives in UCD earlier this week. Great fun was had by all!
#ThinkLanguages is an annual TY event, facilitated by Languages Connect that looks to highlight the many cultural, personal and career benefits of modern foreign languages. It takes languages out of the books with a great mix of live and pre-recorded workshops, a fun interactive nationwide quiz, inspiring speakers and lots more!
#ThinkLanguages is a national Irish TY event, supported by Languages Connect in conjunction with the implementation of Languages Connect, Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017-2026.
Professional Certificate TESOL
We welcomed teachers from UCD's Partnership College, Chang’an-Dublin International College of Transportation (CDIC) in the Summer trimester of 2023, 2024 and 2025 to complete the Professional Certificate in TESOL.
The Professional Certificate in TESOL is aimed at experienced TESOL teachers. The programme is designed to provide teachers with practical knowledge and skills they can immediately apply to their teaching practice.
The students also had a great time exploring UCD and Ireland and formed lasting bonds with the Centre's academic staff.
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Official Launch of the Centre for English and Global Languages
The UCD Centre for English and Global Languages held a very successful launch event in May 2023 to celebrate the new Centre name. The Vice-President for Global Engagement, Professor Dolores O'Riordan, opened the event followed by an overview of what we do from the Head of Unit, Dr Anna Nunan. Some of the Centre's academic team, Dr Stergiani Kostopoulou and Dr Alex Runchman, then presented the various programmes we offer. This was followed by an informal Q&A session over lunch:
Introduction - Professor Dolores O'Riordan, VP Global Engagement
Overview of Centre programmes: Global Language Electives and MA TESOL - Dr Anna Nunan (Head of Unit, CEGL)
Brief introduction to the Pre-Master’s and Pre-Sessional EAP programmes - Dr Stergiani Kostopolou (STF, CEGL)
Overview of EAP programmes at the UCD joint international colleges in China - Dr Alex Runchman (STF, CEGL)
International Mother Language Day 2023
The Applied Language Centre was happy to take part in UCD's International Mother Language Day celebration video, compiled by UCD Languages for Life. Today we celebrate all languages. We celebrate their diversity and recognize the host of different cultures that spring from them, with a special thought for the languages and cultures of minority communities and indigenous peoples. Happy International Mother Language Day!