Thank you for your interest! Abstract submissions for this event are now closed. For the latest conference updates and information, please visit this Conference page.

Welcome to the IATEFL PronSIG Online Conference 2024!

Pronunciation and AI:
Will the AI revolution remove the need for pronunciation teachers?

12 October 2024, 09.30 -17.00 UK time

We are now accepting speaker proposals for our 2024 October online conference being held on Saturday, 12th October 2024.

If you would like to propose a presentation, poster, workshop, panel, teachers tip or tools session, please read the event information and submission instructions below, and complete the submission form.

About the Conference theme:

Discussions about AI’s role in English language teaching are inescapable at present, as are concerns that it could ultimately replace teachers, or, at the very least, change our learning environments beyond all recognition. This is particularly visible in the field of pronunciation instruction, where voice recognition technology, automated learner feedback, and voice assistants are becoming increasingly common. While this may cause worry initially, we cannot ignore the potential benefits these developments could offer both learners and teachers.
Join PronSIG for this whole day conference as we discuss what the AI revolution could mean for pronunciation instruction. 

Instructions for submission:

We are particularly interested in receiving proposals on Pronunciation, AI and any of the following topics:

  • classroom instruction
  • materials writing
  • autonomous learning
  • challenging standard pronunciation models
  • exposure and access to diverse Englishes
  • critical applications
  • limitations
  • theory
  • Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR)
  • Text-to-Speech (TTS)
  • Speech-to-Speech (STS)
  • Voice Cloning
  • ethics
  • and/or any other related field.

All of the following session formats will be considered:

  • presentations (20 +10 minutes for Q&A)
    • These sessions should explore a specific topic reflecting what is stated in the abstract
    • Make use of slides (e.g. PowerPoint, Google Slides) with visuals and judicious use of text to support your ideas
  • posters (5 +3 minutes for Q&A)
    • Create a visually engaging display (48″ x 36″ / 121 cm x 91 cm) using software such as Canva, PowerPoint and Google Slides. 
    • Ensure your presentation has clear and concise text and images for improved comprehension.
  • workshops (35+10 minutes Q&A),
    • These sessions are longer than presentations to make room for interaction with attendants in activities or discussions related to the chosen topic. 
    • Consider providing a handout or other support material to share with and guide your audience during such activities. Bear in mind that our events will run on Zoom.
  • panels (35 + 10 minutes Q&A), and
    • These are group discussions with no more than three presenters on the topic included in the abstract. 
    • Each panelist should speak for approximately five minutes on their perspective regarding the topic, followed by a 15-minute moderated discussion and a 10-minute audience Q&A.
  • teachers’ tips (7 minutes + 3 minutes Q&A)
    • Share one or two practical tips that teacher can use in their teaching
    • Present concisely; you may use slides or other presentation tools, but the main aim should be on giving advice that is practical and applicable for teachers.
  • tools session (10 + 10 Q&A)
    • Demonstrate one tool or a contrastive analysis of two regarding the topic of our conference.
    • Provide your audience with a brief overview of what the tool does. 

Please complete this Google form in accordance with the following limitations:

  • Session title: 12 words
  • Session abstract: 60 words
  • Speaker biodata: 30 words

Deadline for proposals: midnight (UK time) Saturday 31st August

The PronSIG committee will be in touch regarding the outcome of your proposed session in September 2024.