Global Perspectives July 9, 2025 Webinar Agenda

All times are Central Time

Speakers & Participants

9:00-9:15 a.m. Opening Remarks

Speaker: Conference Hosts/Organizers - Dr. Sara Ahnell, Assistant Professor of Foreign Language Education, and Dr. Andy Gillespie, Assistant Provost for International Programs, Auburn University

9:15-9:45 a.m. Keynote Address: The Future of Language Education

Speaker: Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth, JD, Spanish & STEAM Emerging Technologies Teacher, Edtech Consultant, and Education and AI Author, ISTE Certified Educator, EdTech Trendsetter Winner for 2024, EdTech Digest

Blog: www.Rdene915.com
X/Twitter: @Rdene915

9:45-10:45 a.m. Panel Discussion: Global Perspectives on the Future of Primary and Secondary School Language Education: Educating our Young Citizens

Speakers

Ms. Sophie Chou, Director of Education Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US, Washington, DC, and the Ministry of Education, Taipei, Taiwan

Mr. Darren Croswell, Consul, Consulate General of Canada, Atlanta, GA

Ms. Teresina Vazquez, World Languages Specialist, State of Alabama, Department of Education Montgomery, Alabama

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Topic-Based Breakout Sessions

  • Teacher Professional Development - AI Integration in Language Classrooms: Practical strategies for incorporating AI tools in K-12 language teaching. Available tools and approximate costs.

    Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth
    Spanish & STEAM Emerging Technologies Teacher
    Edtech Consultant, and Education and AI Author

  • Advocacy in Action: How to effectively advocate for language programs within schools, districts, and at the state level.

    Dr. Kristin Davin, Professor and Program Director
    World Language Education
    Department of Middle, Secondary & K-12 Education
    UNC Charlotte, NC

  • Cultural Competence: Incorporating culture into language instruction and assessing cultural competency.

    Dr. Adeola Fayemi, Director, and
    Ms. Zadie Lakin, TESL/TEFL Graduate Assistant
    International Cultural Center
    Auburn University

  • Living the Language: Weaving Experience into Language Acquisition
    Innovative Practices for Experiential Language Learning in and beyond the Classroom

    EF Study Abroad (Education First)
    Dr. David Bish, Director of Academic Affairs and Product Development for EF International Language Campuses, and Alex Luther, Director of Program Design, EF Educational Tours

12:00-1:00 p.m. Optional Informal Virtual Lunch Tables

Language instructor networking by language, state or region.

1:00-3:15 p.m. Interactive AI Workshop: AI in the K-12 Classroom: Practical Applications

Facilitator: Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth, JD, Spanish & STEAM Emerging Technologies Teacher, Edtech Consultant, and Education and AI Author, ISTE Certified Educator, EdTech Trendsetter Winner for 2024, EdTech Digest

3:30-4:30 p.m. Language-Specific Resources – Breakout Rooms

Speakers

French: Dr. Evelyne Bornier, World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, Auburn University, Ms. Flavie-Isabelle Hade, Deputy Director General and Director of Programming Centre de la francophonie des Amériques Quebec, Canada, & Dr. Gabriel Michaud, Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada

German: Dr. Susanne Rinner & Michael Thompson, Goethe-Institut Washington, Washington, DC, (or colleague)
www.goethe.de/washington

Spanish: Mr. Alberto Salinero Garcia, Asesoro Técnico / Education Advisor, Education Office, Consulate General of Spain, Miami, FL,
www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/miami/en/Paginas/

Mandarin: Mr. Robert Lee, Administrative Officer & Ms. Sophie Chou, Director of Education Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US, Washington, DC,
www.taiwanembassy.org/us_en/index.html

Korean: Ms. Hyungmi An, Director, King Sejong Institute Foundation, US, Los Angeles, CA,
www.ksicusa.com/

Japanese: Mr. Mike Penny, Program Officer, The Japan Foundation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Los Angeles, CA,
www.jflalc.org/

Less Commonly-Taught Languages: Dr. Todd Shipman, Associate Professor and Education and World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Librarian, Auburn University Libraries, Auburn, AL.
www.lib.auburn.edu/

4:30-5:00 p.m.: Closing Speaker

Speaker: Douglas Casson Coutts, Distinguished Visiting Professor Emeritus, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.

5:00-5:30 p.m. Final Reflections and Networking

Speaker: Dr. Sara Ahnell, Conference Host/Organizer, Assistant Professor of Foreign Language Education, Auburn University, saw0011@auburn.edu