Educators Discuss Game-Based Approaches During Computer-Assisted Language Learning Roundtable

On May 1, the World Languages and Digital Humanities Studio hosted the final event of the semester. The Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) 2026 Edited Volume Roundtable featured a panel of authors and editors from the World Languages, Literatures and Cultures department.

Linda Jones, chair of the department; David Fredrick, professor of classical studies in the department; and Curtis Maughan, professor of digital humanities in the department, are the editors of the 2026 volume, published by University of Toronto Press. Jacob Abell of Baylor University served as the event's guest speaker. 

WLLC authors and contributors shared their research and collaborations both within and beyond the department. Look below for the full line-up of presenters, along with their presentation titles: 

• Jacob Abell (Baylor): "Chatting with the Past: AI-Facilitated Learning and Medieval French"  

• Ryan Calabretta-Sajder, Claudia Devich, Valentina Morello: "Gaming Italian Style: Adopting Commercial Videogames in the Elementary Italian Curriculum"  

• Maria Comsa: "Digital Innovations that Enrich French Language Instruction in Higher Education"  

• Michael Hall: "Holographic Universe: The Story and Mission of the VR Classroom at UARK"  

• Heather Offerman: "L2 Pronunciation Instruction Methodology and L2 Perception: Assessing Production Instruction Effects on Perception in L2 Spanish"  

• Maria Comsa, Curtis Maughan, Sung-Hye Yang: "Immerse at UARK: AI-Powered Language Practice for French and Spanish" 

Brief question-and-answer sessions followed the presentations, with topics ranging from ethical uses of AI and how humanistic approaches to technology can positively impact the humanities, as well as concerns for the future of AI education and how to potentially address them. All WLLC events, including WLDH Studio events, are made available on the UARK Calendar. Please subscribe for updates.