The IALLT Presenter Experience: Stories from Past Presenters, Elkin Villaneuva

Finding Our People: Why Gathering Still Matters in 2026

October 26, 2026 2 Views conferences, IALLT

By Edwige Simon, Senior Director of Learning and Technology Solutions, International Center for Language Studies, Programs Director, IALLT

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.69732/CFJX1706

My first IALLT conference was at Tufts University in 2007. It was also my first presentation at an international conference. I remember feeling nervous as I prepared to share a project I had been working on for two years: an in-house professional development program focused on teaching languages with technology.

I came away with valuable feedback, fresh ideas, and, perhaps most importantly, an incredibly warm welcome from a community of relaxed yet passionate language professionals.

While a conference includes its fair share of formal events, some of the most valuable moments at a conference happen over a cup of coffee. A presentation ends, someone asks a question, and suddenly, the conversation spills into the hallway. You discover that a colleague at another institution is struggling with the same problem you are. You compare experiences, exchange ideas, and decide to stay in touch. Sometimes, that conversation becomes a collaboration. Sometimes, it becomes a friendship that lasts for years.

In 2026, when we can attend webinars from our desks, when we can connect with colleagues on Zoom, and ask AI to summarize almost any topic, it may be reasonable to ask whether traveling to a conference is still worth it.

For me, the answer has everything to do with what happens when we give ourselves time to be together.

Going to a conference means stepping away from my usual environment and spending a few days among people who understand our work, with people who care about the questions we care about, with people who “get it.” For me, as I work from home, those moments have become particularly worthwhile because they are so rare.

A Community Across Career Stages

One of the strengths of a professional conference is the opportunity to bring together people at different stages of their careers.

Someone giving their first presentation may sit beside someone who has spent decades shaping the field. The learning moves in every direction. Those entering the profession bring questions and new perspectives. Those with more experience bring context, and wisdom. Together, we can examine what deserves to be preserved and what needs to evolve.

IALLT offers a place for those exchanges. Its international community brings together people who teach languages and support language learning through technology. Across institutions, countries, roles, and career stages, we all have experiences worth sharing and questions worth exploring together.

The IALLT Presenter Experience: Stories from Past Presenters: "Presenting at IALLT gave me the opportunity to share my work with a community that genuinely values innovation in language learning and technology. The conversations and feedback I received helped me to see my research from new perspectives and opened the door to meaningful professional connections. It was one of those experiences that reminds you that presenting your work is not only about sharing what you have done, but also about discovering where it can go next." Elkin Villaneuva, Universidad del Norte — *Picture 1* – The IALLT Presenter Experience, Elkin Villaneuva

What Can Begin with a Presentation

As I was considering ways to incentivize abstract submissions, I started thinking about why I go to professional conferences and what I get out of them. It gave me the idea to ask others the same question. Their answers are peppered through this article.

Petra Juna Jennings describes meeting a colleague from a European university who became a close collaborator. Their partnership grew into visits between their institutions and a jointly organized workshop on integrating AI into language teaching.

The IALLT Presenter Experience: Stories from Past Presenters - I presented at IALLT, and because of that I met a colleague from a European University who became a close collaborator. Our partnership has since grown into mutual visits between our institutions, and we have just co-organized a workshop for European University language teachers on integrating AI into language teaching. Petra Juna Jennings, Head of the Department of Languages, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague — *Picture 2* – The IALLT Presenter Experience, Petra Juna Jennings

Dan Nickolai credits IALLT conferences with helping shape his career: launching iSpraak, learning about grants, and meeting colleagues with whom he continues to collaborate.

The IALLT Presenter Experience - Stories from Past Presenters - I have to credit IALLT for helping shape the arc of my career. It was through IALLT conferences that I first launched iSpraak, learned about navigating grants, and met a community of inspirational leaders that I still collaborate with today. And it all started with a 100 word abstract! Dan Nickolai, Associate Professor at Saint Louis University, iSpraak Founder — *Picture 3* – The IALLT Presenter Experience, Dan Nickolai

Other stories describe feedback that improved a course, connections that led to publications, and colleagues who became sources of support during institutional change.

These outcomes begin when someone decides that their work is worth bringing into the conversation.

The IALLT Presenter Experience: Stories from Past Presenters - I presented at IALLT, and because of that, I met Michele Anciaux Aoki, the conference keynote speaker, who attended my presentation introducing the DIGICOMPASS framework. That encounter led to an ongoing professional collaboration, while DIGICOMPASS itself has continued to grow: DIGICOMPASS Junior was published earlier this year, and The DIGICOMPASS Storyworld is now under contract. Sonia Rocca, Fulbright Global Scholar, Language Educator — *Picture 4* – The IALLT Presenter Experience, Sonia Rocca

Thinking Together About AI

There is also a particular urgency to gathering now.

AI is prompting questions about language teaching, learning, assessment, and the purpose of our work that reminds me of the changes brought by the internet. We are all experimenting, trying to make thoughtful recommendations for our learners and institutions, while dealing with a technology that seems to change on a daily basis.

The IALLT Presenter Experience: Stories from Past Presenters - I presented at IALLT, and because of that, I received feedback from colleagues that directly shaped my virtual reality course. I incorporated their suggestions into my VR activities, particularly how I prepare students to engage with immersive content and how I guide them in reflecting on their experiences. Juliano Saccomani, Associate Instructional Professor of Portuguese and Spanish, The University of Chicago — *Picture 5* – The IALLT Presenter Experience, Juliano Saccomani

As we gather, what can we ask each other, formally from behind a podium or informally, over a cup of tea, about what we’re seeing in our organizations. What are we gaining when using AI? What are we giving up? What should we recommend, and on what grounds?

We all have expertise to contribute. Collectively, we understand language learning, pedagogy, and technology. We have a responsibility to leverage our expertise and put it at the service of our profession.

The IALLT Presenter Experience: Stories from Past Presenters - I was part of a presentation at IALLT that focused on publications, and I discussed our The FLTMAG series "The IALLT Interview Project." Audience members provided exciting ideas about interview topics and suggested people to invite. I really got a sense of what people were interested in hearing about directly from leaders and practitioners, and this drove our planning for the next several interviews. Jeffrey Samuels, IALLT President-Elect, CEO at World Languages 360 — *Picture 6* – The IALLT Presenter Experience, Jeffrey Samuels

Making Human Connections

If you are considering presenting, your classroom experience, your experiment, your unresolved question, or your different perspective may be exactly what another colleague needs to hear. You do not need to have everything figured out to contribute to our collective understanding.

The IALLT Presenter Experience: Stories from Past Presenters - I presented at IALLT, and because of that I developed a strong relationship with other instructors of my target language who love implementing technology in the classroom - a sense of like-minded community to bounce ideas off of. Molly Godwin-Jones, IALLT Secretary-Parliamentarian, Learning Design Specialist at Center for Language & Technology (CLT) — *Picture 7* – The IALLT Presenter Experience, Molly Godwin-Jones

Over the years, I have formed friendships through IALLT that extend well beyond my professional life. These are people whose work I admire and whose company I enjoy. I look forward to finding my people again, continuing our conversations, and welcoming new people into that circle.

The IALLT Presenter Experience: Stories from Past Presenters - I have met so many people through my participation in the IALLT conference. IALLT members tend to know all of the best work that is going on at their institution and can connect you to the people that match your interests. Shannon Quinn, Associate Professor of Russian, Michigan State University — Picture 8 – The IALLT Presenter Experience, Shannon Quinn

That is part of what makes a conference worth the journey: the chance to return to a community and help it grow.

Bring your ideas. Bring your questions. Bring the experience that only you can contribute.

Join us and maybe next time, your experience will be showcased on an IALLT presenter experience slide!

To submit an abstract, visit the IALLT 2027 conference website.