Re-visiting the Prompt: Critical AI Literacy for Language Educators

Another successful collaboration between OU Online Confucius Institute and Lancaster University Confucius Institute.

On Friday 29 May 2026, the Online Confucius Institute at The Open University and Lancaster University Confucius Institute co-organised another successful hybrid teacher training day for teachers of Chinese as a Foreign Language, as well as teachers of other languages.

The theme of this year’s event was “Revisiting the Prompt: Critical AI Literacy for Language Educators”, bringing together educators and researchers to explore the role of artificial intelligence in language teaching, with a particular focus on critical, ethical and inclusive approaches to AI use. We were delighted to welcome 65 delegates on the day, with 22 attending in person at Lancaster University and 43 joining online.

The day featured a strong line-up of keynote speakers who shared cutting-edge perspectives on AI literacy and language education. Keynote contributions included:

• Professor Mirjam Hauck (The Open University) on AI Literacy for Social Justice and Inclusion
• Dr Neil McLean (LSE) on AI literacy as an extension of language provision
• Professor Kate Borthwick (University of Southampton) on developing institutional approaches to AI fluency
• Dr Kan Qian (The Open University), Dr Shi Lijing (LSE) and Professor Xu Xin (Beijing Foreign Studies University) on the critical and ethical use of generative AI and teachers’ perceptions
• Mr Joe Dale (Independent Consultant) on using AI to support vocabulary learning through storytelling 

These sessions highlighted both the opportunities and challenges presented by generative AI, offering practical insights into how language educators can engage critically with emerging technologies.

The afternoon programme placed a strong emphasis on participation and knowledge exchange. Alongside a series of lightning talks, delegates took part in an interactive session focused on prompt design for inclusive language teaching.

This session, structured as a mini “Promptathon”, encouraged participants to collaboratively explore effective approaches to prompt crafting, informed by the Open University’s emerging Critical AI Literacy framework. As in previous years, the event provided a valuable platform for sharing best practice and fostering dialogue across a diverse international community of educators. 

Feedback from participants has been highly positive, with attendees highlighting the relevance of the theme, the quality of the keynote sessions, and the opportunity to share good practices and engage in hands-on activities.

The organisers expressed their appreciation to all speakers and participants for contributing to another engaging and thought-provoking event, and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing this successful partnership.

Abstracts of the presentations and other details of the day are on this page. The presentation slides, keynotes and lightning talks, are at the bottom of the Lancaster University Confucius Institute's page.