PENANG, 9 May 2026 – The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Languages, Literacies and Translation (SoLLaT) has recently organised the ‘International Conference on Action Research in Language Learning (ICARLL) 2026’, here in Penang.

With the theme ‘Innovating Language Education Through Action Research’, the two-day conference saw the presentation of 84 papers, along with the attendance of close to 170 local and international participants.

In her opening speech, SoLLat Deputy Dean (Research, Innovation and Industry-Community Network), Associate Professor Dr. Manjet Kaur Mehar Singh said that the conference, which focuses on Action Research, has brought together educators, students, institutions, and scholars.

“The conference, held for the first time, has the objectives of advancing language education, understanding issues regarding language educators, reaching further beyond the four walls of institutions, and to inspire changes within a diverse environment,” added Manjet Kaur, who is also the Chairperson of ICARLL 2026.

She further said, “The conference would be an appropriate platform to share, to learn, and to lead, bringing ideas and creativity into fruition in classrooms,” and continued by saying that as a research university, USM is committed towards realising innovations, achieving excellence, and driving social impact.

Following the officiation of the conference, the keynote speaker, Professor Ann Burns from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia, and Professor Emerita from Aston University talked on Action Research as part of innovation in language education.

She emphasised teachers as repositories of knowledge in relation to teaching activities in the classroom, and on the ‘why, how and what’ aspects of doing Action Research to bring about changes in language education.

By the end of the two-day conference, the presentations had touched on issues regarding AI and language education, gamification in the teaching of English and other languages (such as Bahasa Melayu/Malay language, Bangladeshi, Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish), and teaching in the context of ESL/EFL/ESP, Special Education, and Remedial students.

 

Recognitions were also given to the best presentations in three categories; ‘The Most Creative,’ ‘The Most Engaging,’ and ‘The Most Informative’.

The conference, held from 6-7 May 2026, was co-organised with the Malaysian Ministry of Education (KPM), Majlis Dekan-dekan Bahasa Universiti Awam (Malaysian Public Universities Language Deans Council/MaLDeC) and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).

Strategic partners in the organisation of the conference include Sanming University, Fujian, China; University of Bahrain (UoB), Kingdom of Bahrain; Princess of Naradhiwas University (PNU), Narathiwat, Thailand; and the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (MELTA).

Organisation of the conference was also supported by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), an agency under the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).

Also present at the conference opening and closing ceremony included the Chairperson of MaLDec, Professor Dr. Surinderpal Kaur Chanan Singh; President of MELTA, Professor Dr. Sivabala Naidu; Sanming University representative, Professor Dr. Lu Min; plenary speaker Associate Professor Dr. Azmi Abdul Latiff from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM); workshop session facilitator, Professor Dr. Raja Nor Safinas Raja Harun from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI); SoLLaT Deputy Dean for Talent Development, Professional & Students/ICARLL Deputy Chairperson, Kelana Ahmad; Dean of Faculty of Languages and Communication, UPSI, Associate Professor Dr. Mazura@Mastura Muhammad; representative of Faculty of Education, Languages and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Dr. Dilah Tuah; and DBP Northern Region representative, Roshaliza Sulaiman.

Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Photo: School of Languages, Literacies and Translation (SoLLaT), USM