News from Sibling Organizations
December 2025 AAALetter
Table of Contents
- Building a Dynamic Research Community Within the Canadian Communities and Beyond | Caroline Payant
- Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching (ALLT) | Wafa Zoghbor
Building a Dynamic Research Community Within the Canadian Communities and Beyond
Caroline Payant, UQAM - Université du Québec à Montréal
The Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics/L’Association canadienne de linguistique appliquée (ACLA) is a vibrant community committed to advancing research in applied linguistics in ways that reflect Canada’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity. ACLA was founded more than 40 years ago, and one of its strengths is connecting emerging and experienced researchers from across Canada and internationally who share a commitment to language learning/teaching, language policy, language revitalisation, and language rights. As a member of this association and current president, I have had the pleasure of learning about the work of our members, grounded in values of collaboration, inclusivity, and the promotion of research that matters for both practice-oriented and research-oriented communities, that have an impact on society at large.
Our journal, la Revue canadienne de linguistique appliquée/ the Canadian Journal of Applied Linguistics (CJAL/RCLA), is a cornerstone of our association. This peer-reviewed, open-access journal publishes cutting-edge applied linguistics research in Canada’s two official languages, French and English. By creating a space for dialogue in languages other than English, CJAL/RCLA challenges monolingual traditions of research for publication practices. Further, to encourage and recognize excellence in student research, the journal awards two annual prizes for the best student-authored paper—one in English and one in French. These prizes underscore ACLA’s dedication to promoting and celebrating the next generation of applied linguists.
Another highlight of ACLA’s activities is our annual conference, which has traditionally taken place within the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, an event organized by The Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences that gathers Canadian associations in one location to bridge research across fields. For 2026, however, ACLA has decided to part ways and host its flagship event independently on the Saint-Jean campus of the University of Alberta, Edmonton. Our conference aims to provide a space for established and emerging scholars to share their work in both English and French, supporting ACLA’s commitment to bilingualism and inclusivity. We place a strong emphasis on student scholarship, offering a very welcoming platform for graduate students to present their research and connect with faculty mentors. We also believe in the role of dialogue. As such, we have a dedicated time for poster presentations, increasing visibility and participation. Finally, to encourage plurilingual exchanges, we invite plenary speakers to share their work in French and in English. Increasingly, speakers deliver their plenary in both languages, a step towards a truly plurilingual event. In 2027, ACLA is the local host for AILA, to take place in beautiful Vancouver. This collaborative and international endeavor will continue to promote bilingual scholarship and forge new pathways for research.
Beyond research dissemination, ACLA is deeply committed to mentoring and professional development. Our mentoring program, which was inaugurated by our past president in 2024, Angelica Galante, matches graduate students with faculty members in the field, creating opportunities for dialogue, guidance, and career support before and at the conference. These connections help students navigate the complexities of academic work and work-life balance, while also fostering cross-institutional and cross-generational collaborations. Faculty members who volunteer as mentors make an invaluable contribution by sharing their expertise and helping strengthen the scholarly community. In fact, we welcome mentors who work in diverse contexts, which is a great way to meet our graduate students, and to share their experiences beyond the Canadian borders. We also host online events for graduate students and by graduate students. These events focus on research in progress or on sharing experiences about graduate life from the perspective of parents, visible minorities, or at different stages of graduate work.
To that effect, we also welcome colleagues to get involved by serving as reviewers for CJAL/RCLA and for the ACLA conference. We rely on dedicated scholars to provide constructive, rigorous feedback to authors, ensuring that our journal and conference continue to uphold the highest standards of scholarship. Serving as a reviewer is an excellent way to contribute to the advancement of the field while also staying engaged with the latest research.
Whether through conference participation, journal contributions, mentoring, or reviewing, ACLA offers a variety of ways for applied linguists to become involved in our work. For AAAL members who may be less familiar with ACLA, we have recently launched a new website (www.acla-caal.ca), which showcases initiatives, upcoming events, and community members’ achievements. Information about ways to get involved is published on this site. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about the board, the association, and important deadlines to join us in the near future.
Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching (ALLT)
Wafa Zoghbor, Zayed University
The Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching (ALLT) Initiative was established in 2018 as an international academic platform dedicated to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among linguists, language educators, practitioners, and researchers from around the world. Since its inception, ALLT has provided a vibrant environment for sharing expertise, professional experience, and innovative research in the field of applied linguistics and language teaching.
ALLT held its first annual conference in 2018 at Zayed University’s Dubai campus, marking the beginning of a tradition of academic excellence. Since then, ALLT has continued to grow, working in partnership with leading federal institutions in the UAE, such as Zayed University, the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), and private institutions such as Skyline University. ALLT has hosted its annual conference from 2018 to 2025. Conference proceedings are published by Zayed University Press to further disseminate research within the academic community.
In August 2022, ALLT became an affiliate of the Association Internationale de Linguistique Appliquée (AILA), granting ALLT members the same privileges as those of other AILA-affiliated organizations. These benefits include registration discounts for ALLT’s annual conferences and complimentary attendance at its academic forums.
Beyond its conferences, ALLT regularly organizes local academic forums, providing opportunities for educators and researchers to connect, share experiences, and discuss best practices in a semi-formal setting. These forums have become valuable venues for professional networking and ongoing dialogue within the field.
As part of its commitment to professional development, ALLT has launched student internship programs, offering mentorship and hands-on training in project management within applied linguistics. Additionally, ALLT has initiated a 30-hour certificate training program for teachers of the Arabic language in private schools, focusing on classroom research-based methodologies for effective Arabic instruction.
ALLT supports and welcomes contributions in both English and Arabic throughout its events, ensuring inclusivity and broader engagement across the academic community.
ALLT is also proud to support community engagement initiatives, such as The Young Narrator, an annual nationwide competition launched in 2019. This event encourages families to nurture their children's Arabic language skills through storytelling, with participants from across the Emirates showcasing their creativity and linguistic talents.
Mission of ALLT
The mission of ALLT is to advance the field of applied linguistics and language teaching by fostering scholarly dialogue, promoting best practices, and supporting professional development for educators and researchers. ALLT aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, enhance language education, and contribute to the development of a multilingual and culturally rich society.
Objectives of ALLT
- Promote Collaboration: Facilitate partnerships and knowledge sharing among linguists, educators, and researchers both within the UAE and internationally.
- Support Professional Development: Offer training, mentorship, and resources to empower current and future language professionals.
- Encourage Research and Innovation: Provide platforms for presenting and publishing research in applied linguistics and language teaching.
- Engage the Community: Organize initiatives and competitions that promote language learning and cultural awareness among children, families, and educators.
- Enhance Arabic Language Education: Develop and deliver specialized training programs to improve Arabic language teaching methodologies in schools.
ALLT remains committed to supporting the academic and professional community in the UAE and beyond, continuously seeking new ways to inspire excellence and innovation in applied linguistics and language education.
ALLT Social Media Accounts
ALLT Publications: Open Access E-Books
- 21st Century Linguistics and Language Teaching: Bridging Diversification and Equality in the Classroom
- Innovation, Diversity and Inclusivity in Applied Linguistics and Language Education
- Engaging in Change: New Perspectives of Teaching and Learning
- English Across Disciplines
- Teaching and Learning in a Globalised World
- Advancing English Language Education