Speakers
ICARLL 2026 invites you to a dynamic and inspiring platform dedicated to shaping the future of language education. We are honored to feature three highly esteemed speakers who will bring fresh ideas, cutting-edge insights and practical strategies grounded in the spirit of action research. Their sessions aim to energize your thinking, spark meaningful innovation and open new pathways for impactful work in both teaching and research. Step into ICARLL 2026 and experience a space designed to ignite discovery, creativity and professional growth
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Prof. Anne Burns
University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, AustraliaKeynote Speaker
Prof. Anne Burns is an Honorary Professor of TESOL in the School of Education at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia. She has held senior academic and leadership positions at Macquarie University, including Chair and Professor in the Department of Linguistics, Associate Director of the National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research (NCELTR), and Dean of the Division of Linguistics and Psychology. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Curtin University, and a Professor Emerita at Aston University.
Her research expertise includes action research, language teacher education, second language speaking, and TESOL curriculum and assessment. She has published extensively in high-impact international journals and books and is widely cited in applied linguistics. Her professional services included Chair of the TESOL Research Standing Committee, Member-at-Large of the AILA Executive Board, and Board Member of the Extensive Reading Foundation.
She was recognised by the TESOL International Association at their 50th anniversary in 2017 as one of the 50@50 scholars who have made an outstanding contribution to TESOL and applied linguistics. In 2019, she was listed on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Burns_(linguist)
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Assoc Prof. Dr. Azmi Abdul Latiff
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn (UTHM), MalaysiaPlenary Speaker
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azmi Abdul Latiff is an academic in English Linguistics at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia with over three decades of experience in English language education.
His research interests include action research in language classrooms, the pedagogical use of humour, gamification, AI in language education, and technology-enhanced learning. He has presented widely at national and international conferences and has been invited to contribute as a visiting professor and plenary speaker. Dr Azmi has led community-engaged educational projects and secured research grants focusing on innovative and sustainable language practices.
He actively supervises postgraduate students and serves as an internal and external examiner for doctoral theses in TESL and applied linguistics. His work bridges theory and practice, promoting action research as a transformative approach to meaningful and impactful language learning.
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Prof. Dr. Raja Nor Safinas Raja Harun
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)Workshop Lead
Prof. Dr. Raja Nor Safinas Raja Harun is a Professor at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) with extensive experience in TESL, teacher education, and curriculum development. She has served in various academic leadership roles, including Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Communication, and is a member of the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL).
Her teaching philosophy is grounded in constructivist learning theory, emphasising coaching for learning, reflective practice, and dialogic interaction. She is known for her innovative approaches, including the use of integrated portfolios, e-books, and e-portfolios to enhance student learning.
Prof. Dr. Raja Nor Safinas has led multiple funded research projects and published widely in high-impact journals and indexed proceedings. She has delivered invited talks at national events and received recognition for her contributions to education, including the Teaching Award (Arts and Social Sciences Cluster) - Anugerah Pengajaran (Kelompok Sastera dan Sains Sosial) from the Anugerah Akademik Negara.