The International Forum on Linguistics and Chinese Education (IFOLCE) is an annual academic gathering committed to advancing the application of contemporary linguistic research in teaching Chinese as a second language. IFOLCE was first launched in 2015 through a collaborative initiative among scholars from eight universities across the United States, Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong. Since its inception, the forum has been hosted on a rotational basis at three locations (the US, Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong) with at least one co-organizer, to foster international dialogue and scholarly exchange in the relevant fields. IFOLCE-1 was held at University of California at Davis (co-organizer Columbia University), IFOLCE-2 at Beijing Language and Culture University (co-organizer Peking University), IFOLCE-3 at University of Notre Dame (co-organizer Princeton University), IFOLCE-4 at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (co-organizer Stanford University), IFOLCE-5 at Columbia University (co-organizer UC-Davis), IFOLCE-6 at Stanford University (co-organizers City University of Hong Kong and the Chinese Language Teachers Association of California), IFOLCE-7 at Peking University (co-organizer Beijing Language and Culture University), and IFOLCE-8 at Princeton University (co-organizer University of Notre Dame). IFOLCE-9 will be hosted by City University of Hong Kong, in partnership with The Education University of Hong Kong and Stanford University as co-organizers, from June 26 to 28, 2026. The forum has invited two internationally renowned scholars as keynote speakers, along with twelve leading scholars in Chinese linguistics and pedagogy as invited speakers.
The theme of IFOLCE-9 is Chinese Linguistics, Chinese Education, and Generative AI, advocating cross-disciplinary and empirically oriented research for the advancement of Chinese-related research and applications in the AI era. The progress in linguistics and Chinese as a second or foreign language depends on a solid foundation and up-to-date methods in linguistic research and a meaningful and effective application of new findings and technologies to teaching practices. The purpose is to elevate the quality and benchmark of Chinese language research and education worldwide. This mission honors the legacy of pioneering scholars in modern Chinese linguistics and education, most notably Prof. Yuan Ren Chao and other pioneers, whose contributions continue to inspire generations of educators and researchers. IFOLCE cordially invites scholars, educators, and practitioners from around the globe to rigorize and advance the distinguished tradition of integrating linguistic research into Chinese language education. We welcome exchanges of the latest findings in cutting-edge research, empirical approaches, and innovative methods both in theoretical and pedagogical applications, including AI-integrated technologies in language research and instruction.