Innovazione tecnologica ed educazione linguistica: un’introduzione

This editorial introduction to the special issue of RILA lays the groundwork for a collection of 26 papers on technological innovation for language education. These range, among others, from the use of digital environments and podcasts for foreign or second language acquisition, to the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in teaching Italian as a second language; from the use of corpora and digital dictionaries and the integration of GenAI in machine translation, to the design of interactive courses tailored to learners with special educational needs; from the role of AI-driven silent books to the use of digital media for professional training. This article highlights how approaches such as Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) have evolved into the broader framework of Technology-Enhanced Language Learning (TELL), embracing more holistic and adaptive teaching models, with a growing emphasis on personalized and inclusive practices. However, challenges persist in integrating advanced technologies into educational settings and must therefore be adequately addressed. To this end, we advocate for a pedagogically grounded and ethically conscious use of educational technologies to foster learners’ critical digital citizenship and to enhance the transformative potential of language education.