Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages has integrated the Virtual Immersive Language Lab (VILL) platform into its English curriculum, combining artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) to create a mobile-first, interactive environment for English learning.
The university’s Center for English Language Teaching (CELT) showcased its achievements at the Greater South AI R&D Highlights and Talent Exchange hosted by National Cheng Kung University, an event held alongside the 2025 STSP Industry-Academia Association General Assembly. Wenzao’s presentation drew attention for its innovative application of AI technology in language education.
According to CELT director Chang Hui-hsiang (張惠翔), the integration of VILL represents Wenzao’s ongoing efforts to merge emerging technologies with English instruction. The platform allows teachers to convert their materials into interactive digital lessons that offer real-time and personalized feedback to learners.
Instructor Chen Hung-yu (陳虹育), who led the R&D team behind VILL, said the system aims to reduce teachers’ preparation time while improving students’ engagement and performance. “By combining AR-based quizzes and AI-driven conversational practice, VILL helps students experience language in immersive and realistic contexts,” Chen said.
The development team includes members from both Taiwan and overseas institutions. The system’s architecture and AI chatbot were designed by Ben Yen (顏伯勳), a cybersecurity engineer based in Silicon Valley. Tsai Yu-sheng (蔡宥勝) from National Cheng Kung University’s Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering developed the AR and iOS applications, while Tu Hsuan-ping (涂宣平) from the University of Toronto built the Android AR foundation. Lee Chun-yi (李軍毅), a student in Wenzao’s Department of Digital Content Application and Management, was responsible for user interface design and social media promotion.
Academics attending the event praised Wenzao’s use of AI as a bridge between technology and education. “AI is not only a technological tool but also a catalyst for educational innovation,” one attendee said.
The Greater South AI R&D Highlights and Talent Exchange featured 19 universities and institutions from southern Taiwan, presenting around 50 AI-related projects in fields such as smart manufacturing, AI-powered medical imaging, cloud-based AI management, generative AI systems, and language learning applications. Organizers said the event demonstrated the growing collaboration between academia and industry in driving AI research and education in the region.
