Meeting evolution with innovation: an introduction to (re-)profiling T&I education

ABSTRACT This special issue is made up of nine studies from different countries and regions that deliver important insights on major issues in current language-mediator education and practice. The rapid and accelerating evolution of the language industry and its work market has profound repercussions for the education of future language professionals. Resonating far beyond the various contexts from which they come, the contributions foreground innovative educational approaches and empirical research designed to interface closely with the industry and to address current and future trends in professional practice. The papers collectively offer perspectives on developing future-oriented ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ skills in students, teachers and working professionals: emotional intelligence, professional identity construction in trainers, the efficacy of micro-learning in online teaching, agentic MT post-/pre-editing, literacy and consultancy skills and roles, and the importance of domain, terminology and technology competence. With research aimed principally at developing and deploying value-adding skills and agency, the authors apply both interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary methods that shed light on multiple dimensions and epistemologies of educating for new and emerging demands on language professionals.