This book began as one of the publication outlets for two flagship conferences in 2019: 12th Conaplin (Conference on Applied Linguistics) and 3rd Icollite (International Conference on Language, Literature, Culture, and Education) which bring forth broad topics in the fields of education, applied linguistics, and literature organized by the Indonesia University of Education (UPI – Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia). Conaplin is one of the first annual conferences held by UPI, organized by the Language Centre in collaboration with the English Language Department. Icollite, on the other hand, emerged from the local scientific forum into an international conference to showcase the latest insights offered by new doctoral graduates in the Faculty of Language and Literature Education. For the themes of 2019 put forth by the two conferences, 12th Conaplin’s “Applied Linguistics and Industrial Revolution 4.0: Reviewing Policy, Expanding Research, Enriching Practices” and 3rd Icollite’s “Bridging Literacies, Culture, and Society towards Education 4.0”, we highlight the importance of current buzz words in the language and education fields. We have observed that the proliferation of the use of these terms signals how communities in general, especially those in higher education, are grappling with responding to rapid changes in the IR 4.0. In the era we live in, humanity is being reshaped at an unprecedented speed and scale, mainly due to the advancement of technology. In order to maintain balance in our educational system so that social and cultural aspects can work harmoniously with the advancement of technology that can sometimes be isolating and impersonal, we collectively need to identify new and innovative ways in which we support the full potentials of our students, colleagues, and communities in interconnected global interactions. To this end, we need to review our existing policies in education, expanding our research to foster more collaboration and interdisciplinary connection to provide solutions and alternatives to problems that might arise as the consequence of the changing times.
