Full Title: 3rd International Conference on Early Language Learning and Multilingual Education in Early Childhood
Short Title: ELLME2025

Date: 19-Sep-2025 - 20-Sep-2025
Location: Thessaloniki, Greece
Contact Person: Thomai Alexiou
Meeting Email: [email protected]
Web Site: https://www.ellmenet.com/ellme25

Linguistic Field(s): Applied Linguistics; Sociolinguistics

Call Deadline: 20-Jan-2025

Meeting Description:

The School of English of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, in cooperation with ELLMEnet (Early Language Learning and Multilingual Education Network) and GALA (the Greek Applied Linguistics Association), are proud to welcome researchers from all over the world to contribute to our 3rd International Conference on Early Language Learning and Multilingual Education in Early Childhood. In an increasingly interconnected and globalized world, the significance of multilingualism in the very early years of a child's development cannot be overlooked. The acquisition of multiple languages during the educational stages of life not only enriches cognitive and linguistic abilities, but also fosters a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives. This burgeoning area of research has garnered substantial attention from scholars, educators, and policymakers alike, as the advantages of early multilingual exposure extend beyond linguistic prowess to encompass broader cognitive, socio-cultural, and educational dimensions. This 3rd ELLME Conference will serve a pivotal platform to delve into the intricate interplay between language acquisition, cognitive development, and social and family engagement.

Promoted by ELLMEnet, this international conference aims at analysing and discussing issues related to multilingualism, in its broadest sense, from birth until the beginning of the compulsory education stage, usually 6/7 years old, as well as the transition from this period into Primary Education (8 years old approx.).

So as to encourage discussions, 3 international keynotes have been invited to contribute to the conference:
★ Prof. Emeritus Joseph Lo Bianco, University of Melbourne, Australia
★ Prof. Beatriz Cortina-Pérez, University of Granada, Spain
★ Prof. Marina Tzakosta, University of Crete

Call for Papers:

Researchers, PhD students and practitioners are welcome to present research- or pedagogical-oriented communications related to children from 0 up to 8 years old approximately, contextualised in any multilingual context (second language, foreign language, additional language, minority language, heritage language, sign language, etc.).

Possible topics of interest are:
1. Early language learning
2. Early bi-/multilingual education
3. Early multilingual acquisition
4. Early multilingual identity
5. Multilingual families
6. Second or foreign (L2/F2) language teaching/learning at preschool
7. Classroom practices in early multilingual education
8. Methodological and ethical issues on early multilingual research
9. Teacher Education on multilingualism
10. Multilingual policies for early years

Types of speakers’ contributions.

As a speaker you can present up to two contributions of the following modalities:
a) Presentations: 15-min communication + 5 min discussion
b) Workshops: 60-min workshop with a hands-on approach in any of the conference topics either research- or pedagogical-oriented.
c) Self-organised symposium: including 3-4 different communications around a topic in a 60 min. slot with at least 10 minutes for discussion after participants’ presentations. The chair of the symposium will need to select and organise the papers included.
d) Poster: slots will be devoted in the conference for poster presentation, where participants will have the opportunity to discuss with their authors. Posters should be research-oriented. Instructions on poster specifications will be provided on acceptance.

Submission details may be found on the conference website.
Call for papers can be downloaded from here: https://www.ellmenet.com/ellme25-cfp