2nd International ELLRA Conference

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
3-5 June 2026

Exploring Multilingualism and Diversity in Formal Early Language Learning Contexts

In classrooms around the world, children represent a wide range of socio-economic, linguistic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. Embracing such diversity through multilingual educational practices not only contributes to acknowledging students’ unique identities but also promotes inclusion and a sense of belonging from a very young age (ELLRA, 2023; Norton & Toohey, 2011; UNESCO, 2025). Therefore, exploring multilingualism and diversity in formal early language learning contexts can provide a greater insight into how children (aged 2-12) learn and engage with languages in diverse classrooms and identify instructional practices which render language education more equitable and inclusive.

Keynote speakers

María del Pilar García Mayo, Universidad del País Vasco, Spain

Sabine Little, University of Sheffield, UK

Sharon Unsworth, Radboud Universiteit, The Netherlands

Mario López Gopar, Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, Mexico

Research trajectory panel

Carmen Muñoz, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain

The conference will be fruitful for scholars of linguistics, applied linguistics, education, language didactics, pedagogy, psychology, sociolinguistics, and children’s literature who are conducting research into early language learning in formal contexts worldwide. For more information, visit the conference website.

The call for papers is now closed!

The 2026 ELLRA Solidarity Grant

The 2026 ELLRA Solidarity Grant is available to support one ELLRA member to attend the Biennial ELLRA Conference in June 2026 with a fixed grant of €500. The Conference fee will also be waived. If you are a scholar with limited financial means and wish to apply for the grant, information can be found in the document here.

The deadline for applications is 15 January 2026.

Contact email for further information / queries about the conference: ellra.conference2026@uab.cat