Call for Papers – 4th International Conference on Early Language Learning and Multilingualism in Early Childhood Education
4th International Conference on Early Language Learning and Multilingualism in Early Childhood Education
Call for Papers – 4th International Conference on Early Language Learning and Multilingualism in Early Childhood Education
Call for Papers
4th International Conference on Early Language Learning and Multilingual Education in Early Childhood (ELLME'26)
Gdańsk, 8-9 September 2026
Department of Applied Linguistics, Department of Pedagogy and Department of English and American Studies of University of Gdańsk, Poland, in cooperation with ELLMEnet (Early Language Learning and Multilingual Education Network) are proud to welcome researchers from all over the world to contribute to our 4th 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 4th 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 early grades of primary education (grades 1-3, approx. till the 9th year).
Researchers, PhD students and practitioners are welcome to present research- or pedagogical-oriented communications related to children from 0 up to 9 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) Posters: 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.
Important dates
● CFP opens 1st December 2025
● CFP closes 20th March 2026
● Notification of acceptance by 30th March 2025
● Early bird registration: 1sh April – 20th May 2025
● Late bird registration: 21st May 2025 – 10th July 2025
● Provisional programme available 20th July 2025
● Conference 8th-9th Sep. 2026
Language
The language of the conference is basically English with some sessions available in Polish.
Publication options
• Selected papers will be published in an indexed in Scopus and ERIH PLUS (among others) in Scopus journal Glottodidactica (https://pressto.amu.edu.pl/index.php/gl/announcement/view/703).
Or/ and
• Post-conference thematic volume, another indexed international journal (in the process of settling)
Abstract submission
●An abstract (200-250 words) together with a short biodata (70-100 words) should be sent through this online form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16mtQ033hjrJd5MD6ZzJRVcIy4dj8GEVEGMIDLBdwg_4/viewform?edit_requested=true
● DEADLINE for submission: 20th March 2026.
● Please note that you need to copy and paste in the online form so no document can be attached.
● Only the corresponding author should send the abstract on behalf of all authors. S/he will need to include in the online form information about all other participants in the proposal (full name, affiliation, email address, short bionote).
● All abstracts will be blind peer reviewed by the conference scientific committee. Acceptance notification will be sent to authors no later than 10th April 2026.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concern:
Conference email address: ellme26@ug.edu.pl
Keynote speakers
So as to encourage discussions, the following international keynotes have been invited to contribute to the conference:
Prof. Thomai Alexiou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Prof. Mila Schwartz, Oranim College Education, Israel
Prof. Piotr Romanowski, University of Warsaw, Poland
Prof. Joanna Rokita Jaśków, University of the National Education Commission, Poland
Organizing Committee
Prof. Hadrian Aleksander Lankiewicz, chair
Prof. Beata Karpińska-Musiał, member
Dr. Michał Daszkiewicz, memeber
Dr Magdalena Grabowska – conference secretary
Dr Maciej Pławski – member (website info)
Student assistants:
Julita Tomalak
Martyna Sieńko
Julia Kaczorek
Natalia Krawczyk
Scientific Committee
Prof. Anna Szczepaniak-Kozak, Adam Mickiewicz University
Prof. Zhailagul Sagyndykova, Ualikhanov University, Kokshetau, Kazakhstan
Prof. Emilia Wąsikiewicz-Firlej, Adam Mickiewicz Universty
Prof. Gina Oxbrow, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Prof. Dolores Fernández Martínez, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Prof. Thomai Alexiou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Prof. Beatriz Cortina-Pérez, University of Granada, Spain
Prof. Ana Andugar Soto, University of Alicante, Spain
Prof. Aigul Zhakupova, Ualikhanov University, Kokshetau, Kazakhstan
Prof. Mila Schwartz, Oranim College Education, Israel
Prof. Piotr Romanowski, University of Warsaw, Poland
Prof. Joanna Rokita Jaśków, University of the National Education Commission, Poland
Prof. Przemysław Gębal, University of Gdańsk, Poland
Prof. Aneta Lewińska, University of Gdańsk, Poland
Prof. Saeed Karimi Aghdam Ordaklou, Nord University, Norway
Prof. Ekaterina Protassowa, University of Helsinki, Finland
Prof. Cristina Corcoll López, Ramon Llull University, Spain
Prof. Natasha Ringblom, Umea University, Sweden
Registration
ELLME'26 Registration fees
|
type |
Early bird 1sh April-20th May 2025 |
Late bird 21st May 2025- 10th July 2025 |
|
Speakers and poster presenters (scholars) |
160 Euro/ 690 PLN |
180 Euro/ 780 PLN |
|
Attendees without pappers and MA and PhD Students |
80 Euro/ 350 PLN |
100 Euro/ 430 |
|
Teachers in service (workshop session on Wednesday) |
50 Euro/ 220 PLN |
60 Euro/ 260 PLN |
|
Conference Dinner |
50 Euro/ 220 PLN |
50 Euro / 220 PLN |
|
Pre-conference meeting in the pub, in the evening on the day before the conference with a walk in the old town. Details will be given a few days before the event. |
Participants pay individually for refreshments |
Participants pay individually for refreshments |
Conference participants pay the fee to the dedicated UG account number:
Bank Pekao S.A. Oddział w Gdańsku IV, ul. Kołobrzeska 43, with the payment title (KI1Ł-26)+ your full name.
Bank account for fees in PLN: 45 1240 1271 1111 0011 6182 8667
For foreign payments, please provide the following details: Swift: PKOPPLPW, IBAN: PL 45 1240 1271 1111 0011 6182 8667
Important: Please make sure that all banking charges are to be borne by you.
After payment, e-mail the bank receipt to ellme26@ug.edu.pl
Travelling info and Conference programme will be added later!