Call for proposals

The call for proposals is now closed

Call for proposals

LESLLA (Literacy Education and Second Language Learning for Adults) engages and supports research initiatives, teaching approaches, and policies that contribute to high-quality and inclusive learning opportunities for adult migrants who face the dual challenge of learning a new language while at the same time learning to read and write for the first time or consolidating their existing literacy skills. LESLLA’s 21st Annual Symposium will be held in Brno (Czech Republic) from 20 to 22 August 2026. The symposium will be hybrid, with both virtual and in-person events, including oral and poster presentations, panels, and workshops on theoretical and practice-based topics. The general theme of the symposium is “Bridging languages: literacy, plurilingual repertoires, new languages”.

Confirmed keynote speakers:

Martha Young-Scholten (Newcastle University)
Mari D’Agostino (University of Palermo)
Markéta Hajská & Pavel Kubanik (CUNI, Prague)

We invite researchers, practitioners, and volunteers committed to LESLLA-relatedresearch, practice, and policy to submit their proposals. Suggested topics may include but are not limited to:

The impact of literacy on additional language development
Types of literacy and learners’ strategies for additional language learning
Formal and informal literacy practices
Plurilingual practices and approaches to literacy
Literacy learners’ representations of the learning process and agency
Minority and heritage languages and literacy practices
Literacy and migration
Testing and assessing literacy
LESLLA-oriented policies
Literacy and inclusion
Teaching LESLLA learners: methods and tools
LESLLA teacher/volunteer training

Session type descriptions:

Virtual sessions (August 20, 2026): Paper presentations (30 minutes): 20-minute Zoom synchronous presentations followed by a 10-minute period for questions and discussion. Panels (up to 120 minutes): One or more convenors will introduce and moderate the session, which will include up to four speakers. Each speaker will give a 15-20-minute presentation or respond to questions prepared by the convenors on the session topic. The panel will conclude with a final debate, prompted by audience questions and closed with the convenors’ final remarks. Workshops (up to 120 minutes): Will adopt a practical and interactive approach, focusing on methodologies, techniques, practices, or case studies. They will include an introduction by one or more convenors, who also guide the session, hands-on activities for registered participants, and a concluding discussion or Q&A.
In-person sessions (August 21-22, 2026): Paper presentations (30 minutes): A 20-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute period for questions and discussion. Panels (up to 120 minutes): One or more convenors will introduce and moderate the session, which will include up to four speakers. Each speaker will give a 15-20-minute presentation or respond to questions prepared by the convenors on the session topic. The panel will conclude with a final debate, prompted by audience questions and closed with the convenors’ final remarks. Workshops (up to 120 minutes): Will adopt a practical and interactive approach, focusing on methodologies, techniques, practices, or case studies. They will include an introduction by one or more convenors, who also guide the session, hands-on activities for registered participants, and a concluding discussion or Q&A. Poster session (60 minutes) includes brief presentations and informal discussion with session attendees.

Submission details Abstracts must contain a maximum of 500 words, excluding bibliographical references, and be anonymous. They may be written in any language, provided they are accompanied by an English version. To propose your abstract, please use this form.

Deadlines

Panels or workshop proposals must be submitted by 30 January 2026.
Notification of acceptance or rejection will be communicated by 15 February 2026.
Individual abstracts must be submitted by 20 February 2026.
Notification of acceptance or rejection will be communicated by 10 March 2026.

Evaluation criteria Each abstract will be evaluated by two anonymous reviewers, who will check whether your proposal:

is directly relevant to the LESLLA context
offers the promise of new knowledge or point of view
may stimulate discussion
is focused, well-written, and clearly organised
(only for panels and workshops) includes a moderator, confirmed speakers and/or a clear description of the planned activities

Please email leslla2026@gmail.com with questions about proposals or the submission and review process. You can also contact Egle Mocciaro at egle.mocciaro@mail.muni.cz.