Ellmenet

“The future of early multilingual education”
2023-04-17 00:00 - 23:59 UTC
In this webinar we have explored the conceptualization of the area of “very early multilingual education” from different international and socio-linguistic perspectives, as well as analyzing the latest trends, research, and innovations in language education in early childhood settings from an ecological perspective.

"To mix or not to mix languages in preschool education: Practitioners' voicesaround the world.”
2023-10-05 00:00 - 23:59
INVITED SPEAKERS:

Emmanuel Ceballos emmanuelceballos@chq.edu.mx (Coordinator of Primary Education.Dutch School of Querétaro, Mexico).

Angela Álvarez-Cofiño aalvarezcofino@nebrija.es (EFL preschool coordinator, Parque Infantil Public School, Asturias, Spain).

Sara Arranz sarranz1@yahoo.es (The assistant principal of Stevens and Military Road Early Learning Centers, Washington DC Public Schools, United States).

Mihael Farjun michaelfa@handinhand.org.il (The principal of the bilingual preschool «Hand in Hand», Haifa, Israel).

“New Research on Early Language Learning: PhD Workshop”
2024-05-09 08:00 - 17:00
PhD ForumWe are delighted to present new research from PhD students in France, Norway, and Russia, covering topics ranging from literacy learning in the early years, researching formulaic language acquisition in CLIL contexts, and the choices and practices involved in multilingual upbringing.

Speakers:

Manon Boutin-Charles, Sorbonne Nouvelle University, France, “Teaching English as Additional Language In the Early Years Classroom: Implications for Literacy Learning”

Anna Uvarova, University of Granada, Spain, “CLIL approach at preschool level: researching formulaic language acquisition”

Monika Ewa Stapor, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway, “Exploring Multilingual Upbringing: Language Choices and Practices in Polish Families with Preschoolers in Norway”

ELLME’24 International Conference
2024-09-05 00:00 - 2024-09-06 23:59 | Faculty of Architecture of University of Granada, in Granada, Campo del Príncipe, s/n, Centro, 18071 Granada, Granada, 18071, Spain
2nd International Conference on Early Language Learning and Multilingual Education in Early Childhood (ELLME’24)
The University of Granada and ELLMEnet are proud to welcome researchers from all over the world to contribute to our 2nd International Conference on Early Language Learning and Multilingual Education in Early Childhood. 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 (up to 8 approx.).In an increasingly interconnected and global 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 2nd ELLME Conference will serve a pivotal platform to delve into the intricate interplay between language acquisition, cognitive development, and social and family engagement.We are waiting for you!

ELLME’24 Programme

The conference will last 2 full days, including an exciting academic and a social programme. We have organised special sessions for teachers on Friday the 6th Sep.2024.

FULL PROGRAMME

BOOK OF ABSTRACTS

Academic programme (provisional)

DAY 1 – 5th Sep 2024
8:30-9:30 REGISTRATION9:30-10:00 OPENING & KEYNOTE CONFERENCE: Developing multilingual awareness in early childhood education through poetry. By Prof. Jim Anderson11:00-11:30 PARALLEL SESSION 111:30-12:15 PARALLEL SESSION 212:15-13:15 PARALLEL SESSION 313:15-14:15 LUNCH BREAK14:15-15:00 BOOK PRESENTATION & ELLMEnet members15:00-16:00 PARALLEL SESSION 416:00-16:30 COFFEE BREAK16:30-17:30 KEYNOTE CONFERENCE: Research-based early childhood teacher education? Roles, trends and challenges within language education. How much is preparing teachers for multilingual contexts? By Prof. Gunhild T. Kvåle17:30-18:30 PARALLEL SESSION 419:30 Conference Dinner at Mirador Aixa (Albayzín Area)

DAY 2 – 6th Sep 2024 – ELLMEnet Teachers’ Day
A special teachers’ day has been organised within our programme for those teachers of languages interested in early years. More information about our Teachers’ day here. If you are a teacher attending just for our Teachers’ day, buy the reduced price and you will have access to Friday’s programme and our beautiful walking tour.

8:30 WELCOME COFFEE9:00 WELCOME DAY 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS9:15-10:00 PARALLEL SESSION 510:00-10:45 PARALLEL SESSION 610:45-11:15 COFFEE BREAK11:15-12:00 KEYNOTE CONFERENCE: Engaging children in dialogue with picturebook aesthetic elements by Prof. Pilar12:00-12:30 PARALLEL SESSION12:30-13:15 PARALLEL SESSION13:15-15:00 LUNCH15:00-15:45 ELLME general assembly, raffle & surprises15:45-16:30 PARALLEL SESSION 716:30-17:00 COFFEE BREAK17:00-18:00 PARALLEL SESSION 818:00-19:00 KEYNOTE CONFERENCE: Teaching is more than imparting knowledge: it is inspiring change. Teacher’s identity, multilingual pedagogy and PD. Bill Schwartz & CUNIG20:00 Walking tour of city centre and tapas!

Social programme

We want you to enjoy the congress but also the vibrant city of Granada and its majestic monuments and culture, such as los Cármenes, Flamenco shows, el Albayzín, but of course, its magnificent Alhambra. We are working on the social programme but, in the meanwhile, some touches are described below:

CONFERENCE DINNER (5th Sept. 2024): a charming evening in a privileged setting in the city of Granada where you can enjoy the local gastronomy.

WALKING TOUR ALONG MY CENTRE AND ALBAYZÍN (6th Sept. 2024): this will culminate with some tapas and a drink in the tourist area.

Organised by

"Bridging worlds: driving Policy Change in Early Multilingual EducationWorldwide"
2025-03-28 13:30 - 17:00
Language policies have a significant impact on practice. In this webinar, we’ll have the chance to listen to those working at the heart of policymaking in early multilingual education across the globe, and to engage in open and stimulating discussions that will be of interest to anyone working in language education in the early years.

Simone Mortini, Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, Luxembourg

Anh Thuy Nguyen, Lac Hong Bilingual school & Petrus Ky school SystemVietnam

Tziona Levi, Ministry of Education, Israel

Maureen McAlinden, British Council, Spain

ELLME'25 International ConferenceThessaloniki,
2025-09-19 08:00 - 2025-09-20 17:00
3rd International Conference on Early Language Learning and Multilingual Education in Early Childhood (ELLME’25)

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.).

Keynote speakers
ELLME’25 Registration
Experts Panel
ELLME’25 Programme
Travelling Info
Sponsors

Keynote speakers

Beatriz Cortina-Pérez
Associate Professor, Department of Language and Literature Education, University of Granada
Are We Training Early Childhood Educators for the Multilingual Classrooms of the Past, the Present, or the Future?

Abstract

As multilingualism becomes a defining feature of early childhood education, the need for well-prepared educators has never been greater. However, teacher education programs often lag behind the realities of multilingual preschools, relying on outdated monolingual or second-language acquisition models rather than embracing dynamic, plurilingual pedagogies.

This presentation critically examines whether current teacher education models equip educators—including generalist early childhood teachers and EFL specialists—to navigate the complexities of multilingual early years education, or whether they remain anchored in past frameworks.

Drawing on international examples of teacher education and findings from the LEyLA research project, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Ref. PID2021-123055NB-I00, this presentation explores how teachers’ conceptions of multilingualism shape their approaches to multilingual education in early childhood settings.

Utilising a mixed-method approach, the talk will underscore the competences identified by teachers themselves as crucial for effective work in linguistically diverse classrooms. By developing a framework that reflects the linguistic realities of today’s—and tomorrow’s—classrooms, we can provide teachers with the tools they need to foster multilingualism effectively.

This talk will challenge policymakers, researchers, and teacher educators to adopt this new framework and develop teacher education models that genuinely reflect the linguistic realities of multilingual early childhood education.

Bio

Dr. Beatriz Cortina-Pérez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Language and Literature Education at the University of Granada, lecturing in the degrees of Pre-primary and Primary Education, and in several postgraduate programmes.

She has numerous publications, many of them indexed in JCR journals, and collaborates with national and international journals on their editorial committees. Her field of study focuses on foreign language education in the early years, specifically CLIL, teaching English at preschool, and research and innovation in language teaching.

She has recently published the Springer International Handbook of CLIL in Pre-primary Education. She is currently the PI of the R+D+i LEyLA project “Design of a teaching profile for Early Childhood Education from a plurilingual approach: learning foreign and additional languages”, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

Joseph (Joe) Lo Bianco
Professor Emeritus in Language and Literacy, Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia
Becoming Policy Literate: Influencing Policy and Shaping Lives

Personal webpage: Personal Webpage

Abstract

In this presentation I will introduce the concept of policy literacy and explore its application to early childhood language learning and multilingualism. The presentation is informed by four decades of close observation and scholarly documentation of how policy making functions, as well as theories of power and ideology that have shaped how policy making operates in democratic interest group societies. The talk is also informed by direct experience of policy advising, advocacy and implementation in a range of different socio-legal settings.

It is a commonplace assertion in academic settings that policy makers rarely read research and that the gap between the professional worlds and interests of officials, researchers and practitioners constitutes a veritable gulf of incomprehension and occasional hostility. As citizen taxpayers as much as professional educators, we should all deplore the suggestion that our research and professional experience cannot shape policy directly and that officials and politicians are not amenable to influence in their policy designs. So, how can effective communication between, on the one hand, researchers, professional associations and educators and, on the other, policy officials, decision makers, media and politicians, be improved and made effective?

Research on early language learning and multilingual education has consistently demonstrated the cognitive, social and economic benefits of multilingualism (Cummins, 2021; Zein and Coady, 2021). In this presentation I will explore the trajectory of policy making, from problem definition, to intention, implementation and experience, and track influence points for research where empirical evidence and teacher experience can be most powerful. Policy literacy consists of utilising a knowledge of decisional and agitational processes to build the significant untapped potential for researchers and educators to influence language policy in the interests of Early Language Learning and Multilingual Education in Early Childhood.

Scholars and practitioners have underutilized power to shape educational frameworks and, by engaging more strategically with policymakers, media and advocacy networks, experts can help shift public discourse and institutional priorities toward more inclusive and evidence-based language policies.

References

Cummins, J. (2021). Rethinking the Education of Multilingual Learners. Multilingual Matters.
Zein, S. and Coady, M. (2021). Early Language Learning Policy in the 21st Century: An International Perspective. Springer.

Bio

Dr Joseph (Joe) Lo Bianco is Professor Emeritus in Language and Literacy at the Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia. He is a language policy specialist combining academic research and hands-on policy engagement.

His theoretical and analytical studies of language problems and policy solutions have been conducted in many parts of the world, especially in South and Southeast Asia, Oceania, North America, Europe and in some African countries, including South Africa and Tunisia, as well as in relation to immigrant and Indigenous languages in Australia.

He has led multicountry language problem-solving teams in Southeast Asia for UNESCO and UNICEF.

Marina Tzakosta
Professor of Language Development and Pedagogics of the Preschool Child, University of Crete
English as a Medium to Cultivate Multilingualism, Formulate Language Ideology and Promote Diversity

Personal webpage: Personal Webpage

Abstract

The introduction of English in preschool education has caused major changes in the philosophy and content of the new Greek school curricula and, consequently, in the language teaching methodology applied in Greek classes. In this talk, I will review the milestones of the introduction of English in Greek preschool education and its beneficial effects for language learning and teaching.

More specifically, I will first present the origin and evolution of preschool and early primary school curricula which led to the introduction of English in preschool and primary education. I will then shed light on data which point out how the introduction of English and the realisation of the EAN project have transformed language teaching, not only of second languages but also of first languages.

Moreover, I will discuss how the successful introduction of English in preschool classes is affected by the formulated language ideology and the attitudes of all stakeholders. Finally, I will argue that the introduction of English promotes language diversity and cultivates the identity of the citizen of the world from a very early age.

ELLME’25 Registration

Fee Type
Early Birduntil 15/06/2025
Late Bird

Speakers
180€
220€

Attendees
80€
100€

Attendees PhD students
80€
100€

Attendees BA / MA students
20€
20€

Attendees Teachers Saturday Pass Only
20€
20€

Conference Dinner 19/09/2025
40€
40€

Day trip to Afytos 21/09/2025
55€
55€

How to register

Important Notice
All transactions on site are cash ONLY.
We kindly ask that you come prepared.
Thank you for your understanding!

Bank remittance

You may pay your registration fee by bank transfer using the details below.

Bank account details
Piraeus Bank
Beneficiary: Elliniki Etairia Efarmosmenis Glossologias (Greek Applied Linguistics Association)
IBAN: [REDACTED]
BIC: PIRBGRAA
Information for beneficiary: ELLME’25 Registration

Important: Please make sure that all banking charges are to be borne by you.
After payment, e-mail the bank receipt to ellme25@enl.auth.gr.

Online registration · PayPal Family & Friends

You may pay your registration fee by using PayPal Family & Friends.

Account holder: akarasimos@gmail.com
Please check the Family & Friends option.

Important: Please indicate your name and “ELLME’25” as payment reason.

Proforma invoice

If you wish a Proforma Invoice, please fill in your details using the form below:
Request a Proforma Invoice

Rates

Speakers

Applicable to all speakers, irrespective of their status or position.

Attendance of all general and thematic sessions
Certificate of presentation/attendance
Conference folder
Coffee breaks and light lunches during the conference

Attendees PhD students

Attendance of all general and thematic sessions
Certificate of attendance
Conference folder
Coffee breaks and light lunches during the conference

Attendees BA/MA students

Applicable to all undergraduate and postgraduate students with valid proof of student status, such as a student ID, upon online registration or at the symposium’s reception desk.

Attendance of all general and thematic sessions
Certificate of attendance
Conference folder
Coffee breaks and light lunches during the conference

Attendees Teachers · Saturday Pass Only

Attendance of general and thematic sessions only on Saturday
Certificate of attendance
Conference folder
Coffee breaks and light lunches during the conference

Experts Panel

International Experts Panel Discussions

Danijela Prošić
Full Professor of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
From Subjects to Co-Researchers: Rethinking Children’s Role in Early Language Learning Research

Abstract

Early additional language learning (EALL) research has traditionally prioritized adult perspectives, often marginalizing children’s voices. This study challenges such paradigms by examining current trends among international EALL researchers, focusing on the shift from research about children to research with children.

Drawing on mixed methods data from 61 researchers across 27 countries, it investigates attitudes toward child autonomy, agency, and participation. Results highlight the growing recognition of children as competent informants in their own right, capable of contributing meaningfully to language learning research when appropriate, child-centered methodologies are used.

The study underscores ethical imperatives, such as informed assent and non-coercive participation, and the methodological importance of triangulating perspectives—those of children, caregivers, and educators—to capture the full ecology of language learning.

By illuminating current practices and perceptions, this research offers critical insights into how the field may better honor young learners’ voices in both ethical and epistemological terms.

Bio

Danijela Prošić is a Full Professor of English Language and Literature and the Vice-Dean for Education at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Serbia.

Her main research interests are related to EFL teacher education and early foreign language learning, as well as using children’s literature in teaching, with a focus on fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

Currently, she is a member of the Committee of the General Assembly of the Early Language Learning Research Association.

Joanna Rokita-Jaśkow
Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of the National Education Commission, Kraków, Poland
What is Child-Centered Ethics in Research in the Early Language Learning Domain?

Personal webpage: Personal Webpage

Abstract

In early language learning research, the participants are very young children whose cognitive and linguistic development is still continuing and who, therefore, may be very sensitive to judgment and failure to meet expectations. Researchers must ensure that the methods and interactions used are scientifically valid and appropriate for children’s age and developmental stage.

Child-centred ethics in research refers to an ethical framework where the well-being, rights and needs of children are prioritised in the design, implementation and evaluation of research. Key principles of child-centred ethics in early language learning may include informed consent of caregivers and children themselves, respect for children’s voices, benefits for the child, non-exploitation and confidentiality.

This means that children should be viewed as active participants in the learning activity rather than merely subjects of study. For this reason, non-intrusive methods, such as observation, non-intrusive recording and parent/teacher feedback, should be prioritised.

These assumptions will be exemplified by my research and concluded with practical guidelines for establishing good rapport with children.

Bio

Joanna Rokita-Jaśkow, PhD, is Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of the National Education Commission, Kraków, Poland, where she holds a Chair for ELT.

Her main research interests concern EFL teacher education and early foreign language learning. She is an author and editor of 10 books and over 80 articles in refereed journals and monographs on these topics.

Her most recent book is titled The Ecology of Pre-Primary Foreign Language Education (2025, Multilingual Matters). Currently, she is Vice-chair of the Early Language Learning Research Association.

Mila Schwartz
Professor of Language and Education, Oranim Academic College of Education, Israel
How Can We Engage Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Children in Research with Them? Insights from an Ethnographic Approach

Personal webpage: Personal Webpage

Abstract

It appears that caregivers and researchers often hold theories about how children learn languages that overlook the reality of children’s experiences. Therefore, they “read” these experiences differently.

Recently, early language learning research has highlighted two main perspectives: the traditional method, which employs large-scale quantitative studies to track children’s language development and uses experimental tasks to uncover factors that influence their learning, often treating children as passive participants; and a newer approach, which shifts the focus by recognizing children as the main agents and experts of their own learning process (Kuchah & Pinter, 2021).

What is the best approach for young children to explore their agency in early language learning? It has been proposed that natural, non-structured talks with young children using diverse elicitation tools, such as significant objects from home or the preschool environment, including dolls, drawings and photos, can support this process (Schwartz, 2024).

In this talk, I will discuss how playful art activities with children can be used to engage them in research and elicit their perceptions, using this approach as an ecologically valid research tool.

I will demonstrate that conducting research with children enables us to gather data on their awareness of the multilingual environment, attitudes towards languages, language preferences, motives for language learning and metacognitive beliefs.

Ultimately, I will address some limitations of conducting research with children as active agents. Specifically, researchers should consider that young children’s perceptions are multilayered, sometimes messy, changeable in nature and contextually embedded.

References

Kuchah, K., & Pinter, A. (2021). Researching young language learning in a school context: Setting the scene. In A. Pinter & K. Kuchah (Eds.), Ethical and Methodological Issues in Researching Young Language Learners in School Contexts (pp. 1–23). Multilingual Matters.

Schwartz, M. (2024). Ecological Perspectives in Early Language Education: Parent, Teacher, Peer and Child Agency in Interaction. Routledge.

Bio

Mila Schwartz is a Full Professor of Language and Education and the Head of Research Authority at Oranim Academic College of Education, Israel.

Her current research focuses on theorizing the phenomenon of interactions between child language-based agency, teacher agency and parents’ agency in early language education.

At the international level, Prof. Schwartz has 25 years of extensive research experience and exemplary achievements in academia and top-tier research organizations, including the International Symposium of Bilingualism (ISB), where she held the position of Secretary of the Steering Committee from 2015 to 2019.

She has also been involved in the European Early Childhood Education Research Association network and Multilingual Childhoods, where she acted as Convenor from 2019 to 2022. She is now a Convenor of the international network ELLMEnet, “Future Challenges in Early Language Learning and Multilingual Education”.

Prof. Schwartz has edited seven books, recently completed editing the First Handbook of Early Language Education, and published a monograph entitled Ecological Perspectives in Early Language Education: Parent, Teacher, Peer, and Child Agency in Interaction.

He Sun
Associate Professor and Assistant Director, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Issues and Solutions for Assessing Young Language Learners

Personal webpage: Personal Webpage

Abstract

Assessing young language learners presents unique challenges due to their developing cognitive and linguistic abilities, limited attention span and the interactive nature of language acquisition.

Traditional assessment methods, such as standardized tests and self-reports, often fail to capture the nuanced and dynamic aspects of young learners’ language development. To address these challenges, we propose adopting psycholinguistic and ICT-related approaches, such as eye-tracking technology, skin conductance measures and transcription analysis, as innovative solutions.

Taking eye-tracking as an example, it can provide real-time insights into learners’ visual attention, processing efficiency and reading patterns, offering a more objective measure of language comprehension.

By leveraging these technologies, researchers and educators can develop more ecologically valid, real-time and multimodal assessment methods that better reflect young learners’ language abilities.

This talk highlights the potential of these approaches to enhance language assessment and contribute to a deeper understanding of early language development.

Bio

He Sun is an Associate Professor and Assistant Director at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Her major interests are child bilingualism and eBook reading, individual differences in early bilingualism, second and foreign language acquisition, and harmonious bilingual experience.

Her work has appeared in journals such as Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, Child Development, International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, and Studies in Second Language Acquisition, and has been featured by media such as The Straits Times and CNA.

She is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Child Language, a Consulting Editor of Child Development, and an Executive Committee Member of the International Association for the Study of Child Language.

Local Experts Panel Discussions

Ioannis Karras
Professor of Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Communication, Ionian University, Greece
The Importance of Fostering Cultural and Intercultural Awareness through EFL/EIL in Early Childhood Education

Personal webpage: Personal Webpage

Abstract

In an era of rapidly increased interconnectedness and globalization, fostering cultural and intercultural awareness in early childhood education has become a fundamental goal of pedagogy.

The integration of cultural and intercultural awareness through English as a Foreign/International Language in Greek early years settings has become a priority, resulting in curriculum goals being aligned with such priorities. Hence, early childhood education is not only tasked with traditional foundational learning but also with cultivating inclusive, democratic and intercultural values.

When young children learn about different ways people live, speak, behave, celebrate and eat, they begin to understand the world beyond their immediate environment and limited scope, and thus begin to make sense of it.

Introducing English in early childhood education can become an ideal vehicle for promoting cultural and intercultural awareness by enhancing curiosity, openness, respect, empathy, inclusion and global citizenship.

Bio

Ioannis Karras is a Professor of Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Communication at Ionian University, Greece.

He holds a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Calgary, Canada; an M.Ed. in TEFL from the Hellenic Open University, Greece; an M.Sc. in Intercultural Communication from the University of Warwick, UK; and a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

Ioannis has lectured as a visiting professor and invited speaker at various universities around the world. He has extensive experience teaching Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Communication at undergraduate, master’s and PhD level.

He has delivered numerous talks at international conferences and has conducted seminars and workshops in several countries. Ioannis has co-authored and edited books, book chapters and articles in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.

Efthymia Penderi
Associate Professor, Department of Education Sciences in Early Childhood, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
Key Criteria for the Successful Introduction of Early EFL in Preschool: Lessons from the Greek Experience

Personal webpage: Personal Webpage

Abstract

Recent research highlighting the benefits of introducing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in early childhood has inspired educational reforms across many countries. However, an early start alone does not ensure meaningful engagement or effective learning.

For EFL instruction to be successful in preschool settings, it must be developmentally appropriate, contextually relevant and seamlessly integrated into the broader educational framework of the classroom.

In Greece, the early introduction of EFL was implemented through the EAN project—an interdisciplinary, theory-driven and research-based initiative that provided both the pedagogical and methodological foundations for this reform.

This presentation outlines the core principles of the EAN framework, emphasizing its alignment with Greece’s new national preschool curriculum.

Key success criteria emerging from this dual reform effort include holistic development, cross-thematic and inquiry-based learning design, inclusive practices, a strong culture of collaboration, a playful pedagogical approach, and a focus on multilingual awareness and intercultural communication.

These elements jointly support a coherent and motivating early learning experience and may serve as guiding principles for similar efforts in other contexts.

Bio

Efthymia Penderi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education Sciences in Early Childhood at Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.

She has collaborated with the Greek Institute of Educational Policy as a scientific coordinator in the development of the new national preschool curriculum, and as a member of the project team for the pilot introduction of English in preschool education.

She also served as a scientific collaborator in the national EAN programme during the broader implementation of this reform.

Her research focuses on curriculum design, the reduction of social inequalities in education, the promotion of children’s right to participation, strategic learning and bilingual education.

Her broader interests include sociocultural learning and well-being, family-school-community partnerships, teachers’ professional development, and the sociopedagogical dimensions of schooling.

Maria Perifanou
Leading Researcher in Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) and Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL)
AI Literacy in Early Language Education: How Prepared Are Our Teachers?

Personal webpage: Personal Webpage

Abstract

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in early language education presents transformative opportunities for personalized, inclusive and responsive learning. However, language teachers in Early Childhood Education (ECE) often lack the AI literacy needed to harness these advancements effectively.

Key challenges include limited professional development, ethical concerns around data privacy, and equitable access to digital tools. As AI reshapes pedagogical practices, educators must critically engage with its implications, not only technically, but also ethically and pedagogically.

Recent frameworks by UNESCO and the European Union offer guidance on inclusive, human-centered and ethical AI use in education, yet the gap between policy and classroom implementation remains substantial.

Building robust AI literacy in ECE requires a comprehensive approach: training, ethical reflection and cross-sector collaboration.

In this presentation, I will examine how well-prepared educators are to navigate and lead this AI-enhanced future in early language learning, and propose strategies to bridge the divide between innovation and practice.

Bio

Dr. Maria Perifanou is a leading researcher in Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) and Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL).

She is an adjunct professor at several Greek universities and a senior researcher at the SMILE Lab. She serves as Vice-President of the European Association of Technology Enhanced Learning (EATEL) and General Chair of its JTEL Summer School.

Dr. Perifanou has led and contributed to over 35 EU-funded projects on TEL, AI in education and intelligent CALL. She also chairs key Special Interest Groups within EATEL.

With over 120 peer-reviewed publications, she has earned international awards for research excellence. She ranks in the top 0.94% of global scholars in Educational Technology over the last five years and 1.58% lifetime, according to ScholarGPS.

Eleni Skourtou
Professor Emerita for Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in Education, Department of Primary Education, University of the Aegean
What Do Language Teachers Hear When They Are Listening to Their Students Who Are Languaging?

Personal webpage: Personal Webpage

Abstract

Being a language teacher for children or adults with linguistically diverse backgrounds puts teachers in a position of constantly evaluating the output of their teaching, that is, their students’ performance in the target language.

The evaluation criteria that teachers apply are not just technical means. They reflect the evaluator’s epistemologies: their standpoint and gaze towards language(s) and bilingualism, what they consider as “proper” or “correct” language use, and eventually how they conceive speakers’ translanguaging practices and how they deal with them.

The question we ask here is how far we, as educators, act as “white listening subjects” of students’ language performance and what consequences this might have for our students.

We will build upon a series of major shifts in language diversity and bilingualism theories that resulted in a relocation of focus from language to the speaker and eventually to the listener. We will discuss the notion of “white listening subject” in the context of the new epistemologies and in that of raciolinguistics theory.

Bio

Eleni Skourtou is a Professor Emerita for Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in Education at the Department of Primary Education of the University of the Aegean.

Her research and teaching focus on language diversity and the education of minorized students, as well as on orality, literacy and meaning making.

Specifically, Eleni Skourtou’s research focuses on language diversity in Greece, bilingualism and learning, translanguaging, learning through a second language, and the education of Roma, immigrant and refugee children in Greece.

In relation to literacy, her work focuses on orality, literacy, multiliteracies, e-literacies, text and meaning making, and multiple remakings of meaning of culturally canonical texts, such as the Odyssey.

Roula Tsokalidou
Professor of Sociolinguistics and Language Teaching, School of Early Childhood Education, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Bio
Roula Tsokalidou is Professor of Sociolinguistics and Language Teaching at the School of Early Childhood Education, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

ELLME’25 Programme

Conference information

Programme updates

Cancelled presentation: The use of past tenses in narrative productions of L2 Italian children: A focus on aspect and tense, Karin Zambonati, 19 September, 15:20.

A book exhibition by the publishing houses Hamilton House Publishers, Super Course Publishing, and DISIGMA Publishers will be available throughout the conference.

Conference programme availability

Please note that the conference programme will not be provided in printed form.

The full programme will be available:

On the conference website
Via QR code access at the venue
On digital screens located outside the conference rooms

We encourage all participants to consult the programme through these digital means.

Proceedings

The scientific work of the conference will be completed with two publications based on the conference presentations.

The first will be a volume of selected peer-reviewed papers published by DISIGMA Publications.

The second will be a thematic volume published by Mouton De Gruyter, following a more complex peer-review process and established selection criteria focusing on innovation, research quality, and significant contribution to the theme of the conference.

Speakers will be informed after the conference about the submission deadlines and the formatting guidelines for the full versions of their presentations for each publication.

Information for speakers

Plenary talks
Each plenary talk will be scheduled for 60 minutes: 50 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for discussion.

Papers in regular and thematic sessions
Oral presentations will be allotted 15 minutes presentation time and 5 minutes discussion time.

Poster presentations
Poster presentations should be set to A0 size or smaller. The requested size is 0.8 m width × 1.2 m height.

Suggested weight for A0 per square meter: 140 g for plotter paper; 175 g for photographic paper. Poster adhesive strips will be provided by the organisers.

Workshops
Workshops will be allotted 1 hour, including discussion time.

Social programme

Important Notice
All transactions on site are cash ONLY.
We kindly ask that you come prepared.
Thank you for your understanding!

Dinner
Conference dinner at a central spot in the city. Registration is necessary. Accompanying persons are welcome to join us.

Price: 40€ per person.

Before dinner, those interested can enjoy a walking tour offered by our volunteer students. The walk will take roughly 30 minutes on foot at a relaxed pace.

Walking from K.E.D.E.A. (AUTH) to the dinner venue offers a lively blend of history and city life: from the vibrant university campus and the iconic Rotonda, to the Roman Forum and the cafés near Aristotelous Square, ending in the nightlife hub of Valaoritou.

Landmarks along the route

Rotonda & Arch of Galerius
Roman Forum, also known as the Ancient Agora
Aristotelous Square
Optional detour for street art or local shops in surrounding alleys
Valaoritou District

Register here. Please reserve your spot no later than Sunday, 7 September.

Day Trip to Afytos – Explore Tradition & Relax by the Sea!
Registration is required. Accompanying persons are welcome to join.

Join us for a delightful day trip to Afytos, one of Halkidiki’s traditional seaside villages. Participants will be able to wander through cobbled streets lined with stone-built houses, enjoy views of the Aegean Sea, and experience traditional Greek cuisine by the water.

There will also be an opportunity to swim for those interested.

Departure: 11:00 a.m.
Return to Thessaloniki: by 8:00 p.m.
Participation fee: 55€ per person
The fee includes transportation and lunch

Register here. Please reserve your spot no later than Friday, 5 September.

PROGRAMME & BOOK OF ABSTRACTS

Travelling Info

Conference venue

The conference will take place at the Aristotle University Research Dissemination Center (KEDEA), located at the Aristotle University Campus, 3is Septemvriou Street.

The Research Dissemination Center is a characteristic red building that you cannot miss.

How to get there
The easiest way to get to the city centre is by taxi, which is affordable in Greece. The approximate cost from the airport to the University is 20€.

The conference venue is situated at the Panepistimio metro station, on the new Thessaloniki Metro line.

Bus connections from Egnatia Street

Bus lines No. 2, 7, 14, 58 — Bus stop: AHEPA or University of Macedonia
Bus lines No. 17, 24, 37 — Bus stop: Fititiki Leschi

Hotel recommendations near Aristotle University

For your convenience, we have listed several hotels located in the centre of Thessaloniki, within easy reach of the conference venue and the Panepistimio metro station.

Luxury
Electra Palace Thessaloniki
Makedonia Palace

Mid-range
Mandrino Hotel
Plaza Hotel
The Mavili Urban Stay
City Hotel
Casa Primavera

Budget
Orestias Kastorias
Le Palace Art Hotel
Hotel ABC
Rentrooms Thessaloniki
Oditee Rotonda
Hotel Ilisia
Pella Hotel

All are in downtown Thessaloniki, within a 20-minute walk, approximately 1.5 km or less, from the university campus.

Luxury stays offer spa services, sea views and refined comfort.
Mid-range options provide good price-to-quality ratios, with breakfast included in many cases.
Budget selections are affordable, clean, centrally located and practical for conference attendees.

More accommodation options

If none of the previous hotels suits your needs, you may find a wider range of hotels in or close to the city centre through the following links:

Thessaloniki Hotels
Greek Hotels · Thessaloniki

Sponsors

Organised by

“New Research on Early Language Learning: ELLMEnet PhD Workshop”
2026-01-26 16:00 - 17:30
ELLME is delighted to present new research from PhD students in Ireland, India, and Catalonia, covering topics ranging from continuous professional development in minority language immersion settings, the assessment of narrative discourse abilities in bilingual children, and early childhood educators’ perspectives on introducing EFL in multilingual contexts.

Using Fairytales to Foster Intercultural Awareness in Young EFL/EIL Learners
2026-03-05 17:00 - 19:00
ELLME is honored to welcome Dr. Ioannis Karras (Ionian University, Greece), a leading expert with over 25 years of experience in Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Communication.
In this webinar, Dr. Karras will examine the pedagogical potential of using fairytales as “critical incidents” to foster curiosity, empathy, and openness in the early years classroom. Drawing on Liddicoat and Scarino’s (2013) framework, the session will illustrate how to support the recursive processes of noticing, comparing, reflecting, and interacting in preschool and lower primary EFL/EIL contexts.
The talk highlights the power of storytelling to support intercultural development through reflective interaction from the very earliest stages of language learning.

"Active engagement of parents through parents"
2026-04-28 17:00 - 20:00
Online webinar

ELLME 2026: 4th International Conference on Early Language Learning and Multilingualism in Early Childhood Education
2026-09-08 08:00 - 2026-09-12 17:00
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.).
