2026 ICC-Languages Conference
Zürich, Switzerland (May 8 to 10) on-site
Overview
Thematic Areas
Multilingualism and Migrant Integration in Adult Language Education: Practices, Challenges and Opportunities
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Inclusion, Integration and Participation
- Innovation, Teacher Development and Policy
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Intercultural Communication and Mediation
- Adult Learning in Multilingual Contexts
Call for Proposals
Keynote Speaker
Key Dates
Conference Venue
Conference Fees
The 33rd annual conference of ICC – the International Language Association – will take place in Zürich, Switzerland, from 8 to 10 May 2026.
The conference serves as a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas, the dissemination of research findings and discussions on the challenges and opportunities in language education. Scholars and practitioners will gather to explore the conference theme, fostering discourse on language teaching and learning.
WeeksDays
Conference Venue
Landesmuseum Zürich
The Swiss National Museum, located next to the main station, resembles a fairy-tale castle. It provides a stunning historical backdrop for our forward-looking conference.
Address: Museumstrasse 2, 8001 Zürich
Conference Theme
Multilingualism and Migrant Integration in Adult Language Education: Practices, Challenges and Opportunities
Building on UNESCO’s Languages Matter: Global Guidance on Multilingual Education (2025), the conference will examine how multilingualism shapes adult language learning and lifelong education, addressing classroom practice, workplace learning, teacher development and innovation. These educational dimensions are closely connected to broader social and economic realities: across Europe, persistent labour shortages and the growing demand for upskilling have made the integration of migrants and refugees into the workforce a priority. In this context, language proficiency is often the decisive step that allows individuals to access further training and employment opportunities. Switzerland’s multilingual environment, with German, French, Italian and Romansh, provides a particularly relevant setting in which to examine how inclusive approaches to adult language education can support participation, integration and employability.
Thematic Areas for Discussion
Inclusion, Integration and Participation
- Language education and professional integration for migrants and refugees
- Practical cases and lessons learned from integration programmes
- Barriers and limits in multilingual provision and professional integration
- Pedagogies fostering belonging and participation
Innovation, Teacher Development and Policy
- AI and digital tools for multilingual education
- Teacher training, professional development and practitioner perspectives
- Assessment in multilingual adult education
- Comparative and international policy frameworks
Intercultural Communication and Mediation
- Developing intercultural competence in language learners
- Challenges and opportunities in cross-cultural communication
- Mediation as a tool for fostering inclusion in multilingual and multicultural settings
- Technology-supported mediation practices in professional and educational contexts
Adult Learning in Multilingual Contexts
- Classroom practices and strategies
- Literacy and lifelong learning opportunities
- Linguistic and cultural practices in heritage language contexts
- Workplace language learning and professional communication
Keynote Speaker
Terry Lamb
Professor of Languages and Interdisciplinary Pedagogy
University of Westminster, UK
President, FIPLV (Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes)
Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques
Terry Lamb is Full Professor of Languages and Interdisciplinary Pedagogy at the University of Westminster, London, based in the Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation and the School of Humanities, and he is Co-Director of HOMELandS, the cross- and inter-disciplinary University Research Centre on Migration. He has published widely in areas such as pedagogy, motivation, multilingual education, multilingual cities, language teacher associations, and activist research that challenges social, cultural and linguistic injustices. His projects have included several at the European Centre for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe, e.g. Supporting Multilingual Classrooms. In 2023, he was appointed to the Language Policy Advisory Group of the Council of Europe. Terry has worked closely on languages strategy and curriculum with the UK and other Governments and is founder editor of Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching. He is President of FIPLV (Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes), an NGO of UNESCO and the Council of Europe. In recognition of his services to languages and culture, he has been awarded the honour of Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques by the French government. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Shifting societal attitudes towards multilingualism and plurilingualism
Opportunities for inclusive lifelong language education for democratic culture
This presentation will explore a major shift in language education in Europe, arguing for the crucial role language educators play in developing and maintaining democracy and what this means in practice. This shift is endorsed by the Council of Europe’s Recommendation on the importance of plurilingual and intercultural education for democratic culture, the first holistic recommendation on language education to be published by the Council of Europe. Of relevance to the conference theme, the Recommendation’s scope extends beyond formal education, recognising that successful implementation requires a shift in societal attitudes to language and culture, embracing and valuing our multilingualism through inclusive lifelong language education, both formal and non-formal. The presentation will also present ways in which a wide range of stakeholder groups and partners in civil society can work with educational institutions, including adult and vocational education, to contribute to this broad and ambitious agenda for change.
Key Dates
Subject to minor changes before the end of 2025
Multilingualism and Migrant Integration in Adult Language Education: Practices Challenges Opportunities
Call for Proposals
Submission Guidelines
- Proposals should be submitted online via the abstract submission form by 27 February 2026.
- Proposals will be peer-reviewed by the conference review committee based on the following criteria: relevance, practicality, engagement, originality, and significance.
- Notification of acceptance will be sent by 13 March 2026.
- Accepted presenters will be required to register for the conference by 20 March 2026.
Presentation Types:
- Talk: Presentation, speaker-led, informative, includes Q&A
- Workshop: Interactive, hands-on, participatory, collaborative, skill-building
Duration: 45 minutes, including a 10-minute Q&A session and 5 minutes for transitioning between sessions
Abstract Requirements:
- Title
- Length: 200–300 words (A minimum length of 200 words is required.)
- Keywords: 3-5
Bio:
- Length: 75–100 words
- Include: Name, qualifications, current position, expertise, research focus
- Optional: links to your website or relevant webpages
Abstract Review Criteria:
- Relevance to the conference theme and key topics: the extent to which the abstract aligns with and contributes to the overarching theme and key topics of the conference
- Practicality: the feasibility and practical applicability of the abstract’s content
- Engagement: the level of audience engagement that the abstract is likely to generate during a presentation
- Originality: the degree of novelty and uniqueness demonstrated in the content of the abstract
- Significance: the importance and impact of the proposed work or ideas
Language Policy:
Presenters may speak in English, German or French. To foster multilingual exchange:
- PowerPoint presentations should be prepared in English or bilingually
- A short English summary is recommended
- Session chairs and presenters are encouraged to use translanguaging practices
Conference Presentation Policy:
Prospective presenters are strongly encouraged to review the ICC’s conference presentation policy prior to submitting an abstract.
Important Notice:
The ICC does not provide travel funding or support for visa applications. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel, visas and accommodations in accordance with local regulations. Invitation letters will be issued only to individuals whose abstracts have been formally accepted for presentation. Acceptance notifications and invitation letters will be distributed according to the conference schedule.
2025 ICC AGM & Conference Programme
Note: This timetable follows the Eastern European Summer Time (EEST) (UTC+03:00)
Board Meeting & Conference Venue: Multi-functional Center for Social Activities and Welfare of Larnaka Municipality (Address: Faneromenis 62, Larnaka 6025, Cyprus)
Friday 9 May 2025
| 17:30 | ICC Board Meeting |
| 19:00 | Welcome Dinner Reception (Venue: DSTRKT) Address: Ermou 82, Larnaka 6023, Cyprus |
Saturday 10 May 2025
Each session consists of a 30-minute presentation, a 10-minute Q&A, and 5 minutes allocated for room changes.
| 08:45-09:30 | Registration | |
| Room 1 | ||
| 09:30-09:45 | Welcome ICC Co-Chairs: Myriam Fischer & Tatjana Kovac Larnaka Mayor: Andreas Vyras |
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| 09:45-10:45 | Keynote Speech: Developing Intercultural Communicative Competence through (AI-Enhanced) Pedagogical Lingua Franca Immersion Kurt Kohn, Professor Emeritus of Applied English Linguistics English Department, University of Tübingen (Germany) Moderator: Thomas Tinnefeld |
|
| 10:45-11:00 | Coffee Break | |
| Parallel Session (Room 1) | Parallel Session (Room 2) | |
| 11:00-11:45 | Invited Talk:
No Cheating – a Guide to Ethical AI Use in Language Teaching Moderator: Helen Bulluck |
Workshop (in Greek & English):
Gamifying Greek: How Digital Tools Can Make Learning Greek Fun and Effective Moderator: Valentinos Filippou |
| 11:45-12:30 | Talk:
Empowering Migrant Workers through Work-related Second Language Learning for Labour Market Integration and Participation Moderator: Myriam Fischer |
Talk:
Enhancing Oral Presentation Skills Through Generative AI Moderator: Ian McMaster |
| 12:30-13:45 | Lunch | |
| 13:45-14:30 | Talk :
Keeping up with the Gen Zs: a Sceptic’s Guide to Adapting Existing Teaching Materials for an AI-Savvy Audience Moderator: Ian McMaster |
Talk:
Bridging the Gap in Oral Proficiency: Pedagogical Integration of Conversational Agents Moderator: Tatjana Kovac |
| 14:30-15:15 | Talk:
Fostering Entrepreneurial Competences and a Sustainable Entrepreneurship Mindset in Higher Education English for Specific Purposes Contexts Moderator: Ian McMaster |
Workshop:
EUROLTA – European Certificate in Language Teaching to Adults: Professionalisation Pathways for Aspiring Language Teachers Moderator: Myriam Fischer |
| 15:15-16:00 | Workshop:
Fostering a Multilingual Mindset – Strategies for Promoting Multilingualism in Education Moderator: Ian McMaster |
Workshop:
AI in Language Teaching and Learning Moderator: Damian Fäh |
| 16:00-16:30 | Coffee Break | |
| 16:30-17:15 | Talk:
Integration of Artificial Intelligence into Higher Education: Perceptions of Students and Educators Moderator: Thomas Tinnefeld |
Workshop:
AI Chatbots as Mediation Simulators: Enhancing Cross-Cultural and Cross-Disciplinary Communication in ESP, Exemplified by Engineering Moderator: Damian Fäh |
| 17:15-18:00 | Talk :
Building Bridges: Engaging Activities for Enhancing Cultural Agility Moderator: Helen Bulluck |
Talk:
Teaching and Learning Dynamics in Online EMI Environment Moderator: Tatjana Kovac |
| 19:00 | Dinner (own cost)
Venue: Militzis Tavern (Address: Piale Pasa 42, Larnaka 6028, Cyprus) |
|
Sunday 11 May 2025
| 08:45-09:45 | ICC Annual General Meeting | |
| 09:45-10:00 | Break | |
| Parallel Session (Room 1) | Parallel Session (Room 2) | |
| 10:00-10:45 | Invited Talk:
Working in international teams: how can AI help? Moderator: Helen Bulluck |
Talk (in Greek):
GREEK LINGO BOX: Back to Face to Face? Myths about Language Games and a Fresh Idea for Board Games Moderator: Valentinos Filippou |
| 10:45-11:00 | Coffee Break | |
| 11:00-12:30 | Panel Discussion: Redefining Language Education – Technology, Accessibility and Empowerment Coordinator: Thomas Tinnefeld Moderators: Thomas Tinnefeld & Michael Carrier Panellists:
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| 12:30-12:40 | Closing & Farewell | |
| 14:00-16:00 | Guided Walking Tour (own cost) | |
Recommended Hotels
We are pleased to share a list of recommended hotels for your stay during the 2025 ICC-Languages Conference. Special rates have been arranged for participants. Please mention the ICC Conference when booking to avail of the discounted prices.
This hotel is recommended for its effective communication and convenient location, with several conference organisers selecting it for their stay.
- Single room (including breakfast): €80 per room per day
- Twin/Double room (including breakfast): €90 per room per day
- Single room (including breakfast): €85 per room per day
- Twin/Double room (including breakfast): €95 per room per day
- Single occupancy: €70 per room per day
- Double occupancy: €85 per room per day
- Single room (including breakfast): €75 per room per day
- Twin/Double room (including breakfast): €85 per room per day
Conference Fees
The conference fee includes: e-certificate, welcome reception on 8 May, refreshments during coffee breaks and lunch on 9 May, refreshments during coffee break on 10 May.
Sponsor
