2026 ICC-Languages Conference
Zürich, Switzerland (May 8 to 10) on-site
Conference Venue
Multi-functional Center for Social Activities and Welfare of Larnaka Municipality
Address: Faneromenis 62, Larnaka 6025, Cyprus
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.
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
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
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
- Labour market trends and their impact on language teaching
- Recognition of prior, non-formal and informal learning
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
More information about the conference will be announced soon.
Keynote Speaker
Kurt Kohn, Professor Emeritus of Applied English Linguistics
English Department, University of Tübingen (Germany)
Kurt Kohn is Emeritus Professor at the University of Tübingen, Germany. He has decades of experience as a researcher and teacher in English and Applied Linguistics. His current areas of interest include English language teaching and learning, intercultural communicative competence development, Global Englishes and English as a lingua franca, pedagogical lingua franca immersion, intercultural virtual exchange, and language teacher education.
Recent publication:
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5125-6271
Key Dates
Call for Proposals
(closed on 28 February)
Submission Guidelines
- Proposals should be submitted online via the abstract submission form by 28 February 2025.
- 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 7 March 2025.
- Accepted presenters will be required to register for the conference by 14 March 2025.
Presentation Types: Talk and Workshop (Each with a duration of 45 minutes, inclusive of a 10-minute Q&A session.)
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
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 |
|
| 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:
|
|
| 12:30-12:40 | Closing & Farewell | |
| 14:00-16:00 | Guided Walking Tour (own cost) | |
Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
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
- Single occupancy: €80 per room per day
- Double occupancy: €100 per room per day
Conference Fees
The conference fees are as follows:
- Early Bird Registration: 110 euros (until 3 March 2025)
- Regular Registration: 140 (two days – €140, 0ne day – €90) (until 30 April 2025)
- ICC Members, Eurolta Centres, Eurolta Certified Teachers: 90 euros
- Cyprus-based scholars (with an affiliation in Cyprus): €90 – a special rate to encourage local participation
- Students (with a valid student ID card): 60 euros
- Presenters: 60 euros
The conference fee includes an e-certificate of participation, the welcome reception dinner on 9 May, refreshments during coffee breaks and lunch on 10 May, and refreshments on 11 May.