International conference on minority languages and multilingualism in European schools: practices, challenges, and future prospects

University of the Basque Country, Donostia- San Sebastián Campus

July 9 2026

Cultural and linguistic diversity is part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage (UNESCO, 2003) and plays a fundamental role in contemporary societies, as it shapes their identity and meaning. However, not all languages coexisting within the same society enjoy the same status. Depending on their sociolinguistic presence and degree of official recognition, a distinction can be made between majority languages, regional minority languages, migrant minority languages, and lingua francas.

As early as 1992, the European Commission ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages with the aim of protecting these languages (Council of Europe, 2022a). Nevertheless, many regional minority languages in Europe are still considered to be insufficiently safeguarded. In 2018, the Charter was revised and entered into force in 2019, establishing specific regulatory frameworks within each country—and even each region—for the maintenance and preservation of minority languages (Council of Europe, 2002b).

The education system plays a key role in this process, as it is responsible for managing, designing, implementing, and evaluating the transmission and use of languages in specific sociolinguistic contexts.

This conference aims to analyse and gain a deeper understanding of the situation of minority languages in European schools. The conference welcomes both theoretical and empirical academic contributions addressing multilingual educational experiences in which minority languages constitute a central focus of analysis.

The main thematic strands of the conference include:

Educational minority language policy frameworks
Multilingual teaching and learning strategies involving minority languages
Sociolinguistic analysis of schools teaching minority languages
Pedagogical innovation, tools and strategies fostering minority languages

This conference provides a collaborative space for researchers and educational stakeholders to exchange knowledge and reflect on multilingual education in Europe. The conference aims to foster interdisciplinary and cross-context collaboration, contribute to evidence-based educational policies and practices, and strengthen networks among those committed to linguistic diversity, social inclusion, and educational equity in Europe. Contributions from researchers, teacher educators, and policymakers are particularly encouraged.

This conference is supported by Euskampus within the framework of the LTC Incubator PYRENLANG project, which foster international collaboration, knowledge transfer, and innovation in higher education and research.

The conference will feature keynote speakers Jasone Cenoz and Durk Gorter whose work has significantly shaped contemporary research in this area.

References

Council of Europe (2022a). European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-charter-regional-or-minority-languages/about-the-charter

Council of Europe (2022b). Promoting ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in France. https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-charter-regional-or-minority-languages/promoting-ratification-in-france

UNESCO. (2003). El texto de la Convención para la Salvaguardia del Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial. https://ich.unesco.org/es/convenci%C3%B3n

Important dates

Submission of proposals: March 31, 2026
Notification of acceptance of proposals: April 30, 2026
Preliminary program: May 2026

Proposals and submission:

Proposals regarding original, previously unpublished research on minority languages and multilingualism in European schools are invited in the format of individual papers. In line with the aims of the conference, oral paper presentations are explicitly welcome in minority and minoritized languages, including, but not limited to, Occitan, Aragonese, Irish, and Basque. Translanguaging practices are also welcome during the oral presentation. For reasons of accessibility and shared understanding, the abstract and presentation slides will be written in English, French or Spanish.

Proposals may be submitted via the following link

Details on proposal submission: Title, abstract (250 words max.) and 3-5 keywords.

Abstract review process: The Scientific Committee will evaluate abstracts based on quality and relevance.

Communication presentation: The communications will be organized into thematic sessions. Each presentation will last 20 minutes, followed by 10 minutes for discussion.

Paper publication: The selected papers will be published in a special issue of a high-impact journal.

Conference registration

The organizing committee is working to minimize participation costs. Final information regarding registration will be published shortly.

Organizing committee

Elizabeth Pérez Izaguirre (EHU), Congress Director

Karin van der Worp (EHU), Congress Director

Marie-Anne Châteaureynaud (UBx), Congress Director

Omar García Zabaleta (EHU)

Ion Arrieta Valero (EHU)

Scientific Committee

Karin van der Worp (EHU),

Elizabeth Pérez Izaguirre (EHU),