CLUNL

CLUNL, the Linguistics Research Centre of NOVA University Lisbon, hosted EuroSLA 35, the 35th Annual Conference of the European Second Language Association, marking the first time that the conference had taken place in Portugal. One of the world’s leading conferences on how people learn and use second, additional, and heritage languages, EuroSLA 35 brought 414 participants from 36 countries and territories, representing 197 universities, to Lisbon.

The scale and international reach of this anniversary edition reflected the diversity and vitality of contemporary research on second, additional, and heritage language learning and use.

The conference was officially opened by Professor Alexandra Curvelo, Dean of NOVA FCSH. In her opening remarks, she welcomed the EuroSLA community to NOVA and highlighted the importance of language research in increasingly multilingual societies. She also emphasised the value of bringing together researchers from different countries, institutions, and disciplines, and the contribution of international scientific events such as EuroSLA to the research culture and international outlook of NOVA FCSH.

Professor Susana Correia, Director of CLUNL and lead organiser of EuroSLA 35, said: “Hosting EuroSLA 35 reflects CLUNL’s strong commitment to internationalisation and scientific cooperation, while also highlighting its position as an internationally recognised centre for research on second and additional language learning. The scale of the conference was impressive, but its greatest value lay in the conversations, collaborations, and new connections it made possible.”

EuroSLA 35 received a record 820 submissions. The programme included 30 Doctoral Workshop presentations, 133 conference papers, 139 posters, and four keynote lectures.

The keynote lectures were delivered by Melissa Baese-Berk of the University of Chicago, Bram Bulté of the Council of the European Union and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Vincent DeLuca of UiT The Arctic University of Norway, and Emma Marsden of the University of Oxford.

Across the conference, researchers and students presented work on a wide range of topics, including linguistic development, language processing, multilingualism, individual differences, instruction, assessment, language technologies, neuroscience, and research methodology. The programme brought together different languages, learner populations, theoretical perspectives, and methodological approaches, illustrating the richness, diversity, and continuing development of the field.

Supporting emerging researchers

The conference began with the EuroSLA Doctoral Workshop, which gave emerging researchers the opportunity to present their work, receive constructive feedback, and become more closely involved in the international EuroSLA community.

The Doctoral Workshop formed an important part of the conference’s commitment to supporting colleagues at different career stages and creating an open, rigorous, and welcoming environment for scientific exchange.

Connecting research, innovation, and society

EuroSLA 35 also included the Language Learning Round Table, “Pathways to Impact: Connecting Research, Innovation, and Society.”

The session was introduced by the Vice-Rector for Innovation, Value Creation, and Global Affairs, Isabel Rocha, and brought together Gigi Luk of McGill University, Paula Simões of EduQA, Portugal’s Institute of Education, Quality and Assessment, Detmar Meurers of the Leibniz Institute for Knowledge Media and the University of Tübingen, and Rui Vaz of the Camões Institute. The Round Table was moderated by Patrick Rebuschat of Lancaster University.

The discussion explored how research on language learning, multilingualism, curriculum, assessment, public institutions, and artificial intelligence can generate meaningful impact beyond academia. Particular attention was given to involving practitioners and institutions from the beginning, grounding research in real-world problems, identifying where artificial intelligence genuinely adds value, and developing practical forms of collaboration and follow-up.

The session also included a musical interlude by Portuguese musicians Luís Ribeiro and Cajé Garcia.

CLUNL is grateful to Language Learning and Lancaster University for their financial support of the Round Table.

A collective achievement

A conference of this scale depends on the commitment of many people. CLUNL extends its sincere thanks to the keynote speakers, presenters, doctoral researchers, delegates, reviewers, session chairs, administrative and technical teams, exhibitors, sponsors, institutional partners, and everyone who contributed to the success of EuroSLA 35.

A particularly warm thank you goes to the student volunteers from CLUNL and Lancaster University, whose energy, professionalism, and willingness to help were essential throughout the conference.

CLUNL also thanks the members of the local organising committee and the many colleagues whose months of planning, coordination, and problem-solving made it possible to welcome the international EuroSLA community to Lisbon.

Hosting EuroSLA 35 was an opportunity not only to showcase the diversity and vitality of research on second, additional, and heritage language learning and use, but also to strengthen international connections, begin new collaborations, and support a friendly and engaged academic community.

CLUNL was delighted to welcome EuroSLA to Portugal and looks forward to seeing the conversations and partnerships created in Lisbon continue well beyond the conference.

See you next year in Ghent for EuroSLA 36!