​The International Symposium “EMI and Plurilingualism for Global Higher Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Opportunities” seeks to create a multidisciplinary forum for reflection, exchange, and collaboration on the evolving role of language in higher education within a globalized academic landscape. As universities worldwide increasingly adopt English-Medium Instruction (EMI) and engage with plurilingual and intercultural practices, new questions arise regarding inclusion, quality, diversity, and pedagogical innovation.

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This symposium addresses the current need to examine how EMI and plurilingual practices align with broader institutional goals, such as internationalization, inclusion, academic excellence, and innovation in teaching. It will bring together scholars, educators, institutional leaders, and policymakers to explore current trends, share research findings, and discuss practical strategies for implementing EMI and plurilingual approaches in higher education settings. Special attention will be devoted to the implications of these practices for student learning, faculty development, institutional identity, and the overarching goals of global engagement. To broaden the symposium’s scope, a thematic line on Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is also proposed as a pedagogical approach that can strengthen EMI practices by fostering plurilingual competence from earlier educational stages.

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Through a combination of keynote lectures, interactive Q&A sessions, roundtable discussions, papers, and posters, the symposium will foster a collaborative space to reflect on emerging challenges and opportunities in multilingual higher education.

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Symposium focus

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This symposium will serve as a platform for critical reflection, knowledge exchange, and innovative thinking on the role of English-Medium Instruction (EMI) and plurilingualism in shaping inclusive, globally engaged, and pedagogically forward-thinking universities.

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We encourage you to participate in the symposium by submitting a proposal for a paper presentation or a poster. Contributions may address -though are not limited to- the following themes:

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• EMI in Higher Education: Teaching practices, language policies, teacher development, and impact on learning.

• Plurilingualism in Higher Education:  Language diversity, translanguaging, and linguistic landscapes.

• CLIL in Practice: Classroom strategies, materials development, assessment, curriculum design, quality assurance, and teacher training. 

• Internationalization of Universities: Language policies, global engagement, curriculum design, internationalization at home, digital strategies, and student mobility as catalysts for institutional transformation.

• Plurilingual and Intercultural European Universities: Networks, alliances, and language policy.

• Student-Centered Methodologies: Active learning, collaborative knowledge building, and fostering learner autonomy in EMI, CLIL, and multilingual classrooms to enhance engagement and inclusion.

• Inclusion and Diversity: Institutional policies and teaching practices that address linguistic, cultural, and academic diversity to promote equity and inclusive learning environments.

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We welcome 20-minute presentations, followed by 10 minutes of discussion, and poster contributions in one of the official conference languages: English, Spanish, French, or German. The language used during the Symposium will be predominantly English. However, proposals will be accepted in the four official languages of the Symposium, and specific sessions will be conducted in the different official languages.

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​Submission guidelines

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• Abstracts must be submitted via the designated platform (see below) and be between 250 and 300 words in length (not including references), accompanied by between 4 and 6 keywords.

• The abstract should contain the following information: Objectives, Theoretical framework, Methodology, Results and References.

• Submissions can be in English, Spanish, French, or German, which are the official languages of the Symposium.

• All proposals will undergo a double-blind peer review process.

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Submission guidelines for posters follow the same criteria established for oral presentations and they have to be accepted by the Scientific Committee.​

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• Posters must be written in any of the official languages and printed in vertical format using following measures: A0 portrait format.

• Posters should be placed in their correspondent panels at registration time and should remain there until the closing ceremony of the Symposium. The correspondent panels will be informed by email to all corresponding authors some days before the Symposium.

• During the poster walk session the presenting author must stand up close to the poster to inform about the poster and answer the questions from other researchers.

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Publication information

A special issue arising from the II Symposium has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Language Teaching and Research (Q1, SCOPUS) for November 2026. This issue will compile selected high-quality research papers that reflect the latest developments discussed during the event. Manuscripts are invited for submission and will undergo a rigorous peer review process. Further information about the CFP will be provided in due course.

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Important dates

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• Abstract submission deadline: March 1st, 2026

• Date of acceptance announcement: March 26th, 2026

• Early bird registration deadline: April 17th, 2026

• Standard registration: April 18th – May 31st, 2026

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​*If you have any questions or issues regarding the submission of your communication, please contact the organization by email at neolaia@webcongreso.com.​​