Call for abstracts

CLESOL 2026 invites educators, researchers, community members, and language professionals from across Aotearoa and beyond to submit proposals for presentations that explore the dynamic interplay between established expertise and emerging innovations in language education.

The theme "Back to the Future" reflects the importance of grounding our teaching practices in what we know works—proven pedagogies, inclusive values, and culturally sustaining approaches—while engaging thoughtfully and critically with the opportunities and challenges that new technologies and methodologies bring.

We welcome abstracts that speak to this balancing act: how we might honour the foundations of our profession while critically integrating digital tools, AI, and other advances to enhance student learning and teacher agency.

Submission Deadline: 30 November 2025

We encourage proposals from educators and practitioners across all educational sectors and from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Come join us in Kirikiriroa as we look both backward and forward—drawing on the wisdom of our collective past to shape an inclusive, innovative future for language education.

NEED HELP?

If you are having difficulty submitting your abstract, then please contact the conference organisers, Composition on clesol@composition.co.nz

Key Themes:

  •  • Early childhood language education
     • Primary language education
     • Secondary language education
     • Tertiary language education
     • ESOL and EAP teaching in diverse contexts
     • Language across the curriculum (primary, secondary, tertiary, not-for-profit)
     • Scaffolding learners in language acquisition and toward study & work goals
     • NZCEL, NCEA, unit standards: development, ownership, implementation, accountability & compliance

  •  • Community languages and heritage language maintenance
     • Community languages learning and teaching
     • Te Reo / Māori language learning and teaching
     • Indigenous theories of knowledge (epistemologies) and learning
     • Language and identity (including Pasifika / migrants / refugee issues)

  •  • Diverse classrooms
     • Learner identity and language acquisition: becoming a NZ English speaker
     • Learner identity, agency, and engagement across sectors
     • Culturally responsive and decolonising pedagogies

  • • Contextualising language learning and teaching
     • Translanguaging and bilingual pedagogies
     • Grammar
     • Listening
     • Reading
     • Speaking and pronunciation
     • Vocabulary / corpora
     • Writing
     • Multiliteracy
     • Academic literacies
     • Disciplinary literacies

  •  • Language teacher education and continuing professional development
     • Professional development and teacher education
     • Leadership and management in language learning & teaching

  • • Language policy and practice in New Zealand
     • Government policy and its effects on language provision and acquisition
     • Literacy, numeracy, TEC and NCALE

  • • Testing and assessment

  • • Blended / web-based / e-learning / CALL
    • Digital and AI-enhanced language learning tools

Please allow at least 10 minutes to complete the online profile and abstract process.

Submission Guidelines

You will be required to have: 

  • Contact details of lead author (all correspondence will be directed to this person)

  • Abstract in the correct format (see below)

  • Author affiliations (organisation, city, country) 

  • Short biographies for all presenting authors

  • Selected presentation type and abstract theme (chosen during online submission)

Abstract Format

  • Submit as a Microsoft Word document 

  • Font: Arial, 12 point

  • Maximum 250 words

  • Single spacing, left aligned (no justified margins)

  • Short biographies for all presenting authors must be entered during the submission process

Individual Presentations

Oral presentations

  • Standard academic or practice-based talks supported by audio-visual aids

  • 20 minutes presentation + 5 minutes Q&A (total: 25 minutes)

Ideas worth sharing

  • Short, practice-focused presentations highlighting teaching innovations, classroom experiences, or emerging ideas

  • 5–10 minutes including Q&A (includes formats such as Pecha Kucha or Lightning Talks)

Research and Thematic Panels

Workshops 

  • Hands-on, activity-based sessions involving audience participation

  • May include AV materials, handouts, or practical tools

  • 60 minutes including Q&A

Symposia

  • Research-focused sessions with multiple contributors coordinated by a symposium organiser

  • Built around a unifying theme; includes interaction/discussi

  • 60 minutes including Q&A

  • May include AV, slides, and handouts

Colloquia or Panel Sessions (by arrangement)

  • Thematic panels offering extended discussion from multiple perspectives

  • Format and timing flexible—organised in consultation with the conference committee

Interactive Sessions

Posters

  • Visual displays of research, practice, or work-in-progress

  • Informal and interactive format

  • 30-minute sessions where presenters engage with attendees during a set period

Teaching forums

  • Practice-based interactive sessions organised around a theme

  • Includes multiple short presentations (e.g., Ideas Worth Sharing)

  • May be 30 or 60 minutes depending on structure and number of contributors

  • Led by a forum organiser; supported by AV

Visual and Informal Presentations

First-time presenters.

Have you not submitted an abstract before? Not sure of the process? We strongly encourage those who haven’t submitted an abstract to get involved and give it a go! 

    • Firstly, read the information above, note the closing date.

    • Next, follow the required format when you write the abstract. You will see that there are three model abstracts to choose from. It’s often easier to download the one that suits your presentation best and type over it. The reviewers may not be familiar with the topic or your context, so keep the language clear and simple. Often, it’s best to ask colleagues, mentors and/or family members to read your abstract and provide feedback.

    • Submit the abstract using the button on this page. You should receive a confirmation email at the end.

    • You will also need to provide a short biography during the submission process. If you don’t have one available, write one before starting the submission process. If you are accepted, the facilitator on the day will use the biography to introduce you.

    • The Programme Committee will review all abstracts and you will be notified by email if your abstract has been accepted or declined.

  • Please feel free to email the conference organisers, Composition on clesol@composition.co.nz.

If you are accepted, congratulations! Now the next part begins! Read on…

    • For this, practice does make perfect. You will receive tips on presenting, as part of the acceptance letter. Take the time to read these tips and learn how to improve your presenting style and delivery (including the preparation of slides). 

    • Register for the conference. As part of the submission, you agree to register and pay for at least one day of the conference. 

    • Once you arrive at the conference, go to the Speaker Preparation room with your slides on a USB stick. In the Speaker Preparation room, there will be an audio-visual technician who will load your presentation onto their computer, and run the slides, to ensure there are no hiccups. Once confirmed, they will ensure your presentation is loaded onto the computer loaded in the room you are presenting. If there are any audio-visual issues on the day, the technician will be available to sort them out (the facilitator will be able to locate them).

    • On the day you are presenting, go and find the room that you are presenting in, and have a look at the space. Be in the room 15 minutes prior to presenting (this will usually be during a catering break) to meet the facilitator, confirm where you will be seated, how they will introduce you, have a go with the remote mouse etc. 

    • Most importantly – enjoy yourself. People will be interested in what you have to say so take a deep breath, smile, keep calm, talk clearly and slowly and enjoy your presenting time.  

Criteria for evaluating abstracts

All abstracts will be double-blind reviewed by the following criteria:

  • Relevance of the topics to the conference theme and sub-themes,

  • Innovation and originality/applicability of new/existing ideas in ways that add new knowledge and insights to the field and

  • Accessibility of language use in the abstract (plain language, free of specialist jargon, unless clearly required).

  • Note that the committee reserves the right to decline any submission without assigning reasons.

Conditions of submission

  • Late submissions will not be accepted. 

  • The conference will review all abstracts and may contact authors as part of the review process. 

  • A condition of acceptance is that at least one author registers to present at the conference. They are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and registration expenses. Similarly, no speaker fee is paid to authors or presenters.

  • It is the responsibility of the submitting author to ensure the accuracy of the content, spelling, grammar and formatting of the abstract as it will be published as it is submitted. 

Further Information 

If you are having difficulty submitting your abstract, please contact the conference organisers, Composition on clesol@composition.co.nz

Join our mailing list

Join our mailing list today for important updates about our conference including key dates and information about the speakers and programme.