Literacy Education and Second Language Learning for Adults (LESLLA) Annual Symposia

LESLLA is an international organization that holds annual meetings around the world thanks to the generous hosting by researchers and practitioners who are dedicated to the work of the organization. Below is a list of the past and upcoming symposia, including useful links to hosting organizations/institutions. With more than 200 contributions, the proceedings of our symposium provide an invaluable source for anyone interested in research, policies, and practices specifically for LESLLA learners.

19th Annual LESLLA Symposium, 2023 - Universitat Autònoma in Barcelona Spain - live & virtual

The 19th Annual LESLLA Symposium, “Bridging the gap between Research and Practice with LESLLA learners: Challenges and Opportunities”, was held at the Universitat Autònoma in Barcelona Spain, on September 7-9, 2023. This was the second hybrid symposium. On the first two days, the sessions were organized in person. The last day was reserved for virtual participation. This LESLLA Symposium was also multilingual, which was new. Most of the presentations and working groups could be attended in English. But there were also working groups in Spanish and Catalan. Participants enjoyed two days of inspiring sessions, and workshops focused on research, teaching practice and policy in the LESLLA context.

An overview of the Symposium program and the recordings of the virtual sessions can be found via the button below

18th Annual LESLLA Symposium, 2022 — University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, USA - live & VIRTUAL

The 18th Annual LESLLA Symposium, “Focus on the Future: Surprises, Opportunities, and Collaborations”, was held in person at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, USA on October 19-21, 2022. Virtual sessions were also be offered. Participants enjoyed three days of site visits, sessions, and workshops focused on teaching practice and research in the LESLLA context. All virtual sessions were recorded and you can access them via the button

17th Annual LESLLA Symposium, 2021 — Virtual

The 17th Annual LESLLA Symposium was held virtually on August 11th & 12th, 2021. The theme of this symposium was: Reconnecting the LESLLA Community in 2021.  During the two days, LESLLA hosted live keynote talks, roundtables, & coffee break sessions for all attendees. All sessions were recorded and you can access them via the button below. For a list of sessions, view the Symposium Program.

16th Annual LESLLA Mini-Symposium, 2020 — Virtual

Due to COVID-19, our 16th Annual Symposium will consist of a 3-webinar series offered on August 5, 6, and 7. On August 5th, we’ll host a LESLLA Updates and Virtual Coffee Hour. All are welcome to join. On August 6th and 7th we’ll have hosts facilitating a discussion with presenters about distance learning and incorporating volunteers into online teaching environments. There will also be a session in Swedish, hosted by the LESLLA 2021 Malmö Symposium organizers. Learn more about the schedule, sessions, and registration here. Access recordings, slides, and additional resources below.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA - 15th Annual LESLLA Symposium, 2019

The 15th Annual Symposium was hosted by Literacy Pittsburgh on August 28-30, 2019. In addition to three days of engaging and informative sessions related to teaching practice and research in the LESLLA context, attendees had the opportunity to connect with learners on site at Literacy Pittsburgh as well as over dinner at an event catered by Salem’s Market and Grill.

Resources: Proceedings, Presentations, Program, Full Session Summaries, Pittsburgh Proclamation on LESLLA Day
Proceedings Hard Copy > Print on Demand through Amazon

Palermo, Italy - 14th annual LESLLA Symposium, 2018

The 14th Annual LESLLA Symposium was hosted by the University of Palermo on October 4-6, 2018.  A pre-LESLLA Conference was held on October 3rd, 2018: "Alfabetizzazione e italiano L2. Ricerca, pratiche e politiche dalla scuola al volontariato." Practice and research-based sessions spanned a range of contexts, languages, and interests. Attendees represented Italy, Finland, Spain, Germany, Greece, Israel, US, England, Canada, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, and Norway. They enjoyed amazing Italian food, pedestrian streets lined with shops and entertainment, stunning architecture, a stroll through the botanical gardens, and views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Resources: Proceedings, Conference Website, Presentations, Program, Report on Conference in Dutch

Portland, ORegon, USA - 13th annual LESLLA Symposium, 2017 

The 13th Annual LESLLA Symposium was held at Portland State University. The hosts were the Applied Linguistics Department at Portland State University, ORTESOL, and Portland Literacy Council.  Portland was an excellent venue. Attendees enjoyed mountain views, amazing food trucks, and walks in nature above the university. Sessions were varied and well attended. Stay tuned for the published proceedings. 

Resources: Program, Proceedings
Proceedings Hard Copy > Print on Demand through Amazon

Granada, Spain - 12th annual LESLLA Symposium, 2016

The 12th Annual LESLLA Symposium was hosted by the Universidad de Granada in Granada, Spain, September 8-10, 2016. The proceedings are now available. For information contact Dr. Marcin Sosinski at leslla2016@ugr.es.

Resources: Book of Abstracts/Libro de Resúmenes, Proceedings

St. Augustine, Florida, USA - 11th annual LESLLA Symposium, 2015

The 11th Annual LESLLA Symposium was held at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, USA, November 11-13, 2015. Researchers and practitioners from North America and Europe presented on topics related to LESLLA learners, including cognitive and sociocultural views on the process of learning a second language for adult learners with limited first language literacy.

Resources: Proceedings

Nijmegen, Netherlands - 10th Annual LESLLA Symposium, 2014

The 10th Annual LESLLA Symposium was held at Radboud University in Nijmegen, August 28-30, 2014.

Resources: Proceedings

San Francisco, CAlifornia - 9th Annual LESLLA Symposium, 2013

City College of San Francisco, Mission Campus, hosted the 9th Annual LESLLA Symposium on August 7-9, 2013. The theme of the symposium Expanding Emergent Literacy Practices was to embrace multiple but complementary perspectives on the learning experiences and needs of LESLLA learners, including well-established psycholinguistic views and less-established socio-cultural views on the enterprise of learning to read, write, and speak a second language for beginning-level learners, and those with limited schooling.

Resources: Website, Proceedings, Proceedings Cover

 Jyväskylä, Finland - 8th Annual leslla symposium, 2012
 

The 8th Annual LESLLA Symposium was held in Jyväskylä, Finland from August 29th - September 1st, 2012. Participants enjoyed three days of speakers and presentations from Europe, US and Canada focusing on these topics.

1. Learner placement and progression assessment

2. Instructional methods and techniques:

3. Teacher professionalization:

For more information, please contact Taina Tammelin-Laine at: leslla-info@jyu.fi

Resources: Proceedings

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA - 7th annual leslla symposium, 2011

On September 29 - October 1, 2011 the University of Minnesota hosted the 7th Annual LESLLA Symposium.  For more information, please contact Patsy Egan: pegan02@hamline.edu 

Resources: Proceedings

Cologne, Germany - 6th Annual leslla symposium, 2010

On August 26-28th, 2010 the Universität zu Köln / University of Cologne in Germany, hosted the 6th Annual LESLLA Symposium.

Resources: Schedule, Presentations and Handouts, Proceedings 

Banff, Alberta, Canada - 5th annual leslla symposium, 2009

Bow Valley College hosted the 5th Annual LESLLA Symposium on September 28-30, 2009 in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Keynote speakers included Drs. Heide Wrigley, Steve Reder and John Archibald. The schedule and selected presentations can be accessed through the links below. Proceedings for the Symposium are also available here. 

Resources: Proceedings, Schedule, and Presentations

Antwerp, Belgium - 4th Annual LESLLA Symposium, 2008

The Karel de Grotehogeschool in Antwerp, Belgium hosted the 4th Annual LESLLA Symposium on October 23-25, 2008, which was sponsored by the Dutch Language Union (Nederlandse Taalunie) The focus was on research on instruction, demographics trends, second language literacy development, second language acquisition by low-educated adults, the interaction of language and literacy with each other and/or with factors such as cognition and type of orthography. 

Resources: Program, Presentations, Proceedings, and Session Abstracts

Newcastle upon Tyne, England - 3rd Annual LESLLA Symposium, 2007

The 3rd Annual LESLLA Symposium was held in Newcastle upon Tyne, England September 13-15, 2007. This meeting involved the discussion of research on second language acquisition and/or second language literacy development by low-educated adults and the interaction of language and literacy with each other and with additional factors. The colloquium constituted a single strand of talks, posters, screenings, demonstrations and a site visit that occurred in parallel to the 17th annual EuroSLA conference on 13-14 September; then continued with a series of panels on international perspectives of LESLLA practice and policy. Panels of classroom researchers and professionals involved in issues regarding low-educated adults' L2 acquisition/literacy development focused on research or practice issues in their country or region (e.g. Australia, the European Low Countries, the UK and the USA). 

The agenda included plenary speakers on research practice and policy, concurrent sessions, moderated panel discussions and screening of the film "Newcomers in Turkey."

Resources: Schedule, Presentations, and Proceedings

Richmond, Virginia, USA - 2nd Annual LESLLA Symposium, 2006

The 2nd annual LESLLA Symposium was held in Richmond, Virginia on November 2-3, 2006, hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University and the American Institutes for Research. Over eighty renowned researchers, practitioners, and policy makers convened at LESLLA to share the latest research and to develop and gain consensus on an international agenda in these three areas vis-à-vis the issues pertaining to the adult, low-educated, second language literacy learner.

The agenda included plenary speakers on research practice and policy, concurrent sessions, moderated panel discussions and the U.S. premiere of the European award-winning film, Newcomers in Morocco. Conference participants also developed an international research agenda (pdf) to promote LESLLA research and improved practice.

Resources: Proceedings

Tilburg, Netherlands - 1st Annual LESLLA Symposium, 2005

LESLLA held its inaugural symposium on August 25-27, 2005 at the University of Tilburg in the Netherlands. Researchers from the Netherlands, England, USA, Belgium and Sweden presented their research on L2 language and literacy development of low educated adults. Topics included cognitive factors, working memory, phonological awareness and instructional interventions. Conference participants also visited the Midden-Brabant Regional Education Center (ROC), where they heard presentations about Dutch national and municipal immigration policy and the ROC’s educational programs. The conference agenda, presentations and proceedings are available for downloading.

Resources: Schedule, Abstracts, Proceedings, and Presentations