Navigating the Now and the Next Call for Papers 20 March 2026

CALL FOR PAPERS NCE 20 March 2026.

What does English language teaching look like in a world where boundaries — between people, technologies, roles, and opportunities — are constantly shifting? In times of rapid technological change, growing pressure on educators and shrinking budgets, future-proofing education demands deliberate choices and a rethinking of the pedagogical landscape: what do we invest in? What do we let go of? And most importantly, what do learners truly need?

This conference invites language teachers, teacher trainers, educational researchers, and policymakers to reflect on the possibilities and challenges of future-oriented English language teaching. Together, we will explore how it can remain resilient, human-centred, and relevant.

We welcome contributions that engage with a wide range of interrelated questions and perspectives. How do time, resources and curricula limit what is possible in the classroom — and how can educators make intentional, creative choices that may open new pedagogical spaces? What role does artificial intelligence play in reshaping the learning process? How does it influence learning experiences, teacher roles, and student agency? In a shifting knowledge landscape, what does mastery mean, and what knowledge and skills remain essential for both learners and teachers? How can personalized and task-based approaches meet the diverse needs and aspirations of today’s learners? And as Big Tech enters the classroom, we must ask critical questions about tools and learning analytics — not just how we use them, but why, and to what effect.

We also invite you to reflect on the evolving role of teachers: what remains irreplaceable in human instruction, and what aspects of the profession are being redefined? At the same time, how can we foster well-being and motivation through the lens of positive psychology, for learners and educators alike?

Interested? Send a short proposal (approx. 200 words) outlining your idea for a workshop or lecture on one of these topics to info@nationaalcongresengels.nl by Sunday 5 October.