Heritage Language Week 2026

Call for papers: 6th Heritage Language Week 2026 in Frankfurt am Main

Dear Colleagues,

On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, the language centers of the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and the Goethe University are pleased to announce the sixth annual Heritage Language Week on the topic of “Teaching and Learning Heritage Languages: Multilingualism, Identity, and Innovative Methods” for students and teachers.

The event will take place from 17 to 19 February, 2026, in Frankfurt am Main.

We invite all teachers, educators, coordinators, and experts in the field of heritage languages to submit proposals for lectures, poster presentations and workshops from July 23 to October 31, 2025. These should focus on the central topic of the specific features of teaching heritage languages. We particularly welcome contributions on the topics of multilingualism, identity and belonging, the use of modern media, and assessment and feedback methods in heritage language teaching. Presentations should last approximately 20 minutes, followed by a 5-minute discussion.

Goal and format:

The goal of the Heritage Language Week is to raise awareness of the topic of heritage languages. It also provides a platform for the exchange of teaching and learning experiences in the field of heritage language teaching at schools and universities.

The event will be held in the format of a “Good Practice Exchange”, which allows participants to discuss methods and techniques in heritage language teaching.

Contributions for general sections: You can send a contribution for a general section. Working languages: German/English.
Sections for specific heritage languages: You can propose a separate section for the heritage language you work with. At least four contributions in the same language are required to organize a separate section. You can suggest a topic and we will confirm later whether there are enough participants for this section. Working language: the language of the proposed section.

Possible topics

Multilingualism

Multilingualism in everyday life and the design of heritage language teaching
The potential of intercomprehension

Identity, belonging, and communication

Intersectionality: language, culture, and multiple identities
Transcultural communication
Learners with special educational needs

Modern media

Use of artificial intelligence and modern media
Integration of literary texts, feature films, or music in a heritage language classroom
Project work (e.g., podcast creation, excursions, etc.)

Assessment and feedback

Assessment criteria and feedback methods
Autonomous learning
UNIcert®: exam formats and task development

Submission of abstracts:

Please send us your unpublished abstracts (max. 250 words) in the conference languages German or English. Include the following information: title, authors, short biography (max. 100 words), institution, address, and contact address of the corresponding person. Please also indicate whether you would like to give a presentation or present a poster.

Important dates:

Submission of abstracts: July 23 to October 31, 2025
Notification of acceptance to authors: by November 15, 2025
Announcement of the preliminary program: by December 1, 2025
Registration: from December 1, 2025; participation in the Heritage Language Week is free of charge.

Please note that the event will take place exclusively in person; online or recorded presentations are not possible.

We look forward to your contributions and an inspiring Heritage Language Week 2026!