Bilingualism Matters Symposium (BMS26)

The Bilingualism Matters Symposium (BMS) is an interdisciplinary conference organised by Bilingualism Matters. It is open to researchers and practitioners, irrespective of their affiliation with Bilingualism Matters. The BMS aims to stimulate a productive dialogue between researchers in different academic disciplines and practitioners in different sectors of society.

BMS26 will take place in Milan, Italy on April 28-30, 2026, and will consist of two independent events.

Bimodal Bilingualism Special Session (28th April 2026)

On the first day (April 28th 2026) we will host a special session on Bimodal Bilingualism, which will be held in person only. English-International Sign (IS) and Italian Sign Language (LIS) interpretation will be provided.

The plenary speakers for the BMS26 Bimodal Bilingualism session are:

Karen Emmorey (San Diego State University, USA)

Francesco Pavani (University of Trento, Italy)

BMS26 (29th - 30th April 2026)

During the following two days (April 29-30) we will host the BM Symposium, which will feature in-person presentations only. Online attendance will also be available for non-presenting attendees.

The plenary speakers for the BMS26 Symposium are:

Julie Franck (University of Geneva, Switzerland)

Marco Tamburelli (University of Bangor, Wales, UK)

Both BMS26 and the Bimodal Bilingualism sessions aim to bring together scholars and practitioners. We welcome submissions featuring academic research, authored by researchers, as well as submission of classroom studies, small and large community projects, best practice examples, and experience-based reports authored by practitioners. Different submission and review criteria apply for researchers and practitioners (see guidelines below). A practitioner is defined as any individual working only outside academic institutions (e.g. teachers, policymakers, speech-language therapists).

Registrations now open:

Book here

Call for Bilingualism Matters Symposium (BMS26) April 29-30, 2026

Contributions are welcome from a range of perspectives related to:

the acquisition, development, and use of multiple languages across the lifespan, in both neurotypical and neurodivergent bilinguals;
cognitive, linguistic, and social aspects of bilingual language learning, processing and use;
educational approaches to bilingualism, including bilingual and multilingual education, language learning in formal and informal settings, and the education of bilingual children;
language policy and planning related to bilingual communities:
societal attitudes, ideologies, and perceptions of bilingualism in diverse contexts.

All theoretical and methodological approaches are welcome.

SUBMISSION LINKS for RESEARCHERS: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/79549/submitter

SUBMISSION LINKS for PRACTITIONERS: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/79550/submitter

Call for BMS26 special session: Bimodal Bilingualism April 28, 2026

Contributions are welcome from a range of perspectives related to:

the acquisition and processing of spoken and signed languages in bimodal bilinguals;
educational aspects, such as bilingual education involving sign languages;
policy issues relevant to the recognition and support of bimodal bilingual practices;
social attitudes and perceptions surrounding sign languages and bimodal bilingualism.
All theoretical and methodological approaches are welcome.

SUBMISSION LINKS for RESEARCHERS: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/79551/submitter

SUBMISSION LINKS for PRACTITIONERS: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/79552/submitter#

General Submission Guidelines

All abstracts must be submitted in English.

Abstracts cannot exceed the limit of 500 words, excluding figures, tables, and references (max. 2 figures or tables and 5 references may be added directly to the submission platform)
Abstracts should include information on how the research is relevant to the needs of the general public, professionals (health, education, etc.), policymakers, and others.
Authors can indicate a preference for an oral or poster presentation. However, the BMS26 Committee reserves the right to decide on the final format.
Abstracts must be submitted directly to the Oxford Abstracts platform choosing the appropriate link.
There is no limit on the number of abstract submissions by each individual to either of the events. However, each participant can present ONLY one paper (oral or poster) at each event.
A contribution can be submitted via the Practitioners link only if none of the contributors is affiliated with an academic institution. If one or more of the authors are academic individuals, the contribution must be submitted via the Researcher link.

Reviewing criteria for both events

RESEARCHERS’ Submissions

Originality - Does the research make a contribution to knowledge?
Academic rigour - Is the theoretical background clearly described? Are the arguments sound, clear, and logical?
Availability of results - What is the stage of the research? Are results available?
Presentation - Is the writing clear? Is it appropriately organized? Is the length appropriate?
Social relevance - Does the research have the potential to be relevant to non-academic audiences? Is it explained clearly?

PRACTITIONERS’ Submissions

Relevance to the main symposium or the special session theme
Presentation - Is the writing clear? Is it appropriately organized? Is the length appropriate?
Social relevance - Does the abstract have the potential to be relevant to wider audiences? Is it explained clearly?

Important dates

Submission deadline: 12th October 2025 23:59 CET / EXTENDED UNTIL 26TH OCTOBER 2025 23:59CET

Notification of acceptance: 24th November 2025 / EXTENDED UNTIL 15th December 2025

Registration opens: 1st October 2025

Bimodal Bilingualism Special Session: 28th April 2026

Bilingualism Matters Symposium: 29-30 April 2026

Location

- The conference will take place in the Milan Campus of the University of Milano-Bicocca. The venue's address is Piazza della Scienza 4, Building U4, Room "Sironi" (basement floor).

- Virtual attendance (April 29 and 30 only!) will be available via ZOOM.

Scientific Committee

Anna Balas, Carlo Cecchetto, Francesca Foppolo, Beatrice Giustolisi, Maria Teresa Guasti, Tihana Kras, Katarzyna Przybycien, Tanja Rinker, Mirko Santoro, Antonella Sorace, Simone Sulpizio

BMS26 Local organizers (Milan team)

Jasmijn E. Bosch, Silvia Curti, Francesca Foppolo, Valeria Galimberti, Beatrice Giustolisi, Maria Teresa Guasti, Beatrice Lanzini, Camilla Masullo, Anastasia Parini, Martina Riva, Simone Sulpizio

Fees

Early bird 30th Jan 2026

Standard fee from 31st Jan. 2026

Please note amounts in Euro are approximate

BMS26 fees (29th – 30th April 2026)

Full fee Non-Members (two days) Early bird: £220 (est.€253) Standard: £240 (est.€275)
BM members (two days) Early bird: £190 (est.€218) Standard: £210 (est.€240)
Students (two days) Early bird: £130 (est.€150) Standard: £150 (est.€170)

Bimodal Bilingualism session fees. (28th April 2026)

Full fee (one day) Early bird: £110 (est.€ 126) Standard: £130 (est.€150)
Students (one day) Early bird: £80 (est.€92) Standard: £100 (est.€115)

BMS26 & Bimodal Session (28th – 30th April 2026)

Full fee Non-Members (three days) Early bird: £310 (est.€356) Standard: £340 (est.€390)
BM members (three days) Early bird: £280 (est.€322) Standard: £310 (est.€356)
Students (three days) Early bird: £ 200 (est.€230) Standard: £ 230 (est.€264)

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Fees include lunch and coffee breaks
Group discounts are available for online participation only.
Further discounts for students and professionals working in the non-profit sector as well as bursaries covering fees and accommodation may become available. Please contact us if you are interested.

Directions to the conference venue

Travelling by plane

Landing in MALPENSA

Option 1: Take the Malpensa Express Train line (MXP1) from Malpensa (Terminal 1 or 2) to Milano Cadorna. Take the underground (Green Line towards Gessate/Cologno Nord) and get off at Garibaldi. Change line to Purple Line towards Bignami, and get off at Bicocca. Walk 6 minutes to reach the building.
Option 2: Take the Malpensa Express Train line (MXP2) from Malpensa (Terminal 1 or 2) and get off at Milano Garibaldi. Take the underground (Purple line towards Bignami), and get off at Bicocca. Walk 6 minutes to reach the building.
Option 3: Take the Malpensa Express Train line (MXP2) from Malpensa (Terminal 1 or 2) and get off at Milano Centrale. Take Bus 87 (towards Villa San Giovanni) and get off at Teatro Arcimboldi. Walk 2 minutes to reach the building.

Landing in LINATE

Take the underground (Blue line) and get off at Forlanini.
Take the S9 train line (towards Saronno) and get off at Milano Greco Pirelli after 2 stops. Walk 4 minutes to the venue.

Landing in BERGAMO - ORIO AL SERIO

Take Orio Shuttle to Piazza Luigi di Savoia. (Alternative: Take Terravision to Piazza Luigi di Savoia).
Take bus 87 (towards Villa San Giovanni) and get off at Teatro Arcimboldi. Walk 2 minutes to reach the building. (Alternative: Take the underground (Yellow Line) from Centrale FS towards Comasina, and get off at Zara. Change line: take the Purple Line towards Bignami and get off at Bicocca. Walk 6 minutes to the venue.)

Travelling by train

Arriving at Milano Centrale

Option 1: Take bus 87 (towards Villa San Giovanni) and get off at Teatro Arcimboldi. Walk 2 minutes to reach the building.
Option 2: Take the underground (Yellow Line) from Centrale FS towards Comasina, and get off at Zara. Change line: take the Purple Line towards Bignami and get off at Bicocca. Walk 6 minutes to the venue.

Arriving at Milano Garibaldi

Option 1: Take the underground (Purple Line towards Bignami) and get off at Bicocca. Walk 6 minutes to the venue.
Option 2: Take S8 train line towards Lecco and get off at Greco Pirelli (1 stop). Walk 4 minutes to the venue.
Option 3: Take S11 train line towards Chiasso and get off at Greco Pirelli (1 stop). Walk 4 minutes to the venue.
Option 4: Take S7 train line towards Lecco and get off at Greco Pirelli (1 stop). Walk 4 minutes to the venue.

Arriving at Milano Cadorna

Option 1: Take the underground (Green Line towards Gessate/Cologno Nord) and get off at Garibaldi. Change line to Purple Line towards Bignami, and get off at Bicocca. Walk 6 minutes to reach the building.
Option 2: Take the underground (Red line towards Sesto FS), and get off at Sesto Marelli. Take bus 87 (towards Stazione Centrale), get off at Teatro Arcimboldi, and walk 2 minutes; or take bus 81, get off at Via Breda - Via Ruccellai, and walk 8 minutes.

Tips for travelling

Underground tickets and bus tickets are 2.20€.
If you are taking the bus, you can just tap your credit/debit card on the reader when you board.
One card, one passenger: if you are travelling with someone, make sure you tap two different credit/debit cards.
If you are taking the underground, you can tap your card on the reader to open the ticket gate at the start of your journey, and then tap again at the end of your journey to exit. Don’t forget to tap at the exit, even when validation to exit is not required.
You can take multiple buses and the underground with one ticket if your journey lasts within 90 minutes.
If you need a paper ticket, you can get one at automatic vending machines in underground stations.
If you are also taking the train lines within the urban area (Mi1-Mi3), you need to get a paper ticket at the vending machines to show the ticket inspectors.
Malpensa Express tickets are handled separately and can be bought here. The fare is around 15€.

Accomodation

Below, we provide a list of accomodations close to the venue. Please note that there are no agreements or special rates with the conference organizers.

Hotel degli Arcimboldi - 20-minute walking distance to the venue
CXMilan | Bicocca Campus & Hotel - 12-minute walking distance to the venue

Poster Information

Posters need to be in portait (vertical) orientation. The size shoud be 70x100 cm.
If you want to print your poster here, we recommend these shops close to the venue: Media Print - Centro Stampa; C.C.B. Centro Copie Bicocca.

Talk Information

In the bimodal bilingualism session (28th April), presenters will have 20 minutes for their talk, plus 10 minutes for questions and answers.
All other presenters (29th-30th April) will have 15 minutes for their talk, plus 5 minutes for questions and answers.

Contact

bms@bilingualism-matters.org

Bilingualism Matters Symposium 2026