The 5th edition of the ECML-EC Summer Academy took place from 29 June to 3 July 2026 in Graz, Austria. A key component of the ECML’s cooperation with the European Commission, this year’s Academy brought together 28 highly motivated language teacher educators from 25 European countries and 8 international experts. The Academy provided a vibrant environment for professional exchange, intercultural reflection, and the exploration of innovative approaches in language teacher education.
The programme featured a range of activities and interactive discussions addressing key developments and challenges in European language teacher education, such as language plurality, digital literacy and autonomy, assessment practices, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the identities and competences of language teacher educators. The Academy encouraged both individual growth and collaborative advancement, with a special focus on fostering partnerships and teamwork among participants.
Cultural and social activities complemented the professional programme, including a guided tour of Graz and an evening in the Styrian vineyards. Moreover, at the University of Graz, participants – welcomed by Hermine Penz at an event hosted by the Austrian Association of the ECML – engaged with valuable perspectives on collaborative partnerships and language awareness in CLIL/ICLHE.
This collaborative spirit was carried forward throughout the week, inspiring participants to initiate follow-up projects and ensuring that the exchange and cooperation established during the Academy will continue well beyond the event itself. With the ECML preparing its 8th medium-term programme (2028-2031) and a call for project proposals to be launched in 2027, the Summer Academy proved to be an opportune moment for participants to consider and develop collaborative ideas for future European language education projects.
The ECML-EC Summer Academy successfully forged connections among language teacher educators from across Europe, advancing plurilingual and intercultural education to strength our democracies. quality, inclusion, and intercultural dialogue in education.
"It was a very inspiring week indeed, both because of the programme itself and because of the colleagues we met, interacted with and collaborated with.
We refreshed and updated our knowledge and experience of the importance of language and language teacher education
in the maintenance and development of a democratic, open, plurilingual and pluricultural Europe."
Summer academy participant, 2026
For more information about the Summer Academy, please visit: www.ecml.at/summeracademy
