The Unbounded Journey: The Teaching of First Language, Literacy and Literature in a Dynamic World

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Introduction

The purpose of this special issue is to explore current topics in literacy education around the world by highlighting papers presented at the 2026 “International Association for Research in L1 Education (ARLE)/International Federation for the Teaching of English (IFTE) Conference”. Specifically, we are seeking presented papers that investigate how language, literature, and literacy education can advance decolonial, socially just, and context-responsive practices across diverse educational settings. Papers may also discuss how theory, research methods, pedagogy, and activism empower learners and reimagine language and literacy education in relation to place, technology, and contemporary social challenges. 

List of Topic Areas

Papers may include, but are not limited to:

• Language, literature and de-colonial/anti-colonial research and practice
• Language, literature, place and context
• Indigenous knowledge and literature/literacy education
• Language and literature curricula and student agency
• Languages, literacies, and technologies
• Literacy theories and language, literature and literacy education
• (Critical) language awareness
• Teaching and learning practices in and beyond school
• Teacher education and professional learning
• Languages, literacies, education and activism
• Plurilingualism and multilingualism
• Social justice in education and empowering students
• Schooling in real environments, the local, the rural, the urban
• “Powerful knowledges” and language and literature education
• Means and Methods: How Do We Research Our Complex Field? 

Submissions Information

Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available here: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/etpc 
Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see here: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/etpc 
Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to ““Please select the issue you are submitting to”. 
Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.

Key Deadlines

Opening date for manuscript submission: 22 June 2026 
Closing date for manuscript submission: 1 November 2026 

Guest Editors

• Andy Goodwyn, Emeritus Professor, University of Reading
• Audrey Lucero, Professor, University of Oregon
• Melissa Schieble, Professor, Hunter College of City University of New York
• Amy Vetter, Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro