The conference titled “Research at the service of Education” held on April 22nd in Szeged, Hungary brought together educators, researchers, and practitioners from various fields to discuss the complexities and opportunities of teaching subjects in a foreign language. Organized by the Faculty of Education at the University of Szeged, the event aimed to explore the efficacy of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) methodologies, share practical experiences, and delve into innovative approaches to language teaching.

Dr. Habil. Klára Tarkó commenced the conference with a warm welcome, setting the tone for an afternoon of insightful discussions. Mária Bakti followed with a presentation on the CLIL NetLE project, shedding light on the project's objectives and outcomes in fostering language learning across disciplines. Throughout the day, attendees were treated to a diverse array of presentations. János Kapusi provided valuable insights into teacher roles and practical experiences in delivering geography lessons through a foreign language at the secondary school level, while Dr. Andrea Erzsébet Orosz-Martins delved into the intricate relationship between vocabulary acquisition and language learning.

Adrienn Tóth-Nagy’s exploration of the brain’s representation of language learning emphasized the cognitive aspects of language acquisition. Júlia Szarvas captivated the audience with a presentation of the “Mesevilág” reference book for lower primary English teachers, highlighting the role of storytelling in language education. The conference also addressed practical aspects of language teaching, with Júlia Szarvas, Szilvia Pintér and Dr. András Bernáth sharing insights on lesson planning and the integration of English literature and children’s literature into educational frameworks, respectively.

The conference was a great opportunity for educators to come together and share innovative methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches in language education. It highlighted the importance of such approaches, especially in multilingual contexts, and served as a valuable forum for exchanging knowledge, and best practices and forging new paths in language pedagogy. As educators continue to navigate the complexities of teaching languages, events like these are essential for promoting collaboration and learning.

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CLIL NetLE Information session held on April 22, 2024, in Szeged, Hungary.