Welcome to the IATEFL PronSIG Online Conference 2026!

Global Perspectives on Pronunciation for Specific Purposes

Saturday, 24th October 2026, 09.30 -17.00 UK time

We are now accepting speaker proposals for our 2026 October online conference being held on Saturday, 24th October 2026.

If you would like to propose a presentation, poster, workshop, panel, teachers tip or tools session, please read the event information and submission instructions below, and complete the submission form.

Event Brief:

Globalization has transformed English into the dominant medium for international workplace communication. Consequently, Pronunciation for Specific Purposes (PSP), or teaching pronunciation that is tailored to a particular need, situation or profession, has emerged as a critical subfield within English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Traditional pronunciation instruction often prioritizes native-speaker norms. However, globalized professional contexts demand a paradigm shift toward intelligibility, comprehensibility, and identity negotiation. 

This conference will explore contemporary global perspectives on PSP across diverse, high-pressure professional domains. It aims to examine how different industries navigate the tension between standardized accents and English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) realities

Instructions for submission:

We welcome proposals and sessions that explore pronunciation teaching for specific purposes. Potential themes might include:

  • Intelligibility 
  • Comprehensibility
  • Listener Accommodation Training 
  • Specialized Curriculum Design and Assessment 
  • Industry-Specific Phonetic Demands and High-Stakes Sectors 
  • Fluency and discourse-level speech
  • Listener training and perception skills
  • Accent, inclusion, and attitudes
  • Any other topic related to the theme

Join PronSIG for this whole day conference! 

All of the following session formats will be considered:

  • presentations (20 +10 minutes for Q&A)
    • These sessions should explore a specific topic reflecting what is stated in the abstract,
    • Make use of slides (e.g. PowerPoint, Google Slides) with visuals and judicious use of text to support your ideas,
  • posters (5 +3 minutes for Q&A)
    • Create a visually engaging display (48″ x 36″ / 121 cm x 91 cm) using software such as Canva, PowerPoint and Google Slides, 
    • Ensure your presentation has clear and concise text and images for improved comprehension,
  • workshops (35+10 minutes Q&A)
    • These sessions are longer than presentations to make room for interaction with attendants in activities or discussions related to the chosen topic, 
    • Consider providing a handout or other support material to share with and guide your audience during such activities. Bear in mind that our events will run on Zoom,
  • teachers’ tips (7 minutes + 3 minutes Q&A)
    • Share one or two practical tips that teachers can use in their teaching,
    • Present concisely; you may use slides or other presentation tools, but the main aim should be on giving advice that is practical and applicable for teachers.

Please complete this Google form in accordance with the following limitations: 

Session title: 12 words

Session abstract: 60 words

Speaker biodata: 30 words

Deadline for proposals: midnight (UK time) Monday 14th September 2026

The PronSIG committee will be in touch regarding the outcome of your proposed session within ten days of the deadline.