Read with MEE presents:
A day filled with inspiration and insights on reading and multilingualism in young children
Join us on 19 October 2026 at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, for a day of sharing knowledge and exchanging experiences on reading with young multilingual children.
Many children in Europe grow up in a multilingual environment, surrounded by minority, majority, refugee, and migrant languages. This brings unique challenges for parents, caregivers, and teachers. The Reading as a Superpower event explores how these challenges surface across various European countries and dives into how we can best support multilingual children and their full repertoire of languages.
The event is for anyone who has an interest in children’s multilingual language learning or a passion for storytelling or reading with children. Library staff, language policy officers, linguistics and pedagogy students, parents and caregivers, and any other interested parties are welcome to join the event!
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Programme
The event will showcase some of latest insights into research regarding multilingual literacy as well as creative examples from practice, with speakers from Ireland, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands:
- Dr Rory Mc Daid (Marino Institute of Education; Ireland)
- Dr Diana Lindsay(teacher trainer and materials writer; Basque Country, Spain)
- Eline Decraene (Ghent University; Belgium)
- Lida Dijkstra (author; Fryslân)
Moreover, the event will feature contributions by international Read with MEE team members, who will present on the various materials they have developed over the past three years. These include a handbook on early language development, videos showcasing best practices across Europe, and an interactive reading game.
More information on the presentations will be available soon.
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Registration
Participation in the event is completely free of charge, and includes lunch, tea, and coffee. Registration beforehand is required.
The event will be held in English; audience questions are also welcomed in Frisian and Dutch.
Date: Monday 19 October
Time: 11:00-15:30
Location: NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences – Leeuwarden (NL)