Hi Everyone

Rose White and I both work on teacher education programmes at the University of East London. We presented at the last two years' EECERA conferences on aspects of multilingualism and equalities in the early childhood education system, and have a long interest in multilingualism.

We are currently involved in an exciting collaboration with colleagues from our own university and colleagues in Finland, USA, France and Germany looking at the principles, pedagogies, policy and practice of preparing teachers to work with multilingual learners. Given the fast changing and challenging contexts in Europe at the moment it seems particularly relevant to explore and share our current practices, commonalities and differences. The recent Murphy and Evangelou publication has much fantastic and relevant material, but we are looking at exploring multilingualism against the variety of home languages rather than a focus on English. Our group is applying for funding for international collaboration, and in the meantime is planning to present at the ECER conference - also in Dublin this summer.

Rose and I would be really interested in presenting a symposium at EECERA with colleagues from other countries that has a similar focus, but of course looking at supporting early childhood education practitioners rather than the broader focus of our colleagues. We are thinking that we might adapt the symposium format with shorter presentations all with a similar structure that shares current practices in our countries to allow a longer time for question and discussion afterwards. If anyone would be interested in joining us in a symposium we would be happy to act as 'chair' and organise the symposium, with the potential of further collaboration. Contact me on [log in to unmask] if you are interested.