Submit a Manuscript to the Journal
Language and Education
For a Special Issue on
Multilingual policies in early childhood education across the globe
Abstract deadline
Manuscript deadline
Special Issue Editor(s)
Victoria Van Oss,
Vrij Universiteit Brussel
[email protected]
Thibaut Duthois,
Ghent University
[email protected]
Piet Van Avermaet,
Ghent University
[email protected]
Deidre Geduld,
Nelson Mandela University
[email protected]
Multilingual policies in early childhood education across the globe
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Focus: This Special Issue explores multilingual policies in early childhood education (ECE), an under-researched area in language policy studies.
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Rationale: While multilingualism has received growing attention, ECE remains a blind spot despite its critical role in shaping children’s early attitudes, identities, and competencies.
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Scope: We seek research from across the Global North and Global South to examine how language policies are developed, implemented, and experienced in early learning contexts.
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Comparative perspective: By highlighting context-specific dynamics and potential universal mechanisms, this Special Issue aims to inform more inclusive, effective, and globally relevant language policies.
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Contribution to the field
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Bridges a major research gap in ECE language policy
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Highlights the voices and knowledge systems of historically marginalized scholars, especially from the Global South
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Provides practical insights and tools for educators, policymakers, and researchers
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Types of contributions. We welcome:
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Empirical studies exploring multilingual policies and practices in ECE
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Conceptual papers and critical reflections
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Systematic reviews and case studies showcasing innovative approaches
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Aim: To create a comprehensive resource that combines robust research, practical strategies, and global perspectives to support educators and policymakers in fostering inclusive multilingual learning environments.
Submission Instructions
This Special Issue invites scholarly contributions that critically engage with language policy in early childhood education (ECE). We welcome submissions from both the Global North and the Global South, aiming for a balanced representation of perspectives and experiences.
We invite:
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Empirical studies investigating factors shaping language policy or its impact on educators, children, and communities.
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Conceptual papers and systematic literature reviews.
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Practice-based accounts and case studies highlighting promising approaches to multilingual policy in ECE.
Topics of interest
Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:
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Development, implementation, and impact of multilingual language policies in ECE across diverse contexts.
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Comparative studies on how linguistic ideologies (e.g., monolingualism, colonial legacies) shape policy.
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The role of early childhood educators as active agents in interpreting and shaping language policy.
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Innovative practices fostering children’s multilingual development.
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Impacts of language policies on children’s learning, wellbeing, identity, and socio-emotional development.
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Experiences of minoritized, migrant, and Indigenous language communities.
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Professional development initiatives and policy interventions supporting educators.
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Methodological reflections on researching language policy in under-resourced contexts.
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Interdisciplinary perspectives linking early multilingual policy to equity, social justice, and decolonization.
Manuscript guidelines
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Word count: 7,000–9,000 words (inclusive of abstract, tables, references, figures, footnotes, and captions).
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Abstract: Maximum 200 words (unstructured).
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Manuscript structure:
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Title page
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Abstract
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Keywords
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Main text (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion)
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Acknowledgments (if applicable)
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Declaration of interest
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References
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Appendices (if applicable)
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Tables with captions (on individual pages)
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Figures with captions (as a list)
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Format: Submit manuscripts as single Word files. References may follow any consistent scholarly style.
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Articles should focus on language education in the dominant language(s) of the educational system, including bilingualism, multilingualism, CLIL, immersion, and medium-of-instruction. Please note: this special issue does not cover modern foreign language education.
Submission process
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When submitting your manuscript via ScholarOne, please select the Special Issue title: “Multilingual Policies in Early Childhood Education”. In the timeline underneath you can find details on when to submit abstracts and full manuscripts.
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If you are submitting an abstract for consideration, please send it directly to the guest editors at [email protected] and [email protected] by 15 January 2026.
Timeline
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15 January 2026: Abstract (max. 500 words) submission deadline. “Please submit the abstract by sending an email to two recipients: [email protected] and [email protected]
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1 March 2026: Notification of abstract acceptance
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30 April: The submission process starts, possibly via ScholarOne.
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30 June 2026: Deadline for full manuscript submission. All full manuscripts are required to be submitted via ScholarOne. The window for full manuscript submissions is 30 April 2026 – 30 June 2026.
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31 October 2026: First review round completed
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31 December 2026: Revised manuscript submission
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28 February 2027: Second review round completed
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31 March 2027: Final manuscript submission
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30 April 2027: Final decision
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June 2027: Publication of the Special Issue