SETU’s Catriona Warren recently attended the Literacy Education and Second Language Learning for Adults (LESLLA) Symposium in Quebec, Canada.

Co-organised by Université Laval and Université du Québec à Montréal, the LESLLA 2025 Symposium brought together experts and practitioners from around the world. The event provided a platform for sharing knowledge and experience in adult language and literacy education, reflecting LESLLA’s core values of promoting plurilingualism and pluriculturalism.

Catriona works with the Literacy Development Centre in the Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning at SETU. The conference offered her an opportunity to connect with fellow attendees, particularly doctoral researchers and leading experts in language and literacy education from across Canada and Europe.

Reflecting on the outcomes of the event, Catriona highlighted discovering new approaches in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) literacy pedagogy, which will inform both her professional practice and research. She has already drawn on these learnings to deliver a workshop at the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) ESOL Literacy Conference in November 2025, sharing key insights from LESLLA with external organisations.

Considering the broader impact of the mobility, Catriona noted that the experience may have both educational and economic benefits in her local context. She engaged with a diverse community of researchers, educators, and policymakers committed to equitable access to learning.

Speaking candidly, she said:

“I deepened my understanding of effective literacy and language education for adult learners with limited schooling. I can apply new insights to improve teaching practices and programme design for marginalised learners – particularly migrants and refugees who face barriers to language learning and integration.”

She added that this work can empower both tutors and learners by promoting social cohesion and supporting learners’ economic participation through improved literacy and language skills.

Giving Catriona the final word, she reflected:

“Attending LESLLA 2025 Travailler ensemble and working together was such a rewarding experience. It allowed me to reconnect with practitioners, researchers, and friends while also making new connections around the world. Being able to discuss my research with peers reinforced the relevance and need for my work.”

More information on the EU-CONEXUS mobility fund is available here.