ELL Symposium 2026 | Shenzhen
Everyone is a Language Teacher: Building Bridges Across Content and Language
Venue: Shekou International School, Shenzhen
Dates: TBC
Date
TBC
Location
Shekou International School, Shenzhen
Price
RMB XXXX
Audience
ELL / EAL Specialists, Homeroom Teachers, and any teaching staff
About the ELL Symposium
Language is at the heart of every learning experience. Whether in mathematics, science, physical education, or the arts, the ability to communicate ideas, express understanding, and build connections depends on language. This conference brings together educators who believe that language learning does not live only in the English classroom—it belongs everywhere.
Essential Questions
Over two days, participants will explore practical strategies, share classroom experiences, and learn from colleagues across disciplines. Together, we will ask:
How do content-area teachers integrate language learning into their practice?
What does it look like when language and subject knowledge grow side by side?
How can schools create environments where every teacher feels confident supporting language development?
This conference is not just about listening—it is about participating, exchanging, and taking action. You will leave with concrete strategies, renewed inspiration, and a community of peers to lean on long after the event ends.
Host
Celina Mathews
Celina Mathews is an experienced educator who leads the EAL program at Shekou International School. She has a Master of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and a certificate in ELT Leadership and Management.
Celina is well-versed in WIDA and is passionate about providing a program that is inclusive, data driven, and supportive for all multilingual learners. Her expertise in language acquisition, attention to data, and experience with collaborative teaching ensures that each student receives an equitable education that propels their language and content skills forward. Through her leadership, the EAL program at Shekou International School has become a model for other schools seeking to provide high-quality language instruction to their students.
Why Attend?
By the end of the two days, participants will:
Gain practical strategies for embedding language learning into content teaching.
Learn from peers across subject areas, sharing both successes and challenges.
Build an action plan for their school through Innovation Labs.
Connect with a growing network dedicated to supporting multilingual learners.
Explore tools and resources from sponsors that can support teaching and learning.
Register Now
RMB XXX per attendee
Agenda Highlights
Presentation Sessions
Table Topics Café
Sometimes the most valuable learning comes from an informal conversation over coffee. At the Table Topics Café, participants will join small-group discussions on designated themes—from supporting multilingual learners in assessments to fostering identity and belonging in the classroom. Discussion prompts will help spark ideas, but the real value comes from shared experience and peer-to-peer exchange.
Interactive Networking
Relationships are the foundation of professional growth. On Day 1, we’ll host a structured interactive networking session designed to help you meet new colleagues, make professional connections, and expand your support network across schools and regions.
Sponsor Involvement and Lunch & Learn
During breaks participants will be encouraged to learn from education service providers how they are supporting schools to enrich their multilingual learning environments. Sponsors will also host lunch & learn sessions where educators can explore new tools and approaches in a relaxed setting.
Across three main sessions, participants will have the opportunity to attend 12–18 presentations from educators working in different subject areas. With 4–6 presentations per session, you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of practical, content-focused ideas. Presenters will include SIOP-certified teachers, science and PE specialists, homeroom educators, and more—ensuring a strong focus on the intersection of language and content teaching.
Innovation Labs
Ideas are powerful, but they only transform learning when they are acted upon. That’s why this conference builds in dedicated Innovation Lab time for school teams. These collaborative sessions give educators the chance to translate conference takeaways into concrete action plans tailored to their school contexts.
Join us in Shenzhen
This conference is designed for educators who believe in the power of language as a tool for learning, inclusion, and growth. Whether you teach English, lead a homeroom, or specialise in a subject area, you are part of the journey. Everyone is a language teacher—and together, we can make language learning thrive in every classroom.