Even though the pronunciation of a new language can be practiced without reference to other aspects of language, second language pronunciation ultimately cannot exist on its own in language learning. The pronunciation of a target language is central to listening comprehension (e.g., through connected speech and authentic listening, Cauldwell, 2013) and perception (Thomson, 2022; Tremblay, 2025), to enabling the automaticity evident in fluent speech (Chau et a., 2022), to the expression of and understanding of grammatical meaning (Bell et al., 2015), and to vocabulary learning (Uchihara, 2022). It is also central to how intonational coherence is created in spoken language (Hahn, 2004; Tsunemoto & Trofimovich, 2024), to the communication of pragmatic information (Wichmann, 2004) and speech acts (Pellegrino & Vitaglia, 2015), and to how easily listeners understand speech (Munro & Derwing, 2020; Darcy & Rocca, 2022). In addition, the accuracy can be influenced by other aspects of language. For example, mismatches between the orthography of the L1 and the additional language being learned (Bassetti, 2023). 

The 17th Pronunciation in Second Language Learning and Teaching (PSLLT) Conference invites proposals for papers and posters on all topics related to intersections between pronunciation acquisition and learning and other aspects of language.  Because PSLLT promotes connections between empirical research and practical application, we especially encourage papers that connect research to teaching and other applications important to L2 pronunciation, including teacher education and learner attitudes and beliefs. As always, proposals for papers on pronunciation in a wide variety of L2s other than English are valued in the conference. 

Possible paper topics include descriptive and experimental studies, re-examinations of key research findings (e.g., intelligibility, comprehensibility and accentedness) in new languages, connections to technology (e.g., ASR or Artificial Intelligence) that connects pronunciation to other aspects of language, and innovative approaches to teacher education. In addition to those proposals directly relevant to the conference theme, we invite proposals for papers or posters on any aspect of pronunciation research, teaching and learning that are currently relevant to the field. Papers will be given in English.

PSLLT invites proposals for two types of papers: empirical studies (either oral or poster presentations) and teaching tips/technology showcase. 

Abstracts must be no longer than 300 words with no more than five references (not included in the word count).  For empirical studies, abstracts should concisely describe the purpose and methodology of the paper, as well as its results and their interpretation. Teaching tips should include a description of a teaching practice that can be presented to a group of teachers within a 7-minute time period. Submission of abstracts is due by April 17th, 2026 at https://bit.ly/psllt26abstract. Notification of acceptance or rejection will be sent via email by May 15th, 2026, and must be accepted by June 1, 2026.

Authors of accepted presentations and teaching tips are also invited to submit their papers to the peer-reviewed PSLLT Proceedings (https://iastatedigitalpress.com/psllt/) after the conference.

For further information about the conference, contact John Levis or Sinem Sonsaat-Hegelheimer, Conference Organizers at psllt@iastate.edu.

PSLLT Committee contact: psllt@iastate.edu