The SRUK/CERU Language Policy Committee is pleased to announce the International Workshop on Ser y Estar: Thinking Grammar, Teaching Language, which will take place at the University of Edinburgh on 22 May 2026.
This one-day event will bring together an international group of researchers and educators to examine the theoretical, empirical, and pedagogical dimensions of the Spanish linking verbs ser and estar.
The workshop aims to address key questions at the intersection of grammatical theory, second language acquisition, and classroom practice, offering new insights into one of the most distinctive features of Spanish grammar.
The programme features contributions from more than 15 scholars based at institutions in the UK, Spain and France, including the University of Edinburgh, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad de Alcalá, Universidad de Sevilla, Université de Tours, Université Paris Cité, and Universidade da Coruña. Presentations will explore topics such as adjectival predication, variation and change in the Spanish verbal system, cross-linguistic influence in L2 acquisition, and corpus-based analyses of contemporary Spanish.
In addition to research papers, the workshop will include dedicated sessions on teaching practice, reflecting on how theoretical advances can inform grammar instruction in Spanish language teaching contexts. These sessions aim to foster dialogue between researchers and practitioners and to promote innovative approaches to teaching ser and estar in diverse educational settings.
The event will be held in Spanish and is free of charge. It will take place on Friday 22 May, starting at 9 am and finishing at 5 pm (coffee breaks and lunch will be provided). It is organised and sponsored by the Cervantes Chair and the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures at the University of Edinburgh, along with the Society of Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU). You can access the full programme here.
If you are interested in attending the event, please email the SRUK/CERU Language Policy Committee at [email protected] before 15 May 2026 to register. Places are limited.