4th CELEAP 2026 in Penang

4th CELEAP 2026 in Penang

The 4th Edition of the Conference on Spanish as a Foreign Language in Southeast Asia (CELEAP) takes place from September 18 to 20, 2026, at the prestigious Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang, Malaysia. Under the theme "The Spanish Classroom in the Digital Era: Practices, Challenges and Opportunities," this landmark event gathers educators, researchers, and Spanish-language professionals from across Southeast Asia to explore classroom practices, sectoral trends, and the ongoing digital transformation in education.

Organized by the Instituto Cervantes of Manila (alongside its regional classrooms and extensions), the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain for Australasia (with its Technical Advisory Offices in the Philippines and Thailand), and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), the congress stands as a cornerstone for promoting the Spanish language across the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Spain’s Presence: Tourism, Education, and Cultural Synergy

Spain plays an active role at CELEAP 2026, highlighting the direct link between language learning, cultural exchange, and educational travel:

  • The Official Spain Booth: Attendees can visit the dedicated Spain booth to explore educational resources, destination highlights, and opportunities for academic and cultural exchange.

  • Turespaña Presentation: Turespaña features prominently with a specialized presentation focusing on Spain as a premier destination for language travel, cultural immersion, and educational tourism.

Academic & Institutional Collaboration

The strategic and interdisciplinary scope of CELEAP 2026 is made possible through academic partnerships with leading universities in the region:

  • Malaysia: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) (Host Institution), Universiti Malaya

     

  • Philippines: University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University

     

  • Singapore: National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU)

     

  • Thailand: Chulalongkorn University, Ramkhamhaeng University

The congress also benefits from the support of industry partners, including Edinumen, Difusión, and Universidad de Alcalá - Alcalingua. The active participation of these institutions plays a decisive role in strengthening Spanish language teaching, research, and cultural projection throughout the Asia-Pacific region.