Reflecting on the English for Conference organised by EALTHY and SLC this past weekend, I started thinking about the numbers.

85 delegates, all involved in English for Healthcare education – lecturers, writers, assessment specialists, academic managers, translators.

22 countries represented, including New Zealand, Japan, Cuba, Kuwait, Bahrain, the US, Turkey, and much of Europe.

28 presentations and workshops covering classroom practice, course design, materials creations, AI and edtech applications, intercultural challenges, assessment, OET preparation, and working with refugee healthcare professionals.

8 poster presentations presenting research from developing AI chatbots to error analysis, grammar in ESP, materials development and working with students across different languages.

4 outstanding sponsors: thanks to OET, SLC, Avallain and Express publishing

3 keynotes from eminent researchers on the intersection between healthcare and linguistics covering medical humanities, superdiversity in the provision of care, and the liminal spaces between institutional and lay language in healthcare.

1 amazing conference dinner: thanks to Indian Summer.

1 amazing venue: thanks to Brighton and Sussex Medical School and the Sussex University catering team.

And countless conversations, thoughts, and insights over the two days. Tons of food for thought, great networking, new friendships formed, and stories begun.

Bring on 2026!