Submissions

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Submission Guidelines

Manuscript Submission

Manuscripts considered for publication will be double blind reviewed for their presentation and analysis of new empirical data using appropriate research methods, development of theories relevant to language learning and teaching, development or refinement of language learning pedagogies, and discussion papers relevant to teachers and learners of languages at all levels.

Consider titles that are not too informal or that narrow the focus too much (only include a specific country in the title if you feel that it has a crucial impact on the study), and ensure the writing is clear throughout. Proofread manuscripts thoroughly before submission, as large numbers of grammatical errors can make it difficult for reviewers to read the manuscript, which may have a detrimental effect on their evaluation of your research. ORCiD reference IDs should be included in the author metadata for all authors.

Regular articles are expected to be 6000-8000 words in length (excluding references and appendices), and are expected to include original research based on solid methodology and sufficient background research. Academic discussion on topics that may or may not include empirical data, but still include sufficient understanding of relevant research. Short articles may be between 5000-6000 words in length.

Formatting & Layout

Manuscripts must be submitted as a .docx document file. Any information identifying the authors should be removed from the primary manuscript document. Reference to work from the authors should be marked as "Author1, 20xx" or "Author2, 20xx" in the citations, and references should be included as "Author1. (20xx)." or "Author2. (20xx)." Please do not number subsections. Heading levels should be obvious by using the heading functions in MS Word or equivalent. Please do not try to emulate the formatting of the published articles. All references and citations must be in accordance with the APA 7th edition. Where possible, DOIs should be included as "https://doi.org/xxx.xxx" for all references.

Declaration of Use of Generative AI

Please refer to the following guidelines regarding the use of Generative AI in preparing and writing the manuscript: https://www.castledown.com/journals/index/author-guidelines-on-the-use-of-generative-ai

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. Authors need to pay article processing charges (APCs) when the manuscript is accepted; check the APC policy from here. Authors from low-income countries can receive a discount. The open access statement is available from here.

Publication Ethics

Note that all submissions to this journal must be original work that has not been published or currently under review elsewhere. Manuscripts that have been published as pre-prints may be considered as being already published. All submissions are checked for plagiarism on submission by iThenticate. For information about the peer review process and publication ethics is available from here.

Content Archiving

All content is archived in LOCKSS, CLOCKSS, and PKP Preservation Network.

Submission Preparation Checklist

All submissions must meet the following requirements.

The submission has not been previously published, nor has it been submitted to another journal for consideration. Manuscripts that have been published as pre-prints may be considered as being already published.
Provide an anonymous version of the manuscript for double blind peer review. All information identifying the author(s) must be removed from the document.
Provide a separate title page documenting author details, including author names, ORCID, author affiliation, professional position, email address, author bio with keywords of research interest, funding acknowledgement, etc.
All AI usage at different stages of the research and writing of the manuscript must be fully disclosed at the end of the manuscript before the reference list.
I understand that if my manuscript is accepted, article processing charges (APCs) are to be paid according to the schedule listed at https://www.castledown.com/journals/index/article-processing-fees. No fees are due if my manuscript is not accepted.
The submission file is in Microsoft Word document file format.
Where available, DOIs or URLs for the references have been provided.
The text is single-spaced; uses a 12-point font; and all illustrations, figures, and tables are placed within the text at the appropriate points.
The text adheres to APA 7 throughout for citations and references.

Privacy Statement

We are committed to protecting the privacy of our authors, reviewers, and readers. This privacy statement outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard personal information in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Information We Collect

Personal Information from Authors and Reviewers: When submitting a manuscript or participating in the peer review process, we collect personal information such as names, affiliations, email addresses, and ORCID iDs. This information is necessary for manuscript processing, communication, and scholarly collaboration.

Usage Data from Readers: We collect anonymized usage data (e.g., IP addresses, browser type, pages visited) to improve our website, track article views, and understand reader preferences. This data helps us enhance user experience and tailor content.

How We Use Personal Information

Manuscript Processing: We use authors’ and reviewers’ personal information to manage manuscript submissions, peer review, and editorial processes. This includes communication regarding manuscript status, revisions, and decisions.

Communication: We communicate with authors, reviewers, and readers via email or other channels. We may send notifications, updates, and announcements related to the journal.

Analytics and Improvements: Usage data helps us analyze website performance, identify trends, and enhance content delivery. We use aggregated data to improve our services and tailor content to readers’ interests.

Data Security and Retention

Security Measures: We implement technical and organizational measures to protect personal information. Access to data is restricted to authorized personnel only.

Data Retention: We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this statement. Authors’ and reviewers’ data is retained for archival and scholarly purposes.

Third-Party Services

Service Providers: We may engage third-party service providers (e.g., hosting platforms, analytics tools) to support our operations. These providers adhere to privacy and security standards.

External Links: Our website may contain links to external sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices.

Your Rights

Access and Correction: Authors, reviewers, and readers can request access to their personal information or update it. Contact our editorial office for assistance.

Withdrawal of Consent: Authors and reviewers can withdraw consent for data processing at any time. However, this may impact manuscript processing.