Research Studies in English Language Teaching and Learning

1. Aims and scope

Research Studies in English Language Teaching and Learning (RSELTL) publishes pedagogy-centred, methodologically rigorous research in English language teaching and learning. The journal prioritises studies in which teaching practices, instructional design, and classroom decision-making are treated as central objects of scholarly analysis.

Submissions must demonstrate:

A clear focus on pedagogical practice or instructional intervention
Strong theoretical grounding in applied linguistics or language education
Robust empirical or analytically grounded research methods
Relevance that extends beyond a single local, institutional, or national context

While RSELTL recognises the interdisciplinary nature of English language education, submissions that are primarily theoretical, policy-oriented, or descriptive are considered only when they show a clear and explicit connection to pedagogy and classroom practice.

2. Manuscript types

RSELTL accepts the following types of submissions:

Research articles (5,000–8,000 words, excluding references):
Empirical qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods studies with a clear pedagogical focus.
Review articles (4,000–7,000 words):
Systematic, scoping, or critical reviews that synthesise international research with explicit implications for English language pedagogy.
Short reports (2,000–4,000 words):
Focused empirical studies or classroom-based interventions with clear methodological transparency and pedagogical relevance.
Book reviews (1,500–3,000 words):
Reviews of recent publications directly related to English language pedagogy and teaching practice.

Purely conceptual or theoretical manuscripts are considered only when they make a clear, analytically grounded contribution to pedagogical understanding in English language teaching and learning.

3. Mandatory scholarly criteria for consideration

To be considered for peer review, all submissions must meet the following minimum scholarly requirements:

Clearly stated research aims, questions, or analytical objectives
An explicit methodology section appropriate to the research design
Critical engagement with recent and relevant international literature
Analytical depth that goes beyond descriptive reporting
A clearly articulated contribution to scholarship and/or pedagogical understanding

Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria may be desk-rejected prior to peer review.

4. Manuscript submission

Manuscripts must be submitted electronically via the journal’s online submission system or via email at rseltl@pierreonline.uk.
Submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.

The manuscript file should include the title page, abstract, main text, tables and figures (if any), and references.

5. Formatting and structure

5.1 General formatting

Language: British English
Font: Times New Roman, 12-point
Line spacing: Double-spaced
Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
Citation style: APA 7th edition

5.2 Title page

Concise and informative title
Author(s)’ name(s) and institutional affiliation(s)
Corresponding author’s email address

5.3 Abstract and keywords

Abstract: 200–250 words summarising the study’s aim, methodology, key findings, and pedagogical or theoretical significance
Keywords: 4–6 keywords, written in lowercase and separated by commas

5.4 Main sections for research articles

Title
Abstract (150–250 words)
Introduction (approximately 500–1,000 words)
Literature review (approximately 500–1,500 words)
Methodology (approximately 800 words)
Results (approximately 500–900 words)
Discussion (approximately 1,000–1,500 words)
Conclusion (approximately 500 words)
References (APA 7 format)

The methodology section must clearly describe the research design, participants or data sources, data collection procedures, and analytical approach. For qualitative or conceptual studies, the analytical framework and interpretive procedures must be explicitly explained.

The discussion section must critically interpret findings in relation to existing international research and pedagogical practice, demonstrating how the study advances understanding of English language teaching and learning.

5.5 Tables and figures

Number all tables and figures sequentially (e.g., Table 1, Figure 1)
Provide clear titles and sources for all tables and figures
Tables must be submitted in editable format (Word or Excel, not images)

6. Ethical considerations

Authors must adhere to recognised ethical research standards, including informed consent and participant confidentiality where applicable. Studies involving human participants must include a clear ethics approval statement.

All submissions are screened for plagiarism using detection software.

7. Peer review process

All submissions undergo double-blind peer review.
The review process typically takes approximately 3–6 weeks.

Editorial decisions are based on reviewer reports as well as alignment with the journal’s pedagogical focus, scholarly standards, and quality expectations. Authors may be required to revise and resubmit their manuscripts based on editorial and reviewer feedback.

8. Publication fees

RSELTL does not charge publication or submission fees.
The journal is committed to providing free and open access to high-quality research in English language teaching and learning.

9. Copyright and open access

RSELTL is an open-access journal.
Authors retain copyright while granting RSELTL the right to publish their work under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence.

10. Language and academic clarity

Manuscripts must be written in clear, academically appropriate British English and demonstrate coherence, precision, and argumentative clarity. Submissions with persistent language or structural issues that obscure meaning may be returned to authors or rejected prior to peer review.

The journal does not provide language editing services. Authors are responsible for ensuring the clarity and accuracy of their manuscripts before submission.