Submission
Authors must follow the journal’s submission guidelines when submitting a manuscript to Research Studies in English Language Teaching and Learning (RSELTL). All submissions must fall within the scope of the journal and meet the required formatting, ethical, and academic standards.

Initial editorial screening
All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial screening by the editorial office to assess their relevance to the journal’s aims and scope, adherence to submission guidelines, and overall academic suitability. Manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s minimum requirements may be rejected at this stage. Authors are normally notified of desk rejections within five working days.

All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software to ensure originality and compliance with publication ethics. In addition, the journal reviews manuscripts for the appropriate and transparent use of artificial intelligence tools. Authors must clearly disclose any use of generative AI technologies in the preparation of their manuscript in accordance with recognised academic publishing standards.

Editorial assessment
Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to a member of the editorial board with expertise in the relevant field. The handling editor evaluates the manuscript’s scholarly merit, methodological soundness, and relevance to the journal’s focus before sending it for peer review.

Double-blind peer review
RSELTL follows a double-blind peer review process. In this system, the identities of both authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process in order to ensure impartiality and fairness.

Each manuscript is evaluated by at least two independent reviewers who have recognised expertise in English language teaching, applied linguistics, education, or closely related disciplines. Reviewers are selected based on their academic qualifications, research experience, and publication record.

Reviewers assess manuscripts according to several criteria, including originality, clarity of presentation, methodological rigour, theoretical contribution, and significance of the findings. Reviewers provide detailed comments and recommendations to assist the editor in reaching a decision.

Editorial decision
Based on the reviewers’ reports, the editor makes one of the following decisions: accept the manuscript, request minor revisions, request major revisions, or reject the manuscript. In many cases, authors are invited to revise and resubmit their manuscript within a specified timeframe.

Revised manuscripts may undergo an additional round of peer review if substantial revisions are required. Authors are normally informed of the editorial decision within four to six weeks of submission, depending on reviewer availability.

Publication process
Once a manuscript is accepted, it enters the production stage. This stage includes copyediting, typesetting, and final proofreading to ensure accuracy and consistency. The final version of the article is then published in the online edition of RSELTL.

Benefits of peer review
The peer review process plays a central role in maintaining the academic quality and credibility of the journal. It ensures that published articles meet recognised scholarly standards and contribute meaningfully to research in English language teaching and learning.

For authors, the process provides constructive feedback that helps refine arguments, clarify research methods, and strengthen the overall contribution of the study. Through rigorous and impartial review, the journal aims to provide a reliable platform for educators, researchers, and professionals working in the field.

Acceptance rate
Based on recent volumes, the journal’s acceptance rate is approximately 27%.