The South African Journal for Language Teaching focuses on the publication of research in the domains of language teaching and applied linguistics with a particular focus on course and syllabus design, language testing in educational settings, and literacy and language proficiency development.
The Journal is not restricted to English – articles in all official South African languages may be included. Although the focus is on language teaching and applied linguistics n South Africa, the Journal engages with international research and researchers. The Journal places a high value on both its international standing and on scientific research in applied linguistics. Colleagues and postgraduate students from South Africa and the African continent, as well as from the wider international scholarly community, are invited to contribute to any of the following research foci:
Empirical studies. The Journal gives preference to the publication of research with an empirical base (quantitative and/or qualitative studies, mixed methods research, case studies, action research, etc.). Descriptions of language classroom interventions or courses with no empirical component are not typically considered for publication in the journal.
Longitudinal studies and large scale studies on contemporary language dilemmas will receive special consideration.
Original research articles. The majority of articles are original research articles, but replication studies to validate previous findings are welcomed too.
Conceptual articles and meta-analyses are published from time to time.
State of the art reviews. The editor may invite specific authors on occasion to write “state of the art reviews” on relevant topics.
Special issues. The journal may include theme-based research. The Journal will consider featuring invited debates in special issues, for example with invited international contributors in dialogue with local scholars.
A Festschrift of a specific colleague’s work is published occasionally.
Book reviews are welcomed, and the editorial board reserves the right either to request or to refuse to review such submissions.