Invitation for Manuscript Submissions
The Journal of Language Acquisition and Teacher Education (LATE) welcomes manuscript submissions from researchers, teachers, teacher educators, postgraduate researchers, and practitioners working in language acquisition and teacher education. Published by Researcher Publishers, LATE is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that connects theory, research, and practice. It provides a forum for examining how languages are learned and how language teachers develop the knowledge, skills, and professional understanding needed to support learning across educational and cultural contexts.
This is a standing call for papers. Submissions are welcome throughout the year and are not tied to a particular issue or submission deadline. LATE publishes two issues annually, in April and October, using continuous publication. Accepted articles are published individually in their final form once editorial and production processes have been completed, without waiting for a complete issue.
LATE welcomes research on language learning processes, language teacher knowledge and identity, teacher preparation and professional development, curriculum and materials development, assessment practices, and the application of language acquisition research to teaching. Interdisciplinary contributions drawing on linguistics, psychology, education, and applied language studies are welcome. Authors should consult the Aims and Scope to assess the suitability of their work.
The journal accepts two main categories of manuscripts. Empirical Research Articles report original qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods studies that contribute new knowledge, theoretical understanding, or practical insights to language acquisition and language teacher education. These articles should present a clear research purpose, an appropriate theoretical foundation, rigorous methods and analysis, and a discussion of the significance of the findings.
Critical Review Articles synthesise and critically evaluate existing scholarship. These may include systematic, bibliometric, conceptual, or other rigorous critical reviews. Contributions should move beyond descriptive summaries to identify significant patterns, theoretical or methodological issues, research gaps, and implications for future research and practice.
All submissions undergo editorial screening for relevance, originality, academic quality, theoretical grounding, and compliance with the requirements of the journal. Manuscripts that pass screening proceed to double-blind peer review by at least two experts in the relevant field. Revisions may be required before an editorial decision is reached. Accepted manuscripts then proceed through copyediting, proof checking, and production. Further details are available on the Review Process page.
Before submitting, authors should read the current Author Guidelines for manuscript length, abstract, keywords, structure, APA 7th referencing, anonymisation, and file requirements. Use the current template package and prepare the four required files: Cover Page, Article Manuscript Without Author Information, Article Manuscript With Author Information, and Declaration. The manuscript intended for peer review must not disclose author identities.
The separate Declaration file must address Ethics Approval and Informed Consent, AI Tool Use, Funding, Conflicts of Interest, Data Availability, and Author Contributions. Authors should complete the applicable statements, remove unused examples and instructions, and replace all placeholders. Author-identifying declaration details must remain separate from the anonymised manuscript.
LATE makes its published articles freely available online. Authors should consult the Open Access Policy for copyright and licensing information and the Publication Fees page for current information about article processing charges and other author fees.
Submissions must be original and must not be under simultaneous consideration by another journal or publication outlet. Authors must follow the Academic Integrity, Ethics, and Malpractice policies of LATE. Research must be reported accurately, sources must be checked, and any overlapping publications or prior dissemination must be disclosed.
AI tools may support technical and linguistic preparation, but they must not replace the intellectual contribution, analysis, interpretation, arguments, or conclusions of the authors. Fabricated data, findings, citations, and references are prohibited. Authors must include an AI Tool Use statement in the Declaration file, including a statement of non-use where applicable. Any use of AI as part of the research methodology must be academically justified and described in the manuscript. Authors remain responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all submitted material.
Manuscripts must be submitted through the online submission system. Before uploading files, authors should review the submission checklist and ensure that the manuscript and supporting documents meet the current requirements of the journal. Questions about suitability or submission may be directed to the editorial office.
LATE welcomes contributions from different countries, institutions, career stages, and research traditions. We invite you to share research that deepens understanding of language acquisition, informs teacher education, and strengthens the connections between scholarship and educational practice.
Read more about Invitation for Manuscript Submissions
