Aims and Scope
New Zealand Studies in Applied Linguistics (NZSAL) is an open-access refereed publication venue for Applied Linguistics/Applied Language Studies research in Aotearoa New Zealand. A broad range of research is represented, including qualitative and quantitative approaches. This includes research associated with language teaching and learning, but also work related to multilingualism, language policy, assessment, discourse analysis, corpus linguistics, sociolinguistics, pragmatics, and experimental research. As the focus is on applied linguistics, research in NZSAL can focus on both L1 and L2 contexts and is further not restricted to studies of English.
The journal is a forum for reporting and critical discussion of language research and practice across a wide range of languages and international contexts, but submissions are expected to have a connection to Aotearoa New Zealand. Such connections include if the authors are based in Aotearoa New Zealand, and/or where the research itself has some strong connection to New Zealand (e.g., through the languages, culture, or society of Aotearoa). If you are unsure as to whether you meet these criteria, please contact the editor.
Article Types
Empirical research articles (maximum 5,000 words, excluding references)
Short, focused research which presents the results of original, empirical evidence. NZSAL especially welcomes empirical research conducted by postgraduate students. Such research can reflect early stages of larger projects, such as pilot and norming studies, but these projects should nonetheless contribute to new knowledge.
Research methods overviews (maximum 5,000 words, excluding references)
Research methods overviews are articles focused on a specific research method of interest to readers of NZSAL. Methods discussed can be qualitative or quantitative. These articles can include critical discussion of how specific research methods have been (or could be) employed in the New Zealand context, provide a short tutorial of how to use such methods, critique the prior application of methods, or some combination thereof.
Discursive literature reviews (maximum 3,000 words, excluding references)
Discursive literature reviews are short, focused reviews of different perspectives and debates within the existing literature. These reviews should highlight existing gaps in the literature. Such gaps could include a need for replication of key studies, an absence of knowledge surrounding certain populations of variables, the need to expand specific research methods, or a more general need for future research. Crucially, these reviews should not simply summarise existing research – they must be framed around a thesis formed by the author(s).
Book reviews (maximum 2,000 words, excluding references)
Book reviews provide a summary and critical analysis of book-length work of interest to readers of NZSAL. Book reviews are handled by the Book Reviews Editor.
Peer Review Process
Works submitted to NZSAL (aside from book reviews) undergo double-blind peer review. Reviewers include the editor, members of the editorial board, and other invited reviewers.
Special Issues
NZSAL is also a venue for a guest editor to publish a special issue. Special issues may relate to a unified topic or represent work arising from conferences or symposia. If you would like to propose a special issue, please contact the editor.
Make a Submission
Please refer to the NZSAL Submission Guidelines
Open Access Policy & Copyright
All work in New Zealand Studies in Applied Linguistics is published open access and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International deed. Authors retain full copyright of their works.
DOIs and Indexing
All published articles are assigned a digital object identifier. Articles are published online only, both on the journal website and also in the Informit Database.
Publishing in NZSAL is free to authors
There is no charge to authors for publishing in NZSAL. The editor, editorial assistants, and editorial board are all volunteers. Fees associated with running the journal (e.g., assigning DOI numbers) are covered by the Association for Applied Linguistics New Zealand (ALANZ).
Publication Ethics
Please refer to the Publication Ethics page.
Other matters
Contact the Editor, Dr Stephen Skalicky (Stephen.Skalicky@vuw.ac.nz).