Journals Related to Applied Linguistics


I have moved and updated this annotated list of journals from previous editions of my book to this companion website. Besides the many journals that you have encountered while reading my book, there are many others that have articles related to areas of your interest. Below is a list of many of these journals with a description of the kinds of studies they contain. To grasp the breadth of applied linguistics, I suggest you first skim through the titles of these journals. The secret to obtaining an eclectic knowledge of the field is to familiarize yourself with the many areas of research.

Journal (URL)

Purpose of Journal


“… focuses on practical areas of the design, development, and evaluation of speech- and text-processing systems along with their associated theory. It publishes application-oriented research, survey papers, and descriptions of novel applications.”

“… publishes quality articles on accounts of action research projects, explorations in the philosophy and methodology of action research, and considerations of the nature of quality in action research practice.”

Deals mainly with “English Language in the Western hemisphere also with English worldwide, other languages, general linguistic theory, current usage, dialectology, and the history and structure of English.”

“… reviews recent research in key areas in the broad field of applied linguistics.”

“a quarterly journal … provides a forum for the full range of scholarly study of the languages and cultures of the people of the world, especially the native peoples of the Americas.”

“… a peer-reviewed journal that publishes scholarship on schooling in social and cultural context and on human learning both inside and outside of schools. Articles rely primarily on ethnographic research to address immediate problems of practice as well as broad theoretical questions.”

“… publishes research into language with relevance to real world problems.”

“… publishes original research papers on the psychological processes involved in language. It examines language development, language use and language disorders in adults and children with a particular emphasis on cross-language studies.”

“… a refereed international journal providing a forum for ideas, research and practice on the assessment of written language.”

“… covers a wide range of topics relating to bilingual education, bilingualism in society, and language policy in education.”

“… continues to feature quality articles in the areas of bilingualism, bilingual education, and ethnic scholarship, as well as the best creative literature by established and emerging Hispanic writers.”

“… focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying human language.”

“… [is] devoted to the dissemination of information concerning the application of technology to language teaching and language learning.”

“…is an open access, bilingual, scientific, and professional journal that publishes empirical research (framed within quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods paradigms), theoretical articles, essays, and original literature reviews.”

“… publishes peer-reviewed articles on second language learning and teaching. It is a bilingual (French and English) journal of international repute, serving researchers and language teaching professionals interested in the learning and teaching of English and French as second languages …”

“… a forum for linguistic research of all kinds on the interaction between language and cognition. The journal focuses on language as an instrument for organizing, processing and conveying information. Cognitive Linguistics is a peer-reviewed journal of international scope.”

“… [publishes] research and scholarship in rhetoric and composition studies that supports college teachers in reflecting on and improving their practices in teaching writing and that reflects the most current scholarship and theory in the field.”

“…  is the longest-running publication devoted exclusively to the computational and mathematical properties of language and the design and analysis of natural language processing systems.”

“… an intercontinental and interdisciplinary journal which leads the field in its dedication to all matters associated with the use of computers in language learning (L1 and L2), teaching and testing.”

“… [publishes in the area of] the application of psychological theory and science to the educational process; descriptions of empirical research and the presentation of theory designed to either explicate or enhance the educational process”

“… is peer-reviewed journal publishing high-quality original corpus-based research focusing on theoretically relevant issues in all core areas of linguistic research (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics), or other recognized topic areas.”

“… provides major summative and thematic review studies spanning and focusing the disparate language policy and language planning literature related to: 1) polities and language planning and 2) issues in language planning.”

“… a multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal whose major aim is to publish outstanding research at the boundaries of discourse analysis and the social sciences. It focuses on explicit theory formation and analysis of the relationships between the structures of text, talk, language use, verbal interaction or communication, on the one hand, and societal, political or cultural micro- and macrostructures and cognitive social representations, on the other hand…”

“… the only scholarly journal in the field focusing entirely on research and development in educational technology.”

“… covers papers which describe work in any area of language, with the principal criterion being that the findings are supported by empirical evidence from corpus data. We intend the ELR journal to be a quality peer-reviewed journal.”

“… a quarterly publication for all those involved in the field of teaching English as a second or foreign language. The journal links the everyday concerns of practitioners with insights gained from related academic disciplines such as applied linguistics, education, psychology, and sociology.”

“… [publishes] articles and research/discussion notes on topics relevant to the teaching and learning of discourse for specific communities: academic, occupational, or otherwise specialized.”

“… a quarterly journal supporting the teaching of English around the world through the publication of innovative, practical ideas.”

“… provides accessible cutting-edge reports on all aspects of the language, including style, usage, dictionaries, literary language, Plain English, the Internet and language teaching, in terms of British, American and the world’s many other ‘Englishes’.”

“The focus is on scholarly discussions of new findings in the dialectology and sociolinguistics of the English-speaking communities (native and second-language speakers), but general problems of variationist, general and historical sociolinguistics, pidgin and creole linguistics, language planning, multilingualism and modern historical sociolinguistics are included if they have a direct bearing on modern varieties of English.”

“… the official journal of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).… Dedicated to the advancement of foreign language teaching and learning, the journal seeks to serve the professional interests of classroom instructors, researchers, and administrators concerned with the teaching of foreign languages at all levels of instruction.”

“… covers the sciences, technologies and applications relating to the analysis, coding, enhancement, recognition and synthesis of audio, music, speech and language.”

“…  [is] dedicated to innovative theory and methods for processing signals representing audio, speech and language, and their applications. This includes analysis, synthesis, enhancement, transformation, classification and interpretation of such signals as well as the design, development, and evaluation of associated signal processing systems.”

“… publishes articles that explore the relationship between expertise in linguistics, broadly defined, and the everyday experience of language.”

“… is an international forum for the dissemination of original research on the linguistic, psychological, neurological, and social issues which emerge from language contact.”

“[is] multidisciplinary and focuses on all aspects of bilingualism and bilingual education around the world. Theoretical and conceptual analysis, foundational and applied research using qualitative or quantitative approaches, critical essays, and comparative book reviews are all invited.”

“… publishes research manuscripts in the field of education..”

“… [its purpose is] to foster, present and spread research focused on psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic and educational aspects of multilingual acquisition and multilingualism.”

“…  [is] dedicated to the development of the sociology of language as a truly international and interdisciplinary field in which various approaches – theoretical and empirical – supplement and complement each other, contributing thereby to the growth of language-related knowledge, applications, values and sensitivities.”

“The journal’s focus is on these topics as related to languages other than English as well as dialectal variations of English. It has three thematic emphases: The intersection of language and culture, the dialectics of the local and global, and comparative models within and across contexts.”

“The journal’s focus is on these topics as related to languages other than English as well as dialectal variations of English. It has three thematic emphases: The intersection of language and culture, the dialectics of the local and global, and comparative models within and across contexts.”

“… [is] devoted to problems of general and applied linguistics in their various forms. IRAL's long-term interest lies in areas of research which concern first- and second-language acquisition (including sign language and gestural systems).”

“Articles, Research Papers, Lessons Plans, Classroom Handouts, Teaching Ideas & Links.… This website is now an online resource book for teachers who can refer to our published articles on teaching techniques and other things of interest to EFL and ESL teachers.”

“… the only literacy journal published exclusively for teachers of older learners. Each issue offers practical, classroom-tested ideas grounded in research.”

“… publishes articles related to basic and second-language writing using a variety of approaches articles of theory.”

“… publishes articles on all aspects of the scientific study of language behaviour in children, the principles which underlie it, and the theories which may account for it.”

“… a web-based, peer-reviewed scholarly journal. Its focus is social science research on communicating with computer-based media technologies … [it] is broadly interdisciplinary.”

“… publish[es] original, primary psychological research pertaining to education across all ages and educational levels.”

“… published quarterly, [it] is your premier resource for original linguistic research based on data drawn from the English language, encompassing a broad theoretical and methodological scope.”

“… publishes original experimental studies on basic processes of cognition, learning, memory, imagery, concept formation, problem solving, decision making, thinking, reading, and language processing. “

“… an international forum for interdisciplinary research that is grounded in theory and of interest to scholars and policymakers.”

“… the only major journal worldwide devoted to this area of study, attracting an international authorship with data bases frequently being derived from languages other than English. The journal provides complete and balanced coverage of the latest research and theory at the crossroads of language, mind and society.“

“…a valuable tool for cognitive scientists, including psychologists, linguists, and others interested in memory and learning, language, reading, and speech.

Research Areas include:

  • Topics that illuminate aspects of memory or language processing
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Linguistics

“… a premier international journal in discourse studies which aims to enhance cultural diversity, equality and prosperity in social life as well as in scholarship. A forerunner in the cultural politics of language, communication or discourse research.”

“… a cross-disciplinary journal for researchers from diverse scholarly and geographical backgrounds. It is concerned with macro-level coverage of topics in the sociology and social psychology of language, in language and cultural politics, policy, planning and practice, and in all the many ramifications of these broad themes… ”

“… publishes papers of an experimental or theoretical nature that deal with phonetic aspects of language and linguistic communication processes.”

“… a forum for pragmatic studies in sociolinguistics, general linguistics, conversation analysis, discourse analysis, cognitive linguistics, computational linguistics, applied linguistics and other areas of linguistic research.”

“… covers a broad range of approaches to the study of the communicative process, including: the social and anthropological bases of communication; development of speech and language; semantics (problems in linguistic meaning); and biological foundations. It also examines the psychopathology of language and cognition as well as the neuropsychology of language and cognition.”

“… provides an international forum for researchers into literacy. It is a refereed journal principally devoted to reports of original empirical research in reading and related fields such as writing and spelling.”

“… [is] devoted to publishing theoretically grounded reports of research and discussions that represent a contribution to current understandings of central issues in second and foreign language writing and writing instruction.”

“… It covers all areas in the study of meaning, with a focus on formal and experimental methods … pragmatics, the syntax/semantics interface, cross-linguistic semantics, experimental studies of meaning (processing, acquisition, neurolinguistics), and semantically informed philosophy of language.”

“… an international forum for leading research on language and society. It is open to both established and innovative approaches to sociolinguistic research. The Journal promotes sociolinguistics as a thoroughly linguistic and thoroughly social-scientific endeavour.”

“…  a journal of the Linguistic Society of America, is published quarterly and contains articles, short reports, and book reviews on all aspects of linguistics, focusing on the area of theoretical linguistics.”

“Research published in the journal addresses the theory of language and its development by considering theoretical, experimental and computational perspectives. Coverage includes solutions to the logical problem of language acquisition, as it arises for particular grammatical proposals; the character of children's grammatical representations; from theory-driven studies of second language acquisition, language-impaired speakers, and other domains of cognition.”

“… provides a forum devoted to the interdisciplinary study of language and communication... by those working in applied linguistics, child development, cultural studies, discourse analysis, intellectual history, legal studies, language evolution, linguistic anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, the politics of language, pragmatics, psychology, rhetoric, semiotics, and sociolinguistics.”

“… provides a forum for the discussion of recent topics and issues In the language disciplines which have an immediate bearing upon thought and practice in education.”

“… a peer-reviewed journal which provides an international forum for communication among researchers in the disciplines that contribute to our understanding of the production, perception, processing, learning, use, and disorders of speech and language.”

“… an international forum for the reporting and critical discussion of language awareness research and practice, and for the building and development of relevant theory. The journal is open to contributions from a broad range of research approaches: qualitative and quantitative, established and innovative.”

“… publishes high-quality papers taking an interdisciplinary approach to the study of brain and language, and promotes studies that integrate cognitive theoretical accounts of language and its neural bases.”

“… an international journal of sociolinguistics concerned with language and discourse as aspects of social life. The journal publishes empirical articles of general theoretical, comparative or methodological interest to students and scholars in sociolinguistics, linguistic anthropology, and related fields.”

“… [is] dedicated to the understanding of language learning broadly defined. It publishes research articles that systematically apply methods of inquiry from disciplines including psychology, linguistics, cognitive science, educational inquiry, neuroscience, ethnography, sociolinguistics, sociology and semiotics. It is concerned with fundamental theoretical issues in language learning such as child, second and foreign language acquisition, language education, bilingualism, literacy, language representation in mind and brain, culture, cognition, pragmatics and intergroup relations.”

“… disseminate[s] research to foreign and second language educators in the US and around the world on issues related to technology and second language education.”

“… contributes to the growth of the field by publishing high-quality studies that help build a sound theoretical understanding of the subject area. It presents papers that deal with the widest range of cases, situations and regions.”

“This peer-reviewed international and multi-lingual journal publishes articles primarily on political, sociological, and economic aspects of language and language use.”

“…  a peer-reviewed journal that publishes research within the area of second or foreign language teaching.… The journal is a venue for studies that demonstrate sound research methods and which report findings that have clear pedagogical implications.”

“… a fully peer-reviewed, international, quarterly journal that publishes original research and review articles on language testing and assessment.”

“… the only journal dedicated exclusively to the study of linguistic variation and the capacity to deal with systematic and inherent variation in synchronic and diachronic linguistics.”

“It focuses on research into cultural content, literacy or intercultural and transnational studies, usually related to curriculum development, organisation or implementation. The journal also includes studies of language instruction, teacher training, teaching methods and language-in-education policy.”

“As an international, multi-disciplinary, peer-refereed journal, Learning and Instruction provides a platform for the publication of the most advanced scientific research in the areas of learning, development, instruction and teaching.”

“Each year Linguistics Abstracts adds nearly 3,000 abstracts in English of linguistics articles appearing in all the key journals in the field. Each abstract is classified according to area. Linguistics Abstracts Online is designed to revolutionize research and teaching by giving immediate access via the World Wide Web to more than 55,000 abstracts from over 600 leading journals. ”

“… an international peer-reviewed journal that welcomes submissions from across the world that advance knowledge, theory, or methodology at the intersections of linguistics and education.… Research published in the journal engages with the complexities and changing realities of educational contexts and practices, focusing on all levels of formal education, as well as a wide variety of informal learning contexts throughout the lifespan and across modes, genres and technologies.”

“… abstracts and indexes the international literature in linguistics and related disciplines in the language sciences.”

“… publishes high-quality papers in syntax, semantics, phonology, and morphology, within a framework of Generative Grammar and related disciplines, as well as critical discussions of theoretical linguistics as a branch of cognitive psychology.”

“The phenomena of mind and language are currently studied by researchers in linguistics, philosophy, psychology, artificial intelligence, and cognitive anthropology.”

“… [is] packed with interesting, informative articles and authoritative reviews. It covers all aspects of English language teaching”

“… an international refereed journal that is dedicated to promoting scholarly exchange among researchers and teachers of all modern foreign languages and English as a second language. The journal is particularly committed to publishing high quality work in non-English languages. Its publication focus is further defined by linking the findings of research to teaching and learning in a variety of settings and on all educational levels.”

“… provides a forum for the discussion of theoretical research that pays close attention to natural language data, offering a channel of communication between researchers of a variety of points of view. The journal actively seeks to bridge the gap between descriptive work and work of a highly theoretical, less empirically oriented nature.”

“… [is] devoted to semantics and its interfaces in grammar, especially syntax. It encourages the convergence of approaches employing the concepts of logic and philosophy with perspectives of generative grammar on the relations between meaning and structure.”

“… is an interdisciplinary journal seeking to bring together such disciplines as philosophy, linguistics, semiotics, cognitive science, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, ethology, and cognitive anthropology, among others.”

“… publishes high-quality, scientific articles pertaining to the processes, acquisition, and loss of reading and writing skills.”

“… an excellent source for the latest developments in the field, both theoretical and pedagogic, including improving standards for foreign language reading...”

“… essential reading for those committed to scholarship on literacy among learners of all ages. Each issue of this field-leading journal includes

  • Reports of original, rigorously conducted research employing diverse epistemologies, methodologies, methods, and disciplinary perspectives
  • Essays concerning new theoretical or methodological perspectives
  • Comprehensive syntheses of research towards developing new understandings

“… is vital professional reading for everyone who works with children up to age 12. Inside every issue you'll find

  • Evidence-based teaching ideas to encourage all learners
  • Articles that translate research into simple strategies for effective practice.”

“… providing an international focus for the promulgation of innovative research in the area of computer-assisted language learning and technology-enhanced language learning in education and training.”

“peer-reviewed international journal that publishes original research and review articles on language education.”

“… a broad-based, multidisciplinary journal composed of original research articles and short scholarly essays on a wide range of topics significant to those concerned with the teaching and learning of languages and literacies around the world, both in and beyond schools and universities.”

“… publishes the highest quality empirical and theoretical research bearing on language as it is used in interaction. Researchers in communication, discourse analysis, conversation analysis, linguistic anthropology and ethnography are likely to be the most active contributors …”

“… publishes scholarly works of the following types: Articles of relevance to those involved in the study and teaching of languages, literature, film, culture, writing, second language acquisition, and educational technology, among other areas…”

“… an international peer-reviewed, quarterly journal, publishes theoretical and experimental papers concerned with second language acquisition and second language performance.”

“… [is] published in six annual issues, in two languages (English and French), and occasionally in German. From time to time, Special Issues, devoted to topics of particular interest.… Topics: We welcome papers reporting results of research in all branches of semiotic studies. Article formats: Research articles, in-depth reviews, guest editorials, reports …”

“… publishes articles on a wide range of linguistic topics and acts as a forum for research into ALL the languages of southern Africa, including English and Afrikaans.”

“… provides a forum for the discussion of issues in contemporary linguistics, with a particular focus on empirically well-grounded research in the functionalist tradition that recognizes the diversity and variability of human languages and of communication patterns, the historical dynamics of languages, and the embedding of language in both social practices and cognition.”

“… is a refereed journal of international scope devoted to the scientific discussion of acquisition of the use of non-native and heritage languages.”

“… [is] devoted to the applications of educational technology and applied linguistics to problems of foreign language teaching and learning. Attention is paid to all languages and to problems associated with the study and teaching of English as a second or foreign language. ”

“… a refereed journal for practicing teachers, teacher educators, graduate students, and researchers … about the learning and teaching of official languages; subsequent language teacher education; and the maintenance and development of minority, heritage, or Aboriginal languages.”

“… [is] concerned with English language teaching and learning and standard English as a second dialect. As a publication that represents a variety of cross-disciplinary interests, both theoretical and practical.”

“… forum for interdisciplinary research in language, discourse, and communication studies, focusing, among other things, on the situational and historical nature of text/talk production; the cognitive and sociocultural processes of language practice/action; and participant-based structures of meaning negotiation and multimodal alignment.”

“An international, interdisciplinary journal about communication, language and gender. provides a forum for interdisciplinary discussion and presentation of theory, research, creative projects, and pedagogy in the areas of communication, language and gender, and promotes recognition of those doing work in this area.”

“… a peer-reviewed, international journal of linguistic morphology and all related disciplines. Its outlook is both synchronic and diachronic. Its interests are both empirical and theoretical.”

“…  an international journal committed to theoretical research on methodological and empirical study of English in global, social, cultural and linguistic contexts … integrative in its scope and includes theoretical and applied studies on language, literature and English teaching, with emphasis on cross-cultural perspectives and identities”