Language Issues journal

Language Issues is NATECLA's part peer-reviewed journal for language teaching professionals.

What is Language Issues?

The journal, edited by Declan Flanagan, explores the area between academic research and classroom practice, discussing teaching, training, management and research into ESOL and community languages.  Language Issues looks at broad issues and big ideas and is an invaluable resource for teachers, students, researchers and policymakers.

All articles can also be accessed via IngentaConnect.

Please contact NATECLA to: 

  • Request a copy of the latest edition

  • Subscribe to Language Issues

  • Contribute to Language Issues (including the blog)

  • Buy individual articles or a copy of Best of Language Issues

Accessing the Language Issues back catalogue online

NATECLA uploads all editions of Language Issues to the IngentaConnect platform meaning that members can search for and download articles from all editions of the publication since 2013 for free. 

Articles are on an extensive range of topics related to delivery, research and management of ESOL, including vocabulary, grammar, feedback, action research, working with refugees and asylum seekers, linguistics, digital ESOL, learner autonomy, community languages, ESOL policy, cultural identity and so much more. 

The list really is endless!

So if you’re working on a masters or PhD thesis, a piece of action research or simply want to read up on a particular topic area for your own CPD, register to access the IngentaConnect platform by completing this short form.

Useful guides to help you activate your free NATECLA subscription for the IngentaConnect platform:

The latest issue

In the latest edition of Language Issues you can read:

  • ‘It’s like we’ve gone backwards’: perceptions of Scottish ESOL policy

    Steve Brown and Mark Sheridan

  • Agency, barriers, and equality: women’s access to ESOL

    - Holly Dono

  • Towards a greener ESOL: creating sustainability in teaching
    and learning

    - Mafalda Giudice and Viorica Lucuta

  • An emergent curriculum for ESOL: concepts, tools and challenges

    -Sam Shepherd

  • Challenging stereotypes of adult learners in mathematics

    - Jenny Stacey

  • ESOL and progression pathways

    - Angela Palmer

  • Sustainability in ESOL: what stories can we tell to help others
    embrace it?

    - Carol Samlal

  • How can we make ’international women’s group’ better? What insight can be gained from collecting informal feedback online from refugee learners of ESOL

    - Amna Smith

  • Thinking differently for the future of the planet: UNESCO Key competencies for sustainability: what are they, and how can we incorporate these competencies into teaching ESOL

    - Ann Cowie

  • English Language Teaching: Now and how it could be
    Geoff Jordan and Mike Long, 2022

    - Reviewed by Linda Ulrich.

Are you a member?

You should have received an email with the link to your PDF of this edition already. You can also find it in the ‘media library’ of the members’ platform.

Interested in writing for Language Issues?

The Editorial Board for Language Issues invites articles to be submitted for consideration.

We are interested in articles on all aspects of teaching and learning ESOL and other community languages - policy, social and political issues, practical teaching, language research, linguistic features, teacher training, resources and other related topics.

We welcome research contributions from academics and practical and personal perspectives from teachers and learners.

NATECLA welcomes proposals for contributions to Language Issues for the following journal sections - student contributors are also welcome.

  • Refereed articles

  • Non-refereed articles (especially from practitioners)

  • Interviews with ESOL & community languages professionals/language experts

  • Reporting ESOL and community language research (by research students -- Masters, EdD, PhD, post-doctoral)

  • Book/conference reviews 

  • 'Voices from the ESOL and community languages classroom.

Contact editor Declan Flanagan to find out more.

Potential contributors new to writing for publications will be supported, where possible, by members of the Editorial Board.

Useful documents for Language Issues contributors

Perhaps you have conducted some research that you would like to report to the ESOL community or have read a book recently that would be invaluable to NATECLA members.

Take a look at the following documents:

The Language Issues blog

The blog is a separate entity to both the Language Issues journal and NATECLA but can serve as a stepping stone before writers commit to something more formal in the Language Issues journal. The blog is a free resource for all ESOL practitioners.

While the journal is for members only the Language Issues blog is available to all ESOL practitioners and offers a range of posts which vary from reflections on the NATECLA conference, classroom practice, research and policy. The blog posts are generally shorter than articles for the journal and can be a great way to start off your writing journey as well as being easily accessible. They can be fairly informal in tone and if appropriate we can include photos and links. The frequency of posts varies a little but we are always keen to see more so do get in touch if you want to find out more.