About the Osaka JALT Journal

Published by the Osaka Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT), the Osaka JALT Journal is an open-access, peer-reviewed online academic journal devoted to research from across the spectrum of language teaching and learning.

We aim to provide an accessible, supportive, and constructive publishing environment where emerging researchers can develop their work, gain feedback, and build confidence as academic writers.

At Osaka JALT Journal, we are committed to:

  • Supporting and mentoring early-career researchers and educators
  • Promoting accessible, high-quality research
  • Strengthening connections between theory and classroom practice
  • Creating an inclusive platform for diverse voices in language education

We publish empirical studies, theoretical papers, classroom action research, book reviews, focused case studies, reflective practice pieces, practical teaching suggestions, as well as editorials and observational work on the state of language education. We also welcome submissions related to any of the JALT Special Interest Groups (SIGs), and particularly encourage papers that develop or complement presentations given at JALT conferences. Affiliation with our chapter or JALT membership is not required for submission or publication.

 

For more information, contact Zoe Barber, Osaka JALT Journal Editor-In-Chief (publications@osakajalt.org).

 

To make a submission, please first complete the submission proposal form. An editor will review your submission proposal and if it appears suitable for the journal, will provide you with a link to a Google Docs template where you may enter the content of your article.

Read Past Issues

Open Access Policy

Osaka JALT Journal does not require a JALT membership to access, read, or publish. Every issue of Osaka JALT Journal is free to read, download, and share.

 

Editorial Process

Manuscript preparation, including submission, editing, and review, is currently done exclusively using Google Docs.

All submissions must follow the Osaka JALT Journal submission process. Proposals must be sent to the Editorial Board using the submission proposal form. Once received, authors will be contacted to confirm receipt of their proposal. All proposals undergo an initial review by a Osaka JALT Journal editor to ensure the submission meets the editorial standards and scope of the journal. We will then send a google doc template, which is to be edited (not copied) within the document. When you are ready to proceed with review, please send an email to publications@osakajalt.org. Accepted research-based articles (empirical studies, theoretical papers, classroom action research, focused case studies, etc.) undergo peer review by our Editorial Review Board. Praxis articles (book reviews, reflective practice pieces, practical teaching suggestions, editorials, observational pieces, etc.) undergo editorial review, which is conducted by our journal editors.

Article Processing Charges (APC)

Osaka JALT Journal does not charge authors for either submission or publication.

Copyright and Licensing

Contributors to Osaka JALT Journal keep full ownership of their work. They may share, post, or reproduce their articles in any format or platform they choose. If authors wish to republish their work in another academic journal, they may do so as long as they inform the editorial board in advance and clearly acknowledge Osaka JALT Journal as the original source.

All content in Osaka JALT Journal — text, images, and graphics—is released under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 International License. This means the material may be copied and shared for noncommercial purposes without alteration, provided that proper attribution is given to the original author(s) and the Osaka JALT Journal.

Osaka JALT Journal is published with the ISSN 2188-5192.

 

Editorial Board


Zoe Barber, MEd. TESOL- Editor-in-Chief – Kwansei Gakuin University
Claire Murray – Associate Editor – Nara Medical University
Daniel Chesmore – Associate Editor – Chair of the JALT Writer’s Peer Support Group

Japanese Language Editor

Hanayo Hirai, PhD
Professor, Otemon Gakuin University

Assistant Editor

Shawn Anderson
The University of Osaka

Board of Reviewers

Philip Head, PhD Candidate
Osaka Jogakuin University

Contact

Publications Committee: publications@osakajalt.org or via the submission proposal form.

Call for Experienced and Novice

Reviewers and Editors

The Osaka JALT Journal is currently seeking reviewers and additional editors. We invite those interested to submit an inquiry using our Reviewer/Editor application form.

We welcome both experienced reviewers/editors and those new to academic peer review and editing. This is an excellent opportunity to:

  • Strengthen your CV
  • Develop practical peer review skills
  • Improve your understanding of academic writing and publishing
  • Contribute to your local academic community
  • Build professional connections

Novice reviewers will be supported through a mentoring system and paired with experienced reviewers for their first five assignments. Upon successful completion of these initial reviews, they will be invited to join the journal’s official Board of Reviewers.

Call for Papers and Submission Guidelines

Contact the Osaka JALT Journal Editors at

publications@osakajalt.org or using the Submission Proposal Form

 

The Osaka Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT) is excited to announce the relaunch of the journal from April 2026 after our year-long hiatus. We are now accepting submissions for the upcoming issue of the Osaka JALT Journal, which will feature a special “Back To School 2026” section dedicated to conference proceedings, as well as editorials and other contributions directly related to the conference.

Back to School 2026 Submissions:
  • Approx 2000-2500 words
    Submissions due August 16, 2026 to ensure they are processed before the end of the year
Regular Submissions

In principle, submissions of up to 4,000 words are accepted (prior negotiation is required for longer pieces). We also welcome significantly shorter contributions, with particular attention to brief articles that share practical advice and professional insights on teaching and navigating academic life in Japan, especially those supporting early-career educators and researchers.

1. Research Articles
Full-length research manuscripts should be under 4,000 words, including references, notes, tables, figures, and appendixes. Each manuscript must include an abstract of 150-200 words. Authors are also encouraged to provide a Japanese-language abstract of up to 400 characters. These articles are subject to peer review by the Board of Reviewers.
2. Praxis Articles
These submissions highlight specific, effective, and innovative classroom practices.
Papers should be no longer than 4,000 words, including references and supporting materials. Each manuscript must include an abstract of 150-200 words. Authors are also encouraged to provide a Japanese-language abstract of up to 400 characters. These articles are subject to review by the Editorial Board.
3. Curriculum, Materials, and Assessment Design
Articles focusing on course development, syllabus planning, assessment, or materials design are evaluated by the Editorial Board.
Manuscripts should be under 4,000 words, inclusive of all supplementary content. Each manuscript must also include an abstract of 150-200 words. Authors are also encouraged to provide a Japanese-language abstract of up to 400 characters.
4. Professional Development, Reflection, and Advice
We invite shorter contributions addressing professional life in language education, particularly within the Japanese context. Authors may submit practical advice, reflections, or responses to common questions faced by educators. Submissions for this section should not exceed 4,000 words. For these submissions, authors should include a brief summary (100-150 words) outlining the context, focus, and key insights of the piece. These submissions are reviewed by the Editorial Board.
5. Book Reviews
We accept critical reviews of recent publications relevant to language teaching and applied linguistics. Reviews should provide a clear summary of the work, evaluate its strengths and limitations, and consider its relevance for practitioners and researchers. Book reviews are typically shorter than other submissions and should be between 800 and 1,500 words. These submissions are reviewed by the Editorial Board.

 

Style Guidelines
Please refer to the JALT Journal style guidelines and the Osaka JALT Journal Style Guide when preparing your manuscript. In cases where the style guides differ, the Osaka JALT Journal Style Guide takes precedence.

If you have trouble accessing the links, please copy and paste the following into your browser:

JALT National Journal Style Guidelines –> http://jalt-publications.org/downloads/jj-styleguide.pdf

Osaka JALT Journal Style Guide — > https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KX4DLQ3tYG7sSzxrA01mTXFJQ6f8GNbjqwhvs3Ss4S4/edit?usp=drivesdk

Past Issues

Starting with Volume 10 (2023), the editorial board implemented several changes to improve our process of manuscript preparation and to foster better and more supportive dialog between our authors, reviewers, and editors. In particular:

Manuscript preparation, including submission, editing, and review, is now done exclusively using Google Docs. The journal will no longer accept submissions as Microsoft Word documents. We will continue to publish individual articles online as PDF documents.

In order to better take advantage of the collaborative editing features of Google Docs, the journal is also adopting an open identities peer review format where authors and reviewers will be aware of each other’s identities throughout the review process. Not only will this make preparation of anonymized versions of manuscripts unnecessary, but we hope that it will lead to more supportive dialog between our authors and reviewers.

Click the title above for the full issue. Click each link below for the individual paper.

2021 – Issue 8

Click the title above for the full issue. Click each link below for the individual paper.

 

2020 – Issue 7

2019 – Issue 6

2018 – Issue 5

2017 – Issue 4

2016 – Issue 3

2015 – Issue 2

2014 – Issue 1

2023 ~ 2024

2021 – Issue 8

Click the title above for the full issue. Click each link below for the individual paper.

2020 – Issue 7

2019 – Issue 6

2018 – Issue 5

2017 – Issue 4

2016 – Issue 3

2015 – Issue 2

2014 – Issue 1

 

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