CFP: Journal for Distinguished Language Studies

Deadline: June 30, 2020

The Journal for Distinguished Language Studies (JDLS), founded by the Coalition of Distinguished Language Centers under the direction of Dr. Betty Lou Leaver and Boris Shekhtman in 2002, has transitioned to a new publisher, MSI Press LLC.

Our plan is to publish a bridge issue covering the years 2011-2020, when the journal was in hiatus as a result of the previous publisher experiencing difficulty in funding publication of the journal. Following the bridge issue, the JDLS will move to regular annual publication.

JDLS is a refereed volume and the only journal to focus exclusively on the highest levels of language achievement: that is, native-like or near-native. This level is labeled “distinguished” by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and “Level 4/advanced professional proficiency” by the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR). Descriptions can be found at the ACTFL and ILR websites.

The purpose of this journal is to create a robust international movement to promote language learning to the near-native level of proficiency. The editors are seeking contributions in the areas of theory, research (quantitative, qualitative, case studies, action research), and applications. The journal typically has published a balance of articles in all three categories. Published papers will thus develop theory, share applications that work (based on the experience of those who teach that level), and report on the research needed for proper evaluation and assessment of theory and application.

We particularly welcome articles on the following areas:

• current status of Level 4 proficiency research in each of the four skill areas;

• teaching methods to/at/above Level 4 proficiency in each of the four skill areas;

• the role of culture in achieving Level 4 proficiency in each of the four skill areas; and

• assessment to/at/above Level 4 proficiency in each of the four skill areas.

Submissions should represent original work. They should not have been previously published elsewhere nor be currently submitted to another journal or collected volume.

Submission Process and Deadlines

1. Please submit (5,000-8,000 Word doc.) articles by June 30, 2020. Include paper title (10 words max.), abstract (200-250 words max.), affiliation, and one blind copy (omitting the name and institutional affiliation of the author at the beginning of the article). Blinded articles will be sent to reviewers.

2. Use Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition.

3. Because journal articles are now English only, please ensure that a native speaker/proficient writer proofreads prior to submission so peer review can focus on content. The editors reserve the right to return, without review, any articles that are not clear, accurate, or concise (e.g., Level 4 writing proficiency).

4. We expect to receive reviewers’ recommendations by September 1, immediately after which we will let potential contributors know whether the manuscript has been accepted, needs revision, or has been rejected. We will need to receive revised manuscripts no later than October 31, 2020.

5. Publication is anticipated for December 2020, with galleys available for proofreading in November.

6. Potential authors can contact the editors in advance with any questions.

Submit to: Dr. Yalun Zhou (zhouy12@rpi.edu)

Copy: Dr. Donna Bain Butler (dbutler@desu.edu)