Open Journals for Researching Topics in Applied Linguistics

Research tip: Search across several journals rather than relying on only one publication. Useful search terms include combinations of the topic, learner population, context, language skill, theoretical construct, and research method—for example: EFL university students + listening comprehension + metacognitive strategies + qualitative.

Open Journals

MEXTESOL Journal MEXTESOL Journal - Notes

English as International Language Journal (EILJ)English as International Language Journal (EILJ) - Notes

English Journal English Journal - Notes

English Language & Linguistics | Cambridge Core English Language & Linguistics | Cambridge Core - Notes

International Journal of English Language Literature and Translation Studies (IJELR), Indexed Journa…[International Journal of English Language Literature and Translation Studies (IJELR), Indexed Journa… - Notes](../Weblinks/International%20Journal%20of%20English%20Language%20Literature%20and%20Translation%20Studies%20(IJ.md)

International Journal of English Language Teaching (IJELT) - International Journal of English Langua…International Journal of English Language Teaching (IJELT) - International Journal of English Langua… - Notes

Qualis CAPES Approved, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR): Call for Paper Qualis CAPES Approved, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR): Call for Paper - Notes

Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics - Notes

The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning - Notes

The Journal of English as an International Language - The Journal of English as an International Lan…The Journal of English as an International Language - The Journal of English as an International Lan… - Notes

Just a moment…Just a moment… - Notes

Untitled Untitled - Notes

More Online Journals

Core Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition

1. TESL-EJ — The Electronic Journal for English as a Second Language

Peer-reviewed international journal focused on ESL/EFL research, language pedagogy, teacher education, materials, technology, and related areas of applied linguistics. One of the longest-running fully electronic open-access TESOL journals.

URL: https://tesl-ej.org/

2. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching (SSLLT)

Peer-reviewed journal devoted to theoretical and empirical research on second and foreign language learning and teaching. Particularly useful for SLA, individual differences, instructed language learning, classroom research, materials, and pedagogy.

URL: https://pressto.amu.edu.pl/index.php/ssllt

3. L2 Journal

Open-access, peer-reviewed journal from the University of California, Berkeley covering second language acquisition, language pedagogy, bilingualism and multilingualism, language technology, curriculum, teacher education, testing, and evaluation.

URL: https://escholarship.org/uc/l2

4. Studies in Applied Linguistics & TESOL (SALT)

Open-access journal published through Columbia University. Publishes empirical research, literature reviews, interviews, and scholarly discussions relevant to applied linguistics and TESOL.

URL: https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/SALT/

5. Colombian Applied Linguistics Journal

Peer-reviewed open-access journal covering applied linguistics, language education, literacy, teacher education, discourse studies, multilingualism, and related research. Especially valuable for Latin American perspectives.

URL: https://revistas.udistrital.edu.co/index.php/calj

6. Revista de Lingüística y Lenguas Aplicadas

Diamond open-access journal from the Universitat Politècnica de València. Publishes research on discourse analysis, language teaching, translation, terminology, languages for specific purposes, and computer-assisted language learning.

URL: https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/rdlyla

7. Revista Nebrija de Lingüística Aplicada a la Enseñanza de Lenguas

Peer-reviewed multilingual open-access journal specializing in applied linguistics and language teaching. Useful for second-language pedagogy, SLA, multilingualism, classroom research, and language education.

URL: https://revistas.nebrija.com/revista-linguistica

8. Apples — Journal of Applied Language Studies

International open-access journal from the University of Jyväskylä focusing broadly on applied language studies, language education, multilingualism, language and identity, language in society, discourse, and social issues involving language.

URL: https://apples.journal.fi/

9. Journal of Language and Education

Peer-reviewed open-access journal publishing research in applied linguistics, language education, psycholinguistics, language teaching methodology, academic communication, and interdisciplinary language studies.

URL: https://jle.hse.ru/

10. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics

International journal devoted to applied linguistics, including language teaching and learning, language in education, language policy, testing, curriculum, multilingualism, discourse analysis, translation, and related fields.

URL: https://ejournal.upi.edu/index.php/IJAL

11. International Journal of TESOL Studies

Fully open-access peer-reviewed journal covering TESOL and linguistics applied to education. Topics include SLA, EAP, discourse and genre analysis, multilingualism, language assessment, curriculum, teacher development, language policy, and educational technology.

URL: https://tesolunion.org/

12. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Open-access interdisciplinary journal publishing research on second and foreign language education, SLA, language pedagogy, bilingual and multilingual education, language policy, and language learning across Asia-Pacific and international settings.

URL: https://sfleducation.springeropen.com/

Language Learning, Technology, Reading, and Assessment

13. Language Learning & Technology

Long-established, fully refereed open-access journal examining how technology mediates second and foreign language teaching and learning. Strong source for CALL, digital literacies, online learning, AI-supported language learning, and technology-mediated SLA.

URL: https://www.lltjournal.org/

14. Reading in a Foreign Language

Free peer-reviewed journal supported by the University of Hawai‘i. Specializes in second- and foreign-language reading, literacy, reading strategies, extensive reading, comprehension, assessment, and reading pedagogy.

URL: https://nflrc.hawaii.edu/rfl/

15. Language Testing in Asia

Fully open-access journal devoted to language assessment and testing. Covers validity, washback, test design, classroom assessment, proficiency testing, assessment literacy, technology in assessment, and the social consequences of testing.

URL: https://languagetestingasia.springeropen.com/

TESOL, ELT, and Language Teacher Education

16. MEXTESOL Journal

Open-access journal of the Mexican Association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Publishes research and practice-oriented work on ELT, TESOL, teacher education, classroom practice, language learning, and professional development.

URL: https://mextesol.net/journal/

17. English Teaching Forum

Freely available professional journal from the U.S. Department of State for English language educators. Particularly useful for practical classroom research, pedagogy, teacher development, assessment, materials, and international ELT contexts.

URL: https://americanenglish.state.gov/forum

18. PROFILE: Issues in Teachers’ Professional Development

Open-access journal from Universidad Nacional de Colombia focusing on English language teaching, teacher education, teacher research, professional development, classroom inquiry, language policy, and EFL learning.

URL: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/profile

19. HOW Journal

Diamond open-access journal of the Colombian Association of Teachers of English. Publishes research on English language teaching and learning, teacher education, classroom practice, professional development, and applied linguistics.

URL: https://www.howjournalcolombia.org/index.php/how

20. English Australia Journal

Peer-reviewed journal for TESOL practitioners, teacher educators, and researchers. Includes research articles, classroom-practice studies, professional reflections, and reviews related to English language teaching.

URL: https://www.englishaustralia.com.au/professional-development/journal

21. TEFLIN Journal

Peer-reviewed open-access journal of the Association for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language in Indonesia. Focuses on ELT, EFL/ESL teaching and learning, teacher preparation, teacher education, and related applied-linguistics research.

URL: https://journal.teflin.org/index.php/journal

22. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network

Peer-reviewed open-access journal from Thammasat University focusing on applied linguistics, English language learning, language acquisition, pedagogy, teacher education, assessment, and language-related educational research.

URL: https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/LEARN

23. The Journal of Asia TEFL

Peer-reviewed journal devoted to the teaching and learning of English, especially in Asian contexts. Useful for EFL pedagogy, SLA, motivation, assessment, teacher education, technology, curriculum, and classroom-based research; articles are downloadable online.

URL: https://asiatefl.org/html/journal.html

24. Journal on English as a Foreign Language (JEFL)

Peer-reviewed open-access journal covering EFL/ESL pedagogy, teacher professional development, teacher education, academic writing, language assessment, literacy, learning resources, innovation, and technology-enhanced ELT.

URL: https://e-journal.iain-palangkaraya.ac.id/index.php/jefl

25. Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics (JELTL)

Open online journal publishing research in English language teaching, applied linguistics, language learning, classroom practice, linguistics, and related educational topics.

URL: https://jeltl.org/index.php/jeltl

26. English as an International Language Journal (EILJ)

Peer-reviewed journal focused on English as an international or global language, World Englishes, English as a lingua franca, intercultural communication, language teaching, identity, and the sociolinguistics of English use worldwide.

URL: https://www.eilj.com/

Language, Discourse, Multilingualism, and Regional Applied-Linguistics Research

27. GEMA Online Journal of Language Studies

Open-access peer-reviewed journal covering language studies, linguistics, applied linguistics, English language research, foreign languages, discourse, sociolinguistics, and classroom practices.

URL: https://ejournal.ukm.my/gema

28. 3L: The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies

Open online journal publishing work in English language studies, applied linguistics, discourse, language learning and teaching, literacy, literature, and language-related cultural research, with a strong Southeast Asian research base.

URL: https://ejournal.ukm.my/3l

29. Porta Linguarum: An International Journal of Foreign Language Teaching and Learning

Diamond open-access journal specializing in foreign-language education and bilingual education. Covers SLA-related variables, curriculum, methodology, materials, assessment, technology, teacher education, and educational planning.

Research tip: Search across several journals rather than relying on only one publication. Useful search terms include combinations of the topic, learner population, context, language skill, theoretical construct, and research method—for example: EFL university students + listening comprehension + metacognitive strategies + qualitative.

URL: https://revistaseug.ugr.es/index.php/portalin

30. Íkala, Revista de Lenguaje y Cultura

Open-access journal from Universidad de Antioquia covering language, culture, applied linguistics, language education, translation, discourse, sociolinguistics, literacy, multilingualism, and intercultural communication.

URL: https://revistas.udea.edu.co/index.php/ikala

UAA Digital Library and Search Suggestions

💡 Targeted to learners enrolled at the UAA.

General Search Overview Within UAA Digital Library General Search Overview Within UAA Digital Library - Notes

Biblioteca UAA Biblioteca UAA - Notes

DuckDuckGo !Bangs DuckDuckGo !Bangs - Notes

Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool - Notes

ResearchGate | Find and share research ResearchGate | Find and share research - Notes

Google Scholar Google Scholar - Notes

RefSeek - Academic Search Engine RefSeek - Academic Search Engine - Notes

Expanded Open-Access Journal Directory — August 2026

Use this section as the current curated journal list. The earlier links on this page include some subscription/hybrid journals and general research tools. The journals below provide free online access for readers to their research content. Some open-access journals may charge authors publication fees, so free reader access should not be confused with free publication.

Benjamin L. Stewart

Explorer