Author Guidelines

Explorations in English Learning (EXEL) operates a fully online manuscript submission and peer review system. Authors must follow the journal’s formatting and ethical guidelines before submission. Submissions that do not comply may be returned without full editorial consideration.

1. Submission Requirements

All manuscripts must be submitted through the EXEL online submission portal: [insert submission link]. Before submission, authors should ensure the following:

  • The manuscript is original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.

  • The formatting, structure, and referencing comply with EXEL’s author template.

  • The submission includes all required components (title page, abstract, main text, references, etc.).

  • Ethical approval has been obtained for any research involving human participants.

Manuscripts may be declined before peer review if they are incomplete, incorrectly formatted, or fail to meet the journal’s quality and ethical standards.

2. Editorial Screening

All submissions undergo an initial review by the editorial team. The purpose of this screening is to assess:

  • Relevance to the journal’s aims and scope

  • Clarity and coherence of the manuscript

  • Originality and academic rigour

  • Compliance with formatting and ethical standards

Submissions may be desk-rejected at this stage for reasons such as:

  • Lack of substantive focus on English language learning

  • Inadequate research design or methodology

  • Unclear presentation or excessive language issues

  • Redundant or overly technical content without pedagogical value

Manuscripts that pass the initial review are assigned to a section editor for peer review.

3. Peer Review Process

EXEL employs a double-blind peer review system to ensure impartiality and scholarly integrity. At least two qualified reviewers are assigned to evaluate the manuscript. Reviewers provide written feedback and a recommendation based on:

  • Contribution to the field

  • Methodological soundness

  • Clarity of analysis and discussion

  • Ethical adherence

  • Presentation and formatting

Decisions are typically communicated within four weeks. If revisions are requested, authors must return a revised manuscript and a response letter within two weeks.

4. Editorial Decision Categories

  • Reject
    The manuscript does not meet EXEL's publication standards and is unsuitable for resubmission.

  • Resubmission Invited
    The manuscript has potential but requires substantial revision. Authors may resubmit a revised version as a new submission. A resubmission will be reevaluated as a fresh manuscript.

  • Revisions Required
    The submission requires changes before a final decision can be made. Authors should revise the manuscript and provide a detailed response to the reviewer comments. Revised manuscripts may be subject to further peer review.

  • Accepted with Minor Revisions
    The manuscript is acceptable pending final checks and minor editorial adjustments. After the editorial office's final review, formal acceptance is confirmed.