Open Access Policy

Explorations in English Learning (EXEL) is firmly committed to the principles of open-access publishing. We believe unrestricted access to academic research enhances knowledge dissemination, promotes scholarly collaboration, and supports inclusive global education.

1. Immediate and Free Access

All content published in EXEL is freely and permanently available online to readers worldwide. No subscription or access fees are applied. As an open-access journal, EXEL ensures that newly published articles are immediately accessible without delay or embargo.

2. Licensing and Copyright

Articles in EXEL are published under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) license. This license permits anyone to share (copy and redistribute) and adapt (remix, transform, and build upon) the material for any purpose, including commercial use, provided that:

  • Proper credit is given to the original author(s) and source,

  • A link to the license is provided,

  • Any adaptations are distributed under the same license.

Authors retain full copyright of their work while granting EXEL the right to publish and distribute the article under this open license.

3. Advantages of Open Access

By removing access barriers, open-access publishing maximises the visibility, reach, and impact of scholarly work. Authors benefit from greater exposure, broader readership, and potentially higher citation rates. Readers and institutions benefit from equitable access to knowledge, supporting research, practice, and policy development in English language education.

4. Digital Archiving and Preservation

To ensure long-term accessibility, EXEL participates in digital archiving initiatives and repositories. Authors are also encouraged to deposit their published articles in institutional or subject-based repositories in line with the journal’s licensing terms, further enhancing their academic reach and preservation.

5. Commitment to Ethical Open Access

EXEL upholds the highest standards of transparency, inclusivity, and academic integrity. Our open-access model is designed to support authors, readers, and the broader academic community by facilitating ethical and equitable access to research that informs and advances the field of English language learning.