Nexus – International Islamic University

Nexus: Journal of Language Studies

CALL FOR PAPERS

Nexus: Journal of Language Studies is a multidisciplinary journal co-edited by the Department of English, International Islamic University, Islamabad in collaboration with the University of Wales, Newport, UK. With its focus on the study of English around the world, readers of the journal are those involved with language and literature teaching and learning in the various sectors of education: universities, colleges, distance learning providers and schools both public and private.

Function and scope of the journal

The purpose of the journal is to stimulate debate, innovation, reflection and development in relation to language, particularly English, around the world. It invites contributions relating to the following areas:

English language teaching and learning, EAP and ESP
The interface between language and literature
Intercultural communication
Linguistics, stylistics, pragmatics
Curriculum development
Language teacher training
Materials and course development

Types of contributions

The editors invite contributions of the following types:

Articles relating theory to practice
See notes on submission below.
Research articles
See notes on submission below.
Book reviews
Reviews of recent publications related to the fields listed above are welcomed,
Please see guidelines below.
Comment
In this feature invited contributors will present their views on professional issues. Contributors will be invited by the editorial panel; readers are welcome to respond to their comments through the website. A summary of their feedback will be given in the subsequent issue.

Length of contributions

Articles should be 3000-4000 words in length

Notes for Contributors

Guidance on Writing Style

Language

Articles should be written in English. Grammatical, lexical and orthographic features should conform to British norms (e.g. please use ‘colour’ rather than ‘color’; ‘centre’ instead of ‘center’ etc). Please ensure that work is thoroughly proof read before submission. The editors reserve the right to amend phrasing and punctuation in the articles where appropriate.

Acceptable and unacceptable language

Sexist or racist terms should not be used. For example, please use ‘his or her’ rather than referring to one sex only or use the neutral form ‘they’.

Writing for an international audience

Please bear in mind that the journal is intended for a varied audience. Readability will be enhanced by the use of:

Succinct sentences
Clear language without the over-use of complicated terms

Translation(s) should be provided for citations in languages other than English. Please be aware that the reader may be unfamiliar with the socio-geographical context of a study so further explanation may need to be included e.g. when referring to an institutional, local or national policy, give a brief supporting explanation and/or reference to a relevant website or publication.

Use of acronyms

Please define acronyms when used for the first time in the article.

Quotations

Please adhere to the convention of single quotation marks for in text citations and double for quotations within quotations.

Diagrams, tables, figures and illustrations

Any tables and other illustrations should be as simple, relevant and clear as possible. Please ensure that they are clearly labelled so that their relevance is immediately understandable.

Structure of articles

Heading and subheadings should be on a separate line and left justified (i.e. against the left-hand margin). Underline or bold main headings but do not underline subheadings. Please do not number sections. Formatting may be changed during the editorial process.

Presentation and format

Please use A4 paper, single sided, double spaced, font size 12 Arial. Please insert page numbers.

Guidance on the structure of articles

The following suggested structure may be helpful to contributors:

Abstract 100-150words

Structured abstracts are required for all papers. Please submit them in the form detailed below:

For research reports please state the primary objectives and any hypothesis tested; describe the research design and reasons for its adoption; state methods and procedures employed.; state the main outcomes and results, including relevant data and the main conclusions and implications.

For review articles state the primary objective of the review; reasoning behind the literature selection; the way in which the literature was critically analyzed; main outcomes and results; conclusions and implications. Abstracts should not exceed 100-150 words

Keywords

Please include key words that could be used for internet searches as the articles will be available through the journal’s website. Use a maximum of 6 words which refer to the key issues or themes.

Introduction and background

Please include objectives and reference to relevant literature and studies within the field

Methodology

For primary (empirical) research, please give a clear explanation of research methods and discussion of issues of validity and reliability. For secondary (paper-based) research please specify the scope and strategy used.

Results/ Findings

Please include sufficient detail to enable the reader to appreciate the key findings and points of particular interest.

Discussion

Please note that this should be a critical and analytical evaluation of findings rather a restatement of them.

Conclusions (recommendations)

Please note that appendices should not be included.

Guidance on Book Reviews

Reviews of recent publications that are publicly available and relevant to the topics outlined in the introductory sections should be no longer than 1000 words They should state the details of the publication: author, name of publication, publisher’s details, price and review the content section-wise or chapter-wise supported by some examples from the text. Please try to ensure that you give a balanced evaluation of the publication. Reviewers should give their name, contact details and institutional affiliation (where appropriate).

Academic referencing

Please use either Harvard or APA (American Psychological Association) conventions. Internet sources should be referenced as per the style of the conventions used. Reference should be as recent as possible. Please avoid using footnotes but end notes can be used for brief explanations of key terms or references.

Submission requirements

Presentation and format

For paper submission, please send one copy printed on A4 paper, single sided, double spaced, font size 12 Arial. For electronic submission please observe the same conventions.

Electronic submission is preferred please send them as a word attachment to [email protected].
The Deadline for contributions for the first issue 16th October 2009

Author information

Please give your name, contact details, institutional affiliation (if appropriate).

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements should only be included if research has been supported by a funding body.

Submission Declaration

In submitting an article for publication it is assumed that the work is the author’s own, original work that has not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere.

Copyright

Manuscripts will be considered on condition that they are the property of the submitting author(s) and that copyright will be transferred to Journal and the Universities of Newport and Islamabad if the paper is accepted.

Email address: [email protected]

Downloads:

– Call For Papers (PDF Format)