Writing Guidelines


Why not write something for the RaPAL Journal? We invite contributions from anyone involved in the field of


adult literacy, numeracy and ESOL education to write and share ideas, practice and research with RaPAL readers. This can be writing from learners, ideas linking research and practice, comments about teaching, training or observations about policy. We welcome articles, reviews, reports, commentaries or cartoons that will stimulate interest and discussion.


The journal is published three times a year and represents an independent space, which allows critical reflection and comment linking research with practice in the field of adult literacy, numeracy and ESOL nationally and internationally.


The RaPAL network includes learners, managers, practitioners, researchers, tutors, teacher trainers, and librarians in adult, further and higher education in the UK. It also has an international membership that covers Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia, South America, Europe and Africa.


Guidelines for Contributors


All contributions should be written in an accessible way for a wide and international readership.


• Writing should be readable avoiding jargon. Where acronyms are used these should be clearly explained. • Ethical guidelines should be followed particularly when writing about individuals or groups. Permission must be gained from those being represented and they should be represented fairly.


• We are interested in linking research and practice; you


may have something you wish to contribute but are not sure it will fit. If this is the case please contact the editors to discuss this.


• Writing should encourage debate and reflection, challenging dominant and taken for granted assumption about literacy, numeracy and ESOL.


Journal Structure


We want to encourage new writers as well as those with experience and to cover a range of topics, to do this the journal is divided into three main sections and a review section. Each section is slightly different in length and focus.


We welcome illustrations and graphics for any of the sections. The journal has a different theme for each edition but welcomes general contributions particularly for Section 1 and Section 2 and for reviews.


Section 1. Ideas for teaching This section is for descriptive and reflective pieces on


teaching and learning. It is a good place to have a first go at writing for publication and can be based on experiences of


learners and teachers in a range of settings. Pieces can be up to 1,000 words long.


Section 2. Developing Research and Practice This section covers a range of contributions from research and practice. In terms of research this could be experience of practitioner research, of taking part in research projects, commenting on research findings or of trying out ideas from research in practice. In terms of practice this could be about trying out new ideas and pushing back boundaries. Contributions should include reflection and critique. Pieces for this section should be between 1,000 - 2,000 words long including references.


Section 3. Research and Practice: Multi-disciplinary perspectives


This section is for more sustained analytical pieces about research, practice or policy. The pieces will be up to 6,000


36 Review Section


Reviews and reports of books, articles, and materials including CD should be between 50 to 800 words long. They should clearly state the name of the piece being reviewed, the author, year of publication, name and location of publisher and cost. You should also include your name, a short 2-3 line biography and your contact details. You can write the review based upon your experience of using the book, article or materials in your role as a practitioner, teacher trainer, and researcher or as a student.


Submitting your work


1. Check the deadline dates and themes which are available in the journal and on the website.


2. All contributions should have the name of the author/s, a title and contact details which include postal address, email address and phone number. We would also like a short 2-3-line biography to accompany your piece. Sections, subsections, graphs or diagrams should be clearly indicated or labelled.


3. Send a copy to one of the journal co-ordinators Naomi Horrocks naomi.horrocks@gmail.com


Sarah Freeman azdak@btopenworld.com


4. Your contribution should be word processed, in Arial size 12 font, double spaced on A4 paper with numbered pages.


What happens next 2.


1. Editors and members of the Editorial Group review contributions for Section 1 and Section 2. Contributions for Section 3 are peer reviewed by a mixture of experienced academic, research and practice referees. Feedback is provided by the editor/s within eight weeks of submission. This will include constructive comment and any suggestions for developing the piece if necessary.


3. You will be informed whether you piece has been accepted, subject to alterations, and if so the editor/s will work on a final editing process. Any final copy will be sent to authors prior to publishing.


4. Where work is not accepted the editor/s may suggest more relevant or alternative places for publication.


Please contact us if you want to discuss any ideas you have for contributing to the journal.


words long including references and will have refereed journal status. Although articles in this section are more theoretically and analytically developed they should


nevertheless be clearly written for a general readership. Both empirical work and theoretical perspectives should be accessible and clearly explained. Writing for this section should:


• Relate to the practices of learning and teaching adult literacy, numeracy or ESOL.


• Link to research by describing and analysing new research findings relating this and any critical discussion to existing research studies.


• Provide critical informed analysis of the topic including reference to theoretical underpinning.


• Write coherently and accessibly avoiding


impenetrable language and assumed meanings. The piece should have a clear structure and layout using the Harvard referencing system and notes where applicable.


All terminology should be explained, particularly for an international readership.


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