Invitation to Write an Article for the Yearly Voices Journal

As we reflect at the end of the year, it is good to look back and think about our successful teaching practices, collaborations, and research findings, as well as other areas of success. Self-reflection is a useful tool, but sharing these successes is a gift we can give to our colleagues.

A great way to share that information is to write an article for the NJTESOL/NJBE Voices Journal, our annual winter publication. We are looking for articles from our members before the submission deadline of January 15. To promote all voices in our organization we encourage articles from Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) members and/or topics that focus on race and power within language instruction, or linguistic justice more broadly. Submission guidelines indicate articles in these categories:

• Current issues: a submission for the current issues category should provide a clear analysis, critique, discussion, or presentation of key topics in New Jersey ESL, Bilingual Education, and Dual Language programs.
• Classroom explorations: a submission for the classroom explorations category will enable teachers to share their perspectives on instructional techniques, challenges, issues, and successes. It should include viewpoints in developing multiple avenues to address the numerous issues in ESL, Bilingual Education, Dual Language education, and student learning. Each submission should include the type of program, the instructional techniques, and an overview in the first paragraph, then provide supporting evidence throughout the rest of the article.
• Program descriptions/exemplary scheduling: a submission for this category will detail a school or district program that has created a solution to an issue impacting effective instructional settings for English language learners, bilingual students, and dual language learners. These programs do not need to be all-encompassing but rather provide insight into creative strategies for scheduling and/or lesson planning to enhance student learning.
• Alternative perspectives: a submission in this category will provide an opportunity for diverse perspectives on one issue or topic. We encourage innovative commentary on issues or teaching methodologies as a way of including all voices in a professional conversation.

Articles must be current and appropriate as related to the teaching of English to speakers of other languages, Bilingual Education, and Dual language programs including students who are U.S.-born bilinguals, ethnically and/or racially diverse multilingual speakers, “generation 1.5”, immigrants, and international students. Articles may focus on any educational level, from kindergarten to university/teacher education, as well as on adult school and workplace literacy settings. Article length is recommended to be 500-1200 words and photos are accepted. In recognition of the disproportionate impacts upon Black multilingual language learners, we encourage submissions at the intersection of race and language. Please check the complete guidelines here.

NJTESOL/NJBE thrives on the scholarship and teaching skills of its members. Please take the time to share some of your expertise with your colleagues in the NJTESOL/NJBE Voices Annual Journal. The deadline for submission is January 15, 2025. Click here for submission information.

Thank you,
Kathleen Fernandez, Executive Director NJTESOL/NJBE