By Dalat TESOL
Supporting novice researchers in publishing their first scholarly work in English language education
📌 Introduction
Publishing a journal article can seem like an impossible task when you’re just starting out. Many TESOL graduate students wonder:
“Is my research strong enough?”
“How do I even begin writing?”
“What do journal editors look for?”
The truth is, academic writing isn’t just about sounding formal — it’s about clarity, structure, and contribution. This guide walks you through how to plan, structure, and write your first article — especially if you’re adapting a thesis or conducting a small-scale TESOL study.
🧭 1. Understand the Purpose of a Journal Article
Unlike a thesis, which can be long and exploratory, a journal article is:
- Concise (usually 5,000–8,000 words)
- Focused on 1–2 key findings
- Written for a scholarly audience
- Framed around a clear contribution
✅ Your goal is not to tell everything you did — but to clearly communicate what you found, why it matters, and how it fits into the field.
📑 2. Follow a Standard IMRaD Structure (With Examples)
Most TESOL articles follow this structure:
| Section | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | State the issue, gap, and purpose | “While AI tools are increasingly used in EFL writing instruction, little is known about students’ real-time use of ChatGPT during revision.” |
| Literature Review | Show what’s known, identify gaps | “Studies show mixed findings on AI-assisted learning, but few focus on self-regulation during tool use.” |
| Method | Describe your design, participants, tools, and procedures | “This qualitative case study followed 12 English majors using ChatGPT in weekly essay tasks over 4 weeks.” |
| Findings/Results | Present themes or statistics, supported by quotes or tables | “Theme 1: Delegating Thinking to ChatGPT — ‘I just copied the ideas it gave me.’” |
| Discussion | Interpret the findings, link to literature | “Students viewed AI as a shortcut, raising concerns about critical thinking — consistent with Teng (2024).” |
| Conclusion | Summarize, suggest implications, state limitations | “Future research should explore how teacher guidance shapes AI tool use among low-proficiency learners.” |
✍️ 3. Writing Each Section: Step-by-Step with TESOL Examples
🔹 Introduction: Set the Stage
Include:
- Context or problem
- Research gap
- Aim/purpose of the study
- Research questions
✅ Example:
“Although generative AI tools like ChatGPT are widely used, their role in fostering or hindering learner autonomy in EFL writing remains underexplored. This study investigates how Vietnamese undergraduates interact with ChatGPT during academic writing tasks.”
🔹 Literature Review: Build the Foundation
- Group studies by theme, not by author
- Show both what is known and what is missing
- End with a clear rationale for your study
✅ Use connectors:
“While several studies (Nguyen, 2023; Todd, 2024) have examined attitudes toward AI, few have analyzed learners’ real-time usage strategies.”
🔹 Method: Be Clear and Transparent
Include:
- Research design (e.g., qualitative case study, quasi-experiment)
- Participants and context
- Instruments (e.g., questionnaire, interview protocol)
- Data collection and analysis process
✅ Example:
“Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Vietnamese, recorded, transcribed, and coded thematically following Braun & Clarke (2006).”
✅ Don’t forget ethical approval and consent procedures.
🔹 Findings or Results: Show the Evidence
Quantitative → use tables, figures, p-values
Qualitative → organize by themes with quotes
✅ Quant example:
“Students who used ChatGPT scored significantly higher in idea organization (M = 3.8, SD = .44) than those who didn’t (M = 3.2, SD = .51), t(44) = 2.15, p = .037.”
✅ Qual example:
Theme 2: Outsourcing Thinking
“I just typed the prompt and copied the paragraph it gave me.”
→ Students often bypassed personal idea development.
🔹 Discussion: Make Sense of It
Here you:
- Interpret the findings
- Connect to previous studies
- Highlight contributions and implications
✅ Example:
“While students valued ChatGPT’s support, the over-reliance reflects concerns about academic autonomy. This echoes Teng’s (2024) findings on surface-level tool use.”
🔹 Conclusion: Wrap Up with Insight
Include:
- Summary of key findings
- Implications (for teachers, curriculum, policy)
- Limitations
- Future research suggestions
✅ Example:
“Given the tendency to rely on AI for ideas, EFL writing instruction should integrate tool literacy and critical engagement strategies.”
📢 4. Tips for Clarity, Flow, and Impact
| Tip | Why It Matters | How to Apply It |
|---|---|---|
| Use clear topic sentences | Helps readers follow your argument | “This theme highlights how students viewed AI as a substitute for planning.” |
| Write in paragraphs, not bullet points | Journal writing requires formal cohesion | Use full explanations with linking phrases |
| Use transitional phrases | Improve flow between ideas | “In contrast,” “This finding extends…” |
| Avoid jargon or overly vague claims | Keeps your writing accessible and grounded | Instead of “This is innovative,” say “This study is among the first to examine…” |
🔎 5. Choose the Right Journal
✅ Consider:
- Scope: Does the journal publish TESOL/applied linguistics research?
- Audience: Teachers, researchers, or both?
- Type: Empirical? Theoretical? Classroom-focused?
🌍 Journals to Explore (for early-career researchers):
- TESL-EJ (open access, practice + research)
- RELC Journal
- Asia TEFL Journal
- VNU Journal of Foreign Studies
- System (if the study is theoretically and methodologically strong)
📬 6. Final Tips Before Submission
| Checklist | ✅ |
|---|---|
| Manuscript follows the journal’s style guide (APA, word limit, formatting) | ✅ |
| You’ve included an abstract and keywords | ✅ |
| You removed all personal/institutional info (for blind review) | ✅ |
| References are complete and accurate | ✅ |
| The writing is clear, cohesive, and logically organized | ✅ |
✅ Bonus tip: Have a peer or mentor read your draft before submission — they’ll spot unclear claims, missing transitions, or overclaims you might miss.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Writing your first journal article is both challenging and rewarding. Think of it not as a final product, but as an opportunity to:
- Clarify your thinking
- Join a scholarly conversation
- Contribute to the field of English language teaching and learning
Start with a focused question. Let your data speak. Use clear language. And above all, write with your reader in mind.
Publishing is not just for seasoned scholars. Your voice, your context, and your insights — especially from underrepresented regions and classrooms — belong in international journals.
🌿 Dalat TESOL – Chia sẻ kiến thức giảng dạy, nghiên cứu khoa học và cơ hội xuất bản