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The REDES (Research and Development in Empirical Studies) Research Group is pleased to announce the 9th Symposium in Empirical Studies in Language and Literature. This year’s theme will be “Realities and projections: acting empirically”.  The event will be held on October 9-10, 2008, at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
-Anna Chesnokova (Kyiv National Linguistic University / Ukraine)
-Giovani Parodi (Catholic University of Valparaíso / Chile)
-Heidrun Krieger Olinto (Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro / Brazil)
-Maria Lúcia Seidl de Moura (State University of Rio de Janeiro / Brazil)

THEME
Abstracts should preferably refer to the theme of the event (“Realities and projections: acting empirically”). Different methodologies are welcome provided they follow an empirical approach.

FORM OF PRESENTATION
-Talks
-Posters

PROPOSALS
-Two abstracts should be submitted: (a) one containing a maximum of 200 words to be published in the book of abstracts and (b) one containing 600 words to be evaluated by the Academic Committee.
-The expanded abstract should include contextualization, aims, review of the literature, methodology, results and conclusions, without subheadings.
-Abstracts may be written either in Portuguese or in English. The language used in the abstract should be the same as in the presentation.
-In both abstracts, the title must be centralized, in bold, and in capital letters. The author’s name and his/her institution, both in italics, should come under the title. One line should separate the abstract from the title. No foot/endnotes or references should be included.  Unusual symbols that may be changed over the digital medium should be avoided.
-Any special arrangements as regards the day/time of the presentation should be informed to the Organizing Committee when the proposal is submitted.  No changes to the program will be made afterwards.
-Proposals should be submitted according to the guidelines posted on the website (http://www.letras.ufrj.br/ecel).
IMPORTANT DATES
-Abstract submission deadline: July 20, 2008
-Letters of acceptance: August 17, 2008
-9th Symposium in Empirical Studies in Language and Literature: October 09-10, 2008

FEES
*Presenters = R$50,00
*Other participants = R$ 20,00

PROMOTED BY
Research and Development in Empirical Studies (REDES) – Brazil
Interdisciplinary Program of Applied Linguistics/Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

ACADEMIC COMMITTEE
-Anna Chesnokova (Kyiv National Linguistic University)
-Bárbara Hemais (Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro)
-Bernardo de Vasconcelos (University of Madeira)
-Frank Hakemulder (Utrecht University)
-Heidrun Krieger Olinto (Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro)
-Lúcia Pacheco de Oliveira (Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro)
-Marcia Paraquett Fernandes (Fluminense Federal University)
-Milena Mendes (Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro)
-Olívia Fialho (University of Alberta)
-Silvia Becker (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro)
-Sonia Zyngier (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro)
-Vander Viana (Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro)
-Willie van Peer (Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich)

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
-Sonia Zyngier (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro)
-Vander Viana (Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro)
-Juliana Jandre (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro)
-Samantha Nero (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro)
-Erika Coachman (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro)

REDES WEBSITES
http://www.redes.lmu.de (International)
http://www.letras.ufrj.br/redes (Brazilian)

EVENT WEBSITE
http://www.letras.ufrj.br/ecel

CALL FOR CHAPTER PROPOSALS
Proposal Submission Deadline: 05/30/2008
Full Chapters Due: 10/31/2008

Literary Education and Digital Learning:
Methods and Technologies for Humanities Studies
A book edited by Willie van Peer, University of Munich, Germany
Sonia Zyngier, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Vander Viana, Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Introduction
We live at a time of enormous realignments in the use of media. Each day more information can be retrieved from the Internet. The world is not one of knowing how to access and manage information rather than storing and processing it. In the area of literature, ever more information on literary production is being disseminated and retrieved in electronic form. This has considerable consequences for the form and use of such information. It also has consequences for learning and research environments at educational institutions. Today’s popularization of modern technologies has allowed scholars in the Humanities, including literature specialists, to access an array of novel opportunities in the digital medium, which have brought about an equal number of challenges and questions. In spite of the vast amount of information now at hand, very little has been provided for the advance of literary education.

Objective of the book
This volume aims at providing a deep probe into the most relevant issues in literary education and digital learning. The chapters will be organized into two categories: research and education. The first group will collect studies investigating the impact of technologies in literary research. Its main aim is to understand how computers and other new technologies may help scholars investigate literary works in novel ways, thus bringing new perspectives to the area. The second group will look into the potential of applying distance learning methods/concepts/environments to the field of literature. In other words, it will collect contributions on how these resources may be used by scholars and students either inside or outside regular classrooms, provided that these classroom applications are not accounts of experience but based on research.  In sum, the volume will offer a survey of how digital literary education has developed, where it stands now, how research in this area has progressed, and what the prospects are for the future.

Target audience
This volume will be of interest to those interested in digital learning/teaching and/or literature, especially in the university context.  This book will also interest literature professionals who would like to see how digital learning works in practice. In addition, the book will be highly valuable to those researchers in the field interested in keeping abreast with current developments in the confluence of their fields of expertise and technological settings.

Recommended topics
The topics to be covered in Parts I (Research) and II (Education) should encompass literature and one of the following aspects (the list below is not comprehensive, other topics may be welcomed, and especially those in which authors are considered specialists):
*Applications in Distance Learning
*Authoring Tools
*Collaborative Learning
*Corpus-based Research
*Empirical Research on Digital Learning/Teaching
*Future Challenges
*Learning Technologies
*Methods in Distance Education Teaching
*Online Education Tools and Technologies
*Online Learning
*Shortcomings of Distance Learning Applications and Technologies
*Web-Based Course Authoring Tools

Submission procedure
Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before May 30, 2008, a 2-4 page chapter proposal clearly explaining the mission and concerns of his or her proposed chapter. Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by July 31, 2008 about the status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines. Full chapters are expected to be submitted by October 31, 2008. All submitted chapters will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis. This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the “Information Science Reference” (formerly Idea Group Reference) and “Medical Information Science Reference” imprints. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit www.igi-global.com.

Inquiries and submissions can be forwarded electronically (Word document) to:

Vander Viana
vander.viana@terra.com.br
and
Sonia Zyngier
sonia.zyngier@gmail.com

http://www.igi-pub.com/requests/details.asp?ID=398
http://www.letras.ufrj.br/redes/call.htm

The Linguistics Journal http://www.linguistics-journal.com/index.php invites submissions of articles to be considered for publication in a forthcoming special issue of the Journal entitled Language, Culture and Identity in Asia, scheduled for publication in August 2009.  This edition focuses on sociolinguistic approaches to the investigation of Language, Culture and Identity in Asia. Articles can be on, but are not restricted to, topics such as: Bilingualism, Code-switching, Endangered languages, Language and identity, Language attitudes, Language policy, Language revitalization, Language shift and language maintenance, Languages in contact, Minority languages 

The geographical area includes all Asian countries including the Middle East. We welcome research on sociolinguistic issues in languages other than English as well as research on English as a Second or Foreign Language in the contexts concerned. We would also welcome theoretical or review papers.

In order to assist planning, authors are requested to send expressions of interest or requests for further information to the corresponding editor, cfcavallaro@ntu.edu.sg. The closing date for receipt of first drafts of papers for this special issue is December 31st 2008. All papers will be subject to the normal peer review process of the Journal. The expected deadline for submission of final versions is May 31^st 2009. We welcome submission by email. For submission guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.linguistics-journal.com/submission_guide.php

Please submit papers for this special issue to:

Dr Francesco Cavallaro,

Division of Linguistics and Multilingual Studies,

School of Humanities and Social Sciences,

Nanyang Technological University

cfcavallaro@ntu.edu.sg

The March edition of the Asian EFL Journalis on line. The lead article is by professor Rebecca Oxford and co-author, Lee Kyoung rang.

In Understanding EFL Learners’ Strategy Use and Strategy Awareness, the authors focus on the influence of strategy awareness, English-learning self-image and the importance of English in the Korean context. They found that students who valued English as important, evaluated their own proficiency as high and were already aware of a variety of language learning strategies employed learning strategies more frequently than those who did not. While gender and major were expected to be helpful indicators of successful learning, Lee and Oxford found that they did not affect strategy use and awareness unless combined with other variables, concluding that emphasizing strategy use based on gender or majors could be promoting a stereotype

Until recently, ISI has been the key resource for academics who wish to publish in Indexed Second Language Acquisition journals. Many excellent journals with professional Editorial Boards have been left  of the list.We have extensively researched SLA journals from 2001 - 2005 inclusive, and compiled a comprehensive Impact Factor especially for those interested in the Second language acquisition journals.

To view our Beta Impact factor and Internet Impact factor list, view here  
large amounts of data from 2005-2007 are  still being assimilated so one can expect changes.If you have any ideas or suggestions we would be pleased to hear from you.

‘”E-mail in from one reader”

I had a look at your journal citation report. I think it is a great project. The second list “Internet Impact Factors” seems to be a new one since the other index institutions, I think, don’t have such a category but I think it is also necessary and is an appropriate alternative.Yes, you are right, Thomson scientific is too much a private club…. the rest of the journals in the field are even not considered in the calculation as if they have no impact. 

We have recently begun two new journals:- The Chinese EFL Journal and the Iranian EFL Journal.  Already submissions are being received. If you can help out as part of an international Editorial review team please write to us with your details and stating which Journal you would like to help on. Editors work in teams of 4 under the direction of an Associate Editor. Your name and affiliation will be added to the Editorial Board.  Thanks -contact   asian_efl_journal@yahoo.com

*Conference Announcement:
April 12 2008.
The Asian EFL Journal Conference. Pusan, South Korea.
The theme for this years conference is  “Innovation and Tradition in ELT in the New Millennium. (2) TESOL teaching in Korea.”

Key Speakers are
Professor Rebecca Oxford (Maryland University, USA ) and Professor Rod Ellis (N.Z.)

     **(Call for papers)** (Open until February 14th)

Two new articles appear this month.  Marcus Otlowski   writes, “With English as the de facto lingua franca of the global economy, more and more companies, national and international, hold interviews for candidates in English. Gumperz and Roberts (1991) note that ‘interethnic encounters’ pose a daunting challenge for some learners; none more so than an English interview. Without the necessary cultural or linguistic knowledge, learners can potentially create negative impressions of themselves for interviewers. In an EFL situation, with limited time and large class numbers, how can instructors prepare students for such interviews? Hhis paper reports on a task-based unit of work that was designed to activate the learner’s linguistic resources, develop an essential lexis for an interview, and introduce the learner to the cultural differences of a ‘western’ interview.”

Tuula Lehtonen, in the second article, reports she, “… examines the concept of personal authenticity (van Lier, 1996), using student diary entries collected during an English for academic and professional purposes course with a negotiated syllabus. Signs of personal authenticity – a concept related to autonomy - are traced in the entries. These signs suggest that personal authenticity emerged because the students were able to negotiate many aspects of their learning. In addition, open-ended tasks that carried real life transfer value enhanced the likelihood of personal authenticity. What was also important from the point of view of personal authenticity was the use of materials that were relevant to the students’ real life needs. As these findings are context-specific and stem from a localized approach, further research in Asian and other non-European cultural contexts is needed on the rise of personal authenticity through the use of authentic materials, authentic tasks, and negotiation.”

These articles may be read at
http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/profession_teaching_articles.php

The Iranian EFL Journal is now on the web.  See www.iranian-efl-journal.com

We receive many many submissions each month from the Middle East. Many articles are of high excellence, yet it is simply not possible to publish all articles received. The new IEFFJ adds an extra dimension for authors to find a credible source to have their submissions read by a wide audience.

Submissions are welcome from across the globe, though a focus on English language learning and teaching in the greater Middle East is the focus of the IEFLJ.

Anyone wishing to volunteer their expertise in the Editorial department is very welcome.

Contact:- Editor iefljl@gmail.com

 When submitting, please take note of the following guidelines:-

(a) Include an undertaking that “...the paper has not and will not be submitted to any other journal for consideration…” until the review by our editors is complete.

 (b) When submitting, give full information in the e-mail message, such as your full name and affiliation, the title of the paper, the abstract and a brief statement explaining why this paper is relevant to an international audience. As an international journal we prefer papers that at least explain how local studies are relevant across borders. Otherwise local studies  are best submitted to national journals. The background section can help by reviewing what has been done elsewhere on this topic. 

(c) Only use APA referencing

(d) Use Time New Roman Font (12)

(e) Charts and graphs must fit with in an A4 size page.

(f)  It is also useful to point out early in the paper (and even in the e-mail message) what is new about your study -  a common reason given by associate editors for rejection is that the paper doesn’t contribute anything new or relevant to a broad international audience. Routine studies, even if efficiently conducted, may pass exams but they do not get published unless they have something new and relevant to say.

(g) Although it may not directly influence the fate of the paper itself, a lot of the covering e-mails say very little except ‘please accept this paper’ and the subject line and messages themselves are sometimes very badly written.  It is very helpful to find all the tracking information (full name, title, abstract) in the message itself and, however open-minded and fair we try to be,  a correctly drafted e-mail does inspire more confidence.

**Once a paper is received, and once the preliminary review indicates the above-mentioned has been followed, we will (i) notify you of the receipt (ii) commence the review processes.

Due to the very large amounts of submissions  received monthly and the time needed to carry out our preliminary assessments, we cannot correspond with authors who do not comply with the basic submission requirements.

Thanks for your cooperation.