Dear Readers,

We are continuing our “Perspectives” column, with a contribution from Scott Alkire, San Jose State University, who interviews a self-taught speaker of multiple languages. Did you know, for instance, that Arabic speakers from different regions of the Arabic-speaking world, often carry on their conversations in English rather than Arabic? Read the article to find out why!

Focus on TESL-EJ staff roles. You are all aware of the role of our co-editors, who see each potential submission through the peer review process, but there are others who play an important role in maintaining the quality of our published articles. Dr. Ryan Spring is an expert in academic statistics who, upon request, reviews the validity of statistics in submitted papers, often recommending additional confirmatory tests or suggesting the deletion of elements that do not enhance readers’ understanding of the paper. Ryan has authored a book on academic statistics that will soon be available in the “Books” section of TESL-EJ. All books there are absolutely free, although hardcover versions are available from Amazon.com. Similarly, Dr. Larry Xethakis advises us on papers concerning Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), which is gradually becoming more popular thanks to easily obtainable software. SEM allows the researcher to extract “latent variables” — traits that exist but cannot be directly observed.

Passages. In the January Issue, we thanked Dr. Rachel Toncelli, who has moved on to greater challenges. Rachel has recommended Dr. Veronika Maliborska, Northeastern University, as a highly qualified replacement. we hope that she doesn’t have to move on to “greater challenges” too soon! Welcome, Veronika!!

Thanks to recent reviewers. We thank the reviewers of all submissions that had reached a decision since our last issue – regardless of whether the paper was accepted or declined. Alqahtani Nouf, Ameen Fahad, Amira Albagshi, Amirreza Karami, Aránzazu Garcìa-Pinar, Artero Abellan Meltem, Artut Emre, Azad Mohammad Taghei, Batunan Deisyi, Behnam Aghayani, Chahrazed Mirza, Chiagorom Mehmet, Colin William Campbell, David Imamyartha, Dr. Guy Redmer, El-Garawany Marwa, El-Koumi Musa, Eslam Yacoub, Evi Puspitasari, Fakhruddin Jihee, Frank Hermann, Grant Eckstein, Guy Redmer, Hamid Bahador, Havva Zorluel Ozer, Helen Lepp Friesen, Hoang Nguyen, Ilka Kostka, Jeremy Douglas Phillips, John Chun Yin Wong, Joseph Tomei, Khan Amanda, Laura M. Hartwell, Lian Ania, Lilly Yazdanpanah, Lin Zhou, M. Affandi Arianto, Madarbakus-Ring Naheen, Made Hery Santosa, Makimi Kano, Manashi Dutta, Merve Savasci, Michael Joseph Ennis, Michael Lance Rabbidge, Mohamed Elhess, Mohammad N. Karimi, Mohammad Reza Anani Sarab, Molin-Karakoc Linda Marie Isabelle, Monica Gonzalez Smith, Na Ta, Nakata Tatsuya, Natalia Lazebna, Oliver Balance, Ranson Lege, Rasoul Mohammad Hosseinpur, Rita Elaine Silver, Sharoon Sunny, Skoufaki, Thanh Thao Le, Theresa A Antes, Theresa Summer, Thomas Farrell, Uchihara Takumi, Villegas Paula, Wei Wenyang, Wu You, Yildiz Turgut, Yosefina Rosdiana Su, Yu Xi and Yuri Yarin.

Enjoy!

Thomas N. Robb, for the TESL-EJ Team